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Written by

Roxanne Albert, BSN, RNC-OB

The Difference Between The Placenta Locations: Front, Back, or Down Below?

  • Birth
Did you know your placenta can implant in different places?
Did you know your placenta can implant in different places?

The placenta is the organ, that YOU GROW YOURSELF, that provides nutrients to the baby throughout pregnancy. It is made up of many little units, cotyledons, where the exchange of nutrients and waste occurs. Not many people realize but there can be few placenta locations.

The umbilical cord attaches to the placenta from baby, and the amniotic sac is attached to the placenta as well!

This is an amazing organ that does so many amazing things!

The one thing about the placenta that not many realize is it can be in different portions of the uterus depending on where the baby implants in the uterine lining.

Placenta Locations

The placenta locations can be:

  • Anterior – Front of uterus
  • Posterior – Back of uterus
  • Low-lying – Bottom of uterus, near the cervix
  • Previa – Covering the cervix completely or partially
The location of the placenta is usually not an issue except when it is completely or partially covering the cervix, known as Placenta Previa!

Anterior Placenta

Placenta is located on the front portion of your uterus closer to your uterus. Usually no issues with this location. 

Some will say it can cause baby to be in a more un-optimal position for labor due to its location, but not always the case!

Baby movements may be felt later in pregnancy because the placenta increases the distance from the abdominal wall which can prevent you from feeling some of the movements. 

Some providers will not perform an ECV if baby is in the breech position with an anterior placenta due to potential increased risk of injury to the placenta during the procedure.

Placenta locations

Posterior Placenta

The placenta is located on the back portion of your uterus closer to your spine. This is considered the morst ideal of all placenta locations for a vaginal birth because it allows baby to position themselves in a more optimal position. 

You will feel movements earlier with this position. 

Low-Lying Placenta

Placenta is <2cm away from the cervix , but NOT covering it. Depending on how far from the cervix it is, vaginal birth can still be an option! There is an increased risk with low-lying placenta of needing an unplanned c-section during labor, if labor is attempted. Discussing options with your provider as pregnancy progresses if the placenta does not move can be helpful to understand all of the risks and differences between the placenta locations!

15-20% of placentas will be low-lying at 18-20 weeks, when most will have their anatomy scan, but only around 0.5% of low-lying placentas are still present at 36 weeks! Most will migrate away from the cervix as the uterus grows. 

This is because the lower uterine segment grows most in the second half of pregnancy than the first! The placenta itself is not actually moving, but the uterus is growing and the placenta moves with the growing uterus away from the cervix.

The Placenta will be one of the below:

  • Anterior Low-Lying
  • Posterior Low-Lying
Depending on the study you read one of these placenta locations is more likely to migrate away than the other, but both have not been associated with increased risks over the other. 

Placenta Previa

Placenta is covering all or part of the cervix! If it is still covering the cervix at time of birth, c-section is recommended. This is due to the risk of heavy bleeding and distress for baby. The placenta cannot be born before baby, as it is their lifeline. 

Present in around 1-15% of pregnancies at 20 weeks, but 90% of those will resolve by 36 weeks!

The timing of the c-section can depend on the provider and severity of the condition. If you are bleeding throughout pregnancy, they will likely advise a c-section earlier in pregnancy. 

Partial Previa

Covering a portion of the cervix

Complete Previa

Covering the entire cervix

Major Risk Factor Associated with Low-lying and Placenta Previa is the risk of bleeding! If you know you have either placental positions and you have vaginal bleeding of any kind, especially bright red. It is recommended to reach out to your provider or go to the hospital to be assessed!

Providers will recommend pelvic rest with Placenta Previa, and sometimes for low-lying placenta. This is the avoid any stimulation of the cervix that could cause bleeding from the placenta. 

There is nothing you can do to help assist your placenta to move unfortunately! Just patience!

It’s important to know that even if you are diagnosed with Placenta Previa, 90% of these will resolved before 36 weeks, if they haven’t yet by 32 weeks! 

Prepare for Birth