Placenta Previa and Placenta Accreta Scan in Nagpur
A low-lying placenta, placenta previa, or suspected placenta accreta needs calm explanation, careful imaging, and planned coordination. At Mayflower Fetal Medicine & High-Risk Pregnancy Centre, Dr. Kunda Shahane evaluates placental location, scar relationship, cervical distance, and colour Doppler features using specialist fetal medicine ultrasound.
What are placenta previa and placenta accreta?
The placenta is the pregnancy organ that supplies oxygen and nutrition to the baby. Its position matters because a low placenta can affect delivery planning. In some higher-risk cases, especially when a low placenta overlies a previous caesarean scar, doctors also look carefully for features suggesting abnormal placental attachment.
Placenta Previa
Placenta previa means the placenta is lying low in the uterus and is near or covering the internal opening of the cervix. Many low placentas seen earlier in pregnancy move upward as the uterus grows, but some persist and need third-trimester monitoring.
- Low-lying placenta
- Marginal placenta previa
- Partial or complete placenta previa
- Placenta close to previous caesarean scar
Placenta Accreta Spectrum
Placenta accreta spectrum refers to abnormal attachment of the placenta to the uterine wall. It is not diagnosed by anxiety or symptoms alone — it needs structured imaging, colour Doppler assessment, clinical history review, and obstetric planning.
- Higher suspicion with previous caesarean plus placenta previa
- Assessed with targeted ultrasound and colour Doppler
- May require planned delivery at a prepared centre
- Requires coordination between fetal medicine and obstetric team
When is this scan recommended?
Placenta previa and accreta assessment is especially important when placental position, uterine scar history, or pregnancy symptoms suggest a need for closer monitoring.
Previous Caesarean or Uterine Surgery
A previous caesarean scar, myomectomy, uterine surgery, or repeated uterine procedures may increase the importance of assessing placental attachment carefully.
Low Placenta on Earlier Scan
If the anomaly scan or growth scan mentions a low-lying placenta or placenta previa, a follow-up scan helps document whether the placenta has moved away from the cervix.
Bleeding Episodes in Pregnancy
Any bleeding in pregnancy should be discussed with your obstetrician. Ultrasound may help assess placental location and guide safe monitoring.
IVF or High-Risk Pregnancy
Some high-risk pregnancies need more structured placental and fetal surveillance, especially when other factors coexist.
Suspected Accreta Features
If a previous scan raises concern for accreta, a fetal medicine second opinion can help clarify imaging features and planning needs.
Delivery Planning
When placenta previa persists late in pregnancy or accreta is suspected, imaging supports safe, planned delivery decisions with the obstetric team.
What Dr. Kunda Shahane evaluates during the scan
The goal is not just to label the placenta as “low” or “normal.” The goal is to understand placental position, risk level, and what planning is needed for the rest of the pregnancy.
| Assessment Area | What is Checked | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Placental Location | Anterior, posterior, fundal, low-lying, marginal, partial, or complete previa pattern. | Delivery planning Helps determine whether the placenta may affect the route and timing of delivery. |
| Distance from Cervix | Measurement of the lower placental edge in relation to the internal cervical opening. | Follow-up decision Helps decide whether repeat third-trimester scan is needed. |
| Previous Scar Relationship | Whether an anterior low placenta overlies or approaches a previous caesarean scar region. | Accreta suspicion Important in patients with previous caesarean delivery. |
| Placental-Myometrial Interface | Visual assessment of the boundary between placenta and uterine wall. | Risk stratification Helps identify cases needing closer review. |
| Colour Doppler Vascularity | Abnormal vascular patterns, bridging vessels, and increased vascularity near scar or cervix. | Specialist planning Doppler features can raise suspicion of abnormal placental attachment. |
| Cervical Length | Cervical length and relationship between placenta and cervix. | Preterm risk context Helps build a complete high-risk pregnancy picture. |
| Fetal Growth and Fluid | Baby’s growth, amniotic fluid, fetal wellbeing markers when clinically needed. | Complete care Placental problems may coexist with other high-risk pregnancy factors. |
| Report and Plan | Clear documentation of findings, risk impression, and follow-up recommendations. | Coordination Helps your treating obstetrician plan monitoring and delivery safely. |
GE Voluson Signature Expert for placental assessment
At Mayflower Clinic, placental evaluation is performed on the GE Voluson Signature Expert, an AI-enabled fetal ultrasound system that supports high-resolution imaging, colour Doppler, 4D visualisation, and systematic assessment.
Technology supports the scan — but interpretation, counselling, and clinical judgement remain doctor-led by Dr. Kunda Shahane.
What happens after a previa or accreta scan?
The result is not just a report. It becomes a roadmap for follow-up, obstetric coordination, and safe delivery planning.
Risk is explained clearly
Dr. Kunda explains whether the placenta is low-lying, previa, or whether accreta features are suspected. The explanation is given in practical language, without panic.
Follow-up scan timing is planned
If the placenta is low earlier in pregnancy, repeat imaging may be advised later because placental position can appear to change as the uterus grows.
Your obstetrician is guided
The scan report supports your treating obstetrician in planning surveillance, precautions, delivery timing, and hospital readiness.
High-risk delivery planning is coordinated
If accreta suspicion is significant, the focus shifts to planned care — appropriate centre, blood bank readiness, surgical team preparedness, and avoiding emergency decision-making.
Doctor’s Note
“A low-lying placenta can sound frightening when parents first hear it. But many cases only need careful follow-up. The important part is to identify which cases are simple placenta previa and which cases may have accreta risk because of a previous scar. Good imaging gives the obstetric team time to plan calmly, safely, and scientifically.”
What should you bring for the scan?
Previous history is very important for placenta previa and accreta evaluation. Please bring all earlier reports so that the scan can be interpreted in the correct clinical context.
FAQs about placenta previa and accreta scan
Does a low-lying placenta always remain low till delivery?
Why is previous caesarean history important?
Can placenta accreta be diagnosed only by symptoms?
Will this scan decide whether I need caesarean delivery?
Is MRI always needed for placenta accreta?
Can I travel if I have placenta previa?
Related scans and high-risk pregnancy services
Placental assessment often connects with growth monitoring, Doppler studies, cervical assessment, and high-risk pregnancy planning.
Need a placenta previa or accreta risk assessment?
Book a specialist scan with Dr. Kunda Shahane at Mayflower Fetal Medicine & High-Risk Pregnancy Centre, Dhantoli, Nagpur. Please bring all previous scan reports and obstetric notes.
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