Peripartum hysterectomy and associated factors

OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors associated with peripartum hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: The charts of 101 cesarean hysterectomies performed at Severance Hospital from January 1986 to April 2001 were reviewed. The patients were categorized into 2 groups. One was patients who underwent vaginal delivery followed by peripaRtum hysterectomy. The other was those who had cesarean section followed by peripartum hysterectomy. Paired t test and one-way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: During the study period there were 31,044 deliveries. Peripartum hysterectomy was performed in 54 of 11,924 cesarean sections (0.45%) and 18 of 19,120 vaginal deliveries (0.09%). The most common indication for peripartum hysterectomy was uterine atony (41.58%), followed by placenta previa accreta (23.76%), placenta accreta (16.83%) and placenta previa (11.88%). Placenta previa accreta patients received the highest volume of transfusions, 1,734 +/- 688 mL (P < .05). More cesarean hysterectomies (55.93%) occurred in emergency cesarean section cases than in elective ones (44.06%). CONCLUSION: The risk factors associated with peripartum hysterectomy were placental abnormalities and previous cesarean deliveries. Hemorrhage remained the main cause of maternal mortality. Therefore, peripartum hysterectomy must be performed to save the life of the mother and must be free of dangerous sequelae.     

Emergency peripartum hysterectomy: experience at a community teaching hospital

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence, indications, risk factors, and complications associated with emergency peripartum hysterectomy at a community-based academic medical center. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively 47 of 48 cases of emergency peripartum hysterectomy performed at Winthrop-University Hospital from 1991 to 1997. Emergency peripartum hysterectomy was defined as one performed for hemorrhage unresponsive to other treatment less than 24 hours after delivery. Fisher exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Cochran-Armitage exact trend test were used for analysis. RESULTS: There were 48 emergency peripartum hysterectomies among 34,241 deliveries for a rate of 1.4 per 1000. Most frequent indications were placenta accreta (48.9%, 12 with previa, 11 without previa), uterine atony (29.8%), previa without accreta (8.5%), and uterine laceration (4.3%). Placenta accreta was the most common indication in multiparous women (58.8%, 20 of 34), uterine atony the most common in primiparas (69.2%, nine of 13). Twenty-two of 23 (95.6%) women with placenta accreta had a previous cesarean delivery or curettage. The number of cesarean deliveries or curettages increased the risk of placenta accreta proportionally. Thirty-eight (80.9%) of the hysterectomies were subtotal. Postoperative febrile morbidity was 34%; other morbidity was 26.3%. CONCLUSION: Placenta accreta has become the most common indication for emergency peripartum hysterectomy.     

Indication of emergency peripartum hysterectomy: review of 17 cases

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to determine the incidence, indications, associated risk factors and complications with emergency peripartum hysterectomy at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 17 cases of emergency peripartum hysterectomy done from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2002. RESULTS: Seventeen patients of emergency peripartum hysterectomy were identified among 34,379 deliveries and the incidence rate was 0.5 per 1,000. Uterine atony 11 (64.7%, 9 without previa and 2 with previa) and followed by morbid adherent placenta with previa 6 (35.3%, 1 complete placenta accreta and 5 partial adherent placenta) was the most common indication of hysterectomy. Of the atonic group, 3 were primigravidae, 2 of 3 induced and 1 placenta previa. In morbid adherent placenta group the gravidity, previous abortions and prior cesarean deliveries were higher compared to the atonic group and were statistically significant. Conservative surgery performed in 6 (35.3%) patients before proceeding to hysterectomies, 3 (17.7%) patients had uterine artery ligation and 3 (17.7%) internal iliac ligation. Eight (47.1%) hysterectomies were subtotal. Nine (53%) patients developed disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) and one case (6%) had bilateral ureteric ligation and bladder injury. No maternal deaths occurred. CONCLUSION: Uterine atony still is the leading cause of primary postpartum hemorrhage and the main indications of emergency peripartum hysterectomy. The combination of high parity, cesarean section, prior cesarean delivery and current placenta previa were identified as risk factors, and should alert the obstetrician that an emergency peripartum hysterectomy may needed. Although no maternal mortality occurred morbidity remained high.     

Emergency peripartum hysterectomy at the Princess Badeea Teaching Hospital in north Jordan.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence, indications and outcome of emergency peripartum hysterectomy in women delivered at the Princess Badeea Teaching Hospital in North Jordan. METHOD: This is a retrospective study of all cases of emergency peripartum hysterectomy performed between 1st of January 1994 and 31 August 1998. RESULTS: During the study period there were a total of 21 emergency peripartum hysterectomy were performed. The overall incidence was 0.5/1,000 deliveries. The mean age of patients was 34.7 +/- 3.9 years, the median parity was 6 and the mean gestational age was 36.9 +/- 2.01 weeks. There were 19 cases of caesarean hysterectomy. The leading indication for caesarean section was previous caesarean section (89.5%), placenta previa alone (10.5%). It should be noted that 7 cases with previous caesarean section also had placenta previa (41.2%). The main indications for emergency hysterectomy were, abnormally adherent placenta was the leading indication (38.1%), followed by rupture uterus (33.3%), haemorrhage and uterine atony occurred in 14.3% of cases each, maternal complications occurred in 42.9% of cases postoperatively. There were 4 cases of stillbirths and 2 cases of neonatal deaths. CONCLUSION: Peripartum hysterectomy remains a necessary procedure for life saving during abdominal and vaginal deliveries. The procedure itself is usually associated considerable perioperative morbidity. Obstetricians should identify patients at risk and anticipate the procedure and complications.     

Emergency peripartum hysterectomy: a 9-year review

Objective: To determine the incidence, indications, risk factors, and complications of emergency peripartum hysterectomy. Study design: A retrospective study of the patients requiring an emergency peripartum hysterectomy of a 9-year period was conducted. Emergency peripartum hysterectomy was defined as one performed for hemorrhage unresponsive to other treatment less than 24 h after delivery. Demographic and clinical variables were obtained from the maternal records. Results: There were 34 emergency peripartum hysterectomies out of 117,095 deliveries for a rate of 0.29 per 1,000. Of the 16 cases that were delivered by cesarean section, seven had a previous cesarean section and 18 cases were delivered vaginally, including two using vacuum extraction. Total hysterectomy was performed in 24 patients, and subtotal hysterectomy in ten patients. The indications for hysterectomy were uterine rupture (n=12), placenta accreta (n=10), uterine atony (n=7), and hemorrhage (n=5). There were two maternal deaths, six stillbirths, and two early neonatal deaths. Conclusion: This study identified surgical deliveries, uterine rupture, placenta accreta, and uterine atony as risk factors for emergency peripartum hysterectomy. The most common reason for abnormal placental adherence was a previous cesarean section. Multiparity and oxytocin use for uterine stimulation were among the risk factors for uterine atony that necessitated emergency peripartum hysterectomy.     

Emergency peripartum hysterectomy in a tertiary hospital in Ankara, Turkey: a 5-year review

Purpose

To determine the incidence, indications and the risk factors of emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH).

Methods

We analyzed retrospectively 30 cases of emergency peripartum hysterectomy performed at the Obstetrics Department of a tertiary, research and education hospital between the years of 2006 and 2010. Demographic, medical and clinical data of the patients were recorded. Data stored were expressed as mean?±?standard deviation.

Results

There were 30 cases of EPH among 82,363 deliveries. The overall incidence of EPH was 0.364 per 1,000 deliveries from 2006 to 2010. Nine hysterectomies were performed after vaginal delivery (0.16/1,000 vaginal deliveries) and the remaining 21 hysterectomies were performed after cesarean section (0.78/1,000 cesarean sections). Two cases (6.7?%) were performed as subtotal and remaining 28 cases (93.3?%) were performed as total hysterectomy. Indications of EPH were uterine atony (43.3?%, 13/30), placenta accreta (40.0?%, 12/30) and uterine rupture (16.7?%, 5/30). All patients [7/7 (100?%)] with placenta previa and 11 of 12 patients (91.7?%) with placenta accreta had previously cesarean sections. There were two maternal deaths due to coagulopathy and pulmonary embolism. Two stillbirths (6.6?%) and 2 early neonatal deaths (6.6?%) were recorded.

Conclusions

It should be kept in mind that cases of placenta previa and/or placenta accreta with previous cesarean sections have a very high probability of EPH. The delivery should be performed in suitable clinical settings with experienced surgeons when the risk factors like placenta previa and/or placenta accreta are determined so as to achieve optimal outcome.     

Placenta previa/accreta and prior cesarean section

To assess the relationship between increasing numbers of previous cesarean sections and the subsequent development of placenta previa and placenta accreta, the records of all patients presenting to labor and delivery with the diagnosis of placenta previa between 1977 and 1983 were examined. Of a total of 97,799 patients, 292 (0.3%) had a placenta previa. The risk of placenta previa was 0.26% with an unscarred uterus and increased almost linearly with the number of prior cesarean sections to 10% in patients with four or more. The effect of advancing age and parity on the incidence of placenta previa was much less dramatic. Patients presenting with a placenta previa and an unscarred uterus had a 5% risk of clinical placenta accreta. With a placenta previa and one previous cesarean section, the risk of placenta accreta was 24%; this risk continued to increase to 67% (two of three) with a placenta previa and four or more cesarean sections. Possible mechanisms and clinical implications are discussed.     

Incidence of emergency peripartum hysterectomy in Ain-shams University Maternity Hospital,Egypt: a retrospective study

Purpose

To estimate the incidence of emergency peripartum hysterectomy over 6 years in Ain-shams University Maternity Hospital.

Methods

Detailed chart review of all cases of emergency peripartum hysterectomy, 2003–2008, including previous obstetric history, details of the index pregnancy, indications for emergency peripartum hysterectomy, outcome of the hysterectomy and infant morbidity.

Results

The overall rate of emergency peripartum hysterectomy was 149 of 66,306 or 2.24 per 1,000 deliveries. The primary indications for hysterectomies were placenta accreta/increta 59 (39.6 %), uterine atony 37 (24.8 %), uterine rupture 35 (23.5 %) and placenta previa without accreta 18 (12.1 %). After hysterectomy, 115 (77 %) women were admitted to the intensive care unit. Women were discharged home after a mean 11.2 day length of stay. Using multifactorial logistic regression analysis, we found that woman’s age, atonic uterus, placenta accreta/increta, previous cesarian section and ruptured uterus were independent predictors for peripartum hysterectomy

Conclusion

Abnormal placentation was the main indication for peripartum hysterectomy. The risk factors for peripartum hysterectomy were morbid adherence of placentae in scared uteri, uterine atony and uterine rupture. The most important step in prevention of major postpartum hemorrhage is recognizing and assessing women’s risk. The risk of peripartum hysterectomy seems to be significantly decreased by limiting the number of cesarean section deliveries, thus reducing the occurrence of abnormal placentation in the form of placenta accreta, increta or percreta.     

Emergency obstetric hysterectomy

BACKGROUND: All cases of obstetric hysterectomies that were performed in our hospital during a seven-year study period were reviewed in order to evaluate the incidence, indications, risk factors, and complications associated with emergency obstetric hysterectomy. METHODS: Medical records of 45 patients who had undergone emergency hysterectomy were scrutinized and evaluated retrospectively. Maternal age, parity, gestational age, indication for hysterectomy, the type of operation performed, estimated blood loss, amount of blood transfused, complications, and hospitalization period were noted and evaluated. The main outcome measures were the factors associated with obstetric hysterectomy as well as the indications for the procedure. RESULTS: During the study period there were 32,338 deliveries and 9,601 of them (29.7%) were by cesarean section. In this period, 45 emergency hysterectomies were performed, with an incidence of 1 in 2,526 vaginal deliveries and 1 in 267 cesarean sections. All of them were due to massive postpartum hemorrhage. The most common underlying pathologies was placenta accreta (51.1%) and placenta previa (26.7%). There was no maternal mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Obstetric hysterectomy is a necessary life-saving procedure. Abnormal placentation is the leading cause of emergency hysterectomy when obstetric practice is characterized by a high cesarean section rate. Therefore, every attempt should be made to reduce the cesarean section rate by performing this procedure only for valid clinical indications.     

Identifying risk factors for peripartum cesarean hysterectomy. A population-based study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of, and obstetric risk factors for, emergency peripartum hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based study comparing all singleton deliveries between the years 1988 and 1999 that were complicated with peripartum hysterectomy to deliveries without this complication. Statistical analysis was performed with multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Emergency peripartum hysterectomy complicated 0.048% (n = 56) of deliveries in the study (n = 117,685). Independent risk factors for emergency peripartum hysterectomy from a backward, stepwise, multivariable logistic regression model were: uterine rupture (OR = 521.4, 95% CI 197.1-1379.7), placenta previa (OR = 8.2, 95% CI 2.2-31.0), postpartum hemorrhage (OR = 33.3, 95% CI 12.6-88.1), cervical tears (OR = 18.0, 95% CI 6.2-52.4), placenta accreta (OR = 13.2, 95% CI 3.5-50.0), second-trimester bleeding (OR = 9.5, 95% CI 2.3-40.1), previous cesarean section (OR = 6.9, 95% CI 3.7-12.8) and grand multiparity (> 5 deliveries) (OR = 3.4, 95% CI 1.8-6.3). Newborns delivered after peripartum hysterectomy had lower Apgar scores (< 7) at 1 and 5 minutes than did others (OR = 11.5, 95% CI 6.2-20.9 and OR = 27.4, 95% CI 11.2-67.4, respectively). In addition, higher rates of perinatal mortality were noted in the uterine hysterectomy vs. the comparison group (OR = 15.9, 95% CI 7.5-32.6). Affected women were more likely than the controls to receive packed-cell transfusions (OR = 457.7, 95% CI 199.2-1105.8) and had lower hemoglobin levels at discharge from the hospital (9.9 +/- 1.3 vs. 12.8 +/- 5.7, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Cesarean deliveries in patients with suspected placenta accreta, specifically those performed due to placenta previa in women with a previous uterine scar, should involve specially trained obstetricians. In addition, detailed informed consent about the possibility of emergency peripartum hysterectomy and its associated morbidity should be obtained.     

Peripartum hysterectomy in 38 hospitals in China: a population-based study

Objective

To investigate the incidence, indications, risk factors and transfusions of peripartum hysterectomy in China.

Methods

A population-based study was conducted using inpatient records of 38 hospitals between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2011; multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for peripartum hysterectomy.

Results

During the study period, there were 43 peripartum hysterectomy cases out of 114,420 deliveries (0.38 ‰). Abnormal placentation was major indication for peripartum hysterectomy. Several factors significantly increased the risk of peripartum hysterectomy in this population: placenta previa/accreta [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 49.7, 95 % CI 25.0–98.9], maternal age ≥35 years (aOR 8.1, 95 % CI 4.0–16.0), preeclampsia/eclampsia (aOR 7.5, 95 % CI 2.6–21.7), cesarean delivery (aOR 3, 95 % CI 1.1–8.0), and multiparity (aOR 2.7, 95 % CI 1.2–5.4). In contrast, multiple gestations did not.

Conclusions

Placenta previa/accreta, maternal age ≥35 years, preeclampsia/eclampsia, cesarean delivery and multiparity were risk factors of peripartum hysterectomy.     

Relationship between placenta previa and maternal age, parity and prior caesarean deliveries

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of placenta previa and to asses the relationship between the incidence of placenta previa and maternal age, parity, prior abortion and cesarean deliveries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of all patients with the diagnosis of placenta previa during the period between 1992 and 2002 at Hospital in Chojnice were reviewed. To determine the relationship between the incidence of placenta previa and maternal age, parity, prior abortion and cesarean deliveries the statistical analyses were carried out. The level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: From a total 11,091 deliveries 24 (0.2%) women had placenta previa. The occurrence of placenta previa increased with maternal age and was the highest in women aged 35 or older--0.8% of all deliveries and the lowest in women aged <25 years--0.07%. The incidence of placenta previa in women with previous deliveries was significantly higher compared to the group of primiparas and increased as the number of prior deliveries increased. The association between previous abortion and cesarean section and placenta previa was not confirmed. CONCLUSION: Advancing maternal age and multiparity appears to increase the occurrence of placenta previa. In this study the relationship between previous abortion and cesarean section was not confirmed.     

Emergency peripartum hysterectomy in a tertiary obstetric center: 8-year evaluation

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to present the incidence, indications, and operative morbidity and mortality in pregnant women undergoing emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH) at a tertiary obstetric institution. METHODS: In this retrospective clinical study, performed during the period 1995-2003, 17 EPH procedures were recorded in a total of 21,659 deliveries carried out at Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Osijek Clinical Hospital in Osijek, Croatia. Data on the incidence of EPH in total number of deliveries, rate of EPH in vaginal delivery and cesarean section, indications for EPH, and maternal and fetal/early neonatal morbidity and mortality were derived from operative protocols and medical records of hospitalized patients. RESULTS: During the 8-year study period, the incidence of EPH in total number of deliveries was 0.078%. Out of 17 EPH procedures, 5 (29.41%) were performed after vaginal delivery and 12 (70.59%) during cesarean section, elective in five and urgent in seven cases. The indications for EPH included severe peripartum hemorrhage with placenta previa in four, placenta previa percreta in four, various forms of invasive malplacentation (placenta accreta, increta, percreta) in five, uterine rupture in two cases, and atony along with massive retroperitoneal hematoma due to rupture of periuterine vascular bundle during cesarean section in one multipara. EPH was carried out in 12 multipara and five primipara. Lesions of urinary bladder occurred in three cases and were managed by suture. Twelve patients received blood transfusion, whereas development of hemorrhagic shock necessitated transfer to Intensive Care Unit in three patients. No late complications or maternal mortality were recorded. Sixteen total hysterectomies and one supracervical hysterectomy were performed. One case of intrauterine fetal death was caused by total abruptio placenta and uterine rupture during the patient's transport from a primary obstetric institution. CONCLUSION: Invasive malplacentation is a major isolated risk factor for EPH, as shown in the present study. Other risk factors for EPH are massive hemorrhage because placenta previa, uterine atony and uterine rupture associated with multiparity, and previous cesarean section. A great proportion of EPH procedures can be prevented by the introduction of compressive operative methods such as B-Lynch suture in the obstetric algorithms, which will certainly favorably reflect in future fertility and genital health of the female population.     

Placenta previa and antepartum hemorrhage after previous cesarean section

A prospective study was conducted to determine the risk of placenta previa and unexplained antepartum hemorrhage after a previous cesarean section (CS). Of a total of 24,644 patients, 81 (0.33%) had a placenta previa which demanded abdominal delivery. The risk of placenta previa was 0.25% with an unscarred uterus and 1.22% in patients with one or more previous CS (the difference was statistically significant p less than 0.001). The corresponding figures for unexplained antepartum hemorrhage were 0.40% and 3.81%, respectively (p less than 0.001). Patients presenting with a placenta previa and a scarred uterus had a 16% risk of undergoing cesarean hysterectomy because of placenta accreta and severe hemorrhage compared to 3.6% in patients with placenta previa and an unscarred uterus. In conclusion, cesarean deliveries predispose to placenta previa, placenta accreta and antepartum hemorrhage during subsequent pregnancies. This relationship has to be considered in the cost-benefit equation for decision of route of delivery.     

产科急症子宫切除术48例临床分析

目的探讨降低产科急症子宫切除术发生率的措施。方法青岛市第八人民医院产科20年间分娩总数50526例,回顾分析其中48例急症子宫切除术病例的临床资料。结果行产科急症子宫切除术的病例占分娩总数的0.095%(48/50526),其中阴道分娩11例,剖宫产37例。手术指征为:胎盘因素27例,占56.25%;宫缩乏力14例,占29.17%;子宫破裂4例,占8.33%;凝血功能障碍3例,占6.25%。其中经产妇子宫切除中胎盘因素最为多见(69.70%,23/33),而初产妇中宫缩乏力占主要因素(60.00%,9/15)。有74.09%(20/27)的胎盘异常患者有前次剖宫产或子宫手术史。结论胎盘因素是导致产科急症子宫切除术的主要危险因素。积极预防胎盘异常种植的发生,可以有效地降低产科子宫切除率。     

Catastrophic complications of previous cesarean section

Of 711 patients who were delivered after one or more previous cesarean sections, 17 (2.4%) had an extremely serious complication. Uterine rupture and placenta previa or placenta accreta with accompanying hemorrhage were the major contributors to mortality and major morbidity. Nine uterine ruptures occurred, including five associated with labor with a low transverse uterine scar and one with an unknown scar (1.4% of trials of labor). There were two cases of placenta previa and five with varying degrees of placenta accreta. The nature and frequency of the observed complications emphasize the potentially serious remote consequences of cesarean section.     

Antenatal diagnosis of placenta previa accreta in patients with previous cesarean scar

AIM: To determine the accuracy of transabdominal and transvaginal gray-scale and color Doppler in diagnosing placenta previa accreta in patients with previous cesarean sections. METHODS: Twenty-one patients who had undergone previous cesarean sections and were confirmed to have partial or total placenta previa in the current pregnancy were subjected to ultrasound examinations after the 28th week of gestation. Specific ultrasound features were looked for on gray-scale ultrasound and color Doppler examination of the placenta and its interphase with the uterus and the bladder. RESULTS: Seven of the 21 patients had ultrasound evidence of placenta accreta and all were later confirmed to have placenta previa accreta intraoperatively. The gray-scale positive findings were present in six out of the seven patients. The most prominent gray scale feature to suggest placenta accreta was the presence of multiple lakes that represent dilated vessels extending from the placenta through the myometrium. All seven patients had features of placenta accreta when examined with color Doppler. The most prominent color Doppler feature present in all seven patients was the presence of interphase hypervascularity with abnormal vessels linking the placenta to the bladder. The sensitivity and specificity of antenatal ultrasound diagnosis of placenta previa accreta was 100%. CONCLUSION: Antenatal diagnosis of placenta previa accreta can be made with a thorough ultrasound examination of the placenta in patients with previous cesarean scar and placenta previa.     

Emergency peripartum hysterectomy: A prospective study in The Netherlands

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, indication, association with caesarean section (CS) and outcome of emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH) in The Netherlands. STUDY DESIGN: All 100 Dutch obstetric departments were asked to participate in a prospective nationwide registration of EPH between 1 April 2002 and 1 April 2003. For every case, a form with questions about obstetrical history, current pregnancy and delivery, maternal and neonatal outcome was completed. RESULTS: Eighty-nine (89%) hospitals participated and registered in total 48 EPH. The estimated incidence of EPH is 0.33/1000 births. The main indication for EPH was placenta accreta (50%), followed by uterine atony (27%). There were two maternal deaths (4%). Severe maternal morbidity included: urinary tract injury 15%, relaparotomy 25%, transfusion >10 units red blood cells 67%, intensive care admission 77%. Both previous CS and CS in the index pregnancy were associated with a significant increased risk of EPH. The number of previous CS was related to an increased risk of placenta accreta, from 0.19% for one previous CS to 9.1% for four or more previous CS. CONCLUSION: Emergency peripartum hysterectomy is associated with a high incidence of maternal morbidity and a case fatality rate of 4%. It is significantly related to CS in index or previous pregnancy. Placenta accreta is the most common indication to perform a peripartum hysterectomy.     

Placenta previa, placenta accreta, and vasa previa

Placenta previa, placenta accreta, and vasa previa are important causes of bleeding in the second half of pregnancy and in labor. Risk factors for placenta previa include prior cesarean delivery, pregnancy termination, intrauterine surgery, smoking, multifetal gestation, increasing parity, and maternal age. The diagnostic modality of choice for placenta previa is transvaginal ultrasonography, and women with a complete placenta previa should be delivered by cesarean. Small studies suggest that, when the placenta to cervical os distance is greater than 2 cm, women may safely have a vaginal delivery. Regional anesthesia for cesarean delivery in women with placenta previa is safe. Delivery should take place at an institution with adequate blood banking facilities. The incidence of placenta accreta is rising, primarily because of the rise in cesarean delivery rates. This condition can be associated with massive blood loss at delivery. Prenatal diagnosis by imaging, followed by planning of peripartum management by a multidisciplinary team, may help reduce morbidity and mortality. Women known to have placenta accreta should be delivered by cesarean, and no attempt should be made to separate the placenta at the time of delivery. The majority of women with significant degrees of placenta accreta will require a hysterectomy. Although successful conservative management has been described, there are currently insufficient data to recommend this approach to management routinely. Vasa previa carries a risk of fetal exsanguination and death when the membranes rupture. The condition can be diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound examination. Good outcomes depend on prenatal diagnosis and cesarean delivery before the membranes rupture.