When Placenta Accreta Is Discovered at Delivery

“When a diagnosis of placenta accreta has not been made prior to delivery and the delivery team discovers invasion of the bladder and other organs by the placenta, we recommend that they close the abdomen immediately and send the patient to us,” says Baha Sibai, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. “The mother should receive care in a hospital with a comprehensive team devoted to treating patients with placenta accreta, including access to a blood bank for transfusion.”

The placenta accreta team at UTHealth Houston is well established and maintains continued communication with referring primary obstetricians to keep them informed about patient progress throughout the delivery and the follow-up process. After complete resolution, referring physicians receive a summary and a plan for follow-up care. The team encourages continued communication about each patient during and after treatment.