Patient Story Video: The Downstream Risks of Unnecessary C-sections
Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a pregnancy complication that occurs when the placenta attaches too deeply into the wall of the uterus. The risk for developing accreta increases with each C-section or uterine surgery. Placenta accreta puts the mother at risk of severe blood loss and other complications. The rates of maternal death, transfusion, prolonged hospital stay and hysterectomy are all increased for women with accreta.
The estimated incidence of placenta accreta spectrum pregnancies has increased since the 1980s, from 1 in 1250 births to as many as 1 in 272 births. The rates of placenta accreta, increta and percreta have risen parallel to the overall cesarean rate in the United States.
Every mom deserves risk-appropriate obstetric care. Preventing cases of maternal death and severe maternal injury related to placenta accreta means looking upstream and preventing medically unnecessary c-sections. Making this a reality requires increasing awareness of accreta, advocating for moms and babies, and connecting patients & providers with resources to help improve quality of care. We are focusing our efforts in the following areas to make birth safer for all moms:
Contact us for information on how you can help prevent accreta.
Submit your accreta story to help improve maternal health.
Receive updates on our work via our newsletter and social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn
Donate funds or miles to help our mission.
Participate in other ways to help the cause.
