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In-vitro-fertilization (IVF) is an independent risk factor for placenta previa (PP). Our aim was to study this link by comparing the clinical characteristics and placental histology of pregnancies complicated by PP in IVF versus unassisted pregnancies. A retrospective-cohort study of deliveries with PP between 2008 and 2021. Placental histology, obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared between IVF and unassisted pregnancies. Included, were singleton deliveries complicated by PP at gestational weeks (GA) >24. A total of 182 pregnancies were included − 23 IVF pregnancies (IVF group) and 159 unassisted pregnancies (Control group). The control group was characterized by higher gravidity (p =.007) and parity (p <.001) and a trend of more past cesarean deliveries, whereas the IVF group- by a higher rate of nulliparity (p <.001) and diabetes mellitus (p =.04). The control group was characterized by a higher rate of placental weight below the 10th percentile (47.8 versus 13.9%, p =.001) and by a trend of a lower overall placental weight. No differences were noted in maternal and fetal vascular lesions. While PP in non-assisted pregnancies is probably associated with previous CDs, in IVF it is more "sporadic," and may complicate any index pregnancy. A lower placental weight was more prevalent in the control group, supporting the concept that pregnancies complicated by PP following IVF can be attributed to initial abnormal location of placentation, rather than an underlying pathological uterine segment of implantation. Nevertheless, IVF and unassisted pregnancies entail similar perinatal outcomes in cases of PP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of the article: Placental accreta spectrum (PAS) is the most dangerous iatrogenic complication of cesarean potentially leading to massive intra-partum haemorrhage and death. Despite this, identification of near miss cases of PAS has not been consistently reported in the published literature. The aim of this systematic review was to explore prenatal and surgical characteristics of near miss cases of PAS disorders.Materials and methods: Medline, Embase, CINAHL, SciELO, and Cochrane databases were searched. Only studies including near miss cases of PAS disorders in which a detailed description of the clinical course, severity of placental invasion, role of prenatal imaging, and surgical management were considered eligible for the inclusion in the present systematic review. Random-effect meta-analyses of proportions were used to pool the data.Results: Thirty-four studies were included in the systematic review. The incidence of placenta accreta, increta, and percreta in near miss cases of PAS disorders was 0% (95% CI 0-24.6), 17.3% (95% CI 8.4-28.6) and 82.7% (95% CI 71.4-91.6). S1 invasion, defined as invasion in the upper posterior bladder wall was present in none of the near miss cases of PAS while all included cases showed S2 invasion. Prenatal imaging, either ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, detected invasive placenta in 54.4% (95% CI 41.0-67.5). Clinical symptoms occurred in 65.3% (95% CI 52.1-77.4) of near miss cases of PAS before surgery, while the corresponding figures for symptoms occurring during and after surgery were 65.5% (95% CI 52.2-77.5) and 50.0% (95% CI 36.5-63.5) of cases, respectively. Invasion in the inferior part of the lower uterine segment, posterior bladder and parametria was associated with a high risk of morbidity.Conclusion: Near miss cases of PAS are commonly associated with posterior bladder or parametrial invasion and placenta percreta. Further studies are needed in order to identify women affected by PAS disorders at high risk of surgical complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) undergoing caesarean delivery are at increased risk of haemorrhage. Conventional management includes piecemeal removal of placenta or placenta left in situ. However, they often require hysterectomy after delivery. Post-delivery prophylactic uterine artery embolisation (UAE) can help reduce morbidity and preserve fertility. We created an adjoining operating theatre and catheter lab (OT/CL complex). This is a retrospective case control study in which 37 patients of AIP were evaluated. Sixteen subjects (cases) had UAE immediately after caesarean delivery, and 21 subjects (controls) had usual care with traditional methods of controlling postpartum haemorrhage and hysterectomy where required. The hysterectomy rate (18.7% vs. 85.7%), mean duration of hospital stay (6.8 ± 2.6 vs. 13.9 ± 8.1) and number of units of blood transfusion required were significantly less in the case group as compared with controls. UAE is an effective conservative treatment along with caesarean delivery in patients with AIP.Impact statementWhat is already known? AIP is associated with high rates of PPH, maternal morbidity and mortality and need for hysterectomy after delivery. UAE has been advocated to preserve fertility and reduce PPH in these patients along with caesarean delivery.What doesthe study add? We created an adjoining operating theatre and catheter lab (OT/CL complex) in a tertiary care centre and managed these patients with prompt UAE after caesarean delivery with team approach. We have shown significant reduction in morbidity and hospital stay with this coordinated management.What are the implications for clinical practice and/or further research? UAE with caesarean delivery is a preferred mode of delivery for patients of AIP. These patients should be diagnosed and referred to tertiary care centres with such facilities electively so as to provide optimal care to these patients. Cooperation between interventionist and obstetrician and adjoining availability of OT and catheter lab can further help in reducing the time to embolisation after delivery. A hybrid operating theatre with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) facilities would be ideal for the management of such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify the maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with placenta increta or placenta percreta in China.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 2219 cases from 20 tertiary care centers in China between January 2011 and December 2015. All cases were diagnosed of placenta increta or placenta percreta, based on either intraoperative findings or histopathological findings.Results: The incidence of placenta increta and placenta percreta progressively increased from 0.18% in 2011 to 0.78% in 2015. Compared with the placenta increta, placenta percreta was strongly related to serious adverse outcomes: postpartum hemorrhage (65.9% versus 38.6%, p = .003), blood transfusion (86.2% versus 46.5%, p < .001), hysterectomy (43.3% versus 11.2%, p < .001), preterm birth (65.7% versus 49.9%, p < .001), and the need for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (54.5% versus 36.7%, p < .001).Conclusion: The incidence of placenta increta and placenta percreta is likely to increase in China. The depth of placenta implantation is associated with the severity of outcomes. Placenta percreta tends to have worse maternal and neonatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of full-thickness vertical compression suture and intrauterine catheter in cases with placenta previa/accreta.Study Design: This study was conducted on Obstetrics and Gynecology emergency unit of Sohag University Hospital. Two longitudinal parallel full-thickness suture was taken using delayed absorbable suture (No. 2 Vicryl…) the entry of needle through anterior wall of lower uterine segment just above the internal os 2-3 cm medial to lateral aspect of lower uterine segment then completely piercing the posterior wall and then return from posterior wall to anterior wall 1-2 cm below incision line of the uterus. Another suture was taken in other side in the same manner. The Foley's catheter was inserted through the incision line into the cervix and balloon was inflated by 20-30 cc saline.Results: Two hundred and seventy-eight cases were included in the research. There were 107 cases without significant bleeding from lower uterine segment and no maneuver was needed. The remaining 171 cases were managed by vertical compression suture and intrauterine Foley's catheter which was successful in 168 cases (98.2%) to stop the bleeding. Only three cases cesarean total hysterectomy was needed.Conclusions: Vertical lateral compression sutures with inserting inflated balloon of Foley's catheter is an effective method for controlling bleeding in cases of placenta previa/accreta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of placenta praevia and accreta has been increasing with rising caesarean section rates. We highlight the increasing incidence of severe post-partum haemorrhage due to placenta accreta. Four cases occurred within 3 years (2002 – 2004) in a small District General Hospital (DGH) with a delivery rate of 1,800 per year. All of the cases had previous caesarean sections and three had an associated anterior low-lying placenta. These patients were diagnosed to have placenta accreta in the third stage of labour, as the placenta was completely adherent and was difficult to remove. However, two of them had a provisional diagnosis made of placenta accreta and prophylactic measures had been taken in the form of counselling and consent for possible hysterectomy. Patients were counselled regarding this condition, and the possible need for hysterectomy was discussed. Two of them had to be managed by post-partum hysterectomy and the other two were treated conservatively. The purpose of writing these case reports is to warn others of the need for vigilance, particularly in keeping their primary caesarean section rates down and being prepared for long-term complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional study was carried out in a Teaching Hospital to compare women in late pregnancy and matched controls for emotional distress. Each of the 156 pregnant women was matched with a control and studied to determine the relationship of some obstetric and sociodemographic factors with anxiety and depression. All the subjects were evaluated using the state form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-state) and the Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), which are standardised instruments for assessing depression and anxiety, respectively. The pregnant women had significantly higher levels of anxiety and higher levels of depression than their non-pregnant controls. Four of the factors evaluated (age, level of education, socio-economic status and parity) were not found to be significantly related to anxiety or depression among the pregnant women. However, four other factors, i.e. polygamy, previous abortions, mode of previous delivery (caesarean section and instrumentally-assisted delivery) and previous puerperal complications had positive and significant associations with anxiety and depression. The implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Nestin is expressed in various tissues of the embryo in patients with placenta previa, while the regulatory mechanism still unknown. Materials and methods: All participants terminated pregnancy. Among them, 75 patients with placenta previa were assigned to the case group and 80 healthy pregnant women with normal placenta were assigned to the control group. Expression of nestin and CDK5 in foetal spinal cord tissues was detected by Western blot and quantitative real-time RT-PCR methods. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the serum expression of some pro-inflammatory cytokines in placenta previa patients. The interaction between nestin and CDK5 was evaluated by immunoprecipitation and siRNA inhibition of nestin was performed to estimate its effect on NF-κB activity in foetal spinal cord tissues. Results: Along with increased expression of nestin and CDK5 in foetal spinal cord tissues in the case group, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ were increased in the serum of placenta previa patients. siRNA inhibition analysis indicated that nestin interacted with CDK5 and regulated NF-κB activity in foetal spinal cord tissues. Conclusions: Nestin is highly expressed and the interaction between nestin and CDK5 might lead to the progress of placenta previa through its regulation on NF-κB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to introduce a modified form of fertility preserving approach in cases with placenta percreta.Methods: Eleven pregnant women with anterior placenta previa and suspected to have placenta percreta underwent cesarean section between 2015 and 2016 in Zeynep Kamil Women and Children's Health Training and Research Hospital. In all cases, following confirmation of placenta percreta diagnosis, a modified minimal invasive form of uterine preserving surgery was performed.Results: During the present study period, 11 pregnant women who were confirmed to have placenta previa and placenta percreta underwent modified form of segmental resection. In all cases, modified form of segmental resection was successful except for the two cases. There were significant statistical differences between pre-postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels (p = .003). There was a significant correlation between the volume of resected segment and number of transfusions (r = .760, p = .047). Postoperative blood transfusion was not needed in 4 cases. No maternal mortality or other postoperative complication was observed in any case.Conclusion: A modified minimal invasive form of uterine preserving surgery seems to be safe and result in more cosmetic results with minimal blood loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Placenta previa (PP) is a major cause of obstetric hemorrhage. Clinical diagnosis of complete versus incomplete PP has a significant impact on the peripartum outcome. Our study objective is to examine whether distinction between PP classifications effect anesthetic management.Methods and Materials: This multi-center, retrospective, cohort study was performed in two tertiary university-affiliated medical centers between the years 2005 and 2013. Electronic delivery databases were reviewed for demographic, anesthetic, obstetric hemorrhage, and postoperative outcomes for all cases.Results: Throughout the study period 452 cases of PP were documented. We found 134 women (29.6%) had a complete PP and 318 (70.4%) had incomplete PP. Our main findings were that women with complete PP intraoperatively had higher incidence of general anesthesia (p = .017), higher mean estimated blood loss (p < .001), increased blood components transfusions (p < .001), and significant increase in cesarean hysterectomy rate (p < .001) than women with incomplete PP. Additionally, complete PP was associated with more postoperative complications: higher incidence of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) (p < .001), more mechanical ventilation (p = .02), a longer median postoperative care unit (PACU) (p = .02), ICU (p = .002), and overall length of stay in the hospital (p < .001).Conclusions: Complete PP is associated with increased risk of hemorrhage compared with incomplete PP. Therefore distinction between classifications should be factored into anesthetic management protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the Bakri balloon in the management of PPH. This was a retrospective review of 49 patients, who had Bakri balloon inserted for PPH in KK Hospital between April 2013 and December 2015. The main outcome measure was achievement of haemostasis by Bakri balloon tamponade (BBT). Our success rate was 81.6%. Out of the nine failures (18.0%), five (55.6%) had subtotal hysterectomies and four (44.4%) had total hysterectomies. The causes of PPH in these nine women were unsuspected or foci of placenta accreta (55.6%), uterine atony (33.3%) and retained products of conception (11.1%). Our study suggests that BBT is more likely to fail when bleeding is secondary to undiagnosed focal placenta accreta (p = .011) and when the estimated blood loss is more than 1.5 litres (p < .001). Our study adds to the growing body of evidence that BBT is not only effective for management of PPH in haemodynamically stable patients and in cases secondary to uterine atony and placenta praevia, but also in a small number of undiagnosed focal placenta accreta. Impact statement There is limited evidence regarding efficacy of BBT for PPH. Our study supports the use of BBT for PPH due to uterine atony and placenta praevia and in a small number of undiagnosed placenta accreta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims: To investigate whether abdominal aortic balloon occlusion (ABO) effectively reduces intraoperative hemorrhage in patents with placenta previa increta/increta.Methods: Forty-three women were diagnosed as placenta previa increta/percreta by ultrasound and MRI. These patients' assessments were taken by their chief physician, and they were under necessity of previous cesarean section as confirmed by the committee of experts during consultation. There was no significant difference in disease risk rating between them in whole process. Although our department provided a more appropriate method, 10 of 43 patients chose intraoperative aortic balloon occlusion (IABO). Other 33 patients who refused that suggestion were considered as control group. Fully informed consents were obtained from all patients in this study group. The intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, rate of hysterectomy and complications of mothers and fetus of IABO group and control group were analyzed.Results: The median intraoperative blood loss was 1000 ml in the IABO group compared with 2000 ml in the control group (p < 0.05). The median volume of transfused red blood cells was 1100 ml in the IABO group compared with 2000 ml in the control group (p < 0.05). 33.3% (11/33) patients in the control group had hemorrhagic shock, and one of them suffered from cardiac arrest intraoperatively because of severe bleeding. However, none of these serious events occurred in the IABO group (p < 0.05). The hysterectomy rate was 70% (7/10) in the IABO group and 63.3% (21/33) in the control group (p > 0.05). No IABO-related complications were observed in the mother and fetus.Conclusion: IABO is an effective and safe method to control intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion in patients with placenta previa increta/percreta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Placenta previa (PP) is a potential life-threatening pregnancy complication. Pro-brain natriuretic peptide (ProBNP), creatine kinase (CK), cardiac form of CK (CK-MB) and Troponin I are circulatory biomarkers related to cardiac functions. We aimed to determine whether these biomarkers are related to PP and placenta accreta.Methods: In this case-control study, fifty-four pregnant women who attended our tertiary care center for perinatology with the diagnosis of PP totalis, and of them, 14 patients with placenta accreta were recruited as the study groups. Forty-six uncomplicated control patients who were matched for age, BMI were also included. Maternal venous ProBNP, CK, CK-MB and Troponin I levels were compared between the three groups.Results: Obstetric history characteristics were comparable among groups, generally. CK and CK-MB levels were similar among three groups. Troponin I levels in the previa and accreta groups were significantly higher than the controls. ProBNP levels in the accreta group were significantly higher than other two groups. The multivariate regression model revealed that ProBNP could predict placental adhesion anomalies.Conclusions: Troponin I and ProBNP levels in PP cases were higher than controls and ProBNP could predict placenta accreta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the circulating soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1), placental growth factor (PlGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in women with abnormal placentation and to compare the data with the results of women with normal pregnancy.Material and Methods: Serum biomarkers of angiogenesis and maternal and perinatal characteristics of 68 pregnant women, all in the third trimester, who were diagnosed to have vaginal bleeding due to complete placenta previa with and without concomitant placenta accreta, increta and percreta as the study group and 30 pregnant women without any placentation abnormality who eventually delivered at  ≥37 weeks of gestational age as the control group were evaluated.Results: There was no statistical difference in the maternal serum values of sFlt1, PlGF, sFlt1/PlGF ratio and VEGF in groups with placental abnormality as compared to controls. Not even a single case of preeclampsia and intrauterine fetal growth restriction was encountered in the study group.Conclusion: We demonstrated that regardless of the localization and the degree of the myometrial invasion of the placenta in the uterus, the circulatory biomarkers of angiogenesis and vascularization were comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the value of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the prediction of morbidly adherent placenta.Methods: Forty-three women with normal placental location and 26 women with anteriorly localized placenta previa were recruited for this case-control study. Placental elasticity values in both the groups were determined by SWE imaging.Results: SWE values were higher in the placenta previa group in all regions than in normal localized placentas (p < .01). However, there was no statistically significant difference between SWE values of placenta previa with and without morbidly adherent placenta (p > .05).Conclusions: Placental stiffness is significantly higher in placenta previa than normal localized placentas. However, we could not demonstrate any statistically significant difference in the elasticity values between the placenta previa with and without accreta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'Triple-P Procedure' is a conservative surgical alternative to peri-partum hysterectomy; it involves Peri-operative placental localisation and delivery of the foetus above the placenta, Pelvic devascularisation, and Placental non-separation with myometrial excision and uterine wall reconstruction. Our aim was to determine the factors influencing the duration of post-operative hospitalisation in women undergoing the procedure. A retrospective analysis of 24 patients was performed. The results were; 4 had additional measures (compression sutures and intrauterine balloon tamponade), 2 had co-morbidities, 3 undergoing intra and post-operative complications. We concluded that in those who had the procedure alone, the mean of hospitalisation was 4.2 days, compared to 5.5 days for those who had the complications mentioned above (p < .001). Regarding placental position, 19 had anterior, 4 had posterior and 1 had cornual placenta. The resulting blood loss mean was 3, 1.3 and 1.1 L, respectively, which explains that the blood loss is greater with anterior placenta compared to posterior and cornual invasion. Impact statement What we already know: Abnormal invasion of the placenta is associated with a maternal mortality rate of 7-10% worldwide. The conventional management options are surgical peri-partum hysterectomy and conservative intentional retention of placenta, which are associated with post-operative morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the need for a new approach is mandatory. What the results of this study add: The Triple-P Procedure is a conservative surgical technique associated with a low incidence of complications, as reflected by the short period of post-operative hospitalization. The implications of the findings for practice and/or further research: This research emphasis that more attention needs to be paid to pregnant women with co-morbidities and anterior abnormal invasion of placenta: as they are at great risk for bleeding. post-operative complications and prolonged hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 27-year-old pregnant woman who had intraligamentous pregnany. She underwent a physical examination in which her heart rate, blood group, and serological tests were examined. The doctor revealed that her was a rare case of term intraligamentous pregnancy diagnosed during operation.

Objective. To determine the frequency and clinical significance of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) in patients with vaginal bleeding in the absence of placenta previa, preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Study design. This retrospective cohort study included patients who presented with vaginal bleeding between 18 and 35 weeks, and underwent an amniocentesis shortly after admission for the assessment of the microbiologic status of the amniotic cavity and/or fetal lung maturity. Amniotic fluid was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, as well as genital mycoplasmas. Patients presenting with preterm labor, preterm PROM, placenta previa, overt placental abruption, and an intrauterine device in situ were excluded, as well as those with local cervical bleeding. MIAC was defined as a positive amniotic fluid culture. Analysis was conducted with non-parametric statistics. Results. One hundred and fourteen patients met the entry criteria. MIAC was detected in 14% of cases (16/114). Patients with vaginal bleeding and a gestational age < 28 weeks at the time of amniocentesis had a significantly higher frequency of MIAC than those with a gestational age &geqslant; 28 weeks [25% (13/52) vs. 4.8% (3/62), respectively; p < 0.01]. Ureaplasma urealyticum was the microorganism most frequently isolated from the amniotic fluid. Except for one case admitted at 33 weeks, all patients with MIAC&ThickSpace;had an early preterm delivery &leqslant; 32 weeks. Patients with vaginal bleeding and MIAC&ThickSpace;had a shorter procedure-to-delivery interval than those without MIAC [MIAC, median survival 19 days (95% CI 10–27 days) vs. no MIAC, median survival 50 days (95% CI 37–62 days); p < 0.0001]. Patients with vaginal bleeding and MIAC&ThickSpace;had a significantly lower gestational age at delivery and lower birth weight than those with vaginal bleeding and negative amniotic fluid cultures (for gestational age, median 25 weeks, range 21–33 weeks vs. median 37 weeks, range 19–42 weeks, respectively; p < 0.01, and for birth weight, median 750&ThickSpace;grams, range 520–1820&ThickSpace;grams vs. 2800&ThickSpace;grams, range 520–4880&ThickSpace;grams, respectively; p < 0.01), as well as a higher frequency of subsequent preterm PROM [81.3% (13/16) vs. 9.2% (9/98); p < 0.01]. Conclusions. MIAC was detected in 14% of patients with ‘idiopathic’ vaginal bleeding and was associated with subsequent preterm PROM and early preterm delivery. Vaginal bleeding may be the only clinical manifestation of MIAC, and it predisposes to adverse outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fan et al. [[1]] introduced "random placenta margin incision" in cesarean section for complete placenta previa (CPP). With a "blind" incision without this procedure, an incision may become transverse and tend to be higher to avoid transplacental incision, which may increase uterine damage (lower). Random placenta margin incision for control hemorrhage during cesarean delivery complicated by complete placenta previa: a prospective cohort study. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents a case study of a 33-year-old primigravid woman, threatened with miscarriage at eight week's gestation, who was booked at 11 weeks' gestation. After several diagnoses, she was found to have an incarcerated retroverted gravid uterus, which was not detected until the delivery of the baby and placenta. Nonetheless, she was declared well and asymptotic after the delivery and proper medical care. However, she was advised to be closely monitored in her next pregnancy.

The article focuses on two medical cases of placenta praevia percreta with bladder invasion. The cases provide information on various types of abnormal placentation. Placenta percreta enters the bladder and other organs through the uterine muscle. Placenta percreta is associated with previous caesarean scars.

The article discusses the demonstration of local/segmental resection of the percreta part of the anterior uterine wall preserving the uterus apparently in 82 percent of patients with placenta previa percreta. It also reports on the conclusion of shorter operative time and lower blood loss. It states that the procedure would have been based on three landmarks including uterine incision, the uterine artery and internal cervical ostium, with the percreta area being very narrow.

Another one-point mentioned by Dr Abbas, as he asked about the total blood loss reported in group I was 1350 ml, while the real blood loss was 1250 ml if we added the sums of intraoperative and postoperative blood loss reported in Table 2. It was not the total blood loss but the median of the total blood loss, moreover, it did not calculate the sum of the median of intraoperative and postoperative blood loss. [Extracted from the article]

The total blood loss reported in group I was 1350 ml, while the actual blood loss was 1250 ml if we added the sums of intraoperative and postoperative blood loss reported in Table 2. A sandwich technique (N&H variation technique) to reduce blood loss during cesarean delivery for complete placenta previa: a randomized controlled trial. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses an unsuspected case of placenta accreta. Placenta accreta is an abnormally firm attachment of the placenta to the uterine wall (decidua), such that the chorionic villi invade abnormally into the myometrium. It is associated with a history of previous caesarean section, history of uterine instrumentation or surgery or placenta praevia. Rarely, abnormal attachment is seen in the absence of previous surgery and in the absence of placenta praevia. The case studied was unique, because there were no risk factors and ultrasound did not reveal any abnormality.