Anterior placenta
An anterior placenta is simply one that has attached to the front wall of the uterus, the side closest to your belly button. This is a normal finding and does not harm your baby. However, because the placenta acts as a cushion between your baby and your abdominal wall, you may feel your baby's kicks and movements later than expected, or they may feel more muffled and low. Kicks are often felt more strongly on the sides or lower abdomen. An anterior placenta can also make it slightly harder to hear the heartbeat clearly with a home doppler and may affect how amniocentesis is performed.
What This Means for You
Understanding Anterior placenta is an important part of your pregnancy journey. During pregnancy, your care team will use this term regularly. Being familiar with it means you can ask better questions and feel more confident at your antenatal appointments.
Explore our Pregnancy hubGood to Know
If you feel fewer movements than usual, always use the kick count method and contact your midwife or doctor rather than relying on a home doppler, as anterior placement can make the heartbeat harder to detect clearly.
Related Terms
Source: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/glossary-of-pregnancy-and-labour
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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