Placenta Complications in Pregnancy, High-Risk OBGYN Dr. Steve Rad

Placental Complications

Though rare, placental complications can cause serious bleeding that can put mother and baby at high risk. Almost 4% of pregnancy complications include a placental condition.

Placental complications are serious problems. They can cause difficulties for the pregnant person and their baby, especially during delivery.

But with close supervision from high-risk pregnancy specialists, these gestation worries can be effectively managed. Pregnant women in the Los Angeles area seek the expert counsel of Dr. Steve Rad, a double-board certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist with sub-specialty training in Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM).

Dr. Rad specializes in high-risk pregnancies and advises expectant mothers to remain vigilant about their conditions. Low-risk pregnancies can quickly escalate to high-risk.

Dr. Rad and his team at the Los Angeles Fetal and Maternal Care Center have decades of perinatology experience. They are among the very best high-risk pregnancy specialists in Los Angeles and are dedicated to ensuring healthy pregnancy outcomes. The team is also available to provide second opinions.

What is the placenta?

The placenta is an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy. It provides nutrients and oxygen to your baby and removes waste from your baby’s blood. The placenta is attached to the uterus and connects to the baby’s umbilical cord.

Pregnancy issues with the placenta

Placenta previa

When the placenta connects to the wall of the uterus ower than normal it is called placenta previa. This serious condition — where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix — affects 1 in 200 women, usually during the third trimester

Placenta previa can cause vaginal bleeding both before and during birth. This blood loss can be severe and may need immediate intensive care.

Most women suffering from this condition need to deliver by Cesarean section.

Types of placenta previa

Marginal – The placenta extends to the edge of the cervix
Partial – The placenta partially covers the cervix
Complete – The placenta fully covers the cervix

Placenta previa complications

In addition to bleeding, placenta previa may cause other complications, including:

Preterm birth
Cramps
Fetal infection
Tear in the placenta

Placenta previa risk factors

The following women are most at-risk:

Over 35 years of age
Smokers
Have had a C-section or uterine surgery
Women carrying multiple fetuses (twins, triplets, etc.)

Placental abruption

Placental abruption is a medical emergency during which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before the baby is delivered.

Occurring in 1% of pregnancies, placental abruption is the leading cause of premature delivery and newborn mortality, as well as fetal growth restriction (FGR).

Complications from placental abruption

Because the placenta plays a major role in providing oxygen and nutrients to the baby, placental abruption can lead to abnormal fetal development, fetal growth restriction, and stillbirth.

Mothers may suffer from vaginal bleeding, intrauterine or abdominal pain, continuous contractions, and fetal heart abnormalities.

Placental abruption risk factors

Abdominal trauma
Preterm membrane rupture
Smoking by either parent
Use of cocaine or alcohol
Prior placental abruption
Having placenta previa
Uterine defects
High blood pressure
Circumvallate placenta
Previous cesarian section
Multiple fetuses
Abnormal fetal heart rate

Call (844) 473-6100 or click here to schedule online

What is placental insufficiency?

In this condition, which occurs in 1 in 300 pregnancies, the placenta does not function correctly. As a result, the fetus is deprived of blood flow and nutrients and has restricted growth or low birth weight.

Patients with this condition may notice less fetal movement and smaller uterus size.

There is no cure for placental insufficiency, but it is vital to receive follow-up and prenatal care from your high-risk OB.

Symptoms of placental insufficiency include placental abruption, preterm labor and delivery, and pre-eclampsia.

Placental insufficiency risk factors

Pre-eclampsia
Diabetes
Smoking or illicit drugs
Blood clotting issues

Almost 4% of pregnancy complications include a placental condition.

Placenta accreta, placenta increta, and placenta percreta

These three conditions are similar but differ in their severity. All involve the placenta attaching too deeply to the uterine wall.

Placenta accreta – the placenta attaches too deeply to the uterine wall
Placenta increta – the placenta becomes embedded in the uterus’ muscle wall
Placenta percreta – the placenta grows through the uterus and potentially into nearby organs

The major consequences of these three conditions are that the placenta cannot come out after the baby is delivered and attempts to remove it result in heavy bleeding.

Using ultrasound, the perinatologist can make an accurate diagnosis before delivery. With a high-risk OB, these complications and risks can typically be managed.

Retained placenta complications

A natural part of the birthing process is for the placenta to follow the baby out of the womb. If the placenta is not expelled, it can be life-threatening to the mother.

There are three methods used for removing the retained placenta from the womb:

The doctor can remove it manually, but this has a risk of infection
Medicine that relaxes the uterus can push the placenta out
Breastfeeding causes the uterus to contract and expel the placenta

Vasa previa

When fetal blood vessels from the placenta or umbilical cord cross the entrance to the birth canal below the baby it is called vasa previa.

This rare condition (1 in every 2,500 births) can cause a rapid fetal hemorrhage or lack of oxygen. Often, vasa previa is asymptomatic during the first trimester but can also present with sudden heavy bleeding in the second or third trimester.

A blood test is used for rapid identification of this condition, enabling timely intervention by high-risk pregnancy specialists.

When diagnosed by a high-risk OB, the outlook of vasa previa is favorable. The fetal mortality rate is quite low when a C-section is performed after the baby’s lungs are developed.

More about Dr. Rad

Perinatologist Dr. Rad and his world-class Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) obstetrics and gynecology team at Los Angeles Fetal and Maternal Care understand your High-Risk OB and infertility needs before, during, and after birth. We provide compassionate care and help you understand your pregnancy, answer questions, and provide emotional support to safely navigate your pregnancy.

Dr. Rad has undergone rigorous training with high honors at renowned institutions including the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, USC, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and UCSF Medical Center, as well as centers internationally in London, Austria, Israel, and Africa.

Call us at (844) 473-6100 or schedule your consultation online. We are currently accepting new patients.

We are conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area at locations in or near Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, Irvine, and Downtown Los Angeles. We also offer in-home prenatal care and a fly-in program for out-of-town and international patients. Dr. Rad even travels to patients who need him throughout the U.S. and around the world.

If you can’t make it to Dr. Rad, he also offers virtual consultations worldwide.

Call (844) 473-6100 or click here to schedule online

Stories from Our Blog for You:

What is an Advanced Fetal Ultrasound? Do I Need One?

Can Dads Have Postpartum Depression? You Might Be Surprised!

Dr. Rad Voted One of Pasadena’s Top Doctors!

Get a Second Opinion on Your High-Risk Pregnancy

Rainbow Clinic Offers Support and Hope After Pregnancy Loss or Neonatal Death

Why Don’t Americans Have Adequate Access to Fertility Treatment Options?

What Are High-Risk Pregnancies, and Why Are They Increasing?

Welcome to the New Website of Dr. Rad and the Maternal Fetal Care Center

Affiliations, Organizations & Training Include:

Thank you Dr. Rad and team for helping me through my pregnancy after loss. Our son was stillborn May 2021 at 37 weeks due to a knot in his umbilical cord. We were referred to Dr. Rad through PUSH for Empowered Pregnanxy. We met with him a couple of months after our loss to discuss the plan for PAL to make sure it would be the right fit. Once we found out we were pregnant, I called him immediately and he saw me that week. The journey was long and the team was there every step of the way. PAL is full of anxiety and never knowing if your baby is going to make it. I came in weekly and no one ever made me feel bad for wanting to check on my baby. In our third trimester, we found out our baby had an ovarian cyst and Dr. rad knew this would cause us some anxiety even though most likely benign and suggested us to get an MRI for peace of mind. As we approached induction date, I noticed a dip in fetal movement. I was admitted to the hospital with the support of Dr. rad for five days before induction to monitor the baby. She came out perfect and we couldn’t believe it. Thank you Dr rad and team for all your work. You work nonstop for your patients!

...

Rachel Gould

Our journey with Dr.Rad and his amazing team started when my wife was at her 12 week and we were looking for the best doctor in California to perform the Amniocentesis. Google didn't disappoint us and we were lucky to come across Dr. Rad. The exam has its risks and we thought a lot about doing it but after a warm and friendly call with Dr. Rad we gained a lot of confidence in his skills and experience.

Living in San Francisco, my wife would visit her own OBGYN clinic through the early stages of her pregnancy, and often would meet different doctors each visit. Despite being a 10 minutes call from the other side of California, Dr. Rad had let us feel that we're in good hands before we even met.

A few weeks later, we drove down to LA for the Amniocentesis and from that moment on we decided that we want him to be my wife's doctor. Believe it or not, but having someone like him in LA was one of the decision factors leaving San Francisco.

Dr. Rad was always there for us, regardless of what time it was or what his schedule looked like. He's on a different level of devotion and dedication to his patients and it is clear to see that he loves what he's doing. The clinic itself is beautiful, and feels more like a SPA than a clinic. Everything is decorated with flowers, candles and essential oils with classical music playing in the background. No matter how scary a first pregnancy can be, when we were there, we felt confident.

The most important thing for us throughout the pregnancy was the sense of having someone there, ready to answer any question we had. With any concern we had during the pregnancy, Dr. Rad would have us come over and get my wife checked immediately. This might sound obvious if this is the first time choosing a doctor but in the SF clinic (which is considered one of the best), we were sent to E.R since they didn't have the time to check her.

Dr. Rad's team was absolutely amazing. Every time we came over it felt like visiting friends... Every single one of them is a real professional! Whether it's Brittany with her ultrasound skills that seems as if she's been doing it for 50 years or Alyssa that was there for every single question and helped us a lot throughout the process. We will surely miss you guys and see you in the next round 🙂

We did a lot of preparation for the delivery and participated in a few workshops, but Dr. Rad made sure that Beth, a long time midwife at Cedars Sinai, will come over and walk us through the process. We wouldn't exaggerate if we said that after speaking to her, we felt like it was our second time around.

Our first baby boy was delivered by Dr. Rad smoothly without any issues and surprises. The entire team was very supportive and respectful to my wife's requests. We couldn't be happier to have chosen Dr. Steve Rad, his stellar team and the amazing staff at Cedars Sinai.

Avner Yaacov

I am not normally someone to write reviews, however it is important for women to know that Dr Rad and this type of medical care exists. If you have been searching for an OB who is smart, compassionate, kind, respectful to you and your partner, spends time and makes you feel SAFE then Dr Rad is the doctor for you. It does not matter if your pregnancy journey is high or low risk. Physically, I had a low risk, mostly uncomplicated pregnancy with my second baby but mentally, I was carrying a lot of medical and hospital trauma from my first birth and wanted specialized care this time around. Dr Rad listened to me and my husband, created a plan with us that included hybrid midwifery care/minimal interventions and he gave us access to him as if I was always his top priority for my entire pregnancy and postpartum period. When things changed at the end of my pregnancy and I required a hospital birth instead of the unmediated VBAC I was pursuing Dr Rad still honored my wishes and was by my side or one text/call away every step of the way. His delivery of our beautiful baby girl at Providence St John’s gave us a night and day experience compared to the birth of my first child with a different OB at Cedars Sinai. His accessibility and referrals during postpartum assured me that my life and well-being truly matter to him. As a black woman, it is rare to feel cared for in this way by any medical provider. While the out of pocket costs for Dr Rad’s services are initially difficult to stomach, they are well worth it and I don’t regret anything when it comes to choosing Dr Rad.

Cal Dee Renfroe

I cannot speak highly enough of Dr. Rad and his office team. From my very first visit, I felt welcomed and cared for like family. Dr. Rad was incredibly kind, detailed, and attentive to every detail of my prenatal care. He always went the extra mile to make sure that no prenatal screenings were missed, even making time for appointments on weekends. That level of dedication and commitment is truly remarkable.

What truly sets Dr. Rad apart is his unwavering focus and dedication to his patients. His appointments easily went upto 2 hours sometimes given how detailed and thorough he is. He always took the time to answer all of my questions with patience and understanding, and addressed any concerns that I had. With him, I was always confident that my baby was in the best possible hands. His team is just as dedicated and caring, and they were always there for me whenever I needed them. Special shout out to Laurice too for always being there, even after hours and weekends.

In short, I couldn't be more grateful for the care I received from this doctor and his team. They made my pregnancy journey a joy, and I'm going to miss my visits now that my baby is here. If you're looking for a doctor who is incredibly knowledgeable, caring, and dedicated, look no further. You want Dr. Rad and his team by your side.

Priya Tomar

Dr Rad and his staff are wonderful. They were such a positive part of our parenthood journey. Being first-time parents, we had lots of questions and Dr Rad and his staff always thoroughly explained everything to us. While the wait is sometimes long, we found it was always because Dr Rad was managing an emergency situation or delivering difficult news to a patient, which understandably, was his first priority. The staff also always communicated proactively with us about wait-time so we knew what was going on. I joked on our last visit that I’m going to have to have another baby just so we can all hang out more 🙂

Sara Williams

I was an intern at Dr. Rad's office. This internship gave me a valuable opportunity to learn so much!
Dr. Rad is very detailed and thorough with his exams, and he really takes his time with all his patients to give them the best care possible. They have an excellent sonographer, Brittany, who is also very meticulous, and she is great at what she does. The entire team is genuinely kind and caring. This is a calm, safe place to receive medical care, and everyone is attentive and knowledgeable. I had an absolutely wonderful experience at Dr. Rad's office!
They go above and beyond for every patient; they truly love what they do!

Giselle Lopera

I feel so happy to have been able to visit Dr. Rad, after being told by another high risk pregnancy doctor that my baby had NO kidneys or bladder and would not survive, Dr. Rad found bladder and both kidneys! My baby I knew always had a chance and I did not believe the 1st specialist at all which is why I went for a second opinion with Dr. Rad. 10/10 he was welcoming, supportive, friendly and gave me all my options going forward. God sent!

leslie serna

I came to Dr. Rad with a history of blood clots which made my pregnancy high risk. Since day one, Dr. Rad and his team were so welcoming and really nice- Always answering our questions, explaining everything on each ultrasound and check-up.
They consistently checked up on us each week to see how we were doing and when we needed guidance or had a concern, Dr. Rad always called right away.
I’m so happy we decided to put my pregnancy care in the hands of Dr. Rad and his team.

Ana De Flon

I cannot find words to express my gratitude to the best Doctor and the kindest person Steve Rad. My baby girl is alive because of him. The story is that during my pregnancy I was seeing another doctor in UCLA. At the 20th week of my pregnancy I went for the ultrasound and after the procedure without doing any other examination the doctor said that the baby has some developmental issues. There is some liquid in the brain, the chest is growing wrong, etc. I was terrified with the news and asked is there a chance that he is wrong, maybe we need to do other examinations, maybe he hasn’t seen everything right. To all that questions “doctor” answered that we can do MRI and other exams, but he is more than sure that the baby is growing wrong and he suggests to do an abortion. He said that the results will come in a month or two but the latest abortion date is 23 weeks, so we need to hurry with out decision. Before making decision we decided to find the best specialist in high risk pregnancy for the second opinion. After some research we found Dr. Rad and that changed our lives. After the first ultrasound Dr. Rad said that he doesn’t see anything wrong, that he is more than sure that baby is okay, and the MRI will proof his words. He told do not even think about abortion, because the baby is 100% fine. Like he said the MRI results proved his words.
The second thing I would like to mention is the exceptional service that he provides to all his patients. When I found out that he has many famous patients I was worried weather he is providing the same service to his regular patients or not. The answer surprised me. He treats all his patients like they are his one and only patient. Usually appointments with Dr. Rad last approximately two hours. He needs to be sure that he has seen everything, answered to all your questions. He is one of the few professionals who is worried about quality of his work not quantity of the patients. Also, he is available on phone whenever you need him. He replied to my text messages within maximum 5 minutes during my whole pregnancy. Also I.would like to say thank you to his amazing team. You are absolutely The Best!

Lilit Ginosyan