Placenta previa is defined as which of the following?

• A. Placenta detaches from the uterine wall before birth.
• B. Placenta detaches from the uterine wall after birth.
• C. Placenta implants abnormally in the lower portion of the uterus.
• D. Placenta previa is the abnormal implantation of the placenta in the lower portion of the uterus.

Answer: (D)

Placenta previa happens when the placenta implants in the lower part of the uterus, near or over the cervix. That abnormal placement can block the birth canal and often leads to painless vaginal bleeding in the late stages of pregnancy. It’s a different problem from placental abruption, where the placenta detaches from the uterine wall before birth and typically causes painful bleeding and abdominal tenderness. The best description is the one that states the placenta implants abnormally in the lower portion of the uterus, because it directly names the abnormal location that defines placenta previa. The other options describe different placenta problems or phrasing that doesn’t clearly identify this condition.