Dr. Aruna Ashok MBBS, MS OG, DNB OG
- Clinical Director
Aruna Ashok | 04 Dec 2026
If you are pregnant, you already know the importance of the placenta. It is the vital, temporary organ that grows inside the uterus along with the baby. The placenta is connected with the baby through the umbilical cord to exchange essential nutrients and wastes from the mother.
This placenta can attach and develop to the uterine wall wherever the fertilised egg is implanted. The placenta begins functioning as early as implantation and continues to grow throughout the pregnancy. By the time of delivery, the placenta can weigh about 500 grams.
An anterior placenta is when the placenta is attached to the front wall of the uterus, typically close to the abdomen. It is a usual and normal variation, causing no risks and complications in the pregnancy. The placenta does its regular work to nourish the baby as in any other placental placement.
An anterior placement of the placenta is a normal occurrence. Studies show that about 30 to 50% of women have their placenta positioned anteriorly during pregnancy. Generally, this position does not pose any complications or issues to the pregnant person or the developing baby, unless it lies near or over the cervix.
It is important to understand that the position of the placenta can move slightly upward as the baby bump grows. The process is known as placental migration or placental transposition. In simple terms, it might start in the anterior position, but end up moving upwards (fundal) as your uterus grows and stretches. The shift is usually visible by 32 weeks, which is a natural part of the pregnancy.
The only standard and reliable way to know about your placenta’s position is through ultrasound, which is usually done in:
During the 18–20-week anomaly scan, your healthcare provider may check for the placental position. They may make a note of its exact placement, like anterior (front) and posterior (back), to ensure the normal development. Identifying the placement also helps to rule out potential complications like placenta previa (low-lying placenta near cervix), although it can move as the baby bump grows. This detailed ultrasound scan also helps the healthcare providers to assess the baby’s overall growth and development.
A follow-up ultrasound may be scheduled between 28 and 32 weeks, especially if the placenta is identified as low-lying. This is to ensure that it has moved up, making the way for a safe vaginal birth. In cases of persistent low-lying placenta, further monitoring through transvaginal ultrasound may be scheduled between 32 and 36 weeks. This is to ensure the final position of the placenta before delivery. In most scenarios, the issue resolves naturally on its own. If it remains low covering the cervix, a C-section may be planned.
Apart from the anterior position, the placenta can develop in various placements. The common placental positions may include:
A posterior placenta is when the placenta is attached to the back wall of the mother’s uterus, typically near the spine. It is the most common and normal position. This position may often lead to clearer ultrasound images and stronger and earlier fetal movements.
A lateral placenta means the placenta is attached to the side wall of the mother’s uterus. It can be attached in either the right or left position. It is another common and safe placental position. Though normal deliveries are usually expected in this type of placement, some studies have linked it to a slightly higher risk of complications like preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and preterm birth.
A fundal placenta means the placenta is attached to the top wall of the mother’s uterus. It is the most ideal and common placental position, leading to uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries.
A low-lying placenta is when the placenta is attached to the lower wall of the mother’s uterus, covering a part or most of the cervical opening. This often leads to the condition called placenta previa, causing complications like painless bleeding. This variation can happen with both anterior (front wall of the uterus) and posterior (back wall of the uterus) placenta, though the probability is minimal. Many low-lying placentas shift their location as the uterus grows. Only persistent previa needs medical attention.
An anterior placenta is usually a harmless occurrence. It does not pose any negative impacts on your pregnancy. However, the minor contributions may include:
An anterior placenta may make it harder to feel your baby’s movements. That’s because the placenta acts as a cushion between your abdomen and the baby. This dampens the force of the baby’s kicks and movements. The first baby movements are usually felt by 24 weeks. Due to an anterior placenta, it is often delayed and felt more like gentle flutters than strong kicks. Even so, they might usually emerge after the second trimester.
Note: Any significant changes in these movements may always warrant medical attention.
An anterior placenta can make it harder to find the baby’s heartbeat using a handheld Doppler. This is because the placenta muffles the sound, which is largely expected in this scenario. Your healthcare provider may use an ultrasound to find the baby’s heartbeat, ensuring everything is fine.
An anterior placenta can also make it harder to get clearer images of the baby through ultrasounds. This is because of the extra tissue barrier between the probe and the baby, which is potentially preventing the results. Though it does not harm your pregnancy, it can be challenging to achieve the desired outcomes. Your healthcare provider may generally suggest taking a walk, repositioning, or using different scan angles to get clear images. This can be time-consuming.
Diagnostic tests like amniocentesis can be challenging with an anterior placenta. In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend getting an amniocentesis. The test involves taking a sample of amniotic fluid using a needle, which has to pass through the placenta to reach the fluid. This requires multiple attempts and more skills. Your healthcare provider may use ultrasounds to navigate it without harming both the fetus and the placenta. This makes an anterior placenta challenging to perform amniocentesis.
An anterior placenta is a normal, common variation in pregnancy. They are typically not a cause of concern. Studies claim that most women have healthy pregnancies and vaginal deliveries with an anterior placenta. However, there is a slightly increased risk for certain complications during pregnancy that may require medical monitoring. The complications may include:
It is a condition caused by a low-lying placenta near or over the cervix. This may necessitate a C-section to avoid complications like excessive bleeding during delivery.
It is a high-risk pregnancy condition where the placenta is deeply implanted over a uterine scar from the previous C-section. This often requires a C-section or hysterectomy (uterus removal) for the safe delivery.
It is a rare pregnancy complication where the placenta detaches from the implanted uterine wall before delivery. This risks the baby’s survival, potentially requiring emergency delivery.
Though rare, placental issues are linked to gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. This can also happen due to significant factors like advanced maternal age and BMI. The condition can sometimes lead to organ damage, such as the liver and kidneys. This may necessitate a C-section to avoid serious risks to the mother and the baby.
While an anterior placenta does not directly cause gestational diabetes, some studies show an association between them.
A few studies have noted an association between an anterior placenta and delayed fetal growth. It can be potentially due to the insufficient blood circulation and nutrients from the placenta. Though large-scale research might be required to confirm this claim. Placenta’s position may not affect the fetal growth, but placental insufficiency, like poor attachment and blood vessel issues, can be contributing factors.
An anterior placenta can sometimes cause complications in labour and delivery. It can increase the risk of the baby being in an occiput posterior (back-to-back) position. This can necessitate either:
With an anterior placenta, you may seek immediate medical help if you notice:
Pregnancies with an anterior placenta are a normal and harmless variation. It does not usually cause major impacts to both the pregnant person and the baby. Rather, it only cushions and delays experiencing the fetal movement.
It is essential to understand that the placenta’s position doesn’t bring complications in the pregnancy; it is the baby’s position that causes complications. It is reported that most women have healthy pregnancies and deliveries with an anterior placenta. All it requires is close monitoring if it's low-lying.
1. Does placental position always change?
The answer to the question is yes. The placental position often changes from where it appears to be early in pregnancy. About 90% of low-lying placentas move upwards by the third trimester as the uterus grows. Although the actual implantation site doesn’t truly move, the growing uterus makes it appear to do so.
2. Is having an anterior placenta hereditary?
The exact cause of an anterior placenta is not fully understood, though it is a normal placental position. It is generally believed that the implantation site is mostly random. The shape of the uterus and previous pregnancies may be contributing factors for this mechanism.
3. Is an anterior placenta a problem during pregnancy?
An anterior placenta is usually not a problem, unless it is located low near or over the cervix by the full term.
4. How can I manage placental position during pregnancy?
You cannot directly move the placental position. However, in cases of a low-lying placenta, you can manage the condition by strictly adhering to the doctor’s advice. Avoiding sex, avoiding heavy lifting, regular appointments, adequate rest, and adopting side-sleeping positions can greatly help to reduce risk and prevent complications.
5. What can cause anterior placenta?
The actual cause of the anterior placenta is still unknown. Factors that might play a role may include:
