Women who have placenta accreta spectrum require specialized care from an experienced team — one with the expertise to manage complex challenges during pregnancy and delivery. The Placenta Accreta Spectrum Center at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women offers a proven resource for managing this rare, potentially life-threatening condition. Our team provides complete care for you and your baby during pregnancy and works to make your delivery as safe as possible.
What is placenta accreta spectrum (PAS)?
Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a group of conditions in which the placenta (the food and oxygen source for your growing baby) grows too deeply into the wall of your uterus. In a typical pregnancy, the placenta easily detaches from the uterine wall after your baby is born. With PAS, the placenta doesn’t separate easily after delivery because it has grown into your uterine wall.
The spectrum ranges from placenta accreta (the mildest form) to placenta increta to placenta percreta (the most severe form). In severe cases, PAS can lead to premature birth and life-threatening vaginal bleeding during delivery.
Specialized care for placenta accreta, increta and percreta
Our maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) doctors (Ob/Gyns who specialize in high-risk pregnancy care) offer a rare level of expertise. We successfully treat many women who have PAS, a group of conditions many Ob/Gyns rarely encounter. Our proven experience and extensive resources make us a trusted resource for even the most complex cases.
Proven protocols and immediate access to critical resources
The serious risks posed by PAS require protocols to immediately address emergencies when they arise. We are prepared and equipped 24/7 to address the health needs of you and your baby, coordinating the lifesaving resources you both need.
You and your baby benefit from:
A multidisciplinary medical and surgical team: Our PAS care team includes doctors and providers from maternal-fetal medicine, critical care, neonatology and several other specialties, in addition to specialized nurses and support staff. We work closely together to provide attentive care throughout your pregnancy and delivery.
Blood bank and transfusion medicine services: Our skilled providers are ready to provide the blood products and expertise needed to address serious bleeding problems.
Immediate access to our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Texas Children’s Hospital is home to Level II, III and IV NICUs for lifesaving interventions, should your baby need them.
Delivery at a state-of-the-art center: The Pavilion for Women is home to a team of experts in high-risk pregnancy who tailor a delivery plan for you and your baby. We use all the latest, most advanced tools and technology to help you have a safe delivery.
Strategies to reduce blood loss: We incorporate advanced techniques in your delivery plan to help ensure a safe, healthy experience for you and your baby.
Lifesaving diagnostic testing
Our imaging team has extensive experience identifying pregnant women who have higher risks, such as PAS, and evaluating them to confirm a diagnosis. The sooner we can diagnose the condition, the sooner we can develop plans to minimize the risk of uncontrolled bleeding at delivery. We offer women early detection using the latest advancements in maternal and fetal imaging, including state-of-the-art ultrasound systems and MRI for selected cases.
Careful planning for delivery
Your care team carefully plans and times your delivery based on your and your baby’s health. We typically recommend delivery 4 to 5 weeks ahead of your due date to minimize the risk of bleeding and the effects of premature birth on the baby. We generally plan a cesarean section for delivery, often followed by a hysterectomy. This approach leaves the placenta untouched, reducing the potential for massive blood loss. In select cases, we can safely remove the placenta while sparing the uterus, through conservative management. View our patient brochure for more information.
Leading the way in PAS research
We continue to advance the treatment of PAS, from groundbreaking research on minimizing blood loss during delivery to participating in a national consortium of centers of excellence to establish best practices. We’re dedicated to helping all women with PAS achieve a safe, healthy pregnancy and delivery.
