Are Women with Alcohol and Other Drug Use at Increased Risk of Placenta Praevia (PP)?

Abstract

Objective: To correlate the incidence of Low Lying placenta with maternal alcohol and other drug use (AOD) among pregnant women attending the Women and Newborn Drug and Alcohol Service (WANDAS), a specialist obstetric Drug and Alcohol Service situated at Women and Newborn Health Service King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH). Methods:A retrospective audit was undertaken of 751 maternal records compromising of the women attending Women and Newborn Drug and Alcohol Service (WANDAS) from 2010 to 2014. All women were scanned at approximately 20 weeks and again between 32 to 34 weeks gestation. The incidence of, low lying placenta, placenta praevia and maternal drug use was analysed. The maternal outcomes including mode of delivery, foetal outcome and maternal complications were compared with the general obstetric population at KEMH. In order to determine if maternal AOD use increased the risk of placentation issues. Conclusion:Maternal AOD use increases the risk of placenta praevia and other maternal and neonatal comorbidities.