You may have been referred for imaging of the placenta. The scan is identical to a fetal MRI scan except that we obtain images of the placenta. From a patients perspective it is the same procedure as fetal MRI.
This page explains more about a condition called placental adhesive disorder or placenta percreta.
About the placenta
The placenta plays an important part of the pregnancy and ensures the fetus receives food and oxygen. It is attached to the wall of the uterus (womb) and attached to the baby by the umbilical cord, which has 3 blood vessels in it. The blood carries the oxygen and nutrition to allow the baby to grow and it removes the baby’s waste products. The placenta can vary in size, shape and location.
Complications
In some cases the placenta may be too ‘sticky’ . This usually occurs when the placenta is attached to the uterus at the site of previous surgery, for example, a previous caesarean section. Lots of different names have been given to this condition including placenta accreta, increta or percreta and placental adhesive disorder.
What is placental adhesive disorder?
This is a condition where the placenta is attached to the uterine wall more firmly than normal. It is not usually a problem during the pregnancy but at the time of delivery it stays attached to the uterine wall. It may be possible to remove it manually, it may come away in pieces and the doctors will need to ensure that they have all the pieces. In some cases it is very difficult to remove as it has attached through the full thickness of the uterine wall. It can also attach to the wall of your bladder and occasionally other organs. In these cases it may be necessary to remove the uterus (a hysterectomy) at the time of delivery.
MRI of the placenta is used to see the degree of attachment of the placenta so that the doctors can prepare for the delivery and discuss all the options with you so that you and your baby are safe.