Placenta Accreta Spectrum and Complex Obstetric Surgery Program
Advanced surgical care
Placenta accreta occurs when the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall, often preventing it from delivering after birth and causing heavy bleeding.
Mass General Brigham offers specialized, compassionate care for women who face a complicated delivery due to a cesarean section identified as being complex, risk for heavy bleeding, or need for an additional surgery or hysterectomy.
Patients may come to us at the beginning of their pregnancy, at the time they are diagnosed with a condition, or prior to becoming pregnant.
Part of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Our approach to complex obstetric care
Our specialists begin by identifying at-risk patients before or early in pregnancy, and carefully plan the timing and steps of the delivery.
By combining this individualized preparation with our rich resource of multidisciplinary specialists, our goal is to make otherwise complicated and difficult deliveries run in a smooth, controlled manner. Afterward, our team offers both immediate and long-term follow-up care.
Patients come to our program with a range of conditions, including placenta previa and accreta spectrum, fibroids and other pelvic tumors, Asherman syndrome, uterine anomalies, endometriosis, severe adhesions or scar tissue, a past history of complicated surgery, and other conditions that make their deliveries more difficult.
Patients are cared for by a multidisciplinary team that includes:
- High-risk obstetricians and maternal-fetal medicine specialists
- Obstetric anesthesiologists
- Neonatal specialists
- Pelvic and surgical specialists
- Radiologists
- ICU teams
- Blood bank and transfusion specialists
- Mental health providers
- Nurses
While all specialists are always available, our high-risk obstetricians lead most procedures, including cesarean delivery, hysterectomy, and hemorrhage management.
While many patients come to our service for complicated cesarean deliveries, we will support a vaginal delivery when this is an option. With our high delivery volume, we have extensive experience managing complex births, including VBAC and postpartum complications.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham are working to understand the connection between scars from prior uterine surgeries, such as C-sections, and placental complications.
You may have the option to participate in research that helps us understand more about how surgery impacts subsequent pregnancies. This allows us to make future pregnancies safer.
Related conditions and treatments
Contact the Placenta Accreta Spectrum and Complex Obstetric Surgery Program
Brigham and Women's Hospital
617-732-4208
Massachusetts General Hospital
617-724-2229