Anterior vs Posterior Placenta: Are They Same or Different?
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Geetanjali Gupta
Written By Muskan Taneja
on Nov 22, 2024
Last Edit Made By Muskan Taneja
on Nov 22, 2024
Pregnancy is a beautiful period for every woman. This nine-month period is divided into three trimesters, during which a woman experiences several mood swings. A good diet and proper care during these trimesters can ensure the healthy growth and development of the fetus.
The placenta plays an important role in pregnancy from the very beginning. However, its role and responsibility become visible as the pregnancy progresses. The placenta takes 18 to 20 weeks to develop completely.
The anterior and posterior placenta are two positions of the placenta in the uterus. Experts say that this movement affects the outcome of the pregnancy. ‘Anterior vs posterior placenta’ is an ongoing debate among people. Today, we will help you understand their details and differences.
What is Fetal Movement?
Fetal movement is a sign that your fetus is growing and moving. You may experience this between 16 and 22 weeks with movements like fluttering, gentle swirling, and kicks. Doctors say ten fetal movements a day are normal.
The placenta’s position affects the baby’s growth, development, and movement during pregnancy.
The anterior placenta and posterior placenta are two forms of placenta movement. However, the size and location of the fetus also affect your fetal movement.
Regardless of the placenta’s movement, you might feel the movement by 20 weeks of pregnancy.
How are Anterior Placenta and Posterior Placenta Diagnosed?
The anterior and posterior placenta are the movements of the placenta, which a doctor can diagnose during an ultrasound. They usually perform the screening between the 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy.
An anterior placenta is when the placenta is in the front wall of the uterus, and a posterior placenta is in the back wall of the uterus. During an ultrasound, doctors can also locate the placenta on the top of the uterus, which is the fundus placenta. They use the BPD, or biparietal diameter method, to perform the ultrasound examination.
Biparietal diameter (BPD) is an ultrasound examination that checks fetal development. Both BPD and the placenta are important for the baby's healthy growth.
Check out https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/pregnancy/what-exactly-does-bpd-in-pregnancy-mean/ to know more about BPD and its role in pregnancy.
What are the Anterior and Posterior Placenta?
The anterior and posterior both have valuable roles in pregnancy. They give the unique essence and touch of pregnancy.
Several theories suggest that the anterior placenta indicates the gender of a boy, and the posterior placenta indicates the gender of a girl. But is this true?
No proven scientific theories show that the anterior and posterior placenta means boy and girl, respectively. Your chances of having any gender are the same.
Anterior Placenta
The anterior placenta is located in the front wall of the uterus during pregnancy. In layman's terms, an anterior placenta is between the baby and the mother's belly.
The placenta is a vital organ that develops during pregnancy and acts as the mother-fetus interface. Its anterior or front placement influences fetal movement.
You may experience a delay in feeling your baby’s movement compared to the posterior placenta. Anterior vs. posterior placenta are not philosophical terms, and they are complex to understand. Continue your ongoing care and monitoring with your healthcare expert.
Posterior Placenta
Posterior placenta occurs when the placenta attaches to the back wall of the uterus, which is the side near the mother's spine. In layman’s terms, the posterior placenta is between the baby’s and the mother’s back.
The posterior or back placenta influences and controls the fetal movement and pregnancy experiences. With the posterior placenta, you can feel earlier fetal movement as less tissue is involved between the mother’s abdominal wall and the baby’s movement.
During the posterior placenta, continue the regular prenatal care and monitoring, as your healthcare provider recommends.
Difference between Anterior vs Posterior Placenta
The ‘anterior vs posterior placenta’ both hold a significant role in the growth, development, and fetal movement. They differ based on placement, sensation, movement, and more. Let’s understand the detailed differences between both the anterior and posterior placenta.
| Differences | Posterior Placenta | Anterior Placenta |
| Health and Development | The posterior placenta doesn’t affect health and development. However, it results in some noticeable fetal movements. | The anterior placenta is similar to the posterior placenta. It doesn’t affect the baby's growth and development; however, it may affect the perception of fetal movement. |
| Effect on Delivery and Labor | It doesn’t affect delivery and labor. Nonetheless, it may affect the sensations during contractions. | It doesn’t affect the delivery and labor results. |
| Ultrasound | Here, ultrasound is easier and provides a clear view of the fetal movement and development. | The location is the front of the uterus, which makes clear ultrasound images slightly challenging. |
| Sensations During Pregnancy | Sensations and movements are more noticeable because the position lies in front of the abdomen. | Women with anterior placenta experience less sensation or pressure in the front of the abdomen; however, they may feel slight movements in the sides. |
| Fetal Movement | Fetal movement occurs earlier because less tissue is present between the mother’s abdominal wall and the baby’s movement. | Fetal movement is experienced later or less distinctly because the placenta makes it feel like dampening fetal movements. |
| Placement | The back wall of the uterus attaches to the posterior placenta, bringing it close to the mother's spine. | The anterior placenta attaches to the front of the uterus, positioning itself between the mother and the baby’s abdominal wall. |
These placenta movements mainly affect the sensations and ultrasound process, making pregnancy complex. Doctors may recommend regular monitoring to provide updates about overall health, fetal movements, the placenta’s location, and the baby’s growth.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Anterior and Posterior Placenta
The anterior and posterior placentas are both normal and cause no health problems for the baby or mother. They support a healthy pregnancy, yet there are some differences that can affect the delivery outcome. Placenta positions are normal during pregnancy and have both benefits and drawbacks. Let’s understand.
Benefits of Anterior Placenta and Posterior Placenta
The anterior placenta can provide a cushioning effect for the baby, which is beneficial in protecting the baby from any outside or external effects. In contrast, the posterior placenta allows the baby’s movement to be clear because of less cushioning and also provides clear images of the baby during ultrasounds.
Drawbacks of Anterior Placenta and Posterior Placenta
The anterior placenta can create hindrances in movement and clear images during ultrasounds. Whereas, if you have a posterior placenta, you can experience back pain as the pregnancy period progresses. However, you may require a C-section delivery in both placenta movements.
Key Takeaways
‘Anterior placenta vs posterior placenta’ is no longer rocket science. These are the placenta positions that provide an incredible journey of pregnancy. These positions impact fetal movement, ultrasound screening, and the delivery process. They are vital for the nourishment and support of your child. The posterior placenta can make you feel those early flutters, while the anterior placenta can make your baby kick. Both movements spread their uniqueness and made an incredible pregnancy journey.
