Model Chrissy Teigen announced late yesterday on Instagram that she and husband John Legend, lost their baby. She and John are already parents to a daughter, Luna, 4 and a son, Miles, 2. Teigen was hospitalized on Sunday and said she had suffered from bleeding for a few weeks and that she had a “weak placenta” and had experienced bleeding for weeks and was on bedrest.
Common problems with the placenta
While we don't know her formal diagnosis, there are different types of placenta issues:
Placenta previa: This is when the placenta implants at or close to the mouth of cervix. It can also completely cover the cervix at times. While exact causes are unknown, certain factors put you at a higher risk for developing placenta previa, including:
- Smoking
- Cocaine use
- Age: Being under 20 or over 35
- Multiple pregnancies
- Prior uterine surgery such as a prior C-section, D&C (dilation and curettage), or fibroid removal
- Prior placenta previa raises your risk of another placenta previa by 2-3 percent
Placenta abruption: This is the separation of the placenta before the baby is born. It usually happens after week 20 in pregnancy. Placental abruption occurs in about 1 out of 150 deliveries. Sometimes a very short umbilical cord can be a cause as well as injury and sudden volume loss of amniotic fluid. Risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Cocaine use
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- History of placenta abruption
- Several prior deliveries
Teigen first announced his pregnancy in late August 2020. Our hearts and prayers go out to Chrissy, John, and their family.
Read More:
Placenta Creta: Accreta, Increta, Percreta
PROM - Premature Rupture of Membranes
High-Risk Pregnancy Complications Guide