Inpatient Obstetric Nurse Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Guide

A short interval between pregnancies has been associated with an increased risk of placenta previa. This is thought to occur due to several physiological and anatomical changes that can happen within the uterus after a pregnancy.

When a woman becomes pregnant again soon after a previous pregnancy, the uterine lining may not have had sufficient time to fully recover and rebuild, making it more susceptible to abnormal placental implantation. Additionally, the presence of scar tissue from a prior cesarean section or other uterine surgery can also contribute to an increased likelihood of the placenta abnormally attaching to the lower uterine segment, resulting in placenta previa. The reduced time between pregnancies does not allow adequate healing or restoration of the normal uterine environment, thereby elevating the risk for complications such as placenta previa in subsequent pregnancies.

Understanding this relationship helps healthcare professionals in counseling and monitoring pregnant individuals who have had short interpregnancy intervals, underlining the importance of family planning and spacing pregnancies for maternal and fetal health.