A woman who delivered a baby after a pregnancy complicated with placenta previa is most at risk for which complication?

A woman who has experienced a pregnancy complicated with placenta previa is at an increased risk for postpartum hemorrhage. This is primarily due to the potential for retained placental tissue and the disruption of normal uterine contraction mechanisms following delivery, both of which can lead to significant blood loss.

Placenta previa occurs when the placenta is situated unusually low in the uterus, covering the cervix. This condition can lead to complications during delivery, often necessitating a cesarean section, which itself increases the risk for excessive bleeding. Following delivery, the uterus must contract effectively to expel the placenta fully and close off blood vessels that were supplying the placenta. If the uterus does not contract efficiently, blood vessels may remain open, leading to postpartum hemorrhage.

Other complications, such as infection or thromboembolism, can occur postpartum but are not directly tied to the immediate delivery scenario associated with placenta previa. Uterine atony, while a concern, is often a result of the same mechanisms that cause postpartum hemorrhage and thus can be considered a contributing factor rather than a distinct complication in this context. Therefore, postpartum hemorrhage is the primary concern for women with a history of placenta previa.