Overview of Placenta Previa VIDEO Risk factors Risk factors for placenta previa include the following: Multiparity Prior cesarean delivery Uterine abnormalities that inhibit normal implantation (eg, fibroids, prior curettage) Prior uterine surgery (eg, myomectomy) or procedure (eg, multiple dilation and curettage [D and C] procedures) Smoking Multifetal pregnancy Older maternal age Complications For patients with placenta previa or a low-lying placenta, risks include fetal malpresentation, preterm premature rupture of the membranes, fetal growth restriction, vasa previa, and velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord (in which the placental end of the cord consists of divergent umbilical vessels surrounded only by fetal membranes).