Inpatient Obstetric Nurse (NCC) Practice Exam 2026 - Free NCC Practice Questions and Study Guide

Patients with a history of multiple cesarean deliveries are at the highest risk for developing placenta accreta. This condition involves the abnormal implantation of the placenta into the uterine wall, often penetrating the muscle layer. The risk is significantly elevated in women who have had previous cesarean sections because the surgical procedures can create scar tissue in the uterus.

Each subsequent cesarean delivery increases the risk further due to additional scarring and changes in the uterine lining, which can disrupt the normal implantation of the placenta. As a result, when the placenta attaches to the uterine wall, it may do so more deeply than it would in women without such a history, leading to potential complications during pregnancy and delivery.

Other groups, such as first-time mothers, those who have had natural births, or women over the age of 35, do not have the same increased risk factors associated with their obstetric histories that directly contribute to the likelihood of placenta accreta. While maternal age can be a risk factor for issues during pregnancy, it is not as significant as the history of cesarean deliveries concerning this specific condition.