Support & Resources

National Accreta Foundation (NAF)

The National Accreta Foundation is the leading organization dedicated specifically to Placenta Accreta Spectrum. Founded and run by PAS survivors, NAF provides education, peer support, and advocacy for patients and families navigating a PAS diagnosis. If you do only one thing after reading this page, visit their website and join one of their support groups.

• Website: www.accreta.org
• Phone: Call for latest contact information — check the website for current details

NAF Programs & Resources

Accreta Connection Series — Free educational webinars for PAS patients and families. Topics include understanding your diagnosis, treatment options, and emotional coping strategies. Sessions are available both live and as recordings, so you can access them on your own schedule.

Facebook Peer Support Groups — Private groups moderated by PAS survivors. NAF runs multiple groups tailored to different stages of the PAS journey: newly diagnosed, post-delivery recovery, and trying to conceive after PAS. To find them, search “National Accreta Foundation” on Facebook and request to join the group that fits your situation.

New Mom Program — One-on-one peer mentoring that connects newly diagnosed patients with PAS survivors who have been through it. Having someone who truly understands what you are facing — someone who has walked this same path — can be invaluable during the uncertainty of a new diagnosis.

Hospital Selection Guide — A resource to help patients evaluate and choose PAS-experienced centers. Choosing the right hospital and surgical team is one of the most important decisions you will make. See also our Top Hospitals page for detailed center comparisons.

Provider Directory — A database of maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists and surgeons experienced with PAS. This can be especially helpful if you are looking for a second opinion or searching for a specialist in your region.

Research Updates — Regular summaries of new PAS research translated into patient-friendly language, so you can stay informed about advances in diagnosis and treatment without having to read dense medical journals.

Mental Health & Emotional Support

Why This Matters for PAS Patients

A PAS diagnosis is not just a medical event — it is an emotional upheaval. Research by Freitas et al. (2024) found that 36% of PAS patients experience symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ^[1]. Einerson et al. (2021) documented the profound emotional burden of a PAS diagnosis, including fear during pregnancy, grief over the loss of a “normal” birth experience, and lasting psychological impacts that can persist well beyond delivery ^[2].

These are not signs of weakness. They are normal human responses to an abnormal and frightening situation. Understanding that your emotional reactions are common — and that effective help exists — is the first step toward healing.

Common Emotional Responses

• Fear and anxiety — about surgery, bleeding, survival, and your baby’s health
• Grief — over the potential loss of your uterus, future pregnancies, and the birth experience you had imagined
• PTSD symptoms — flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors after a traumatic delivery
• Postpartum depression — which can be intensified by surgical recovery, NICU separation from your baby, and the emotional weight of the PAS experience
• Isolation — feeling that no one around you understands what you are going through

Postpartum Support International (PSI)

PSI is the leading organization for perinatal mental health support in the United States. They offer resources specifically relevant to parents who have experienced pregnancy complications and traumatic births.

• Helpline: 1-800-944-4773 (call or text)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Website: www.postpartum.net
• Specific support groups for pregnancy complications and loss
• Provider directory for perinatal mental health specialists

Finding a Therapist

Not every therapist has experience with perinatal trauma. Here is what to look for:

• Perinatal mental health specialists — therapists who specifically work with pregnancy-related anxiety, PTSD, and postpartum mood disorders
• EMDR therapy — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an evidence-based treatment particularly effective for PTSD symptoms, including those arising from traumatic birth experiences
• Psychology Today therapist finder — use the online directory and filter by “perinatal” or “pregnancy” as a specialty
• Telehealth options — many perinatal therapists offer virtual sessions, which can be especially helpful during bed rest, postpartum recovery, or if you are far from a specialist

Crisis Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (available 24/7)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Postpartum Support International Helpline: 1-800-944-4773

NICU Support

Because PAS deliveries are typically planned between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation ^[3], many PAS babies spend time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Being separated from your newborn during your own surgical recovery can be one of the hardest parts of the PAS experience. These organizations can help.

Hand to Hold

• Website: handtohold.org
• Free peer mentoring for NICU parents
• One-on-one support from trained parent mentors who have been through a NICU stay themselves
• Available in English and Spanish

Graham’s Foundation

• Website: grahamsfoundation.org
• Support specifically for parents of premature babies
• Care packages for NICU families
• Peer mentoring with parents who have been through similar experiences

March of Dimes NICU Family Support

• Website: marchofdimes.org
• NICU Family Support program available at many hospitals across the country
• MyNICU app for tracking your baby’s progress and staying informed during the NICU stay

Practical Tips for NICU Parents

• Pumping — If you plan to breastfeed, ask the NICU team about pumping early and often. Many NICUs have lactation consultants who can help you establish a supply even while recovering from surgery.
• Skin-to-skin contact — Ask about kangaroo care as soon as your baby is stable enough. Holding your baby skin-to-skin has proven benefits for both of you.
• Self-care — You are recovering from major surgery while your baby is in the NICU. Give yourself grace. Accept help. Rest when you can.
• Ask questions — NICU staff are there to help. No question is too small or too frequent. Understanding your baby’s care plan can reduce anxiety.

Travel & Lodging Assistance

Many PAS patients must travel significant distances to reach a specialized center with the multidisciplinary team needed for safe delivery. Travel creates both logistical and financial burdens — but resources exist to help.

Ronald McDonald House Charities

• Website: rmhc.org
• Free or low-cost lodging near children’s hospitals and major medical centers
• Some locations also accommodate families of adult patients
• Apply early — waitlists are common at popular locations, so start the application process as soon as you know your delivery hospital

Mercy Medical Angels

• Website: mercymedical.org
• Free air and ground transportation for patients traveling to distant specialists for medical treatment
• Application-based — apply well in advance of your planned travel dates

Angel Flight America

• Website: angelflightamerica.com
• Network of volunteer pilots who provide free flights for medical patients
• Covers all 50 states through regional Angel Flight organizations

Hospital-Affiliated Lodging

Most Tier 1 PAS centers have lodging programs or partnerships for patients and families traveling for care. Examples include:

• University of Utah — Guest House at University Hospital
• Penn Medicine — Perelman Center lodging assistance program
• Texas Medical Center — Jesse H. Jones Rotary House International

Contact your delivery hospital’s social work department early in your planning. They can connect you with local lodging resources, discounted hotel rates, and family support services that may not be widely advertised.

Insurance Travel Reimbursement

Some insurance plans reimburse travel costs when you must travel 75 or more miles to reach an in-network specialist. For example, Aetna members may be eligible for travel cost reimbursement when traveling to a PAS center of excellence. See our Insurance Guide for detailed information on travel-related coverage.

Financial Assistance

PAS care is expensive, and the financial burden can add significant stress to an already difficult situation. Multiple resources can help reduce that burden.

PAS-Specific & Reproductive Health Programs

• National Accreta Foundation — May have financial assistance programs or be able to connect you with relevant resources. Contact them through accreta.org.
• Livestrong Fertility — Offers discounted fertility preservation services for patients with medical conditions that threaten fertility, including those facing hysterectomy. livestrong.org/fertility-services

General Medical Financial Assistance

• HealthWell Foundation — Copay assistance programs for patients who qualify based on income and insurance status
• Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation — Financial assistance for specific treatments and medications

Hospital Financial Counselors

This is one of the most underused resources available to patients. Every hospital has financial counselors, and they can help you with:

• Charity care programs — many hospitals will reduce or eliminate bills for patients who qualify based on income
• Payment plans — interest-free or low-interest installment options
• Financial hardship applications — formal processes for requesting bill reduction
• Medicaid eligibility — pregnancy Medicaid has higher income thresholds than standard Medicaid in most states

Contact your hospital’s financial counselor before your delivery, not after. Setting up financial plans in advance reduces stress and gives you more options.

Legal Coverage & Fertility Mandates

If you are seeking fertility preservation as part of your PAS care, your insurance coverage may depend on which state you live in. Many states have enacted fertility preservation mandates that require insurance companies to cover the cost of egg freezing, embryo storage, and related services when a medical condition (like PAS) threatens your fertility.

View the Fertility Preservation Insurance Mandates Guide →

This guide includes a state-by-state breakdown of which states require coverage, what’s included, and how to advocate for your insurance to cover fertility preservation as a medically necessary service related to your PAS diagnosis.

Books, Podcasts & Patient Stories

Podcasts

• The Accreta Podcast (NAF) — PAS survivor stories and expert interviews. Covers diagnosis, treatment experiences, emotional recovery, and life after PAS. A powerful way to hear from women who have walked this path.
• Evidence Based Birth — A research-focused podcast that has covered placenta accreta in depth, including discussions of evidence-based treatment approaches and patient decision-making.

Books

• “The NICU Companion” by Deborah Campbell — A practical guide for parents navigating a NICU stay, covering everything from understanding medical terminology to bonding with your baby in the NICU.
• Check the NAF website for current reading lists and recommended resources, which are updated regularly.

Patient Stories

Hearing from other women who have been through a PAS diagnosis and delivery can be both deeply comforting and validating. Many patients describe the moment they first connected with another PAS survivor as transformative — suddenly, someone understood exactly what they were feeling.

The NAF website, the Accreta Podcast, and the NAF Facebook groups are all excellent places to find patient stories at various stages of the PAS journey.

For Partners & Family Members

If you are reading this as the partner, parent, sibling, or close friend of a PAS patient, please know that your experience matters too. Supporting someone through a PAS diagnosis is emotionally demanding, and it is common for partners and family members to experience their own anxiety, fear, and even symptoms of secondary trauma.

• Partners often experience secondary trauma — watching someone you love go through a life-threatening medical situation takes a real toll. Your feelings of fear, helplessness, and exhaustion are valid.
• Seek your own support — you cannot pour from an empty cup. Consider individual therapy, a support group, or even just a trusted friend who will listen without judgment.
• NAF has resources for partners — including partner-specific content in their webinar series and welcoming partners in some of their support groups.
• Postpartum Support International also offers resources for partners and family members of those experiencing perinatal mental health challenges.

For a comprehensive guide covering everything from what to expect on delivery day to practical ways you can help, see our dedicated Guide for Partners & Families.

Building Your Support Team

One of the most empowering things you can do after a PAS diagnosis is to intentionally build a support team around you. You do not have to figure everything out alone. Here is a practical checklist to help you get started.

Your Support Team Checklist

• Join a PAS-specific support group — The NAF Facebook groups are the best place to start. Request to join as soon as you can.
• Identify a perinatal mental health therapist — Even if you feel okay right now, having a therapist in place before delivery means you have someone ready when you need them.
• Connect with your hospital’s social worker — They can help coordinate support services, lodging, financial assistance, and connect you with local resources.
• Designate a communication coordinator — Choose one trusted person among your family or friends who can relay updates so you and your partner are not fielding dozens of calls and texts during an already stressful time.
• Set up a meal train or CaringBridge page — Friends and family often want to help but don’t know how. A meal train or CaringBridge page gives them concrete ways to support you during recovery.
• Research NICU support — If your baby may come early (likely with PAS), look into NICU parent support at your delivery hospital before delivery day.
• Ask your MFM team about support resources — Many PAS centers have dedicated social workers, support group connections, and peer mentoring programs that your care team can refer you to.

You don’t need to do all of these at once. Start with one or two — joining a support group and connecting with a social worker are often the highest-impact first steps. Build from there as you have energy and bandwidth.

References