When Lauren Burrow walked into her 20-week prenatal ultrasound appointment in March 2022, she had no idea that a routine scan would change the course of her pregnancy — and her career — forever.
Lauren, a mother of two at the time, was preparing to welcome her third child. Having already experienced two cesarean births; she was receiving prenatal care with Dr. Laura Pekman at Atrium Health Women’s Care Charlotte OB-GYN. Things were progressing normally, until a routine anatomy scan raised some concerns.
To take a closer look, Pekman referred Lauren to Dr. Jennifer Philips at Atrium Health Women's Care Maternal Fetal Medicine, who confirmed a serious diagnosis: placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), a serious condition where the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall.
Lauren’s ultrasound revealed both placenta previa — where the placenta covers the cervix —and placenta percreta, the most severe form of PAS, in which the placenta penetrates through the uterus.
“Placenta accreta spectrum disorders used to be very rare, about 1 in 2,000 pregnancies, but we’re now seeing them in about 1 in 500,” Philips says. “It can be life-threatening if not caught early, which is why continuity of care and timely referrals, like Lauren’s, are so critical.”
Navigating a High-Risk Pregnancy
Lauren hadn’t experienced any symptoms, so the diagnosis came as a surprise. When she learned she had PAS, she took precautions like pelvic rest and lifting restrictions to minimize complications.
At seven months pregnant, a sudden bleeding episode sent Lauren to the hospital for a five-day stay, where a specialized team worked around the clock to ensure both mother and baby were safe.
“The hardest part wasn’t the physical challenges. It was the emotional weight, the unknowns,” Lauren says. “But the entire team was incredibly sensitive and reassuring. They helped me feel supported and prepared.”
A Team Effort
Knowing the risks, Lauren’s obstetric team developed a specialized delivery plan. At 35 weeks, Lauren underwent a cesarean hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus at the time of cesarean delivery of the baby, the standard and safest treatment for severe PAS cases. A treatment that saved Lauren’s life as she welcomed her new, beautiful baby daughter.
Dr. Melissa Woolworth at Atrium Health Myers Park OB-GYN performed Lauren’s surgery, with Pekman assisting. This approach allowed her to remain in the care of her trusted physician while benefiting from the specialized expertise of Atrium Health’s PAS team.
“Lauren’s surgery was quite challenging due to the placenta percreta. But with our carefully curated protocol in place, we were able to complete the operation without complications,” Woolworth said.
Philips adds, “She didn’t require a blood transfusion, which is quite rare for this condition. This goes to show that her surgical team did an exceptional job.”
Lauren’s recovery, however, wasn’t easy.
“It was much tougher physically than my previous c-sections,” Lauren says. “And emotionally, I was working through birth trauma and the loss of fertility. Even though a hysterectomy had been my plan, facing that reality was still hard.”
As she healed, Lauren leaned on the support of her care team — not just for her physical recovery, but also for her emotional well-being. Their compassion, presence and attentiveness made a lasting impression during one of the most vulnerable times in her life.
A New Calling
That care didn’t just help Lauren safely welcome her daughter — it ignited something deeper that was connected to her emotional, as well as physical, journey.
Though she had studied pre-med in college, Lauren pursued a career in law, working as a biomedical and pharmaceutical patent attorney. But during each of her pregnancies, especially her experience with PAS, she felt an undeniable pull back to medicine.
“I couldn’t ignore it anymore,” Lauren says. “I realized I was staying in a career that didn’t fulfill me when I had a clear passion for women’s health.”
While still practicing law, Lauren became a certified birth doula and began taking courses to prepare for medical school. She officially left the legal field at the end of 2023. Now she supports women in childbirth and is preparing to apply to medical school.
Philips, who has since developed a close friendship with Lauren, couldn’t be prouder. Lauren remains active in the world of advocacy and has included both Woolworth and Philips in these events.
“It’s been such a beautiful extension of our relationship to continue to work together to support maternal and reproductive health,” Woolworth says.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see how her experience shaped her purpose,” Philips says. “Atrium Health’s approach to maternal care is deeply rooted in collaboration, and Lauren’s story is a testament to how that teamwork makes a difference — not just in outcomes, but in lives.”
Today, Lauren is healthy and thriving, raising her three children — two sons and her youngest, affectionately known as her ‘percreta princess,’ who is now three years old.
“I’m just so grateful,” Lauren says. “Not only did Atrium Health help save my life, they helped give me direction. The care I received was everything I needed, both as a patient and as a person.”
Learn more about the coordinated care and compassionate providers at Atrium Health Women’s Care.
