Which of the following is a potential complication of untreated placenta previa?

Untreated placenta previa can lead to increased risk of hemorrhage, making it the correct answer. In cases of placenta previa, the placenta is positioned abnormally low in the uterus, covering part or all of the cervix. This can significantly increase the likelihood of bleeding during pregnancy or delivery, as the placenta may separate from the uterine wall prematurely or be damaged during labor. When the cervix begins to dilate or efface as labor approaches, the risk of severe bleeding escalates, which can pose a serious threat to both the mother and the fetus.

The other complications mentioned are associated with pregnancy but are not direct consequences of untreated placenta previa. For instance, premature labor generally results from other factors such as infections or uterine over-distension rather than directly from placenta previa. Placental abruption involves the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, which is a different complication that may occur independently of placenta previa. Gestational hypertension is another pregnancy complication that arises from different physiological changes and problems during pregnancy that are not directly linked to the presence of placenta previa. Therefore, the specific risk posed by untreated placenta previa is primarily the increased potential for hemorrhage.