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Low lying placenta - Covering os

6 replies

Osch · 12/11/2010 10:16

Hi everyone,

I've just had my 20 week scan and have been told i have a low lying placenta completely covering the cervix (os). I know the chances are high of it moving away but everything i have read suggests that they tend to move out the way if they are only partially covering os and as mine is completely covering os what are the chances of it moving? Sonographer wasn't very hopeful of it moving either, Has anyone had it completely covering and then move out of the way by term?
I have had a previous c-section so i'm not worried about the c-section i'm more worried incase i have a bleed. Any advice would be great, i've not seen the midwife yet so am not sure what i should/should not be doing...

Thanks in advance everyone!

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kitstwins · 12/11/2010 10:53

I think it's unlikely if it's covering your os. Potentially not impossible but you should probably assume that it's there to stay and then if there is movement then all the better. As you probably know, the placenta itself doesn't move - it merely 'stretches' up with the growing/expanding uterine wall which pulls it beyond the cervix. However, if it's covering the cervix then it's far less likely to be pulled up.

I'm currently on 'watch' for the position of my placenta. I had praevia with my twins and there's a possiblity I've got a low lying one again, which will be checked at my 20 week scan next week. My consultant said to try to imagine a plate sitting directly over your cervix - that's the reality of a covering placenta. One that's very low or partially touching will in all likelihood get pulled upwards as the uterus grows but one in a plate position is unlikely to as there's too much to move. Does that make sense?

As for bleeding, it's not a foregone conclusion. I had partial praevia (i.e. partially covering) that had moved to 'very close' by about 30 weeks but as I had two placentas in there (twins) the scope for movement was always limited. I bled very badly and spent the last month of pregnancy in hospital until I delivered at 35 weeks (not bad for twins I think), which is probably not what you want to hear but I also have a friend who had total praevia with her twin pregnancy and was warned of almost certain bleeding and didn't bleed a drop.

As for what you should be doing it's difficult to say. You can't influence the movement of the placenta unfortunately so there's nothing you can do on that score. However, there are things that are thought to increase the likelihood of bleeds occuring - namely exercise, sex, orgasms (the latter can irritate the uterus and trigger a bleed). Not all doctors/midwives advocate it but I certainly don't think it hurts, although it is crashingly dull. They tend to refer to it as 'pelvic rest' which sounds suitably boring. I found not having an orgasm the hardest part. Lack of sex was fine (hey, we can do other things I thought...) but not being able to have an orgasm was seriously annoying.

Final note if you do bleed then go to hospital. Even if it's not particularly a huge amount. Bleeding can trigger early labour (it irritates the uterus and can cause it to contract) which they can block with drugs.

I hope I haven't worried you. Lots of people have praevia with no bleeding at all but your chances are increased and although it's not the greatest news to hear I do think it's good to be prepared and have a mindset.

Feel free to ask any more questions.

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Osch · 12/11/2010 11:11

Thank you kitstwins for responding and explaining it so well. Everything you have said makes complete sense. It would be nice for them to have explained things a bit more instead of telling me and then sending me home clueless.

I lost my ds2 in March this year during childbirth (cord prolapse)so i am naturally worried about everything and now with this as well it just seems to be one thing after another. I just don't want history to repeat itself.

Thank you again! I'm sure i'll have loads of questions once it's sunk in a bit more!

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FourEyesGood · 12/11/2010 14:14

Osch My placenta was completely covering the os at 20 weeks, and it's hardly moved (I'm now 39+5 and it's 24mm from the os). I've been booked in for a CS but the consultant told me this morning that he's happy for me to "give things a go" if I go into labour spontaneously. The main thing, though, is that I haven't had any bleeding at all during my pregnancy (and DH and I didn't avoid sex because of the placenta. We may have only managed it once or twice, but we did manage it! And I've had a few orgasms without any sign of a problem), so a PP doesn't necessarily lead to bleeds. Still, if you're worried, there's no harm in being cautious.

Really sorry to hear about your loss in March, and I hope things work out much more happily this time.

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MrsBananaGrabber · 12/11/2010 14:40

I am 35 weeks and booked in for a C section at 39, my Placenta is covering the OS still, it hasn't moved but I haven't had any bleeding (fingers crossed) I have been told no sex, heavy lifting ect so I am just waiting now, also the placenta is forcing the baby into a transverse positon, she is lay side to side, it's really strange to see.

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fruitful · 12/11/2010 14:50

So sorry about your ds2. Honestly, you'd think they'd be making an effort to reassure you with this pg, wouldn't you?

RCOG info about praevia

What they told me, was that bleeding won't bother the baby. If you bleed, you get an ambulance to hospital, and if the bleeding doesn't stop they get the baby out pronto.

Keep your mobile phone charged up, keep a little bag packed in the boot of your car, and make sure you always know who you'd call to look after your ds1 in an emergency.

And the chances are, you'll have a nice calm cs at 38 weeks and wonder what the fuss was.

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Osch · 15/11/2010 12:05

Thanks everyone for your words of wisdom! They have been a great help, i'm just hoping to get as far along as i can without having a bleed, hopefully i may get to c-section date without having one!
I've now managed to speak with midwife, she said from my notes she thinks it's grade 4! Great! and doesn't think it is likely to move, but said as i haven't had a bleed so far is a good sign, also advised me not to have intercourse, why is it when your told you can't have it, it makes you want it all the more!! Hey ho if it means a healthy baby then i am willing to do anything!

I've just been soooo worried but have to think positive! Keep Positive!

Thank you again! I really appreciate your advice!
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