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Pregnancy

placenta too close to cervix at 20 weeks...

28 replies

Keenoonvino · 30/05/2014 18:29

Just had my 20 week scan this morning and thank Goodness everything looks fine with the baby. But the sonographer said that my placenta was only 8mm away from the opening to my cervix and that if it doesn't move I will need a c-section. She said that as I get bigger it's possible that it could move away from my cervix

A c-section is one of my biggest fears, for various reasons. This is my 2nd baby.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Has anyone had the same news at 20 weeks that when they were rescanned at 36 weeks it had moved and all was fine??

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SummerSazz · 30/05/2014 18:36

About 95% move iirc, however I was in the 5% which didn't so had a csection. Happy to answer any other q's.

Csection was great btw, so much so that I had an elective with dc2

Spottybra · 30/05/2014 18:39

Mine moved, so did 2 work colleagues. You get the bonus of extra scans though. I think my last scan was 38/39 weeks. It had moved out of the way.

Keenoonvino · 30/05/2014 18:43

Thanks both. You have made me feel a little less despondent.

My labour with my first DC was so not what I wanted and quite upsetting for me, (induction, awful midwife, etc) that I really wanted to be more in control this time. I was going to go a little longer without being forced to be induced and be much more firm in my choices and not get pushed around and bullied by the midwives. I am frightened of the actual surgery, the recovery of a C-section, I don't like the idea of having a planned date and having all the pressure from everyone who knows, I will worry the closer that date gets. I just want it to happen spontaneously and without the big build up...

but they said it has to be at least 12mm away from cervix to be able to attempt a vaginal delivery, so it's good to know 95% move. The monographer wasn't sure....

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LoopyLa · 30/05/2014 18:44

I know exactly how you feel Keeno, I experienced the same worries during my pregnancy. First the placenta was too close (by 30 weeks it had moved), then baby was breech (then turned last minute) & I was desperate for a vaginal birth. I was so relieved after both accounts!

You're only halfway through so still got loads of time for the placenta to move yet, try not to worry & good luck!

sunshinemeg · 30/05/2014 18:46

You don't need to tell anyone that you have a date fixed if it goes to c-section. I was EMCS with my DD and will be a planned CS next time. I found recovery from CS fine, straight forward and feel great now (she is 13 weeks today) send me a pm if you want to talk about a CS

meditrina · 30/05/2014 18:47

It's all a bit uncertain. It does grow upwards for many/most women.

You'll be scanned lots of times, whilst they try to work out if it's moving up and if it has moved far enough.

You haven't posted why you are very against a C-sec, but if there is any doubt about severity of a placenta praevia I really would urge you to go for the surgical option. If there is a bleed, it can be severe for the baby very quickly, and if severe can be life threatening for the mother too. But plenty of time for upwards growth to mean it doesn't come to that.

PilauMice · 30/05/2014 19:09

A c-section would at least be planned and you wouldn't have all the pain of labour....so it wouldn't be a massive disaster.

SummerSazz · 30/05/2014 20:10

Keeno and those saying a csection would be planned is often right, however mine wasn't. I ended up with some bleeding at 31 weeks and weekly scans and dd1 was born at 36 weeks exactly.

Honestly I was SO well looked after throughout my care and the csection really was a joyous event. Please don't worry about that . Recovery good too - driving after 2 weeks and all fine afterwards.

SummerSazz · 30/05/2014 20:12

Oh, and I've just remembered with dd2 which was planned I told everyone I was having it a day later than it was actually scheduled

AndIFeedEmGunpowder · 30/05/2014 20:22

I had this. Mine moved.

Very helpful doctor told me to imagine putting a pen mark near the bottom of a balloon and then blowing it up. Usually once you've blown up the balloon the mark will end up on the balloon bit rather than the bit you tie. Your cervix is similar, and as it gets bigger the placenta usually migrates up.

MrsPatMustard · 30/05/2014 21:46

Yup - had this too. Was scanned again at 34 weeks and it was well out of the way. No problems.

Keenoonvino · 30/05/2014 21:55

Thank you all. I feel more hopeful that it will move. I like the balloon analogy!

To the poster that said I should opt for c-sec if it is close, I won't have a choice, they won't allow me to have a vaginal delivery. And however much I don't want one, I'm not silly or arrogant enough to insist on doing things my way ignoring medical advice and putting baby and myself at risk....

But I hope to also be able to say "mine moved!" In 10-15 weeks and for it not to be a consideration :)

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Kewrious · 30/05/2014 21:58

I had PP. Mine didn't move. I had a c section which was lovely, and dare I say it, fun. Totally 100% healed in 3 weeks. Breastfed for a year etc. You do feel very much in control during a c section and you can add your own preferences (I had skin to skin in theatre).

AntinousWild · 30/05/2014 22:05

It will likely move. But don't be afraid of a cs. I've had two emcs and they were a joy. Straightforward and I healed quickly with no pain. Was back running at 9 weeks. Invisible scar and only fond memories.

tiredteddy · 30/05/2014 22:09

Another one to add that mine moved, twice! I had partially covering the cervix with both DS and each tine as I grew it moved far enough away. Good luck.

AntinousWild · 30/05/2014 22:09

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2012763-to-just-want-to-say-having-a-c-section-for-me-was-a-wonderful-experience

Eminybob · 30/05/2014 22:34

I was also told at 20 weeks my placenta is low lying, and I'm having a scan next week at 32 weeks to see if it's moved. So I've been reading this thread with interest.

I have been desperate for it to move as I hate the idea of a cs but tbh after my antenatal classes the last couple of weeks I've been pooing myself about labour and delivery so now maybe thinking a cs isn't such a bad thing!

Marnierose · 31/05/2014 00:11

I'm in same boat. It's actually been really positive during my pregnancy because I've not had to worry about the birth the whole way through. It's taken the focus on all the negative questions about how I will cope and what pain relief I will need.

And if it's still a pp then it's clear cut at least. A healthy baby and mummy is all I care about. Yes, I would prefer a natural birth. But I 'm just excited to meet the baby if all goes well.

Keenoonvino · 01/06/2014 08:19

eminy good luck! Let us know what the results of the scan say. How close was yours to your cervix at 20 weeks?

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Parliamo · 01/06/2014 08:39

I had this too with dd3. I was also distressed for similar reasons (traumatic delivery dd1). I looked too much at doctor google and got very stressed imagining all the worst case scenarios. Looking back now, I think I had pnd after dd2, and I was suffering from anxiety.

In the end the placenta moved and everything was fine. But what saved it for me was a very supportive community midwife who got me some counselling, and doing a hypnobirthing course with an amazing midwife. It wouldn't have mattered whether I had a section or not, because I was so much calmer and more confident. There was a whole section in the course about how to deal with the midwives and doctors. It gave me and my husband so much more confidence, not in the sense we thought we knew more than the medics, but that we would be able to ask the right questions and have more control.

I hope you have a good community midwife. Talk to her about your worries, she might be able to help with any underlying anxieties rather than just tell you not to worry and it will more than likely move (which is true and good to know, but might not be enough to know iyswim)

Eminybob · 01/06/2014 09:52

Thanks keeno I'll keep you posted.

I don't know how close actually, the sonographer just said "low lying". I'll report back after my scan on Thursday.

Good luck with yours too

Barbsta · 02/06/2014 13:46

I had the same thing and my placenta had moved up by my 32 week scan and I stressed about this regardless of the percentages. If you were to have to have a c section though I've heard planned ones are very calm and easier then an emergency one

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Keenoonvino · 03/06/2014 11:16

Thanks. They said my next scan would be 36 weeks, but I'd much prefer one at 32 so that I know for sure... it seems really quite late to wait till 36 weeks...

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Barbsta · 03/06/2014 16:31

I would have gone crazy waiting that long! Try telling then it's worrying you and causing stress and they might make it sooner. I had a friend who wasn't booked in for her first scan till she was 17 weeks! It's getting really bad

Keenoonvino · 06/06/2014 07:36

eminy any news?
Oddly, I had another scan yesterday, so 6 days after my last one (have just moved and am in between hospitals) and the sonograoher said I wasn't low lying and all was fine?!
Now not sure what to do and worried she wasn't being cautious enough. Surely it can't make that much in 6 days??!!!

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