Low lying placenta - anyone got any experience?

[goodenoughmum88]

Hi,
Am 30 weeks pregnant with child 2 and had a low lying placenta highlighted at 20 week scan. Had no issues until a bleed last week, went in and monitored for 24 hours and it stopped and baby is fine and growing etc. the placenta is still low "touching internal os" but not covering. Is posterior. They don't seem hopeful it will move though. Have another scan booked for 32 weeks as had previous emcs so they're monitoring. Am grateful for the care and healthy baby but gutted about potentially having to have another c section. Anyone have similar experience and wisdom to share?

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

I had placenta praevia with DC1. It was identified at 20 weeks, at 32 they thought it was probably OK (nearly 2cm clear) but bled at 35 weeks and had EMCS.
All the advice I have you probably already know such as packing your bag in case of a bleed. And if the bleed is too big, like mine was, it will be an EMCS.
Some still do move up even at this late stage so it's still possible. Although I imagine they'll go on the side of caution if it's anywhere near as you'd be a VBAC as well
Happy to answer any questions you have. DS is doing well despite his early dramatic arrival!

[debbiewells21]

I was diagnosed at 20 weeks with low placenta too, had a scan at 32 weeks and it was 1.6cm from my cervix and baby was breech. Scheduled me for another scan at 36 weeks and baby had turned and my placenta had moved to higher than the babies head.

It's easier said than done but try not to focus on it too much. As your bump grows the diameter means that it could move further away from your cervix.

Either way, as long as you and the baby are healthy that's all that matters xxx

[goodenoughmum88]

Thanks so much to both of you. My practical sensible head says all this stuff, but it's still a worry, and they've not really given me much guidance/advice or hope that it may move. Lovely to know that you both have healthy babies though, that's what counts. X

[TravellingToad]

I think if it hasn't moved by now it might not.

I had one touching but not covering at 20w and hadn't moved by 32w (or 37w) so ELCS

An ELCS is SO different to an emergency one. It was my favourite birth!! Unlike the previous natural birth where there was pain (!) this was just a nice calm wheel into the theatre, chatting away, have a spinal, chatting to my husband then OOOH a baby!!
Now pregnant with number 3 and seriously considering another c-sec even without placenta previa as the birth was just so NICE!

[Skiptonlass]

I'm in exactly the same boat - low at week 20, unmoved by week 32. I'm having one last scan then we will decide but it looks like section for me.

Well over 90% of them move by week 32, but someone has to get the short straw and have one that's stubbornly clinging on.

I really didn't want a section and felt strangely cheated and, I will admit, rather upset. However, it is what it is and like the pps above say, an elcs is generally calm.

lets hope for easy straightforward sections, simple quick recoveries and healthy babies :)

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

I meant to say, my work colleagues moved up between 32 and 36 week scans and she had a vaginal birth - overdue!
Meanwhile mine moved the wrong way between 32 and 36 week scans (never got to the 36 week scan) so it's quite unpredictable.
It's good it's posterior as if it was anterior you're previous CS scar could make it more difficult to move up

[goodenoughmum88]

Thank you all, it's good to have so many perspectives and experiences to read. Skiptonlass it would be great to hear how you get on. X

[Junosmum]

Interested in this. 20 week scan yesterday and told I had a low placenta, being resxanned at 31+4. I'm not worried but it's good to hear other people's experience.

[blibblobblub]

Mine was low at 20 weeks, was rescanned at 36 weeks (thanks to a mix up with bookings) and it had moved up.

[sleepyme1]

I had low lying placenta with both my kids at 20 weeks. My first one moved by 32 weeks but the second did not. My placenta was said to be touching but not covering although one scanner said it could be partially covering os. I had a bleed at 30 weeks and then went on to have about 11 more with the last one being a big one that led to emcs at 33 weeks. Baby was always fine during every bleed, never in distress. Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done and you just have to wait and see. Some people have complete previa and no bleeding at all while other have to opposite. I was admitted after my 3rd bleed as we lived too far away from the hospital. I would pack your hospital bags just in case but hopefully you won't need them for a while. I found the doctors really vague and I think that's because it is so unpredictable. Good luck.

[Skiptonlass]

Hi goodenough

Saw the consultants (two of 'em!) this afternoon and both recommended section. Turns out pp is not my only complication - also a foetal vessel is too close to the os.

I don't live in the UK and the section rate for my hospital is very low indeed (I'm in a rather hippie bit of Scandinavia where pregnancy is generally midwife led and they are by no means eager to do a section unless it's needed.)

Basically, if I go into labour, I and the little 'Un will bleed out. So for me there's no option, it's an early section, full stop. I didn't want a c section starting out but it is what it is and I am profoundly grateful I live where I do. Had a sobering trip back home thinking of women in developing countries who don't get the care we do. We are very lucky to have first world medical care.

If it makes anyone else who is waiting feel better, consultant 1 did say that the vast, vast majority of those identified at 20 weeks resolve perfectly. I'm just one that didn't - someone has to be that few percent :)

[goodenoughmum88]

Wow there's so much more to all of this isn't there! Skiptonlass I'm so glad they've spotted this in time for you to get the right care, we are indeed lucky to have such great healthcare. I have a toddler too and can't imagine leaving him without a mum, so we just need to go with what's best for them. Xxx

[goodenoughmum88]

Junosmum it would be great to hear how you get on. Sleepyme1 what very different experiences - I've not really been given advice re; what I should and shouldn't be doing. The bleed did scare me, beforehand I was still running around like a loon after my son, have been bouncing on trampolines and bouncy castles, having sex, generally carrying on as normal! Little more cautious now though!

[Crumbelina]

Hello, I'm another one in that few percent! Low lying placenta at 20 weeks (slightly crossing the os) and another scan at 32 weeks (a few days ago) showed that it's now 12mm away - so not the 20 mm minimum. I've got to be re-scanned at 36 weeks and then I'll be booked for a CS at 38 weeks if it hasn't moved up. No bleeding so far at any point of the pregnancy.

I think I'm OK with this. My main worry is the uncertainty (I'm booked to go on ML at 37.5 weeks, which would need to change!). The thought of going from a stressful job straight to DC1 is too much! I also started reading a hypnobirthing book and bought a CD which might be a bit wasted! Oh, and I'm also thinking about the recovery, picking the baby up etc.

I really need to pack my hospital bag this weekend. I've been putting it off and most of the baby stuff is still in boxes (am in denial of this massive life change right around the corner! - eek!)

[AuditAngel]

Hi, I'm a bit late to the party. I gave the dubious honour of having had Grade 4 placenta praevia (totally covered) twice.

I knew 3 people before me with PP, who had no complications, just an ELCS. Unfortunately I had unstable PP which meant numerous small bleeds.

With DD1 (DC2) I was find until 33.5 weeks, big bleed, stayed in until ELCS at 37.5 weeks. I had lots if small bleeds, about a day apart, but never long enough between to go home.

With DD2, I was admitted at 24 weeks, 26, three times at 31 weeks, then a final admission at 33 weeks. I had a CS booked for 37 weeks, but ended il with EMCS at 36+1

Both times baby was gone, in fact, DD1 was 8lb 11oz at 37.5 weeks, I was glad she didn't go full term! DD2 was a very petite 5lb 13oz, but after 10 minutes in a warmer after being born, she was fine.

I'm happy to answer any questions.

[AuditAngel]

With DD2 I was told to start maternity leave at 6 months pregnant! I worked from home /the hospital until the sag before my section, but only part time.

[goodenoughmum88]

Crumbelina surely it'll move 8mm in the 4 weeks! So much stretching is happening at the moment down there and in general I had to take some paracetamol the other night as felt like I had internal bruising!
It sounds like it's much more common than I thought, and although my delivey unit were really careful, I think they've also erred on the side of not giving me too much hope, but also trying not to scare me!
We're having a new kitchen fitted when I'm 36 weeks (oddly more excited about this than the baby at the mo') and meant to be away that week, (but not far, just an hour or two away). Perhaps I won't book anything until after 32 weeks scan, just in case.

[Emtwizzle]

Hi Goodenough,

I also have low lying placenta, have complete PP and am now in hospital until delivery most likely. I am 34 weeks today and they plan to do a section at 38. I have had bleeds at 19, 24 & 25. Have been spotting for the last 2 weeks which was getting worse so they have kept me in!
The frustrating thing about pp is the unpredictablity. The messages I received from the other ladies here were so helpful earlier in my pregnancy as I didn't think that we were going to make it through at that time. I feel very fortunate to be where I am now.
This is my first baby after a bit of an infertility journey and I was looking forward to a vaginal birth experience.....which is crazy really. It feels like it's some sort of right of passage?! to experience all that pain!
However I have had 12 weeks or so to come to terms with it and just want a healthy baby, and would be very happy to have the section as planned without too much blood loss.
The other thing for me is my baby is measuring pretty big, 6lb at last scan 32 weeks. I know sometimes they are a bit off with their measurements, but the consultant thinks at 38 weeks the bub will be anywhere between 8-12lb. Bit of a range but either way I think my vagina has had a lucky escape!
Fingers crossed that yours continues to move and it's not so risky anymore. Best of luck!

[goodenoughmum88]

Ohhhh hope everything goes well well Emtwizzle it sounds like you've had a horrible time. The good thing about a caesarean and being in is that you've already get a venflon in and so they can quickly give you the drugs to stop bleeding afterwards.
Yup, vaginal birth seems like a right of passage, but then reports from friends who've had one also give me a reality check, especially so many who opted for elective c section second time!
Hope your spotting stops and you can just rest up and that your baby is healthy and you can be happy. It would be good to hear how you get on. Xxx

[Crumbelina]

Do you think so, Goodenough? The consultant wouldn't say what the chances are so I feel a bit clueless! It's only moved just over 12mm in the 14 weeks from 20-32 but you're right about all the extra stretching now! To be honest we were TTC for 20 months so I'll be happy with either way as long as she's healthy. :)

[Crumbelina]

12 weeks from 20-32 - duh!

[Emtwizzle]

Strangely, I have been sent home, literally 2 hours after sending the last post! Felt a bit shocked as had been told by 2 consultants that they'd keep me in and I'd be mad to go home. And then this morning different doctor said go home. Bit confused now. Luckily have appointment with my foetal medicine consultant tomorrow so will see what she says.
Again, I guess the unpredictability of this condition means that there are a few different ideas with medical management. On the plus side spotting has calmed down somewhat. Lying in a hospital bed for 2 days must have done some good!

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

Unfortunately it is quite unpredictable. Mine was almost 2cm away at 32 weeks so they thought I'd be OK by 36, back on for the birth centre etc. EMCS at 36+1. A few go the wrong way! I'm not meaning to scare anyone. I just found that sonographers especially kept saying it'd be fine, which I guess for the majority it is, but best to be prepared (bag packed etc) in case you have to go in. Good luck!

[goodenoughmum88]

Hey Crumbelina, I'm no expert, it just seems logical that if it's started moving it will continue, especially with the amount they grow and stretch it all out in the last few weeks! Don't want to give false hope though, and like AbbeyRoadCrossing said, it's all unpredictable. Fingers crossed though. X

[Melmam]

Hi I'm 30 weeks with low lying placenta found out at my 20 week scan It was at my cervix but not covering im back in hospital for a check up in 3 weeks and will know more then. I've also just found out baby is breech i have been quite worried as this is my first but from what i have been reading i still have plenty of time for baby and placenta to move. Hope all goes well for you best of luck.