Placenta completely covering cervix at 20 weeks - anyone had similar?

[rhubarbcrumble66]

Hi, I found out at 20 week scan my placenta is completely covering my cervix. I haven't got an appointment with midwife for a few weeks but my next scan has been booked for 28 weeks.
Has anyone had any experience of a placenta covering the cervix at 20 weeks? Interested to know if it moves for most people or if most go on to have c-section? Those that hadn't bled before 20 weeks, did you have bleeding later in pregnancy?
From my research online it's seems it is significantly less likely to move if it is completely covering cervix at 20 weeks rather than partially covering, but interested to hear from others who've been in a similar situation. My placenta is in posterior position, not sure if that makes any difference...
Thanks

[123bananas]

Yes mine was both posterior and anterior, but mostly posterior. It didn't move. I had bleeding on and off from 26 weeks onwards and was in hospital for most of the time up until dc's birth 8 weeks later. Elcs delivery. I was told by consultant no sex from 20 weeks onwards due to risk of bleeding.

[rhubarbcrumble66]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I did call to speak to a midwife but wasn't told I needed to avoid any particular activities as yet, though she did say to exercise caution.

[BuckingFrolicks2]

Yes I did. No bleeding. Twin pregnancy. Emergency C section due to placenta (and twin 1!) over cervix. Totally fine

[123bananas]

I think the advice varies by trust as there was another thread about this recently and some people were told not to and others weren't told anything.

When I was in hospital there were 4 of us with placenta praevia who all delivered safely by cs at 30, 33, 34 and 37 weeks respectively. All had bleeding after 20 weeks.

For me the bleeding was triggered I believe initially by lifting my toddler so be careful not to over do it.

[rhubarbcrumble66]

Thanks. I'm relaxed about the idea of a c-section, it's more just the unknown aspect, but I suppose will just have to wait and see. I have an active toddler so avoiding exertion could be difficult!

[LuchiMangsho]

Yes. But mine is not the usual story. I bled for 7 weeks and delivered at 27 weeks (2 weeks ago). Here is what you should avoid: sex, heavy lifting and also anything that would cause contractions like spicy food, any form of nipple stimulation, exercise etc. Some placentas are bleeders and some are not. So fingers crossed you are lucky but do be careful.

[rhubarbcrumble66]

Thank you Luchi. I hope you and your baby are doing well.

[BingThing]

My placenta is completely covering and I'm not allowed to have sex but didn't mention anything else to avoid. I'm 32 weeks next week and have my scan to see if it's moved or not but no bleeding so far. I had partially covering with dc2 but that moved by 32 weeks. I'm really nervous about a c section tbh but i guess I'll have no choice if placenta still in the way!

[Anatidae]

Yup. Mine didn't move. I also had vasa previa / complex routing of foetal vessels over/near the cervix. Anterior placenta.

No bleeding during pregnancy. Bleed a bit more than usual during the section but immensely glad we have modern medicine and so ds and I survived unscathed.

The chances are lower of it moving if it's totally covering, but this is really something you have to wait and see. Any bleeding go IMMEDIATELY to hospital. Don't wait.

This gives you the odds placentaprevia.wordpress.com

[GoulashSoup]

It depends a bit on if it is implanted across the os (mouth of the cervix) or just overhanging. Either way it will have to have moved at least 3cm from the os before they would consider anything other than a c-section so it is good you are already digesting that. This would normally be planned for 37-38 weeks (if no bleeding) to avoid you going into labour. The placenta at the back has slight pros and cons, it is a bit less likely to move away as there is less stretch at the back than the front in the later stages (spine etc), but is better for a section as there is less risk of cutting into the placenta.

I think in most places they don't 'diagnose' placenta previa until your repeat scan at 28/32 weeks. I think this is because most 80% + move by then. Think of blowing up a balloon with a circle next to the knot, as you blow it up it will stretch away. However, if the circle is pulled into or around the knot it is unlikely to move as it is anchored around it. For this reason I would assume that in your case it is unlikely to move and behave as though you are a bleeding risk and read up on your options later. I found the RCOG (Royal college of obstetricians and gynaecologists) guidelines useful. There is information for patients but also the green top guidelines which is for clinicians. For me this was useful as it also gave links to the evidence base for each risk/recomendation. Don't read it if reading about risk would panic you, as I said it is written for clinicians. For me it helped me make informed choices.

As I understand it, the muscle structure in the lower uterus is different and especially when things begin ripening you are more likely to get bleeding due to the placenta pulling or detaching. This is why I would do everything you can to avoid this and buy as much time as you can with baby inside. As others have said I would avoid sex, horse riding, nipple stimulation etc. I would also avoid being on my own incase of s big bleed. The other thing I would want to be on top of is iron levels. Discuss yours with your midwife, but even if you don't class as anaemic yet, you can buy sachets of iron water that are safe for pregnancy. Drink one a day with fruit juice (vit c aids iron absorption).

I would read up on options such as steroids to mature babies lungs, and the possible issues with a c section, and an early baby. Again don't if it will panic you, for me it made me feel in control to have already considered issues when faced with making decisions.

I would also think about having a hospital bag packed at some point, although now may be too soon.

I made it to 35 weeks and had an EMCS due to a big bleed. I lost a lot of blood. It wasn't too stressful as I was prepared that it may happen, but I wish I had been more prepared to have an early baby who needed more TLC.

Good luck and I really hope your pregnancy goes well. Please don't worry too much, they will look after you very carefully if it hasn't moved at 28 weeks. I am not medical so this is just my understanding from my reading and experience.

[caffelatte100]

Mine was completely covering, (10 years ago, rated as a 4, if that still happens now, I think it means completely completely covering). I was told it was going to be a c - section. I got my head round that. In the last few weeks, it moved by itself, was devastated not to have a c-section. would avoid xmas baby and husband was working abroad. Drs would not give me a c-section. no bleeding of any kind though was told to ring ambulance should this happen. In the end baby was 12 days late and induction. all well, heavy 9 ob 4 oz! Was told my story was quite unusual though.

[caffelatte100]

Just looked at the above thread. It was also completely covering at 28 weeks as well. Good luck!!!

[Littlelegs19]

Full placenta previa here and bleeding from 26 weeks but had no bleeding before. I wasn't told quite how dangerous it was/can be until around 30 weeks and being admitted. My consultant said no work, driving or sex and full rest until baby came but then I'd had 2 major bleeds by then. My placenta ending up rupturing at 36 weeks, I lost 3litres of blood and I had Emergency CS under GA. I don't want to scare you but it really was the worse thing I've ever gone through. You'll get told at your 30 week scan how far away your placenta is from your cervix and that can make a difference. Mine was 2mm away.

The caesarean itself wasn't as bad as I expected. It was painful but got better / more manageable after a couple of weeks. Just don't do what I did, 3 times and thought I was better, did too much and ended back where I was! You need to keep reminding yourself you've had a major op and won't be bouncing around again within a couple of weeks.

Obviously the placenta can move from 20-26 weeks but it's unlikely with full previa. I hope yours does and everything goes well for you.

Any questions, feel free to ask :)

[rhubarbcrumble66]

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences, it helps me understand all of the different possibilities - whilst appreciating that my own experience may be completely different!

Anatidea - thanks for the link, very interesting. I like to pore over stats!

BingThing - good luck with your scan next week, I hope it turns out the way you want.

Goulash - really useful info there, thank you. Like you I like to have as much info as possible, so will definitely check out the RCOG guidelines (I've only seen the green patient ones so far). I'll also have a look for the iron sachets.

Littlelegs - sorry you had an awful time - I read your story on one of the other threads I looked up but glad all turned out okay. I will probably have more questions over the next few weeks!

Thanks again all

[GoulashSoup]

guidelines here

[Livinabarnn]

Yes and had geared myself up for a section. Luckily or unluckily, depending on how you look at it, it moved in time for me to have a natural birth.
Ended up having a fantastic water birth.

[rhubarbcrumble66]

Thanks Goulash, I found them very useful.

And thanks Livinabarnn - glad you had such a great experience in the end!

[BingThing]

Just to update - had my scan and placenta moved! It was anterior i found out but moved 9cm away so all clear for normal delivery!!

[123bananas]

Fantastic!

[Littlelegs19]

Fantastic news! Really happy for you. Hope it all goes well

[rhubarbcrumble66]

That's great Bing Thing! Hope all continues to go well.