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Pregnancy

Low placenta at 34 weeks

20 replies

mrsdiddlydoo · 05/11/2015 17:54

I have had 3 scans over the last 4 weeks each showing I have a low lying posterior placenta. There has been some confusion over whether it's covering or just touching the os. Today's conclusion was its overlapping by 8mm. I know threads about placenta previa come up from time to time, but I was just wondering whether it's really likely to move, especially as it hasn't done anything much in the last 4 weeks. Also, so far, touch wood, I've had no bleeding. Have any of you had an asymptomatic low placenta right to the end of your pregnancy? Does bleeding always happen at some point? I'm due to see my consultant next week and have been booked in for a scan at 38 wks. Thanks!

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RainWildsGirl · 05/11/2015 19:26

i have a low placenta, same as you - 20 week scan showed it up to the os, I went in with a small bleed at 26 weeks which seemed to show it might be over the os. I'm being rescanned at 35 weeks but the consultant who saw me when I was in at 26 weeks said if it doesn't move by 32 weeks it probably wont.

interesting they are rescanning you though, if mine hasn't moved by the 35 week scan i'll be booking a section date.

so I don't really have an answer for you, but just sharing that I'm in a similar situation!

LikeSilver · 05/11/2015 19:41

DS was the same. Scanned at 34 weeks, no movement, ELCS at 39 weeks. I didn't mind as that was my preference anyway after an EMCS with DD, but if my preference was
VBAC they said they would have scanned again at 38 weeks. I didn't have any bleeding at all but from what I read I think I was lucky not to.

doomclaw · 05/11/2015 19:46

My placenta was completely covering at 20 weeks then scans at 32, 36 and 37 weeks showed it was anterior but only a few mm's away from the cervix so I am booked for an ELCS next week at 39 weeks. Touch wood so far I have been asymptomatic with no hint of bleeding. I just need to get through to next Thursday now!

mrsdiddlydoo · 05/11/2015 20:31

rain when I last saw my consultant they said it probably wouldn't move more and I expect they'll talk about a section next week when I see them. Seems it was just protocol to book me in for another scan... Kind of expect the consultant to cancel it from what she said last week. Thank you for sharing your experience. Just what I was hoping for. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy

silver and doom pleased neither of you have had bleeds. Most old threads I have read don't seem to have many posts by ladies that haven't had bleeds so I am happy to hear some positive stories. But nervous about hospital stays and childcare for DS.

Good luck next week doom not long now!

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RainWildsGirl · 06/11/2015 08:26

interesting that like and silver you are both booked for 39 weeks. I had another thread in AIBU about just this as I feel waiting to 39 weeks is too long - have the consultants said anything to you about the risks if you go into labour naturally? and 39 weeks is DC1's birthday and I don't want to be in hospital for that

mrs yes I understand the hassle of childcare - I have 3 other DC and it was rather chaotic for DH trying to do school runs/lunchboxes etc - and I was only in 3 days!! I now have everything packed, lists of where he can find everything, lists of pick up and drop off times for school and clubs - military operation!! Do you have a partner or parents locally to help?

Skiptonlass · 06/11/2015 09:05

Not everyone bleeds. I didn't, even though the Previa didn't move and I had other vascular complications. I think roughly half of women bleed, half don't, although ofc it depends on the degree of overlap.

You just need to be aware that it is always a possibility, stick to the activity level they give you and know what to do if it happens (it should be treated as an emergency.)

I had a section at 38 weeks. I lost a fair bit of blood as they had to go through the anterior placenta, but ds is robustly healthy and I'm healing up ok. At first I was pissed off I needed a section, but once I came to my senses my thoughts

Physically, rest and don't overdo it. Good luck.

Skiptonlass · 06/11/2015 09:06

Oh and my consultant wouldn't leave it to 39 weeks. 38 was the absolute latest. The other date they considered was 37 +3

mrsdiddlydoo · 06/11/2015 13:27

Interesting the difference in when to do a section. 39 seems a long time to wait with the risk of bleeding. 39 weeks was suggested to me last week by the consultant. I guess every case is different and maybe if you've had no bleeds it could be better for baby.

rain I've just been told if I bleed or go into labour to contact the labour ward immediately and go in. And yes... Lists are essential to help dh and his family to know what will need doing when! They are our back upif something happens. I made some on Monday and it has helped me feel a but better knowing stuff us documented!

Skipton glad you're healing up OK. I had an anterior placenta with DS and a low placenta which moved enough by 32 weeks to deliver normally.

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LikeSilver · 06/11/2015 15:40

DS is 9 months old now but from memory I was told that any hint of bleeding whatsoever and I was to ring 999 and tell them I had placenta praevia. And I remember the consultant wagging her finger and saying NO SEX!

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 06/11/2015 17:21

I bled at 35 weeks and had to deliver - they think it started because DS went head down and engaged so bashed it at that point. I've had 2 friends with low at 32 weeks that had moved up by 36 though. It seems to be just chance.
Wishing you all the best

mrsdiddlydoo · 15/11/2015 16:45

Quick update... Had a small bleed this weekend and was admitted at 35+2 for monitoring until it had settled for at least 24 hours. All the doctors say something slightly different but the consensus is I will probably bleed again and baby will be here before 39 weeks.

doom hope your section went OK and baby's arrived safely by now

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AbbeyRoadCrossing · 15/11/2015 21:21

Hope you're OK OP. Did they give you steroids injections? They help baby's lungs if you have to deliver early. I had them with DS and he was able to stay with me on the postnatal ward.
Hopefully it'll settle though

mrsdiddlydoo · 15/11/2015 22:07

Hi abbey yes they did and don't they sting! At least we're all set for whatever might happen next.

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thegoldenlemon · 16/11/2015 04:09

Hello just peeking in to say have just read your thread and sorry to hear you did have a bleed. I've been posting under a long term hospital stay thread and have been in for over eight weeks now with multiple bleeds

My placenta hasn't budged at all since my first bleed at 25 weeks, stubborn item. Fingers crossed you won't have another, they can be a scary thing. But there will be a plan in place now and you can be prepared and well looked after. If you need any hospital stay tips I'm your person. My section is Thursday. Good luck.

mrsdiddlydoo · 23/11/2015 11:53

Did any of you have any kind of spotting between bleeds or after them?

I'm 36+5 today and since the small bleed the other weekend I've had various types of spotting/discharge which is mainly dark old blood. I had one day with nothing after the bleed and now this. No further bleeds as such except this. Mentioned it to the consultant last week and he wasn't too concerned.

Section is booked for 37+6 next week.

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5madthings · 23/11/2015 12:04

Place marking as I have been told I have placenta previa. Am now 21 wks, I had already had bleeding earlier in my pregnancy but nothing since 13 wks. The hospital just sent me away saying come back at 32 wks for a scan. No advice or mention of bleeding risk eyc.

I already have extra scans at 28 and 34 wks due to history of big babies.

I called my midwife for advice and she said any bleeding call labour and delivery, no more running but not much else.

I have had five easy vaginal deliveries and easy pregnancies so this is all new to me.

RainWildsGirl · 23/11/2015 18:44

Checking in again myself. I'm now 32 weeks and touch wood no further bleeds since 26 weeks! Scan booked for 35 weeks to check what the placenta is up to!

Mrsdiddly I did have a bit of spotting after my bleed but it was all pale pink/brown. and baby was still moving well so nothing seemed to be wrong.

5mad my consultant's advice was to avoid lifting, strenuous exercise and [ahem] sex (which as I have spd anyway was already off the table !!). He said any bright red blood call the maternity triage and come in, if its pink or brown its old blood and not to worry. keep an eye on movements and again call triage if I'm worried. my MW hasn't mentioned it other than to chase up my scan date and consultant appointment to follow. I was also advised that they would want 2cm clearance from the os before they would let me go for a vaginal delivery.

mrsdiddlydoo · 23/11/2015 20:10

5mad for most ladies the placenta moves up as the pregnancy progresses and you get bigger. Hopefully that will be the case for you. Fingers crossed.

Great news no more bleeds rain and that you were told not to worry too much about old blood. Can you remember how long the spotting lasted after the bleed?

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5madthings · 23/11/2015 20:18

Yes I have read that they tend to move and consultant who checked me over at 12/13 wks said brown blood is old and so Ok but any red blood means calling up.

No one has said no Sex, does thst mean no organs or just no piv Sex? I don't see midwife for three/four weeks to ask.

I was told be careful straining, lifting and no running as I run fir exercise but get spd so was not doing that anyway. I am cycling eight miles a day on school run with my four year old on a tag along... But it's either cycle or walk..

My scans are all booked in when I had my 12 wk one and saw consultant due to history or big babies and because it's no 6 they booked me in for 20/28/34 wk scans. Then at the 20wk scan they saw placenta is very low over cervix and anterior so booked one in for 32 wks as well. Annoyingly I managed to book them for when dh would be free but his shifts have now changed... They aren't til Jan so maybe if I call I can change the time slightly otherwise it's goung to be mad rush getting kids to school and getting bus to hospital...

I hope everyone stays bleed free and those nearing delivery that all goes smoothly for you.

RainWildsGirl · 24/11/2015 10:07

mrs it was probably over 4-5 days, not everytime I wiped but sporadically over that time.

5mad I'm not sure about that tbh, I would guess that its the piv that is the issue as that is what I was asked about when I went in with the bleed as it can be a cause. you could call your MW unit and ask though?

I have similar issues, 3 other DC and trying to make sure someone is around for them and that DH can make appointments is like a military operation!

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