Placenta Previa

[ChilliCheeseMama]

Just wondered if anyone has/has had placenta previa or a low lying placenta?

Sonographer mentioned it at my 20 week scan and I'm heading back for another at 36 weeks to check it has moved back up, but sort of glossed over the technicalities of it as my scan was nearly an hour long (very uncooperative baby!).

So silly me heads straight to the internet and finds myself absolutely terrified reading about c-sections gone wrong and hysterectomies

Have any of you had it and the placenta has moved up? Or stayed down? Please tell me your stories as even NHS direct is failing to give me positive information/outlook about this, despite the fact it seems lots of women have it?

Thanks!

[Janem83]

I had a low lying placenta at 20 week scan, due to go back at 36 weeks but had growth scan at 28 and found it had already moved away from cervix.
My friend also in same situation and hers moved too. Midwife did say to me majority of them move round once uterus starts getting bigger.
Hopefully yours will too!

[Minkies13]

I have a low lying placenta too. I have to go back at 36 weeks for another scan. I was told that there is a 99% chance the placenta will move further up and there shouldn't be a problem.

[Liverpoolgirl]

I have a low lying placenta, we found out a couple of days ago at my 20 week scan. We were told that almost all move into the right position, and the ones that don't you just have to plan for.
I hope you don't worry too much about it, Im trying not to don't want it to ruin my best few months of pregnancy.

[violet0805]

I had a low placenta at my 20 week scan, had to go back at 32 weeks and it was where it needed to be. Try not to worry x

[Yarnswift]

It’s not uncommon. I had it with my first. They don’t move per se but the uterus expands and they rise along with it.

90% identified at 20 weeks clear the os so you will be scanned again later.

Mine didn’t and I had to have a section which was totally fine.

There’s a risk of bleeds if it stays low - you will be monitored more closely and if you have a bleed you need to go in immediately.

Don’t stress about it. If it doesn’t move you’ll need a section if it’s within a certain distance or over the os. Any bleeding get seen pronto and follow any advice you’re given on activity levels.

[Bubblesblue]

I also had it at 20 week scan. It had moved well out of the way by the 36 week scan. The midwife explained it something like this:
Draw a dot on a balloon before you blow it up. Notice how close to the opening it is. Now blow it up and watch the dot move away.

Hope that makes sense? That's kind of what happens in most cases.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

[Poptart4]

I had a low lying placenta at 20 weeks by the next scan at 36weeks it had moved.

I really wouldn't worry about it. Apparently most move on there own. Try and forget it until your next scan.

[FranticallyPeaceful]

I had a very low lying placenta at 20weeks and at 32 weeks it had to be 2cm from cervix but it was 4.5! So moved plenty thankfully

[OhBergine]

I had one last pregnancy - it moved up by 34 weeks. I'm now 30 weeks pregnant and unusually have a low placenta again.

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

I had an emergency c-section at 37 weeks due to placenta previa. It was not an ideal birth but baby and me were absolutely fine and we're doing great 10 weeks later.

If your placenta doesn't move (and it probably will) they will monitor you very carefully and take good care of you. I think problems arise more when placenta previa gets missed.

[Babetti]

I had low-lying placenta at the 20 week scan but it had moved by the 36 week scan which the midwife was expecting. It's hard not to Google and worry but as a previous poster said, 90% move.

[JumpingFrogs]

I had one. No associated problems. First baby but pregnancy was fine. Mine didn't shift so at 36 weeks I was booked in for a c section at 38 + 2. It all went well and went on to have a straightforward vaginal birth with dc2. Good luck !