Terrified after 20 week scan mention of placental hypervascularity

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Looking for a handhold/any reassuring experiences others have had with similar circumstances as I'm currently feeling very overwhelmed.

At my 20 week scan I was told my placenta looked quite 'vascular' and the images were sent to the Fetal Medicine team for review. In my notes from the scan it says 'prominent hypervascularity at uterine/placental interface'. The sonographer told me not to panic or Google anything but of course I did and have spent the last 5 weeks worrying myself silly. The first thing that comes up when you look this up is Placenta Accreta Spectrum.

I had my DD 2.5 years ago and that pregnancy and delivery was completely straightforward - no complications and a vaginal delivery with no interventions and minimal blood loss. Unfortunately since my DD's birth I have had some unrelated health issues which resulted in me getting a diagnosis of Sjögren's Syndrome and Hypothyroidism which has meant that this pregnancy has been treated as high risk (as there's a chance my antibodies can cross the placenta and cause heart issues for the baby). I have been having fortnightly Doppler monitoring of the baby's heartbeat with the community midwives and luckily they seem healthy so far.

I'm just so panicked at the thought that I could have PAS; I haven't been able to sleep as I keep ruminating on the possibility of me dying in childbirth and leaving my children and husband without me. My head is swimming with all the things I need to prepare in case this is the case - how can I ever convey to my children how much I love them if I'm gone before they'll even remember me?

I don't fit any of the risk factors for PAS - no previous cesareans/uterine surgeries, no IVF pregnancies, I am under 35 etc etc. I just keep hoping that maybe it won't be PAS but I just don't know what else it could be. I know that I can't know anything until I've seen Fetal Medicine tomorrow but I just can't calm myself.

Has anyone had a similar experience and things turned out not as bleak as they feared? I am so afraid of dying or suffering a huge hemorrhage and not being able to take care of my baby. I love my family so much and I am so unbelievably frightened.

I had an extremely abnormally attached placenta in my second pregnancy that resulted in a haemorrhage, ambulance ride, surgery and blood transfusion. No risk factors.

Spent my whole third pregnancy worrying, and ended up with a totally normal placenta and minimal blood loss.

Hopefully fetal medicine reassures you, but I am guessing they will be ready when you give birth, and have plenty of options if you do experience PAS.

Thank you for sharing your experience @ZZTopGuitarSolo - can I ask what recovery was like for you?

I had a similar situation to you and it ended up as a false alarm. I had placenta previa so at 24 weeks had a scan with the consultant who said he suspected I had PAS and sent me to a specialist hospital for more in-depth scan/check and luckily they couldn’t see any signs of PAS. I didn’t relax for the rest of the pregnancy though after that but now have a lovely 2 year old. I’m so sorry that you’re going through this stress too- Good luck and hoping all is ok. It was explained to me that if it was PAS the main thing is that they know about if before labour and there are a lot of things they can do to prevent heavy bleeding.

@Fizzysticks Thank you for your reply - I'm really hoping maybe it is just a false alarm and they're wanting to double check just in case. So pleased everything was okay for you and your little one!

I spent one night in hospital then went home next day and felt fine within a day or two. The blood transfusion made all the difference.

Mentally, although it helped to have a debrief afterwards, I would say that the trauma stayed with me for a long time, and it meant I was less able to relax during my subsequent pregnancy.

Just as an update, my scan went well and luckily the vascularity noted on my 20 week scan was actually completely normal. Baby is developing well and the consultant had no concerns about how the placenta is attached. To say I am relieved is an understatement! Thank you to everyone who replied, I am feeling much better now!

I’m so pleased for you! Thank you for updating.