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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Low Lying Placenta @ 20 weeks

47 replies

JTN · 21/04/2006 08:45

Right i'm terrrified , went for my scan and the scan shows a low lying placenta, have to go back for scan at 28 weeks told not to lift anything heavy and not have sex, Then i cam home and looked it up - i hadnt realised how dangerous it can be, how did others get on with this condition? and what should i expect - is it asd bad as in the books?, thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

NotAnOtter · 21/04/2006 08:47

mine moved to a safe position but i did have a couple of bleeds at 24 weeks and had to stay in hospital! I think most move good luck!

juuule · 21/04/2006 12:15

Same here. Low-lying. Dreadful bleed at 14weeks. Had moved out of the way by 28weeks.

Uwila · 21/04/2006 12:22

Mine was low too, with DS (who is my second child). I had a section with DD (first child) and apparently a low placenta is quite common if you've had a section. But it moved up and out of the way in plenty of time. The important thing is that it is not placenta previa. Ask them how low it is. It might be no big deal.

Original poster

JTN · 21/04/2006 15:03

thanks everyone.

OP posts:

jambuttie · 21/04/2006 16:03

mine stayed low and i had emergency section hun but as long as you rest up and listen to docs/midwives you will be fine

Uwila · 21/04/2006 16:05

The irony of mine was that I wanted another section and not a VBAC so if it just would have stayed low I wouldn't have had to jump up and down reciting NICE guidelines to get my planned section.

snafu · 21/04/2006 16:23

Pretty common to find this at 20-week scan. Mine was too, but had moved well out of the way long before D-day.

Placenta praevia can be dangerous and is obviously an indication for c-section but there are 'degrees' of low-lyingness and it's more than likely that yours will move as the uterus grows.

southeastastra · 21/04/2006 19:06

I had placenta praevia, at this time I'd urge you not to worry as they do normally move, but if it doesn't you will be well looked after and monitored by hospital. My son was born 3 weeks early by c section and I had to stay in hospital for couple of weeks before the birth (after few bleeds!). The main thing you can do I think and wish I had done, is take it really easy, just really look after yourself and try to enjoy being pregnant I wish I had I was just worried from start to finish!

mrsdarcy · 21/04/2006 20:04

I had this with 2 of my 3 children and the placenta had moved by the time they re-scanned - which I understand is what happens in the vast majority of cases

jazzyp · 21/04/2006 20:24

Mine was low at 20 weeks, but had moved up by 28 weeks. Midwife said they usually do move up as things grow.

Pernod · 21/04/2006 20:33

Yep, I too had a low lying placenta at 20 weeks, I wasn't offered another scan until 36 weeks when it had moved, I think they do in most cases.

mistressmiggins · 21/04/2006 20:38

I had low lying at 20, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and was booked in for C-section at 39 wks 4 days!!
Last scan showed it had moved significantly so that consultant said go home & have vag birth and I will see you at 42 weeks if you havent had it !!

try not to worry too much and look forward to more scans of your baby

kayzed · 23/04/2006 21:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kayzed · 23/04/2006 21:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pupuce · 23/04/2006 21:16

kayzed, well your lower segment of your uetrus is not yet formed so it (the placenta) can continue to move and find it's final resting position at a later stage.
Most low lying placentas move up.
Someone's told me that you can try homeopathy.... but that would require a consultation not some advice over the web.

red37 · 23/04/2006 21:17

I had placenta previa with ds2, delivered by c section at 37 weeks, try not to worry, has your midwife explained things to you. A majority of placentas move out of the way by 34 weeks.

AmyP · 17/05/2006 20:15

I had a low placenta at 20 weeks and it stayed that way. I then prepared myself for an elective c section. I had no bleeding at all though. Think positive, it is not a "fault" with the pregnancy, it is pure luck where the placenta attaches. The baby is doing its thing in there and will benefit from you being relaxed and thinking good thoughts!!

Joggers · 19/05/2006 21:50

I had low lying placenta at 20 weeks and was terrified when I read about the implications. I had no bleeding at all but was always worried in case I would. Had a second scan at 34 weeks and all was fine. In most cases it does move out of the way.

PinkTulips · 19/05/2006 21:58

had one with dd that moved and was told i have one again this time. doctor said 8 out of 10 move by themselves so the odds are in your favour JTN. i'm 28 weeks now and hoping to be scaned at my next hospital appointment in 2 weeks to see whats going on

Pinchypants · 22/05/2006 12:51

I sympathise JTN - I had a low-lying placenta at the 20 week scan, too, and have to wait another five weeks now to 34 week extra scan to check it has moved up. I'm had no bleeding and no-one seems very worried at the moment. I do feel, though, that I can't have many conversations with anyone about 'birth plans' until I know whether it has moved or not.
Am assuming all will be fine and listening to hypnobirthing tapes and looking into waterbirth etc, but until I know for sure it hasn't stayed too low to risk normal delivery it's difficult to focus on the birth, as there is a tiny chance of ending up with a C-section if it has developed into placenta praevia.
Pregnancy is teaching me that I cannot always be in control!
Pinchy xxx

BettySpaghetti · 22/05/2006 12:58

I'm another one who had a low-lying placenta at 20 weeks but it had moved when I was re-scanned at 36 wks

kayzed · 24/05/2006 16:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

eshee · 16/08/2007 04:29

i still have low lying placenta, im now in 37 weeks.what should i do not to undergo C section.

Highlander · 16/08/2007 15:46

At 12 week scan the midwife scanner said I had a low posterior placenta. The consultant doing my 16 week amnio said I had a high anterior and wanted a detailed report at the 20 wk scan. Midwife did the 20wk and said it was anterior but fine. I bled a couple of times and ended up in hospital at 33 weeks. Growth scan (also done by a midwife) at 34 weeks said it was fine.

I had an elective booked anyway - surgeon nearly sliced through it and said I had a partial previa. NONE of the scanners picked up on this. I was bloody livid, though not as livid as the consultant!

Make sure you get a second opinion by a consultant.

Fingerbobs · 21/08/2007 16:22

Hi there, I'm behind you at 27 weeks and waiting for my next scan - I had complete previa at 22 weeks.

There really isn't anything you can do to avoid a c-section if the placenta is too low, ie covering the cervix, because basically the baby can't get out past it.

The Royal College of Obs & Gyn guidelines suggest that if the placenta is 2cm or more away from the cervix then vaginal delivery is ok, but if it's less, then a section is indicated. Movement is possible right up until birth, though, so perhaps you could ask to have frequent scans, if it's not too low-lying? I know that if I'm still complete then they'll section at around 37 or 38 weeks, because they don't want you to go into labour by yourself, again because of bleeding.

I really feel for you and hope everything goes ok - sending moving upwards thoughts to you.

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