Low Lying Placenta @ 20 weeks

[JTN]

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

At my 22 weeks scan in June, the placenta was covering my cervix. I have another scan in 3 weeks time(36 weeks) to check it has moved. I am hoping it hass as I really want a water birth..

eshee, there is nothing you can do to avoid a c section if the placenta is covering , partly covering or very very close to the cervix.
If when you have the last scan it is still in the way, relax, prepare for a section, write a birth plan, discuss with your consultant and dh what you would like to happen. Relax again oh and speak to Marslady on here she is fab

JTN, don't panic xx The majority move, some don't but you will be well looked after and only have a section if really neccassary. I was told not to lift, do too much, have sex. Pretty hard with 4 other kids. I did take it easy but only a bit Never had any bleeding and mine was complete placenta previa. I had a section at 37 weeks and it was fab xxxx

If you have a low-lying placenta at 20 weeks, you have an 80% chance of it moving clear. And you only need 2cm clearance!

Things that make it less likely to move are if it is covering the cervix at 20 weeks, or if it is at the front (anterior) below a cs scar.

You're fairly unlikely to bleed before 28 weeks I think.

Mine didn't move, bled and had cs at 34 weeks, result is currently watching cbeebies and eating crisps. I am 16 weeks pg now, this one implanted next to my cervix and placenta is currently low. Hey-ho ...

My top top is, stay away from Google!

Btw I am very encouraged by all you with complete praevia who didn't bleed and got to term!

Bled heavily at 17 weeks (partial pp diagnosed) and again at 21 weeks (by which time it had become complete and I was told it was very unlikely to 'move'). In the ensuing weeks, however, it 'moved' completely out of the way, and I'm now 36 weeks and awaiting natural labour

me, complete pp, a couple of bleeds, the last month or so in hospital, though felt v well, and fantastic caesarean at 37.5 weeks (9/10 apgar rising to 10/10, 8lb 8oz baby)

I had a low lying placenta at 20 weeks. Very common esp in subsequent pregnancies apparently because do you know the a placenta will do its best never to attach to the same part of the womb twice! So there are less places to choose from once you've had one baby!

Mine had moved waaaay up out of the way by 28 weeks, as they do in the vast majority of cases. Don't worry.

I had this too. It is easy to read up on it and get the worst case scenario. I tried to look on the bright side that I got an extra late scan, which reassured me that the baby was fine (because I was such a worrier).

They will take care of you - if it is a risk they will avoid it.

However, it does often sort itself out as other posters have said.

I wanted to revive this thread for any further advice as I had my 20 week scan today and was also told that I have a low lying placenta and am due to have a scan again at 34 weeks to assess the situation. However I wasnt told to rest more and not lift anything heavy like others on here have been told....

bump

hi,

just to add my experience to this thread: my placenta was completely covering the cervix (os) at twenty weeks - i was told there was a slight chance it'd move, but not much, because it was fully covering the exit. i wasn't told to avoid sex, lifting, etc etc, however.

i had a very light bleed at 21 weeks (didn't need to go to hospital, they just said keep an eye on it) but no other bleeding.

i was re-scanned at 32 weeks, by which time the placenta had moved, but only a couple of millimetres (it needs to be aboud 4cm away i think). at 36 weeks it had moved a few more millimetres. at 38.2 weeks - bizarrely - it had moved over 4cm from the os.

after spending most of my pregnancy anticipating a c-section, i went on to have a straightforward natural birth.

my advice (provided you've had no major bleeds or other related problems) is to push for a scan as late in the day to check placental position.

even at 38 or 39 weeks, there's still a chance (ime) that the placenta can move out of the way.

good luck - and try not to worry (easier said than done, i know...)

a x

Hi I had low lying placenta with my second child and had a massive bleed at 24 weeks, I was told to have complete bed rest. I did and managed to get to 34 weeks, baby born by emergency section and I had to have transfusion. Baby in scbu with breathing difficulties for two weeks. He is now a very happy, healthy 4 year old and I am expecting my third. I have just had 20 week scan and told placenta is low lying again I am terrified but praying that it will move.

Just wanted to add my story (so far...)

Low lying placenta at 20 weeks, was reassured that most of them moved, and they would rescan at 36 weeks.

Have just had the rescan and placenta is now totally covering the os and would need to move 7cm before they would even consider a vaginal birth.

So I guess mine DID move - just in the wrong direction.

BUT, I've had no bleeding at all. Seeing the consultant next week to talk about c-sections...

verity i am 9 weeks behind you. tottally covering too. no bleeding fingers crossed this continues. Can you tell me to what degree you took it easy and how you felt

Well, quick update - am now booked in for c-section on 2nd July, 10 days before my due date.

forevermore to be honest, I haven't really taken it that easy. I went on maternity leave early, but that was really a matter of using up holiday, but I spent the first few weeks clearing out cupboards etc, which was probably more strenuous than if I had been at my desk at work. Plan to spend the next 10 days with my feet firmly up, though.

The consultant today said she had just read a paper about how transverse babies generally don't cause bleeding, maybe because they don't try to engage in the pelvis, which might be why I have got lucky so far. I have definitely been completely paranoid, doing the "wipe" test every time I go to the loo (tmi, I know) and freaking out about being too far from home, that sort of thing. I am natually paranoid cautious though.

So going in to cross match blood next Monday, and then for c-section next Thursday. Haven't quite got my head around it all yet, and of course am hoping that I don't get any bleeding in the meantime!

thats interesting. I have been told to do nothing and stay hoe, which i have done for the most part. my LO is head down and has been resting head on placenta for a few weeks now. thank god still no bleeds (28+1).

sounds like the end is nigh for you, well done you must be so releived that its son to be over (the worry that is)

verity forgot to ask, how many weeks will you be at delivery? i keep hearing with no bleeds they like to deliver at 36 weeks then others say 39 weeks?

sorry for all the spelling mistakes earlier

The consultant was all for doing the c-section asap - she had the cheek to say I'd "left it late" coming to see her, when all I have done is follow the exact advice of the midwives. So I felt a bit grumpy about that.

But, in the event, she couldn't book me in as early as she would have liked, so I will be 38+5 on the day of the section.

The growth scan I had last week shows baby is already 7lbs and was predicted to be as much as 9.5lbs full term, so I am happy it looks like she'll be a good weight.

Totally bricking it about next Thursday, though. Can't see me getting a lot of sleep on Wednesday night...

low lying placenta at 22 weeks....but how strenuous is too strenuous? shopping? mopping? yoga? swimming?..how can one define taking it easy? due to go on holiday to Bali? is flying a problem?

Living in Goa so surrounded by hippy mums who spend all day on beach!

Just been told the same and offered a second scan at 36 weeks .