Advice please - notches on placenta

[DancingCat]

Hi everyone,
am new to mumsnet so please forgive me if I get anything wrong
I'm 39 years old, 20+5 in my first pregnancy and have antiphospholipid syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
I am having scans every four weeks and my consultant at St Thomas' was concerned re: bilateral notches on my placenta and recommended that my local hospital carry out a doppler at 20 weeks. This was done at 16+5 and showed no notches - so apparently good. Had my scan at 20+5 today, the sonographer didn't seem to do the doppler (nothing on the scan notes), the rest of the scan was absolutely normal - my question is, if there were no notches at 16+5, can they develop later? The sonographer at the 16+5 indicated not, but I just want to be sure. didn't realise until I got home that the doppler wasn't carried out today - next scan is in 4 more weeks.
Thanks :)

I think 24 weeks is the optimum time for checking notching. I am not sure whether they are there at 16 or not. The treatment is baby asprin and possibly Clexane although early days on Clexane. The reason for this is that is improves blood flow whereas notching reduces it.

Thanks MumtoF :)

I have antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) so am on clexane and baby aspirin, and was on tinzaparin whilst trying to conceive because of the risks with APS (clotting, miscarriage etc).

As I understand it the reason they like to test at 20-24 weeks rather than 16 is that they can be there at 16 but have gone by 24 particularly with my treatment, so finding them at 16 weeks is not an accurate indication of the outcome, whereas if they are still there at 20-24 weeks it gives a better indication. I didn't have them at 16 weeks but don't know if they can develop later or if all is ok.

Am having another scan on Tuesday so shall remind the sonographer that Professor Hunt at the APS unit has asked for it to be done.

The additional scan on Tuesday is because I have so many different consultants working with me (8 in total) and the co-ordination isn't so good!

I was going to cancel the scan on Tuesday which was booked by my endocrinologist team (the one yesterday was a consultant scan booked by my obstetrician) as yesterday's was fine but will go to it now to put my mind at rest :)

If you are already on the treatment then you are covered so try not to worry as am not sure anything would change even if they did identify it. Am assuming you will be on it throughout pregnancy. I have bilaterial notching on the uterine arteries and went to term with a 6lb 4oz baby - I was on Clexane and Asprin until 32 weeks. I have it again this time and am now 33 weeks with no problems touch wood. Check your blood pressure regularly as am sure you are aware there is an increased risk of pre-eclampsia.

Thanks MumtoF :)

Am just a bit nervous as its our first baby and as well as APS I'm diabetic and also nearly 40!! I'm on blood thinners for life, so yes the treatment carries on throughout pregnancy (and beyond!)

Luckily my blood pressure is fine so far.

Thanks for your support and good luck with your pregnancy - have just seen your post about metformin on another thread - will respond to you there about my experience :)

Poor you, Clexane is not pleasant. Hope everything goes well. If it is all OK at 20+5 you just need to keep your blood pressure low and everything will be fine I am sure.

Just a little update :)

Had my 24 week scan yesterday (at 24+5) and my placenta is fine still, no notches, and baby doing fine :)