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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Low lying placenta.

32 replies

FanellaFidge · 12/01/2011 15:53

20 week showed that my placenta is lying across my cervix. Have been booked in for another scan at 34 weeks to check that it has moved and been advised that if it hasn't I will need a c-section.

Just wondering if anyone else has had this and if it did move in time or not.

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Original poster

FanellaFidge · 12/01/2011 15:53

20 week scan that should read!

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systemsaddict · 12/01/2011 15:57

Not me but my best friend had this twice, it didn't move for her so she spent a little time in hospital before the birth and had sections both times. We both spent hours googling and panicking too! but she was exceptionally well looked after and all fine in the end. I know it's scary now but much better to know about it and they will monitor you closely if you do have this. Good luck!

Original poster

FanellaFidge · 12/01/2011 16:01

Oh gosh. I read about staying in hospital because of the risk of bleeding. I have two other small children. How long did she spend in hospital?

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Original poster

FanellaFidge · 12/01/2011 16:18

Is it more common if you've had it before? I've had two 'normal' pregnancies and deliveries before.

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systemsaddict · 12/01/2011 16:22

First time it was for a few weeks but less long second time, maybe a week or so? You should probably be prepared to sort out childcare if they find it hasn't moved at 34 weeks; but, a lot of the time it does move up. I think it depends why it happens, in her case she thinks it was scar tissue in her uterus and so yes it was likely to happen again.

LoveBeingADaddysGirl · 12/01/2011 16:25

I had this and it had mved by the scan. I'd convinced myself I was going to have a csection then had to get used to not very quickly!

fruitful · 12/01/2011 16:34

90% chance that a "low lying placenta" at 20 weeks will have moved clear by 36 weeks.

But less chance if your placenta is currently across the cervix than if it was just very close to it, or just touching it.

Think of a balloon that hasn't been blown up yet. Put a pen mark on the neck of the balloon - that's the placenta. Start to blow the balloon up. Not much movement to start with, because the top of the balloon expands first (just like your uterus). Then later the bottom part of the balloon starts to expand. Now the dot is further from the opening. It hasn't actually moved, but it is further from the opening because the balloon has stretched. That is exactly what happens with a low placenta and your uterus. But if you originally put the dot right on the opening of the balloon, right next to the little rolled over bit, it will still be there when the balloon is fully blown up.

You might want to get prepared. Keep a packed bag in your car, keep your phone charged up and on you, make sure you know who you'd call to look after your other kids in an emergency at any time. Not wanting to scare you, but I had huge bleeds at 33 weeks (2nd pg) and 27 weeks (3rd pg). There is nothing you can do, apart from be ready to phone 999 if you need to!

Original poster

FanellaFidge · 12/01/2011 16:53

Thank you for posting fruitful (and everyone else!). My scan was a few weeks ago, but I've only just started to worry about it. I might ring and find out more details on exactly where it is lying, although I'm sure she said it was covering. It's useful to know that I need to be prepared, and that I should take it seriously, I worry when reading stuff on the internet that it's exaggerated I get worked up for no good reason, but at least I know now!

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Original poster

FanellaFidge · 12/01/2011 16:59

It says anterior low on my notes?

I had some treatment on my cervix last year... do you think that might be a reason? I know there is scarring, but on my cervix?

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Coffeebeans · 12/01/2011 17:02

I had a low lying placenta, it moved up in time. I still had a c section due to pre eclampsia.

Coffeebeans · 12/01/2011 17:02

I had a low lying placenta, it moved up in time. I still had a c section due to pre eclampsia.

Chynah · 12/01/2011 17:45

I havehad ths twice - once with posterior andonce with anterior placenta. It had moved by 34 weeks both times (not that it would have mattered to me as ELCS anyway)

fruitful · 12/01/2011 19:38

Anterior means it is at the front, I think. So it may not be covering the os (the os it what they call the inside end of your cervix). Mine was, and they put that on my notes.

The main problem is that as your uterus grows, the bit your placenta is attached to stretches, and can bleed. There may be a lot of blood, quite suddenly. It doesn't hurt, I thought I'd wet the bed, the first time. You do need to get to hospital - don't worry about calling an ambulance, it does count as an emergency. But your baby won't notice anything is going on. You may not bleed at all, but if you do, it is a lot less scary when you know why!

Original poster

FanellaFidge · 12/01/2011 20:41

Thank you fruitful - I'm glad I came on for advice, I know to be prepared now!

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wigglesrock · 12/01/2011 21:43

My placenta was shown to be low lying at 20 week scan, just had 35 week scan, placenta completely moved to top!!

Sarahlou8 · 12/01/2011 22:22

I had a low lying anterior placenta and it was fine! It moved up by my 34 week scan. Baby settled back to back though because of it, so keep an eye on this as it's quite common.

scgd · 12/01/2011 22:56

Low lying placenta at 21 weeks breech Baby at 25 weeks by 30 weeks both had moved and were where they should be! Baby took me by surprise and appeared at 36 weeks!

CrispyTheCrisp · 12/01/2011 23:04

Mine was low lying at 20 weeks. I had spotting at 29 weeks and a BIG bleed at 31 weeks and called 999. Luckily mine stopped and i was told i would be in hospital for the duration. Luckily i had a nice consultant who said as long as i went no further from the hospital and had someone with me at all times that i could go home.

I had weekly scans & bloods taken (so cross matched blood was ready in the event it was needed) plus steroids to help DD's lungs develop. I made it to 36 weeks then had another big bleed. They decided to do a CS at this time (no real 'emergency' was about 9hrs after the bleed)

Now, mine was probably a scenario which is not uncommon if you are in the 5-10% whose doesn't move. But remember that 90-95% do (as evidenced on this thread)

If i were you I would be asking for another scan at about 30 weeks (i think 34 is too late as people i have heard who have bled have been before this). Good luck and i hope it does move - it must be hard with other DC's at home. Try not to do too much physically BTW. And that includes hoovering i was reliably informed

If you want any more info, please feel free to PM me

Original poster

FanellaFidge · 13/01/2011 07:37

Thank you for the positive stories!

I will be really worried if I have to go into hospital. I'm already concerned about the impact of the new baby on DS2, he's only 2 and very attached to me (something I'm trying to work on in preparation). Also, the hosipital is at least a 30 minute drive away.

Should I really be taking it eaay? I asked the sonographer at the time if I should be doing anything different, or if there was any cause for concerne apart from needing a c-section, she said no?

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wigglesrock · 13/01/2011 08:25

Fanella I have 2 small ones at home too When I was told the placenta was lying low at 20 weeks (baby was also breech!!!) I was told having to stay in hospital was unlikely and they would just need to keep an eye on blood loss during delivery. To be honest the c-section was only really mentioned in relation to the breech.

Baby moved from breech last week I have no idea when placenta moved but I haven't done anything different, I second cutting back on the hoovering but that's more a personal preference than medical advice . Good luck

CrispyTheCrisp · 13/01/2011 08:26

I was also not told about doing anything different, until after the first event. However, others I know have been told to not over exert. I travelled to France and carried on swimming etc, which in retrospect I wouldn't have done if I had known what could happen. Ignorance was a bit of bliss I guess.

We live 20 mins drive from the hospital (30 in traffic) and I was allowed home.

I am sure you will be fine for a while as I believe the increased risk of bleeding is increased as the uterus stretches in later pregnancy. If you have a friendly midwife I would ask for another scan to see if it is moving - mine gave me one at 29 weeks after my spotting at the local MLU.

Positive thoughts on you being a 95% person and so sorry if I have worried you. I just wish I had been a bit more prepared - well I think I do anyway!

CrispyTheCrisp · 13/01/2011 08:28

You would only need to go into hozzie if you had a bleed. I am sure there must be a number of people whose are low lying and get to the end without a bleed

Original poster

FanellaFidge · 13/01/2011 08:43

Wigglesrock - it also showed that baby is breech. I will take the advice about hoovering less, do you think it would be wise to cut back on ironing too?

Crispy - Really grateful for your posts, I would much rather spread out my panic rather than have a massive panic at the time IYSWIM Much better that I'm prepared, especially if I do bleed... I don't want DH and DC's to see me in a panic and bleeding!

I have an appointment with the midwife next week so will speak to her more then. I asked when I booked the appointment, but she just said it isn't really anything to worry about and to wait and see what the next scan shows.

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CrispyTheCrisp · 13/01/2011 22:16

It is a difficult thing for the MW i guess as they don't want to create panic when there is such a high chance nothing will come of it.

I do believe however my MW was very laissez faire as she was based in a MLU and did not see the final outcomes (which by definition go to the hospital CLU's)

DH panicked and was running round in circles. I think it is actually more difficult for an observer than if it is happening to you. I was very pissed off as it was the final episode of Jane Eyre and i had just made myself some peanut butter on toast and a cuppa

Just one other recommendation - if you have a bath, don't make it too hot as this can cause the blood vessels to dilate

CrispyTheCrisp · 13/01/2011 22:17

Oh, and i never iron, so i would say that it is definitely too energetic....

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