Low lying anterior placenta at 20 weeks what do I need to know?

[Mcyorkshire]

Hi,

I had my 20 week scan today and the placenta was observed to be 2 cms from the cervical entrance. I have been booked in for a repeat scan at 34 weeks to see if it has moved otherwise a c-section may be required. Unfortunately I googled the condition and have scared myself stupid!! Am I more likely to suffer from antenatal bleeding or an abruption? If a c-section is required is this more problematic with an anterior placenta with respect to the incision?

I have an appointment with the midwife next week but it would be good to have some reassurance before hand....

Thanks x

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As it is the lower, anterior part of your uterus that grows the most toward the end then it's very very likely indeed that your placenta will be well clear of the os come the end of your pregnancy.

I had a complete previa at 23 weeks with DS1 (so the placenta was covering the os rather than just near it) and although it was still 'near' at 34 weeks by 36 weeks it was far enough for them to no longer be concerned at all.

I would say you have a very low risk of needing a section, come the time, but you ought to be aware of your increased risk for bleeding. For some reason, I've seen many instances on here of women being told they have a low laying placenta and then not being given the information to report to the hospital if they experience any bleeding! Infact, I can't recall I ever was either - but I having bleeds from quite early on in the pregnancy - they just started taking them more seriously once they realised I had placenta previa (and more seriously yet once I was over about 23 weeks and the baby was on the edge of viability).

Don't spend every moment worrying - you will more likely be fine. Just do get in contact with the hospital promptly if you experience any bleeding.

Thanks Manda...nope no mention of bleeding or anything else. I haven't had any bleeding so far this pregnancy but will contact the hospital if I get any. Would you contact the labour ward or A&E?

As you are post-20 weeks I would call the labour ward. You give them the information that you have a low laying placenta and some bleeding (they will ask how much, if it is 'fresh' (bright red) or 'old' (brown)). Depending on their own policies (ie how many weeks you are will influence where they send you), they will advise you whether to report to them or to a&e.

Once you get to the hospital be prepared for an internal exam to check your cervix. Also be prepared for them to admit you until bleeding has stopped (with DS1 they would let me go when no fresh bleeding for 24hours. I also had the condition with DS2 and by then their policy had changed to let me go once no fresh bleeding for 12 hours...)

Hopefully, as you have gotten this far with no bleeds and are low laying rather than covering you won't have any bleeding at all and all will be fine! But it's worth knowing what to do/what will happen just in case.

Good luck!

They often move out of the way, I had this and mine was clear at 34 weeks. Anterior placenta not a problem for c-section if required, I ended up with EMCS with DD2 and had anterior placenta, it did not present a problem.

Had thi with both mine (one posterior and one anterior) they had both moved up by 34 weeks. I was having ELCS anyway and the anterior placenta wasnt a problem.

Hi Mcyorkshire, I had similar at 20w scan. Leading edge was 11mm from internal OS, also anterior. They've booked me in for another scan at 36 (now 33). I agree with Manda in that I didn't get any info about what it all meant, they were very laid back about it and it didn't even occur to me to start looking into what it meant until about a month ago! But it seems it happens in about 1 in 200 pregnancies. My best friend who is now 26 weeks also has exactly the same thing though!

I asked my cousin who is a GP (and also had this). She said in the VAST majority of cases, the uterus grows upwards, much like a balloon expanding, such that the placenta moves up and out the way. (Hers didn't as it happened, it moved to cover the OS, and she was booked in for a CS 2 weeks before her due date).

From what I've learned on this in the last month, it's really quite uncommon for it to still be in the way at the next scan. The midwife told me last week that they usually see that it's about 4cm away to carry on with a normal VB (although I've read that it can be much closer), but she also said that if it is still closer than that it doesn't always rule out trying for a VB. I asked her what the order of events is if it's 'too close' or borderline at the 36 week scan. She said they wouldn't rescan but would book in there and then for a CS at around 37/38 weeks either way.

Keep an eye out in case you have any bleeding but again I'm not sure how common that really is (I've had none).

Good luck - keep us posted with how you get on

Kate

I had a praevia too, but mine was one of the 5% which didn't move.

Do take it easy, with no strenuous exercise (i included hoovering in this ) and if you do bleed, be prepared to call 999.

I was not really warned of this, so when it happened it was a shock. Most likely you will be in the 95%, so try not to worry too much.

I disagree with Manda re an internal, Nobody would go anywhere near me