Question re low lying placenta

[kaymondo]

Hi

Hoping someone can help or share their experiences on this! I am currently 24 weeks pg with DC2. At my 20 week scan i was told that i had a low lying placenta and that it was covering the opening of the cervix so am booked to be scanned again at 34 weeks to check the position.

Other than being told to refrain from intercourse and to contact them if I had any bleeding, nothing else has really been said, although i got the distinct impression from the midwife at my scan that she wasn't overly positive about it moving (ie. she said, they often move, but don't be surprised if yours doesn't). I guess i've only really started thinking about this properly now and having done some reading about how dangerous it can be, i'm surprised that no-one's told me to take it easy/avoid heavy lifting/explained what exercise, if any, is still safe etc. I'm going to talk to my midwife about it at my next appointment on tuesday but just wondering what other people's experiences have been and what they were told.

Also, does a low lying placenta become placenta previa at some stage, or is it just 2 different terms for the same thing? I keep seeing things when people talk about having like grade 1 pp but not sure how they know that - no-one's told me what 'grade' i am and all my scan notes say is that my placenta is covering the o/s.

I guess my big fear aside from the baby's safety is ending up being hospitalised towards the end as I've got a 2 year old and can't imagine having to leave him at home. I know this is relatively rare and worst case scenario but just wanted to hear what other people's experiences had been about the advice given and the outcomes they got.

Thanks (and sorry for the long post!)
K

Hi

I was told same thing at my 20 wk scan 3 weeks ago. I think at this stage they just call it low lying placenta as in 90% of cases it moves and the problem goes away. In 10% of cases it doesn't move and this affects the type of labour you'll have and its classed as placenta previa....so yep, same thing really just at different stages of pregnancy.

I was told I'm grade 2 (with 1 being the least severe and 4 the most) and that it will likely move. I am v lucky my work med policy is covering private care so I had my consultant explain this and draw me a diagram! He didn't seem at all concerned, nor did the sonographer, so I am taking their lead and just getting on with things...very gentle sex only and watching out for bleeding. Call and check with your midwife what grade you are and what sort of exercise is out. I'm still swimming and walking, but have knocked the treadmill and cross trainer on the head for now. And no heavy lifting anyways (except of course the 2 yr old :-))!!

If it doesn't move and you end up with placenta previa you'll have a c section but otherwise I haven't been led to believe there will be other complications (at this stage!). If it really is worrying you a lot, maybe see if you can have the scan a bit earlier...I'm having mine at 32 wks.

Since I was told this lots of others mums have told me they had same and all moved, so try and be positive!

Forgot to add, I was told that if I did have any bleeding I should expect to be ordered to rest/take time off work - so I guess that is something for you to consider. You might want to ensure you have back up childcare for your DC at short notice.

I wasn't told anything except avoiding sex. I had to ask them about jogging (I gave it up just to be sure).

I have the impression that the sort of heavy lifting that would be an issue with PP (at this point, with no other indicators other than the scan result) is the sort of heavy lifting that would be dodgy in any pregnancy.

In other words, you should be able to continue doing what's comfortable & normal for you already.

I think ?96% of the potential PPs flagged up resolve themselves by 34 weeks? So prospects are very good, really.

I have this but wasn't told to avoid anything at all.. worried now as I ran 5.5 miles on tuesday night!
Ragged, what was the issue with jogging? You would think they would say as a matter of course how that changes your activity levels. I was talking about standing on my head to the sonogapher so it was pretty clear I was still active.
My scan is at 36 weeks - is it better to move it forward a bit?

Kaymondo, sorry to hear your problem re placenta. I Started a thread back in may last year after being hospitalised with pp and bleeds at 34 weeks as mine unfortnately didn't move, however I do know two people whose also didn't move and they didn't bleed!
Re your child of you're hospitalised I know it is really hard. I had four year old at home at time, another girl on our thread had five children at home! It is hard, won't lie, but keeping consistency inane routine for them is key. It helped having my little girl visit each day but did find it emotional at times. Also she went to friends houses for tea and outings which made her feel special. I also ordered a present from the baby and had it brought in so I could give it to her when born. I let her listen to the heartbeat on the monitor too whenever I could to make her feel involved. The staff were good at making a fuss too.
Fingers crossed it will move though but message if you want to chat x

I had this with DC1. I was living abroad at the time and maybe something got lost in translation, but when it was spotted at my 20 week scan the MW told me not to worry about it and that it would probably move. I had another scan at 34 weeks and it had. I wasn't advised to give up sex or heavy lifting or running or anything like that. I went on to give birth naturally with no further problems. Hope it's the same for you OP.

I asked "Should I give up jogging?" & they didn't seem to know, but agreed that heavy uterus bouncing excessively on possibly compromised cervix was a risk best avoided.

I'm not sure there's any evidence that giving up sex is necessary, either, btw, probably just another "better safe than sorry" bit of advice!

I got all clear at 34 wk scan, btw.

I had grade 3 at 20wk scan, completely covering os. I bled at 22wks, 27weks and 28wks.

At 25wk scan it had moved 5mm from the os, and at my scan on Monday it has moved another 5mm, so it's moved a total of 10mm in 8 weeks - which is a positive sign, but I'm still in hospital recovering from current bleed.

After first bleed they told me to take it a bit easier, but didn't tell me to stop doing anything (except sex!), after second bleed they told me to stop exercising, rushing around, lifting things etc... but i was on almost complete bed rest and I still bled, so I think if it's going to happen it will do.

I've been in hospital since Sat, and am in until next Wednesday . There's a placenta previa support thread if anyone wants to join that :)

Good luck, most do move out the way, and some people have no bleeding.

Hi Kaymondo. I also have a 2 1/2 yr old and had the same 'covering os' at 20 week scan. MW was pretty vague but had an interesting chat from the consultant who explained everything (similar to all the info on the web). I was re-scanned at 32 weeks and it was 1.5cm from os. I had final scan yesterday at 36 weeks and all moved safely away. Have spent the last three months worrying about it all and feels like a great relief to finally know i won't be needing a c-section - not that I minded either way really but hated not knowing!

I'm sure you'll be all fine. Of course, you do have to be careful just in case but wish you all the best of luck with it all.

The internet seems to make it all a bit confusing and if you're anything like me you will have literally googled everything - just can't help it!

Good luck!

Lamby79 - how far away had yours moved at 36wk scan? (if that's an ok question to ask :))

I was told that the placenta has to be at least 2cm away from cervix for it to be okay to have a normal birth.

I had exactly this and mine moved. I was reassured by several HP's that it would most likely move. It's very likely yours will. The way the uterus grows, tends to encourage the placenta upwards.

Just had a thought: HP's = Health Professionals right? Or did I make that up? Could be Harry Potters