low lying placenta

[steph2412]

Hi all i had my 20 week scan on tuesday and the 1st question i was asked was if i had any bleeding which i hadnt. then it was explained that i have a low lying placenta and would be re scanned at later date. was happy with all of this when i got home and notes say the lower segment of anterior placenta is reaching internal os. Is that just how all low lying placentas are described?i was told it is completly covering babies exit. TIA

if it's covering the cervix, that's placenta previa. But I do think that as your baby grows and the uterus stretches the placenta can change it's low lying location. ie, move away from the os with the uterus. That is probably why they aren't calling it placenta previa yet.
that's why they want to rescan, to see if it remains there (which means you'll have to have a cs) or moves out of the way.

Thanks for your reply i have another scan on sunday as baby was to active to look at his heart properly so i will ask for more info then x

I believe internal os just means opening of your cervix, so I would guess its just normal descriptive language for low lying placentas (but am no expert!!)

I had the same lingo on my sheet about previous pregnancy at 20 weeks. It means you have a low lying placenta and the anterior bit means its at the front. Most move by 32 weeks as womb grows. You might not feel movements as early on and they won't be as distinctive as others with a posterior placenta. Anterior and low lying aren't always related tho x

Thats what i dont understand it was described as been low lying in scan and covering cervix then put the description of anterior on notes z

I think it depends how much is covering the cervix as to what they put I have a low lying placenta (they don't call it placenta previa till later in as it could move) mine us completely covering uv and was told to take it easy and they wouldn't sign me fit to fly for my holiday mine is on the left so they think it is less likely to move and I have been admitted at 22 weeks with a bleed.
If you are concerned ask your midwife - did you speak to a consultant after the scan?
From what I have been told low lying placentas are more likely to bleed and there is a chance of early delivery in some cases. However at 20 weeks there is a 50/50 chance it will move and anterior placentas are more likely to move as it is the front that tends to get bigger. So fingers crossed for you!
If it doesn't move you could be fine but they may recommend you take it easy if you have a few bleeds you may be recommended bed rest if you are diagnosed placenta previa (I think this is around 34 weeks) you will be given a grade (1-4) 4 being completely covering the opening. Your doctors may only let you deliver naturally if your placenta is over x cms from the cervix as when you go into labour the cervix will dilate 10 cms (so assume 5 cms each way).
Try not to worry I am feeling positive about mine but preparing for the worst if necessary.
Sorry if I have gone on a bit partly sorting out in my own head but interested to hear other people's info as they may know more than me
Goodluck as long as baby is growing properly and they have no concerns on baby health then placenta is working which is most important thing

As for your notes if it is half covering the uv they would put that and possibly tell you it's covering the exit but if they told you it's fully covering they should have put it in your notes I would query this as fully covering is a bit more serious and you want to make sure if you do bleed that the notes are correct. When I went in with a bleed they didn't risk an internal as they thought they could damage placenta and make worse. I was also told no sex (poor DH face when they said that) because it was fully covering did you get any advice like that?
I had problems with my first baby abd doctors so now I have no qualms over being that pushy mum to be asking more questions and demanding good care - it is your body and your baby so I would recommend hassling them (politely) till you get the answers you need

The placenta is pretty big, so part of it can cover the os and the rest be toward the front of your uterus. Mine was close to my cervix at 12 weeks, but now is apparently behind my navel. (I am guessing as I can feel baby everywhere else but there).

anterior placenta means it is at the front of your tummy.. posterior is at the back near your spine, fundal is right at the top, under your chest almost. to be classed as low lying at 20 weeks the leading edge of placenta ( the part nearest babies exit) has to be less than 20mm away from the internal os (exit) so it can be anywhere from covering, abutting or low lying. when it is at least 20mm away it is classed as clear at 20 weeks.
if it is covering internal os, you should have a scan at 32 weeks. anything else should be at 36 weeks.
if your placenta is anterior you have more chance of it moving up out of the way. the best and most accurate way to get measurements at later stages if your placenta is posterior is via an internal scan.
there is no risk to you or baby when having an internal scan. they are used to measure the cervix when it is dilating and cervical stitches have to put in.
occasionally a low placenta may cause some bleeding but should not be anything significant

hope any of that helps

Thanks for the replys they said no sex or heavy lifting i didnt see the consultant after my app but am under consultant care due to high bp and complications in previous pregnancy so have scans booked for 28 & 34 weeks

I had this with a posterior placenta at my 20 week scan. By 32 weeks it had moved well out of hte way. Most do apparently.

Hi steph, If it was described on your report as "reaching the os" then this means it is close but not covering. Also anterior placentas are less likely to still be low when you are scanned again at 32-34 weeks as the anterior wall of the uterus stretches more than the posterior wall and this pulls the placenta away from the cervix. The vast majority of the time we are just being cautious and I rarely find one that I have to refer on.

Check if it says Grade or Grannum 1 or Grade 2/3/4 on the scan note. That describes how much it is in the way - Grannum 1 is least severe / most likely to move.

I had Grannum 1 at 22 weeks but was out of the way entirely by 32 week scan.
All sounds a bit scary if you google due to increased risk of bleeding etc. I remember them asking me about 5 times if I'd had bleeding at the 22 week scan. I hadn't so they just said they'd check again and to come in straight away if I did have any bleeding, and mention low placenta at that time.