Low lying placenta and bleeding on and off, experiences?

[betsybo]

Hello, I'm after a bit of handholding I suppose. This is my second pregnancy and I've been spotting/bleeding since about 14 weeks. I had a bigger bleed at 18 weeks but it stopped fairly quickly, no cause was found. My 20 week scan showed I have a low lying placenta. Could this be the reason for my bleeding?I'm 20+5 weeks today and had some pink spotting this evening. Should I be reporting this to the doctor or is this all part of what is 'normal' for a low lying placenta and I should just relax. I'm trying not to get anxious but every time I manage to forget about I get some more spotting and it worries me. Anyone else have/had a similar situation? I'm trying to avoid lifting but with having a 1 year old around its a bit difficult! What does this mean for the rest of my pregnancy?

I have a low lying placenta too - it's just touching the cervix. At the 20 week scan I was told that I will have another scan at 34 weeks to see if it has moved, have you been told this? My SIL is an obstetrician and she said that posterior ones are less likely to move than anterior (mine is posterior), but anterior ones probably will. The consultant said if it doesn't move I will definitely be booked in for a cs, so I assume you've been told this too. She did say though that if I had any bleeding at all I was to call them to be checked out - I'm 28 weeks now and haven't had any, but it sounds like you should perhaps call the ante-natal ward for reassurance.

Yes, they've given me a scan date for 32 weeks to see if it's moved. It is anterior so I'm hoping that means mine will move up and out of the way. I haven't seen a consultant yet, just the ultrasonographer and the doctors in the hospital when I've had bleeding, but they didn't know at that point my placenta was low. No one has mentioned the birth or that I should be doing anything different lifestyle-wise so I guess I should be reassured by that. I am seeing a consultant in a couple of weeks so it will be good to get his opinion and get my questions out. I think I will give the antenatal ward a call - it sounds terrible but I really don't want to have to go in and get it checked out if its just part of the course as its difficult with my 1 year old at home but I should probably just do it for peace of mind. That's great that you haven't had any bleeding, fingers crossed it stays that way for you.

I had low lying placenta at 20'weeks completely covering the cervix it is left lateral so not front or back particularly. It has now been diagnosed as placenta previa as it hasn't moved a mm but getting scanned regularly.
Did they offer any advice? I was told no sex or heavy lifting.
At 22 weeks I had my first bleed and was in hospital for a few days until I had been bleed free for 24 hrs they told me any red fresh blood to ring in and come in. I have been in and out a few times but touch wood not had a bleed for 7 weeks. After my first bleed they told me to take it easy and after a heavier bleed had to
Promise to get help in and not walk far drive or do any lifting as another bleed and they would admit me till they did a c section.
How low lying are you? Is it covering the placenta or just close? They will treat them differently but they are more likely to bleed as the placenta may not be able to attach properly like at the top of the uterus they may also check babies growth a bit more carefully as they are with me.
I would get in touch as even spotting if it is fresh blood can be a pre cursor to a heavier more dangerous bleed.
About 50% of low lying placentas move and being anterior yours is more likely to but I would still have a chat with your midwife or doctor about your options and how low it is.
I am stir crazy but it is a high risk pregnancy due to the placenta position and i don't want to do anything to
Put me or the baby at risk. I think you should find out more to see if they consider you to be high risk or not the bleeding should be checked out though.
Please don't take my post the wrong way I don't want to worry you unnecessarily I just want you to be safe x

I have a 2 year old so completely understand why you don't want to go in but they need to keep an eye in you if like me you are fully covering ov then they can't Di anything but observe and scan as an internal exam may be too risky I found bed rest in hospital meant no more bleeds but have had to almost replicate that at home to be safe - very difficult with a toddler. Good luck x

Thanks for your advice Emsyboo. I think the placenta is just close not covering but having just looked at my notes from the us it says reaching/crossing. I think I'm mostly frustrated by the fact that I've had no advice from anyone, just me googling stuff. My main bleed I was only in hosp for 24h as the bleeding had pretty much stopped before I got there but I probably only go about 5 or 6 days between spotting episodes. I've been imposing my own no sex ban on dh and I'm not doing any exercise but I can't really avoid looking after my 1 year old but every time I get spotting I feel awful that I've done something to cause this. I've got a consultant appt next weds (not related to my placenta; tbh its luck that I have a kidney problem so they are keeping and eye on me for that and I can ask about this at the same time) so I'm hoping I'll get some more clarification and support about what is happening. In fact perhaps I'll see if I can see someone earlier. You're right i don't want to put me or the baby at risk and I have this weird thing of telling everyone I feel ok about it all but actually I'm freaking out underneath! How many weeks are you Emsyboo, have they said you will definitely need a c section? x

I am 32 weeks have another scan at 34 weeks realistically as it hasn't moved and where it is they think I will need a c section I am grade 4 previa completely covering it would need to move away from cervix by a good few cms to have a vaginal delivery as the cervix dilating would tear apart the placenta (sorry for graphic imagery)
Not giving up hope but need to be realistic.
I would def get the position confirmed they do internal scans on me to check position as well as normal tummy scan.
Sorry you are having problems with your kidneys as well but hopefully you will get better advice and answers.
It is not your fault this is quite common happens in 1 in 200 pregnancies and then 50% move fingers crossed you will be in that half but if not it isn't the end of the world. Typically it's more likely if you already have a child, or if you had a c section I had infections after my DS was born and needed surgery to sort Di they think the scarring on my uterus from this meant placenta couldn't attach but people can get it first baby no previous issues it's just one of those things.
It is hard with a little one but you find ways to manage you must be worse as my 2 year old is a lot more Independent now so a bit less lifting but he's still my baby and needs cuddles

Hi, how did it go for you?

I was told mine was low lying at my 20 week scan. Apparently 9 times out of 10 they move but I had my rescan yesterday at 32 weeks and it has now moved into a major placenta praieva. Which means my dreams of having a natural labour is gone. They are rescanning in three weeks but there isn't much hope. Any bleeding needs to be brought to their attention. And I think especially in my case getting closer to the end date as it can be really dangerous. I haven't had any bleeding yet with mine touch wood but I'll be going straight in if there is. Xx I do hope it moves out of the way for you though

I hope all goes well for you. For me, all I want is a baby so I don’t care how but I’m worried that this situation can cause me some issues. I’m only 20 weeks with low lying posterior placenta and had a few episodes of spotting. Emotional rollercoaster!