Placenta praevia at 22 week scan

[Smerlin]

Hi all

I had my 20 week scan at 22 weeks last week and baby was fine which is great news!

Me slightly less so apparently as I have a low- lying placenta (placenta praevia).

I had two sonographers- one said he thought it would move up by next scan, the other said she didn't think so! They didn't say much other than that- just that they would review at my 32 week scan and to call up if I had any bleeding.

Of course I've come home and researched and now I'm really worried. Less worried about possibly having to have a C section than I am about having a big bleed and having to be hospitalised.

I've found the supportive thread on here for people hospitalised with PP but is there not a chance it will heal as it were?

Anyone had this and it's just gone away? Or they had a planned c section without issues before hand?

Everyone is telling me not to worry but maybe I should be resting? Or in fact getting everything ready for the baby while I'm still in the second trimester??

Had this twice now and have had two different experiences.

Baby 1- had 14 separate bleeds and ended up spending the final month in hospital. I'm rhesus negative, so the bleeding was extra complicated.

Baby 2 (now)- placenta has moved up and all is fine. No complications and I'll, hopefully, be giving birth normally.

p.s. don't panic. As far as I know, resting doesn't particularly help. You're not allowed to fly and probably horse riding/ parachuting are not good activities, but otherwise either your placenta will move up, or it won't.

The 'sex bleed' was a bit embarrassing, I'll grant you. I had none of those in the first pregnancy, but the only bleed I've had this time (about 22 weeks) was due to sex. Basically everybody we saw in the hospital had to be made aware of it......we haven't had sex since because it isn't worth a hospital trip!

Thanks glup. Did you get everything ready for this baby, hosp bag etc early in case of being hospitalised again?

Hi Smerlin, try not to panic now cos from what people posted on my pp hospital thread said, it seems that lots of people's placentas do move by the time they get to the 32 week scan point, my consultant also told me that so don't lose hope, fingers crossed it will move for you.

She also said as well as luck, it moving can also depend on what grade pp you have initially - did they tell you that? I'd have hoped they would have told you if it was near, slightly touching or covering it etc?? That said, there was a lady on the thread who was told she had complete pp and was all set for a c section only to find that at the last min, hers had moved and she could have a natural birth after all! Hope that gives you hope but best to be prepared just in case.

Thinking of you xx

No I wish they had told me - I didn't know to ask before doing all the research online.

My scan report literally says "low lying placenta (placenta praevia). Review at 32 weeks." and nothing else.

Oh how annoying. I wouldn't have thought to ask either to be fair, I'd never heard of pp at that point.

Could you call the hospital and ask them? Or have you done so already and they've just told you what you just wrote above/is written on the scan report? Perhaps get your midwife to chase?

I've got pp too I'm 25 weeks now I read it all online and freaked me out alot my 1st pregnancy was a breeze (ok minus constant heartburn and usual aches and pains) but with this one I have pp constant heartburn on and off nausea, more aches and pains as usual etc.

people are constantly telling me to take it easy and not to Stress but I think it's alot easier said than done with my active 2yr old ds and constant hospital visits (literally the past 2 months I have had dm in hospital with a rare brain infection and being told she may day or have perm brain damage in hospital dsis with appendicitis in hospital dp in hospital with severe tonsillitis to the point he was struggling to breath talk etc).

I know how you feel though as its quite scary to know the bad things that could happen with this I think I'm more scared of going into hospital and being away from ds.

I'm 30 weeks and have low lying placenta. I spoke to my midwife who said 95% will move by 32 weeks and also it's not actually placenta previa until you're about due to give birth. They really shouldn't be using this term as a google search will potentially lead to unnecessary worry.

I've been ordered to have pelvic rest (no sex, boo) and not to lift anything heavy, which is fairly standard.

My placenta at 20 weeks was covering the cervix so very low. On the plus side its anterior so has more chance of moving as the front of you womb expands and moves more.

I've got my scan in a couple of weeks and fingers crossed it will have moved. I've had no bleeding which is a positive sign. Fingers crossed. It's just a waiting game.

Hmm funny how they actually wrote praevia on my notes then- you're right - it doesn't help with the Googling!

I wasn't given any advice about pelvic rest or no lifting- does that happen in every case? I don't want to stop having sex if it's not necessary!!!

Have a midwife appt in two weeks so will ask then I guess...

I think the advice varies depending on the hospital you're at. The thing to remember is that low lying placenta is very common and in 95% of cases it moves. Pretty good odds.