Low lying placenta....a few questions

[2Labradors]

I'm pregnant with my 3rd baby. All ok in previous pregnancies although 1st baby was forceps and I lost a lot of blood. Baby 2's birth was all good.

I had my 20 week scan yesterday (at 19 weeks + 4) and then saw my consultant this morning (midwife said the appointment is prob due to bleeding during 1st birth as no longer routine in this area)

I was told today that I have a low lying placenta and have to be re-scanned at 34 weeks. If it's still low she said they would look at admitting me at 36 weeks until baby is born by c section.

I knew nothing about it, nothing was mentioned at yesterdays scan, so didn't have any questions with me, but am thinking of lots as the day goes on.

I already have another scan booked at 23 weeks as they couldn't complete all the checks yesterday. I told the consultant this, although she knew, but I still need this scan at 34 weeks. Does this mean that, at my 23 week scan, if its moved up then it may move back down at 34 weeks?

Is the concern with a low lying placenta that it might obstruct the way out when giving birth? Or are there other concerns? I was told to ring straight away if I have any bleeding. Am I more prone to bleed with a low lying placenta?

Was just hoping for a bit of advice from others who may have had this in pregnancy. I googled just once but I'm reluctant to google again.

Thanks for any advice. I'm really hoping it moves up on its own as baby gets bigger.

From my limited knowledge of the answers I got when asking about my anterior placenta, most low lying ones move up and out of the way as your uterus grows, and by the time you have the scan at 34 weeks that will probably be the case. The main worry as you say above is if its blocking the cervix then you cant deliver naturally, and it does make you more prone to bleeding. I dont think its a major concern at the moment so try not to worry too much, easier said than done I know! xx

I had my 20 week scan last week and my placenta is low lying, although it is 2cm from my cervix at present. I've been booked for a scan at 36 weeks to see where it's lying. If it hasn't moved I will be booked for c-section. That's all I was told really. I don't think it's anything to worry about and that its more than likely going to move as the pregnancy progresses. Sorry I can't be more help.

They mostlymove up as the uterus grows. They don't move back down. I think if there's bleeding it could be a placental abruption. They really truly do overwhelmingly shift out of the way by the 32 week scan though. I had one and googled a lot! (something like 90% I think).

Thanks for your replies. It's hard not to worry. I'm really hoping that it moves up.

Just to add to what others have said, with ds2 my placenta was completely blocking the cervix at 20 week scan and I was told that because it was actually covering then it was unlikely to move. When I went for my scan at 34 weeks it had moved but not enough. Scanned again at 36 weeks and it was clear! So really the chances are very much in your favour that it will move. I'm surprised they told you that if if it didn't move you'd have to stay in from 36 weeks. I asked about this as I'd read it somewhere and my hospital told me that was a very old fashioned approach and they would only keep someone in if they were having bad bleeds.

I had to have an extra scan at 34 weeks for this reason too. That was last week and it's moved up fine. Most do.

I asked the consultant how frequently they have to CS because of placenta previa. In a busy London hospital they do 1 or 2 a month, so it's not likely.

It's just a possibility they couldn't rule out at 20 weeks, so they scan again. There's nothing you can do about it - just look forward to seeing your baby again in a few months!

The reason they wait that late is because the uterus does most of its expanding after 30 weeks, so 23 would be too early to tell.

You could tho take the opportunity to find out more about it ie how close it is or if it's covering the cervix, whether it's front or back.

It does seem to be handled very differently depending on where you live... I found out that the placenta was 8mm from cervical os at 20 weeks - definitely too close for birth at that stage. But I found out at 32weeks that here they 'don't bother' rescanning later on unless it totally covers os at 20 weeks. I just have to hope that mine is in the 90-odd per cent!

Good luck, don't worry and hope it moves up. Most do :)

Hi my placenta is also 8mm away from cervix. Did yours ever move up in the end?