low lowing placenta, is this a concern?

[blondebaby111]

At my 20week scan I got told my placenta was quite low and they would like to rescan me at 36 weeks. She said its not a concern and would prob move up by then.

But, me being me googled it and I've frightened myself, is this anything to worry about and am I right that you shouldn't have sex??

Stupid phone, that should say low lying on the thread title!!

It does usually move up. If, when they rescan you, it was covering your cervix you would need to have a Caesarian. But I don't think it's something to worry about per se - you are being monitored

I had this at 20 weeks and at my rescan this week it had moved up to 8cm away from the cervix. 1 in 10 people have this at the 20 week scan and almost all of them move in time for labour.

You would have been told if sex was dangerous for you. It will only be if the placenta was actually covering the cervix I think. It sounds like yours is just low down like mine was and you can carry on as usual. I wasn't told to do/no do anything differently. It will probably move itself and there is nothing you can do to change it. You could always call your midwife to check if you are still worried.

Hello, I'm a self appointed expert, having suffered twice.

With DD1, all the advice I was given was that if I get any bleeding, call the labour ward. I knew 3 other people who had placenta praevia, and all 3 had a planned CS at 38 weeks, I assumed I would be the same....At 33.5 weeks I passed an enormous clot, called labour ward, was admitted, until DD born at 37.5 weeks. I would have been released, but suffered intermittent bleeding from admission onwards.

With DD2, I was told at 21 weeks the placenta was low, so immediately packed my hospital bag. The advice I received was very different. They tried to get a consultant to see me immediately, but ended up the following week. Instructions were: no sex, no flying (bang went the hen weekend in Krakow) and loads more I can't remember. I was admitted at 24 weeks, 26 weeks, 31 weeks, three times at 33 weeks and then kept in. Emergency section at 36+1. At various times I could not be on my own at all (very frustrating and did lead to a paddy!), could not be more than 20 minutes from the hospital......

My advice would be, have a bag packed just in case, keep your notes close to hand.

Remember, none of my friends had any problems, but ask your MW for advice.

By the way, as Orangeblossom mentioned, my placenta completely covered my cervix both times. Classed as grade 4, as bad as it can be.

I had this and it moved up just fine before d-day. Hope yours does too!

I had exactly the same and it caused a little bit of bleeding but it lifted up as my bump got bigger. And the later scan showed all was good.

I get a scan every month because I'm diabetic and at a scan when I was about 16 weeks my placenta was noted as being low, at my 20 week scan it was in the normal position. Apparently the earlier its seen the more likely it is to move so wouldn't worry too much about it just yet.

I had my 20 week scan last week and was told I have low lying placenta too. I was told if I had ANY bleeding at all then to contact them but was given no other advice so I consulted Dr google. The general consensus is to avoid heaving lifting/strenuous excercise and sex - I asked a midwife friend about this and she agreed with dr google.

Also, it appears that the majority of women have their placentas move in time for the birth otherwise it will mean a c-section birth (I'm really really hoping mine moves as I'm terrified of a c-section). Hope yours does too x

Stillpukin, I have had 2 sections, and they aren't too bad. The way I rationalised it was a section gave me a live baby and I was alive to appreciate it.

I have just remembered being told not to push a shopping trolley, so got into shopping online, still do it as I prefer not to drag 3 DC to Tesco some posh supermarket.

Thanx for all your replies. A cs doesn't worry me, as long as baby is here safe that's the main thing but i wasn't sure if I should or shouldn't be doing anything. You don't think at the time to ask questions, its only afterwards x

I had a low lying placenta which was right over the cervix. It moved at 35 weeks and I had a natural labour ! Best of luck , as long as the doctors know about it you'll be in great hands !