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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Placenta blocking baby's exit route

16 replies

LisaC2611 · 12/08/2014 13:32

I had a second 20 week scan today, am 23+3, because we have an uncooperative baby and they could not do all the anomoly checks at the first 20 week scan.

At each of the past 3 scans (16w, 20w and 23w) they have said that my placenta is low and is blocking the baby's exit route. They are going to rescan at 32 weeks to see if it has moved and if it hasn't they will rescan again at 36 weeks. I am assuming that if it hasn't moved by then they will say I have to have a c-section.

I would really prefer to try a natural birth as this is DC1 but if it has to be a sunroof exit then as long as baby is healthy I'm not that bothered to be fair.

Was just wondering if anyone else has had this and if it has corrected itself? If not how long did it take to get over the c-section?

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YokoUhOh · 12/08/2014 13:36

My placenta praevia corrected itself - 9/10 do this before term. As the uterus grows, it moves out of the way. Good luck!

YokoUhOh · 12/08/2014 13:38

Sorry, I meant that in 9 out of 10 cases, the placenta moves before the baby arrives. You have a scan at 34 weeks to check whether or not this has happened.

slightlyinsane · 12/08/2014 13:41

Yep mine did, with twins it only took 3 wks to be out of the way enough not to need a section

FoxSticks · 12/08/2014 13:42

Mine had moved as well by the 34 week scan, fingers crossed for you.

Pinksun12 · 12/08/2014 13:47

Mine didn't. Started heavily bleeding at 32 weeks and had to stay in hospital until c section at 37 weeks. Was a bit of a shock since I only spoke to the sonographer at the 20 week scan about it and wasn't aware that I shouldn't dtd (orgasms can cause contractions which then can cause bleedings) and that I shouldn't lift my toddler. And I also planned an international move for when I was 33 weeks. Ok, that was a slightly silly idea. But I wished the gp or the midwife would have talked a little more about the risks when I asked them about it at the appointments.

dylanthedragon · 12/08/2014 13:53

Mine did move partially. We held out until the last minute so I also had a scan at 38 weeks. They decided it hadn't moved quite far enough so I had a c section at 39 weeks.

I found the operation to be very relaxed and I felt involved in what was happening even though i was behind the curtain. I recovered from the section really well. I was on my feet after about 8 hours, didn't need painkillers after 4/5 days and felt pretty much back to normal after a fortnight. Although obviously took it easy because I knew I was still healing on the inside.

But everyone is different so you will heal differently. If you get it into your head that the doctors say 6 weeks recovery, anything quicker can only be a bonus.

I know some people are dissapointed that they can't have a natural birth but placenta praevia is just one of those things that you don't want to take the risk with. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and remember that only 1 in 10 who are told they have a low placenta at 20 weeks end up needing a section because of it.

kaymondo · 12/08/2014 14:15

Mine was completely covering the exit at 20 weeks. By 34 weeks it was just overlapping and by 36 weeks it was clear. Most will move so think positive. But if you have to have a cs then it is really honestly fine. I had elective section rather than be induced with ds2 after failed induction and emergency section with ds1 and it was a really nice relaxed experience. Just make sure that you really do take it easy afterwards!

Original poster

LisaC2611 · 12/08/2014 14:51

Thanks for all the responses.

Pinksun, I haven't been told anything about not DTD, although to be fair (TMI Warning here) its very dry down there when we try to and I'm just not enjoying it at the moment. I think I will mention to my MW next week when I go about it and see if it is something I should be avoiding.

I did have some pinkish discharge a few weeks ago which I went to the maternity unit about but they didn't do any physical examination, just listened to the heartbeat. I wonder if that was somehow related as well.

Dylan and kay, nice to hear that your sections went smoothly. I'm really not worried about it either way, I just wanted to know what the odds of the placenta moving was and whether I should just plan (in my head of course) for a c-section.

OP posts:

KEGirlOnFire · 12/08/2014 14:56

OP, definitely keep an eye on it. My DSIS had very heavy bleeding at about 22 weeks, had no idea about the placenta previa (bizarrely it hadn't been picked up at the 20 week scan) and though she was having a MC bless her. Hers didn't move and she ended up having a C-Section.

No problems at all.

But any bleeding, just mention the placenta previa and get it checked out.

suze28 · 12/08/2014 15:12

When I had D2 I had PP which was identified at the 20 wk scan. I was re scanned at 36 wks where the edge of the placenta was 2cm past the top of my cervix meaning I was able to have a vaginal delivery.
I hope yours resolves too so you can achieve the birth you'd like.

porcito · 12/08/2014 15:27

Mine has also moved now and I'm 33 weeks. I've had spotting all the way through which was due to the placenta previa - the baby's absolutely fine . My doctor also advised against any kind of sex, lifting, exercise etc. as it can irritate it. Good luck!

AnotherStitchInTime · 12/08/2014 15:37

I had low lying with dd2 and it moved. With ds I had it again and it didn't. I was told no dtd at my 20 week appointment. I had a massive scary bleed at 26 weeks and spent most of the next two months in hospital. Make sure you have emergency arrangements in place with people to call should you bleed and phone 999 for big bleed or hospital and go straight to the labour ward if any red blood, even a little. I was home within 2 days with my first two cs. Feeling pretty good after 3 weeks.

Pinksun12 · 12/08/2014 17:51

98% or something like that of low lying placentas do move so I wouldn't worry so much about having a cs in the end, I just wish I had known more about the risks. As advised I didn't google and didn't even know about any bleeds, they only talked about 'spotting'. I'm still traumatized by my first massive bleed. And as someone said before, on case you do bleed, ambulance or at least car or taxi to hospital straight away. Fingers crossed for you!

SilverLinings2014 · 12/08/2014 19:11

You might find this useful reading:

www.nhs.uk/ipgmedia/national/royal%20college%20of%20obstetricians%20and%20gynaecologists/assets/alow-lyingplacentaafter20weeksknwonasplacentapraevia.pdf

Most are carried out of the way by the expanding bump. If not at least you can have an elcs rather than finding out when in labour and having an emus. Good luck.

allduffedup · 16/08/2014 22:41

Mine moved by 36 weeks. I wasn't told anything about not DTD, or not lifting heavy things, just to go in if I had any bleeding (which I didn't).

VeryStressedMum · 16/08/2014 22:58

I had pp with dd2, I was booked for a cs but went into labour at 37-38 weeks and we were in the operating theatre to check where the placenta was and she had pushed her way past it they said, it had probably moved enough for her to get past it. So I had a vaginal birth.
I bled at 26 weeks and they gave me steroid injections and kept me in for a week. But I had no idea I had pp and after the bleed I carried on lifting car seat and dd1 and doing hoovering etc, as no one told me not to.

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