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Original poster

Low lying placenta reaching external OS

26 replies

MissTwister · 12/03/2015 11:52

I had my 20 week scan today- baby is happy and healthy!

However, I was told I have a 'low lying placenta reaching external OS.' It is posterior. I understand that some of these move before birth and the sonographer recommended another scan at 32 weeks. However she didn't seem that encouraged that it would move saying it 'could be hard.'

I have a couple of questions:

if she said reaching external OS does that mean it is not covering it (as in Placenta Praevia?)
she didn't mention anything about avoiding sex or heavy lifting but I have read online that many people are told to avoid this?
She said there were no implications for me or the baby - again looking online that doesn't look correct if it continues!

It was done at the fetal medical centre so I would assume they know what they're talking about but it seems at odds with things I have since read...Any advice would be appreciated

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SophieandHerSnail · 12/03/2015 12:43

I don't know much. But - I have an anterior placenta 1.6mm from the os, apparently they want it to be 2mm away. This is not placenta previa as far as I can tell. I also was not told to avoid anything so haven't. I imagine she meant there are no implications as far as pregnancy goes, the issues come with labouring vaginally. I was told 90% of the time the placenta is out of the way by the 34w scan.

RhiannonElward · 12/03/2015 13:15

OP the fact that your placenta is posterior makes it less likely to move as most of the stretching takes place at the front, but you should be fine. I had complete previa which couldn't have been lower (typical of me to be awkward) and although it didn't move I had an easy pregnancy and a stress free planned c-section. I wouldn't worry too much, most low placentas move and they're great at dealing with it. I will say though, if you have any bleeding get yourself straight to hospital, no messing about.

makesomenoise · 12/03/2015 13:19

I had this at 20 weeks, am now 32 and have a scan booked at 34 wks to check if it has moved. They didn't seem too concerned although I was advised no sex and no internal examinations. Any bleeding get yourself to hospital asap. Our hospital will admit you at 36 weeks if the placenta hasn't moved.... I am quite worried about this as have two other children to look after so really hoping it has shifted!

TynesideBlonde · 12/03/2015 13:50

If there is no movement at 36 weeks you will be admitted until delivery & given a date for ELCS. I was very worried about surgery and had 2 further scans (ask for transvaginal as it is far more accurate). My placenta moved one day before my ELCS date but after a good chat with the consultant I went ahead with surgery as with only 1.5mm clearance he felt it was 50:50 that I could end up in EMCS which was my least favoured outcome. My surgery was actually a lovey experience (total surprise as I am massive coward/ scared of needles etc) and I recovered well. Was able to walk about quarter of a mile to where DH had parked the car 3 days later when I was discharged....

Original poster

MissTwister · 12/03/2015 13:50

Thanks for your responses. I was just reading the below link and it's freaking me out as it says I should be near a hospital and have someone with me at all times! I am off to rural Cornwall soon - should I not go!?

www.babycentre.co.uk/a830/low-lying-placenta-after-20-weeks-placenta-praevia#ixzz3UB7fa1Ix

makesomenoise I wonder why you have been told to avoid sex etc when others haven't. They don't seem to be consistent with this.

Also the sonographer just said to me it would be a C section at 39 weeks - nothing about hospitals etc.

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Original poster

MissTwister · 12/03/2015 13:57

RhiannonElward did you have to be hospitalised before the C-Section?

I just feel the sonographer was so matter of fact but this actually seems quite significant!!!

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beckworth · 12/03/2015 14:02

I had this, exact same description. I wasn't advised to avoid anything or do anything special, but was booked in for a rescan at 30 something weeks, but ended up having bleeding mid pregnancy. The doctors at the hospital were convinced the low lying placenta was the cause, but actually when they scanned me it had moved well away. Bleeding stopped (remained unexplained, apparently that's fairly common), baby fine. I guess what I'm trying to say is it can move, and you could have to get to a hospital anyway, for unrelated reasons, so I would try not to worry.

wowiesis111 · 12/03/2015 14:23

Following.
I'm 25 weeks and also told I have low lying placenta.
Have another scan booked.
My worry is I tend to have small babies. A planned c section a few weeks early may mean an even tinier baby.
I'm praying mine moves! And equally trying not to worry until the scan. Easier said than done!

Kewrious · 12/03/2015 14:30

It's fine. If it's not covering but near the cervical OS, you don't need to panic. You need to call labour ward if there is any bleeding, but otherwise, if the placenta doesn't move (mine didn't) you will have a planned C-section at 39 weeks. There are various grades of PP, I wouldn't worry yet. I worked (with a 45 minute commute) up to Week 38. If they haven't told you to be too careful and you haven't bled up to this point, I wouldnt overly worry. Also I wasn't admitted into hospital or anything. I was booked for an ELCS at 39 weeks. Went into labour at 38+2 and had an EMCS but it wasn't an 'emergency' as such, and was calm and lovely with a quick recovery.

Original poster

MissTwister · 12/03/2015 14:47

Thanks so much Kewrious that's so reassuring.

I was just so surprised at what I read online as the sonographer had been so blase about it just saying I'd need a C-Section at 39 weeks. To read online all this stuff about hospitalisation and major bleeding is a bit terrifying.

To make this worse I had the scan at the FMC so now I need to somehow transfer all this info to my doctor/midwifes who are a challenge to reach at the best of time......

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Original poster

MissTwister · 13/03/2015 07:19

Thanks for all your help - still trying to get head around it all....

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iwantkhaleesiseyebrows · 13/03/2015 10:15

Hello MissTwister. I've also got a posterior low lying placenta which reaches internal os (apparently it overlaps cervix by about 1cm). I've been told it may move and I
have a rescan at 32 weeks. At my 20 week scan I was told no sex, no heavy lifting, no flying etc. It's scary but so far no bleeds and touch wood it stays that way.

Although posterior placentas are less likely to move my consultant has said that in some ways it is better than having an anterior one (which doesn't move) as easier to do the c-section.

I've been told to go straight to hospital if any bleeding - even if spotting when wiping.

I was in a bit of a shock like you when I first found out. I'm now 27 weeks and have got my head round it. Stay off google- there are lots of horror stories but equally many women have placenta previa with no symptoms at all. My consultant said (at 21 weeks) that it was reassuring I hadn't bled that far. Women tend to fall in the bleeding or non-bleeding camp from quite early - though as the pregnancy progresses in the third trimester bleeds will become more likely regardless.

Also, from what I've been told placenta previa is graded - grade 1 is low lying, grade 2 is reaching cervix (but I think a certain distance away), grade 3 is slightly overlapping cervix (what I have) and grade 4 fully covering cervix. A c-section must be had with grade 3 and 4. A vaginal delivery sometimes possible with grade 2.

iwantkhaleesiseyebrows · 13/03/2015 10:18

Oh and I also had a private scan at 26 weeks (4d one). I asked the sonographer (who works on nhs at kings so part of FMC team) to check the placenta - it hadn't moved much but she was also very blasé about it. Didn't say it would be a problem and didn't give any advice- totally different attitude to the sonographer who did my 20 week scan at st thomas. Strange how much they seem to vary in their advice!

Original poster

MissTwister · 13/03/2015 13:10

Thanks very much for your reply. So who told you the no sex, flying etc was it the sonographer or the consultant? My sonographer said no restrictions / implications (apart from C section) and didnt mention bleeding risk at all. Then I saw a GP today who said the same thing - no restrictions and bleeding unlikely. Although she said try 'gentle sex' but I think she was joking!!!

You mentioned a consultant - were you referred because of this? as again they said to me no need, just a scan at 32 weeks

So confusing!

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iwantkhaleesiseyebrows · 13/03/2015 16:10

The sonographer told me no sex, flying, lifting etc. I'm under consultant care due to previous problematic pregnancies. The consultant reaffirmed what the sonographer said but did say if we really must have sex it mustn't be deep

She said there is nothing that can be done at this stage so I was under the impression that you'd perhaps only see a consultant with placenta previa after 32/34 weeks - most placentas do move!

Original poster

MissTwister · 13/03/2015 17:23

Thanks so much. I'm not planning on flying anywhere anyway and as for sex....

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zippygeorgebungle · 13/03/2015 21:10

Hello
I have a total previa, completely covering. I was told at the twenty week scan and had to see the registrar afterwards. They said be careful but that flying was ok; and that it was unlikely to move because of the extent of coverage, but the majority of low lying ones do (just totally covering ones generally don't apparently). I'm 29 weeks now and no bleeding, still working, but I did decide against a planned holiday abroad at 26 weeks just in case and I have limited travel where possible. A further scan is booked at 34 weeks and a c section will be booked for 39 weeks
good luck

RhiannonElward · 14/03/2015 09:10

Sorry for the late reply but Miss Twister I was hospitalised from 36 weeks, but I live quite a way (about an hour in traffic) from my nearest hospital. I was let out for a picnic and a meal with DP and DS too, and told I might have been allowed the odd night home if I'd been closer. I think if I'd had bleeds this would have been impossible though.

Koalafications · 14/03/2015 09:25

I have a low lying placenta. I wasn't told what grade it was or what precautions to take so have checked on the NHS website.

I'm not sure why the sonographers don't tell women the risk factors and what to avoid. I didn't see my midwife again until 27 weeks so coulld have been having rough sex, running and heavy lifting (not that I would do that anyway!) had I not read it up online.

So, I'm really hoping my placenta moves, but if it doesn't a planned c-section isn't (or shouldn't be) the end of the world. I just don't think I could face being admitted to hospital from 36 weeks. I would be bored out of my mind!

RhiannonElward · 14/03/2015 09:27

The guidelines for c-sections with previa stipulate that you get the most experienced surgeon/team and the operation can take a bit longer due to excess blood loss. I lost double what is normally lost through a c-section, this is because the womb doesn't contract as well low down as it does higher up so they can have trouble stopping it. DP saw some people leave the surgery table and they were covered in blood, but I was happily kissing my baby's face by this point and blissfully unaware that my bottom half was like some sort of horror film.

To counter the blood loss, they will normally take some blood from you every few days while you're in hospital so you have your own blood ready if you need it. I didn't, but I was anaemic as hell for the first few days and kept falling asleep. I second the don't Google advice too, I did and it was horrible. So long as you follow the advice and get to hospital after any spotting then you'll be fine, they are very good at dealing with it. If they suspect you might need an early delivery then you'll be given steroids to mature the baby's lungs, I had that but she was still only 6lb 3oz at 39 weeks, I bf her until she was 2 and she's so healthy she's never even had to visit a doctor, she's 3 in June.

Anyway, you're in good hands and you'll be dealt with by the best available to you, so even if nothing moves you'll be okay.

Original poster

MissTwister · 14/03/2015 09:40

Thank you all so much for your replies.

Would any of you hesitate to go on holiday to Cornwall at 25-26 weeks where I am an hour from a hospital?

My GP said not to worry but she also said bleeds start off small and I don't need to avoid anything. I don't want to get hospitalised and stuck in Cornwall for 10 weeks - as lovely as Cornwall is!!!

OP posts:

RhiannonElward · 14/03/2015 09:45

I was an hour from a hospital until 36 weeks so you can go, and you're unlikely to be stuck there for the whole 10 weeks even if you do have a bleed so go and enjoy yourself :)

Koalafications · 14/03/2015 10:01

Personally, I would go and just be very careful about the amount of exercise etc that I did.

But, you do need to sake sure that you are comfortable with the risks that you take.

iwantkhaleesiseyebrows · 14/03/2015 14:41

MissTwister I've had the same predicament about going on holiday (to paris via Eurostar) at 28 weeks. Consultant has given me the go ahead. At first I was going to cancel but have decided that I'm just going to take it easy whilst there

NK5BM3 · 14/03/2015 14:53

I had that which was only discovered at 30 weeks. Stage 4 pp.

I never had a bleed but was signed off work from then. Had a planned c section at 39 weeks and ds was 8 lbs 1. I'm 5ft 3 and usually a size 8!

Everything went v well and v smoothly. I was 40min away from the hospital and dh worked 20 min away so if I did have a bleed they said to ring the ambulance and come ASAP.

Bf till he was 2 and only because I was pregnant again and it hurt to feed. Dd was born vbac which frankly was more traumatic with blood transfusions and Scbu involved!

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