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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

35 weeks maturing Placenta..sign of early labour?

24 replies

Rosi393 · 23/05/2016 10:53

Last week at my 35 week scan, midwife said look at the white in your placenta that's it maturing that could be a sign of early labour. I didn't really think anything of it. She said come back at 38 weeks, then when I was leaving she said you might not be back you could have your baby by then. so this got me thinking dies she know something I don't? Anyone else any experience with this?

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Original poster

Rosi393 · 24/05/2016 10:48

bump

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bessie84 · 24/05/2016 11:14

did you see consultant after your scan and tell him what she said?

Original poster

Rosi393 · 24/05/2016 13:19

No it was an apt with the mw just. she didn't seem too concerned or say we may keep an eye on it or anything.

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Dutch212 · 24/05/2016 13:28

Do you have diabetes? I would be a little concerned to have a maturing placenta this early. When are they next checking you? Keep aware of baby movement and don't hesitate to get checked out if you are worried.

I say none of this to be alarmist but because I have experience of this.

Original poster

Rosi393 · 24/05/2016 13:50

No diabetes. I have a low risk pregnancy with no issues. I'm not due back now until 38 weeks. Yes will keep an eye to movements. What was your experience?

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Dutch212 · 24/05/2016 14:04

I had diabetes. My placenta matured too quickly, luckily I was aware of this risk and went to get checked when movements were reduced. They induced me pre-term as a result, there and then. They told me had I not gone in when I did things could have ended badly.

Original poster

Rosi393 · 24/05/2016 14:19

were your movements considerably reduced?

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Dutch212 · 24/05/2016 14:33

Yeah. I couldn't remember if baby had moved since lunch, but it was bedtime when baby was really active and despite cold drinks, laying on left and poking baby was hardly moving. Heartbeat was fine when I got to hospital (which is why you shouldn't rely on a Doppler) but was kept in and monitored and scan showed less blood pressure in cord or something and they decided to induce.

Original poster

Rosi393 · 24/05/2016 14:57

thanks very much for the advice, I will be closely monitoring and go to MAU if any issues arise

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bessie84 · 24/05/2016 15:02

im so glad dutch came along, i didnt know how to word it, a maturing placenta isnt good. please keep an eye on your movements.

when theres "white" in your placenta, its not working as it should, however, i dont think that can be seen on a scan, i think its more a doppler scan that checks blood flow to placenta. ? is that right dutch ? thats why i asked if you'd seen a consultant, surely a midwife wouldnt really know...however consultant/doctor would.

ive had a stillbirth and emergency section due to maturing placenta (when examined after, contained white in it)

keep eye on your movements. everyones different, maybe you will have baby early and we just got the crap end of the stick.

Dutch212 · 24/05/2016 15:29

They were able to look at cord on scan and listen to flow through it and it obviously sounded wrong. It was highlighted on the scan.

Dutch212 · 24/05/2016 15:30

Bessie I'm so sorry for your losses xxx

Dutch212 · 24/05/2016 15:37

It was called calcification of the placenta, where it had gone white. Please don't panic, I don't want to scare you. Just be very vigilant and never worry about going in if you are worried.

bessie84 · 24/05/2016 15:39

Thanks dutch, im glad you god your baby our on time. im very vigilant now with movements (33 weeks now) dd1 was stillborn due to placenta (obviously not felt movements), DS was emergency section due to placenta (went in with extremely reduced movements, in fact only time i felt him move was when he had hiccups) DD2, was totally fine, few movement issues - born early by hospital choice at 38 weeks to save stress / issues. this baby is been monitored with scans and will also be born a bit earlier.

xxx

Original poster

Rosi393 · 24/05/2016 15:40

Bessie sorry to hear about your loss xx

Yes the white(calcification) was seen on the scan and she showed that to me saying that this was it maturing. Any other scan I have had the placenta was always dark. She checked the blood flow to the cord and listened and said it was fine, do you think I should maybe ask for another appt for a 2nd opinion?

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bessie84 · 24/05/2016 15:44

thanks rosi dont meant to come accross as drastic xxx id ask for another scan / 2nd opnion / to be referred to a consultant. blood flow is good, so thats fab. x

Dutch212 · 24/05/2016 16:45

Yeah I would ask to be checked again

Original poster

Rosi393 · 24/05/2016 17:02

Yeah think you are right, it can do no harm and put my mind at ease. Thanks for your replies.

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chloechloe · 25/05/2016 09:29

Hi there rosi I was induced at 5 days overdue as the placenta was starting to fail and I had very little amniotic fluid. This was determined from an US where they also checked the bloodflow through the placenta which was a cause for concern in my case (but not in yours I see!) I ended up having an EMCS 12 hours into the induction as I hadn't even gone into labour and the baby was already struggling and would not have coped with a natural labour. It was all fine though and my baby was perfectly healthy with great Apgar scores.

It was explained to me that the placenta is similar to fresh food (!) in that it has a best before date, which should be 40 weeks. Towards the end of the pregnancy it is usual for the placenta to start to deteriorate and calcify (the white dots you see on the scan). It doesn't necessarily mean you will go into labour early though. It was a surprise for me that my baby was no longer being optimally provided for yet didn't want to make an appearance.

I guess in summary what I want to say is that it is not necessarily a cause for concern. But please pay attention to the baby's movements and go in to hospital if the baby seems to be quieter than usual.

Hope this helps.

Original poster

Rosi393 · 25/05/2016 10:53

Thanks Chloe,
I had a look at my notes last night and the MW noted that my placenta was grade 2-3. From doing some research grade 3 is the worse and not common before 37 weeks.
From other sites people were saying they had extra scans and weekly NST due to this to ensure it was not deteriorating rapidly. I find it strange that this was not the case for mw...3 weeks seems to be a long time for next appt. Others in a similar situation stated they were induced early.
I am going in on Friday for an apt but will be vigilant for any change in movements.

OP posts:

chloechloe · 25/05/2016 11:05

Good that you're going in again on Friday. The hospital always said to me that they would rather expectant mothers go in one time too many than one time too few. Let us know how you get on!

bessie84 · 03/06/2016 15:56

how you got on rosi x

Original poster

Rosi393 · 04/06/2016 18:36

Hi Bessie
Sorry I completely forgot to reply here. I went last week and they checked the blood flow again which was fine and everything else looked good. I did ask the doctor was there anything to worry about the placenta and she said it's not the worst placenta I've seen. This shocked me but she said all was grand so that's really it.

OP posts:

bessie84 · 04/06/2016 19:31

thats good rosi - glad you got checked x

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