Why do I need a scan at 39 weeks to check that my placenta is working OK?

[Gingerbear]

The consultant said something about my age and placental function being related to maternal age.

Why is there always something to worry about?

We talked about placenta praevia, placenta accreta and other things that might go wrong.

I suppose I should be grateful that they have monitored me so closely during my pregnancy.

At least I now know that the baby is head down, and all things being well, I will be left alone until 42 weeks.

So am just praying that my labour will start soon.

(Am reading Ina May and thinking positively)

read sheila kitzinger 'birth over 35'..am presuming that is applicable ?? if baby is moving , and your bump is the right size, i would have thought your placenta is probably functioning fine.....from 38 weeks onwards i think it does start to work slightly less efficiently, (that is for all pregnancies, not just if you are of a certain age) and it can stop working as well post dates, but not always... a scan to check it is not beyond the realms of what is acceptbale, but i would have thought that if they are managing your pregnancy very conservatively, they might use a scan as a way to push for more intervention..ifyswim.....was your last antenatal check ok? you could ask for a scan at 40 + weeks?

Hi Lulu. Loads of movements, bump size fine. I too thought that they only started checking you this closely after 40 weeks.
My last antenatal check was last Friday - 38+2 and other than slightly raised BP (I put that down to DD having a hissy fit before school that morning!) everything was fine.

I can always say no to any intervention. They want me in the hospital at any sign of labour, but I really want to labour at home as long as possible.

i cant see why they are so panicky. do you have a pregnancy related condition ?

cx

are the being ultra cautious due to age & wanting to VBAC? slightly raised BP alone is not an issue on its own, with swelling and protein, that would give cause for concern....

Herts - no pregnancy related condition - other than I am 43 and this will be a VBAC after a 'failure to progress' c-section with DD 5 years ago.

Lulu, No swelling, no protein.

I feel fine!

i cant see why all this intervention. i have known and 48yo first time mum and she didnt have these scans etc offered.

only do what you feel comfotable with.

take a look at aims.org.uk for vbac info, its really inspiring reading some of the birth stories.

good luck with everything, i hope your birth is amazing.

cx

thank you hertsnessex
I have read some of AIMS website. Also, I know Marslady recently had a VBAC mum whose outcome was fantastic - laboured at home for as long as possible, then transfer to hospital and natural birth.

let us know how you get on x

Lulu, I hope you and herts and Mars will be around when I start!!

me tooooooooo!

hope your doing well gb.

cx

GB we're almost ante-natal twins, I'm 42 & pg with DC2 5 years after my first DD. I'm also having scans at 30 & 34 weeks with more after dependent on those outcomes. I had suspected placenta praevia during delivery last time but it turned out to be wrong, DD was in distress & I wasn't progressing either so section was best option really. I've also got an underactive thyroid so I believe that is one of the reasons I'm being scanned. I'm GBS positive so will have to go in fairly early which I'm a bit p*d off about as I'd like to try for VBAC & stay at home as long as poss. I'm not due till November tho' so I'll look forward to reading about your experience & hope it's positive regardless of how it goes.

Jbck, just to say that you can still labour for a while at home - as long as your waters havent broken its fine. you dont have to 'rush' in at the first sign,.

good luck.

cx

hello jbck. I hope everything goes well for you. What is GBS?
I want to stay home for as long as possible. I made the mistake of going in as soon as my waters broke last time around - they kept me in and my labour stalled. Then followed failed induction, flat on back strapped to monitor, epidural, failure to progress, foetal distress and resultant c-section.

I would go for a home birth if I wasn't so chicken and far away from the hospital.

GB Group B Strep so I need antibiotics during labour to prevent baby from possibly becoming infected. I'd never consider a home-birth I've got cream carpets When is your EDD?
HnE I'd be a bit nervous that I didn't get there in time as I think to have proper effect you need to have them in at least 4 hours before birth, altho' given that I didn't progress beyond 7 cms last time it's unlikely this wee one will be bounding out in a couple of hours. You never know tho' [hopeful emoticon]

they do have to give 4hrs before birth - but as no one knows when this is, dont go rushing in unless you feel more comfortable to do so.

good luck.

cx