Low Lying Placenta

[nightwispa]

Hi all, have had my 32 week Scan today and been told my placenta is 17mm away from my cervix. Technically, I fall within the 'low average' range (cut off point is placenta being 1500mm away from cervix) for the hospital I'm due to give birth at.

Has anyone had any similar experiences? This is my first baby and I want a vaginal birth. I know there isn't anything I can do to make the placenta move up but has anyone found their placenta moved up closer to birth? Did anyone have a natural birth with their placenta being so low?

Anyone?

@nightwispa Hi I don't have personal experience on this but it definitely can move. A friend at work could not feel her baby kick for a long time which is normal however her placenta did move in her 3rd trimester and she had a vaginal water birth with a huge baby boy of over 12lbs! Everyone is different but it's possible that it will move.

In the end all you want is your baby delivered safe and sound! I was without pain relief for 18hrs ended up being prepped for EMCS but delivered with forceps. I would have done anything at the time to ensure he was safely delivered! Good luck.

You're right @Angelmiracle- the main thing is a safe and happy baby at the end of it all, it's just that a 2mm difference is beginning to panic me a bit! I'm trying to prepare myself mentally for birth (is that even possible?) but am feeling extra nervous now JUST IN CASE the Drs deem me suitable for a c-section at the last minute. I suppose I'll have to just go and see what happens...

It is very unlikely to move towards your cervix, if it moves it will be away as everything stretches as baby continues to grow. So as you are already outside the minimum measurement you should be ok for a vaginal birth as long as nothing else happens to complicate matters (like baby being transverse, or breech at a lot of hospitals also triggers c-section).

I'm waiting for my scan at 36wks to check the position of my placenta, and have been researching my options. My hospital also has 1.5cm as the cut off to 'attempt labour'. Basically the further away you get the better your chances, 5cm+ is no additional risk. I've read a study that says if the placenta is 2-5cm from os then there's a 70-80 per cent chance of a successful vaginal birth. Though I doubt their definition of 'successful vaginal birth' is the same as mine Have they given you any indication if they require additional monitoring, a cannula, etc? That's my dread actually, that I'll have an unpleasant intervention heavy labour (whichthen ends in a massive hemorrhage and EMCS)