Placenta covering os? (cervix I think)

[samsmam]

I found out at 12 weeks that my placenta was overlaying the os. I had a consultant appointment today and was told it is very unlikely to move and that I was at increased risk of bleeding. Anyone else experienced this or anyones move for a natural birth?

How many weeks are you now samsmam?

16 weeks.

www.rcog.org.uk/resources/Public/pdf/placenta_previa_accreta.pdf

Its called placenta praevia. Loads of info on that link. Ignore the bits about "accreta" though (scary and rare!).

It says that even if your placenta is still touching the os at 20 weeks, the chances of it not moving and your needing a cs are only 11%. Unless you've had a cs in the past, in which case the odds are worse!

I had this last time. This time its low again - 20 week scan is tomorrow so I'll let you know if its moved or not!

Here is the Patient info sheet

www.rcog.org.uk/resources/public/pdf/placentapraevia_patient_info_1205.pdf

i had placenta previa, at this stage though please don't worry too much or google too much relax and enjoy being pregnant.

i had a c-section at 37 weeks and was really looked after by a consultant in hospital.

Even when the placenta is totally covering the internal os, at 16 weeks, no one can say that this will still be the case later in the pregnancy.

Regular scans will determine whether the placenta has 'moved up'

Please don't worry about this unecessesarily(sp)

Lots of ladies initially have a low lying placenta, and as the pregnancy progresses the situation can change remakably.

You are aware now, and should you bleed , then it is important that you advise the people caring for you (keep your AN notes with you at all times).

A vaginal delivery is impossible with a true placenta praevia.

But search the internet and you will find there are 'grades' of placenta praevia.

Just to add a positive outcome to a Grade 4 Placenta previa....I started bleeding at 24 weeks, and scans quickly showed grade 4. I had to remain in hosp for 12 weeks (5 year old and 3 year old at home, hubby working abroad!) and had a few big bleeds, inc one at 28 weeks and one 32 weeks, but at 36 weeks I had a planned CS under general anaethetic and my little fellow arrived and it now a fit, healthy and happy little boy at primary school. So even when things look at their worst, there are many sucessful outcomes!

If the placenta is covering cervix (Grades 3 and 4 i think) then you should be offered an additional scan at 34 weeks to check whether it has moved. If it is just close to edge of cervix (grades 1 and 2) then you should be offered one at 36 weeks. Much more chance of it moving if the latter. At 20 week scan I was put in latter category so being scanned at 36 weeks - unless it has moved over cervix I should be okay for natural birth.

My best friend was grade 4 at 20 weeks, and had a bleeding scare at 34 weeks day before she went in for scan to check position. She was nearly hospitalised like woodchip but they discharged her as bleeding stopped quickly. She eventually had CS at 38 weeks and baby was a very healthy 8 1/2lb (and absolutely gorgeous!).

I think it is very common early on and in most cases will move, but if placenta stays covering all or part of cervix then you will have to have a CS.