Missed placenta previa at 20 week scan

[tmc14]

Hi
At my 20 week scan my placenta was listed as being high & posterior. Yesterday I had a growth scan at 30 weeks (due to age), and they said I had placenta previa, which the consultant then said would lead to an early section if it didn’t move in the next few weeks (next scan at 34 weeks).

Has anyone else had this? I was a bit surprised so didn’t ask enough questions... is it the 20 week one that is more likely wrong? I also don’t know what I’m supposed to do while I wait for the next scan in terms of exercise/rest etc. The consultant didn’t say anything but the RCOG website has scared me with all the potential complications. I’ve called and left a message for the consultant to call me so I can check what I’m supposed to be doing but haven’t heard back so thought I’d ask the hive mind if anyone has had similar or if you’re always supposed to rest/take it easy. I’m an active person with an energetic toddler but after reading about the dangers I’m worried as to what I’m supposed to be doing. Plus it’s so strange to have two completely different positions between scans. Any similar experience would be good to hear. Thank you x

It is a bit tricky to be honest. I think different consultants have different views on what you should/shouldnt do and I couldnt find consistent guidance.

It may be suggested to avoid vigorous activity, to avoid sex and to avoid flying. You need to make your own informed decision on these risks.

Most importantly though, if you bleed - get yourself checked out ASAP.

Having the same problem myself, 20 week scan said posterior high, she even commented that it was unusual to be so high! Then at 28 weeks a different lady said low and it can't move from high to low!! I have a scan Friday at 32 weeks but have been told absolutely nothing, I had to ask the sonographer if it was low as in any bleeding and get to hospital quickly. Did find it odd to nit be told anything at all. She did say most placentas move out of the way, as in 95% so maybe that's why she wasn't really giving me any info.

I had this exact situation. 20 week scan was told my placenta was fine. Had a private scan around 30 weeks and she mentioned my placenta was low lying. I then went for another NHS scan and they confirmed it was. I think I then had another couple of scans but by 38 weeks my placenta had moved enough and I had a straightforward birth, so it is still possible for it to move. As a PP said, take it easy as much as possible and get checked out if there is any bleeding, but you might find the placenta does move enough before you're due.

Thanks for the replies.

@Oatmilk1 I'm lucky in that I've no bleeding yet at all through this pregnancy, so I'm hoping it stays that way, but yes, good to know anything unusual at all and it's best to head straight in. I'm lucky in that I'm only a 5 minute drive from the hospital. I definitely don't do anything vigorous, it's more continuous and sometimes a bit twisty/bouncy with my son, but will ease up on that until I can talk to someone.

@Chocolate4me @butidoloveyou I'm pleased it's not just me! Although obviously I wish you hadn't experienced the same. I just left feeling really confused but not sure what I should have asked. I'm keeping everything crossed it moves, but also prepping for it not. I was due to be induced by 40 weeks because of my age anyway, so I knew my birth wasn't going to be a lovely natural experience. Just hoping I can keep her in for as long as possible safely, so hoping it does move.

I did manage to say to the consultant that it had been listed as high at 20 weeks and that I didn't think they could move down, and she sort of brushed it away and said we'd go with what was found now. OK, thank you, think I just need to take it easy then and hope that it's moved out of the way in the next four weeks.

I was the same. When I phoned after my private scan to say it was low I was told they had checked my previous scan and it was definitely high and couldn't move! After pushing for another scan they gave in and of course it was then low. Not sure how this happens as apparently it can't go from being high to being low but anyway!
Fingers crossed all will go well for you and the placenta will move out of the way! I think when you look at the statistics for around 30-34 weeks the majority of people do say that theirs moved so hopefully it will for you too.

@butidoloveyou Thank you. yeah, I find it strange that they can get the location so wrong! There must be reasons, but looking and seeing where it is doesn't seem as difficult as some of the stuff they have to look at and analyse... Mine was done by the same person bizarrely! That's good to know. I found loads of data about it changing from 20 weeks, which was very likely, but couldn't find out whether it was likely to move after 30 weeks.

It is odd that it was identified at high at 20 weeks, imagine you hadn’t had a growth scan and then nobody would have thought to check regarding labour/caesarean.
Mine was identified as low lying at my 20 week scan and they did say in most cases it does move up. I guess if yours is still low at 30 weeks it’s less likely to suddenly move up in the next four. My consultant said it wasn’t caused by anything I had done, I think you’ll just have to wait and see where you stand at 34 weeks.

@peachypetite that did run through my mind last night when I couldn’t sleep. But I decided not to think about it as it was too awful! My only risk factor is age, so it’s just one of those things. I just wish I’d thought to ask for more information in my appointment as I have lots of questions now.

Sorry didn’t mean to scare you! Good luck for your next scan

@peachypetite ha no it’s fine, don’t worry. It was one of my first thoughts!!

@Chocolate4me Hi, just wondering how your scan went on Friday, if you don't mind me asking! I managed to get an appointment with the consultant tomorrow so that I can ask questions, and perhaps she can look at my scan pictures to see if it's completely covering or just low lying. Hope you had some good news.

Hi, so abdominally they were unsure but if they had to guess, they would have said it wasn't low. But after emptying my bladder and having a transvaginal scan, it was 1.4cm away so I'm having another scan in 2 weeks at 34 weeks and then speaking to a consultant.
Good luck for your appt!

Ah, good it’s not touching then! Hopefully a good chance of moving to the magic 2cm... keeping everything crossed for you. x

How’s everyone doing?

Hi @peachypetite thanks for asking. I had a completely pointless appointment with the Dr the start of the week. He couldn’t load my scan images, wouldn’t discuss the fact the one of my scans must be wrong, wouldn’t book in an earlier rescan & said I should behave as if it’s the worst case until my next scan in 3 weeks. Frustrating as that means not lifting my toddler, not doing all the work I need to do at the allotment, and not doing any of the positions/exercises to help turn a transverse baby. I did, however, manage to book a private scan for the middle of next week, so hoping they can give better info about where the placenta is. Also, the Dr did have one scan picture where he said it was clearly covering the cervix, I pointed out that was from 20 weeks where it had been listed as high and then he mumbled and moved and wouldn’t really go back to that. I wish I could sign something to say I’m not interested in blaming someone for a mistake, I just want better info now! Apart from the private scan, it’s just waiting & seeing what the 34 week one says.
How are you doing? I couldn’t tell from your post if yours was a current or previous experience. Are you waiting to see what happens at the moment?

@tmc14 oh my goodness that’s awful!! What on Earth are they playing at? Like you say ah this point you’re happy to move on and not point fingers. I’m waiting for a scan at 34 weeks to see if mine has moved up.

@peachypetite yeah it’s really frustrating. The clinic was running two hours late as well so I was one hot & grumpy pregnant lady!! Just trying not to stress about it as I can’t make them give me more info.
How long until your 34 week scan? Keeping everything crossed it moves out of the way, it seems most do so the odds are in your favour. How do feel about a section? Just in case I need to I’m slowly getting my head around the idea. And also the idea she might be coming quite early!!

I’ve got 9 weeks. It is hard not knowing. I was saying to my husband earlier that it’s now dawning on me that this baby has to come out and neither way fills me with happiness!!! Can’t start thinking too much though, but yeh childbirth is not something I’m looking forward to. Just reminding myself that my body is designed for it and women have been doing this forever.

That's a good idea about the private scan, atleast with those you can ask lots of questions and not feel like you are annoying them!
I wonder if my placenta is long and thin or something and that's why it appears to be high and low lol.
I've sort of accepted now that it's either a c section or induction at 40 weeks due to low placenta or gestational diabetes! C section is going to cause issues with school runs though as OH would have to come out of work to drive one of our boys until I can drive! From what I've read a planned c section for low placenta is 39 weeks at my hospital... But it depends on which hospital your at annoyingly!

Ah I’m also facing section or induction (I’m 40 so they’re keen for me not to go overdue). My hospital policy for placenta previa is section at 37 weeks! Very early (especially as I’m from a family of pregnancies over 41 weeks) and I’m really torn because of the last few weeks of additional development that baby will miss. But the alternative of something going horribly wrong just doesn’t bear thinking about. I’ve had a couple of friends have stillbirths & it’s made me very cautious. It’s so hard weighing up all the risks & benefits.

@peachypetite it’s a very daunting thing, & it’s hard being so out of control. I had a traumatic first birth (4 day labour, 3rd degree tear) but recovered really quickly and easily, no longer term issues. I’m very nervous of a section, especially recovery but then everyone I’ve known to have a section has had an ok recovery.

@Chocolate4me it’s weird knowing I’m definitely not going to have a dreamy home birth ever (we’re stopping at this one). I need to get my head into a place where I accept ill hopefully have a healthy baby and that’s enough. Logistics with other kids is hard... my boy is only 2 but so boisterous and loves piggy backs & being picked up. Going to be hard to say no if I have a section! Is there anyone else you can ask for help with school runs? I think even people you don’t really know are willing to help in these situations.

Wow 37 weeks, that will be a shocker to me if I go in for my 36 week scan and they say 37 weeks! I don't know if I'd ask to have 2 extra scans from 37 weeks and then have the c section at 38 weeks maybe, or maybe stay in hospital till then, but then that's all such a faff to organise so perhaps I'd just trust their judgement and go for a planned one at 37 weeks. I'm presuming mine would be 39 weeks as I asked the sonographer when c sections are usually done and she said it's 39 weeks for planned ones, but of course I expect there are lots of variations for this. I'm hoping I will find out next week as I have a scan on Friday and consultation on the Monday.
My Mum might be able to take some time off work to help with school runs but it means alot of faffing around as she'd need to drop ds3 to breakfast club, come back to get me, DS4, toddler ds2 and baby, drive us 15 mins to DS2s school as he doesn't like school so I need to take him in. Then drop off DS4 to pre school 2 mornings a week, collect him at 12 and maybe also collect DS2 from school at 1215, then off to get DS3 at 330 😩😩😂😂 I'm exhausted thinking about that, so feel sorry for my Mum! I have asked a lady who lives in my road if she could take ds3 and she probably could do the mornings, but I could walk to that school... Its dropping off ds2 who doesn't go into school well, and is a 15 minute drive away, that I need a car for. I'm hoping I could get signed on to drive after 3 or 4 weeks 🤞🤞

@Chocolate4me Yes! That's why I want a bit of clarification before the next scan if possible, to have an idea of how likely an early section will be. My DS came at 42 weeks, so the idea of birth at 37 weeks is really hard to get my head around. I think my hospital are quite cautious with things, but I don't feel comfortable negotiating over this one if it's needed, although I think leaving her an extra week or so would most likely be fine. I also really really don't want to stay in hospital, as I've never been away from my 2 year old before, so I'd rather agree to an earlier section than negotiate a later one and have to be in for two weeks. It's very tricky!!

Your school run sounds complex!! I hope you can get some help whatever happens as that's a lot to navigate.

Fingers crossed we both get some sort of clarification this week!

Well my midwife seemed to think at my hospital they would do a c section at just past 39 weeks, seems a bit risky leaving it till then but I guess the first sign of bleeding you go to hospital anyway. Let you know after my scan Friday

If possible I think 39 weeks would be much better, an extra couple of weeks for their lungs to mature & brain to keep developing. My hospital used to be awful but has improved a lot but I don’t know if that’s resulted in them being a bit too cautious with things. I’d much prefer 39 weeks if possible! Maybe it also depends how close you are to the hospital, or how busy they expect to be at the time you’re due... let me know how Friday goes, I’m really looking forward to it scan on Thursday to hopefully get some more info.

I've been told my placenta is low at the back and that it should move up. Not been told any more information and not been booked in for an extra scan. I've got a private scan at 28 weeks so will be asking then