Low lying posterior placenta @ 32 weeks :-(

[Leah2016]

Hi ladies :-)

At my 20 week scan I was told I had a low placenta that was just touching the covering of the cervix but pretty much assured by everyone it would move and not to worry. Fast forward to Friday I had my 32 week scan and the placenta is now 1.9mm away from the cervix which makes it a grand total of 1mm to close still for a natural birth! They will scan again at 36 weeks but I’m completely panicking now and have already in my head signed myself up for a c section which is stressing me out as with current restrictions my local hospital has a no visitors policy and my husband will only be able to stay an hour.

I suppose my question is, did anyone else still have a low placenta at 32 weeks and it moved? Is there any chance it could move closer to the cervix or is this impossible? With it being posterior the sonographer said it doesn’t move as much as anterior. Really hoping by 36 week scan it’s good news but don’t want to get my hopes up again.

Thanks for listening xx

I just wanted to say that I'm in your exact position so sending you love. My 32 week scan (although I was actually 34 weeks by the time of my appointment) also showed my placenta was low (1.6cm away) and my babys growth had dropped on from the 97th to 50th centile. So potentially placenta not working properly. I'm going to the hospital this morning for another tummy scan and internal scan and then a meeting with the consultant. My husband will have to wait in the car. I feel the same as you, worried about having to have a c-section and be alone afterwards x

No my personally but my friend gave birth in September and had a low lying placenta at 32 weeks. At 36 weeks the baby budged it out the way.
Don't stress when you don't need to yet. Try and stay calm.
At this stage of pregnancy now is when the baby really starts to grow and pile on some weight so chances are it could still move for you.

Yup....low placenta with last child. Was scanned again around 38 weeks and it had moved. (Fwiw - when I had him they took the placenta away for testing as they had never seen one so big!!! Lol. I never heard any more about it. That didn't happen with other kids so was just a freak placenta.)

Disney girl- sorry to hear your in a similar situation and I hope all goes well today with your scan. Everything just feels that bit more difficult at the moment as we have to go through it all alone. I think I could get my head around a section if I knew my husband would have to leave and potentially not see us for days :-( Let me know how you get on today il be thinking of you xx

And thank you ladies for the reassuring stories I think I got my hopes up so much for my 32 week scan that all would be ok that I felt a bit deflated when it wasn’t. I definitely need to try to stop worrying and over thinking as I want to try and enjoy these last weeks as much as I can.

Xx

@Leah2016 thank you for your kind words! I've just got back from the hospital and surprisingly it was good news. Had the 2 scans and placenta has moved to 2.5cm away now so I can aim for a natural birth! Babys growth has stabilised at 50th centile so no worry there either! I'm in shock as I definitely thought I would have to have a c-secrion. I'm 36+2 now so there is still time for yours to move!! I know it is difficult but try not to worry too much, our bodies can do amazing things. Take care xx

Aww I am sooo happy for you!! What amazing news! And it definitely gives me some hope! So glad baby’s growth has also stabilised!! Good luck with everything! Xx

I kept being told it would move, got to 32 weeks and was told it had moved enough!
I planned a home birth, this was cancelled 2 days before due date due to Covid.
I ended up in hospital having an emergency c section as she would not come out even at full dilation.
The truth is though everyone at the hospital was lovely and understanding. They tried to keep me and my husband together as much as possible and were supportive to him while I was in theatre.
My baby is now happy and health and the birth is behind us.
I'm hoping ' lock down c section' will be a cool storey for her when she's older!

Same story here (although my 20 week scan was only a couple weeks ago, so I have a long wait until my 36 week scan at which they'll check)! I was pretty worried when they told me, as I am/was planning a home birth.

I spoke to my midwife about it the other day, and she told me that the lower half of the uterus doesn't really start stretching until 30 weeks, and is certain mine will end up far enough away to continue with our plans. If you were scanned at 32 weeks, I figure there's a good chance that another 4 weeks of growth will give you the distance you need? Fingers crossed for you!

@Leah2016 Just wondering how this worked out for you OP? I'm in a very similar position.

By 36 weeks placenta had moved 3.8mm away so was all good for a natural birth! He was super quick natural birth no excessive bleeding or placenta issues! Good luck! I worried so much but sonographer at 36 weeks told me it usually moves a good bit in the last few weeks.

@Leah2016 Thank you for getting back to me. So glad it all worked out for you. Fingers crossed it's the same for me.

There’s more of a chance it will move enough than not in the next few weeks.

Also it’s absolutely mental that there’s still COVID restrictions around postnatal visitors etc after nationally restrictions are lifting even in the NHS. Most trusts updated their guidance and restrictions in June/July. If not, can you go through your PALS to complain about it?