Low lying placenta at 20 weeks

[Jessa2020]

I’ve just been for my 20 week can and was told my placenta is low lying but only borderline (within 2mm of the threshold for bringing me back for a re-scan). It’s not covering or partially covering just near to the cervix. I’m due to go back for a re-scan between 28-32 weeks..the ultrasound woman said she’d be very surprised if it hadn’t moved but if it doesn’t move it means c-section.

I would like to have a natural home birth so c-section is my idea of hell! Obviously I’m aware these things happen and you have no control...any positive stories of placenta moving? I know I’m going to spend the next couple of months driving myself mad..is it worth going for a private scan in 4-5 weeks to see if it’s heading in the right direction or will this be too soon?

If it’s not even partially covering you’re so early on that it’ll most probably move! Mine was very low lying and moved out the way and it and a problem anymore. Totally get your anxieties about having your birth plan interrupted though - I can’t have the home birth I wanted for other reasons 😭 fingers crossed all goes well for you xx

Hi.
I was told the same at my 20 week scan,back in April.

Tomorrow I will have my 32 week scan and will see how it goes.

😳😊🥺

Also I was told no sex till my 32 week scan 😂

@Jessa2020 mine was partially covering at my 20 week scan had a private 4d scan last week at 26 weeks and asked about the position and it has moved already it only needs to move another 1cm and I'll be fine for a natural birth back at the hospital at 32 weeks to check so hopefully it's moved the last cm, I too was panicking but 9/10 move by 32 weeks so try not worry.

Mine wasn’t diagnosed til 23 weeks. I was brought back for another scan after the 20 week one because of the baby’s position. I’m the total opposite of you though because I’d been requesting a c-section since my booking appointment due to a severe fear of birth so I thought ‘ideal’ when they told me 😃😂 I was sent away with a leaflet and when I read it started to get really worried as it all sounded very negative. Like you, mine was the mild version though and not covering it. I think my measurement was 12mm away. I went for an unrelated growth scan at 28 weeks and they said it was still low but didn’t give me a measurement. So I presumed at 32 weeks it would be the same. It has moved to 40mm by 32 weeks. I now don’t need the 36 week scan. Since having it I’ve found out someone at my work had it too, hers moved too. My friend also has it, hers has moved too. I’m still having the c-section (purely through my own choice though). I think 80% or something move so you will most likely be fine since you don’t have far to go! Did you get an internal scan when you went? That was the main thing about it I hated. His head was always in the way to measure it so I had to have the internal one both times 🤦🏼‍♀️

I was almost exactly the same as you and mine shifted by my 32 week scan.

There's lots of time for it to move and most do. I wouldn't bother with private scans as they will check it for you in the 3rd trimester anyway.
Our twin one had placenta covering cervix at 20wk, no problems with bleeding. I was scanned every 4 weeks and it had moved enough by 32+5, she then decided to turn breech so I had an elcs anyway. I was desperate to avoid elcs but it was much better than I expected, booked in for another with this one in a few weeks (chosen it over early induction).

I think 9/10 low lying placentas move, so you're far more likely to get positive than negative stories

Mine moved in time for my first delivery, and I've got one again this time and I'm expecting the same again, although I'll be having an ELCS regardless so doesn't make much difference.

I had a low lying placenta at 20 weeks, scanned at 32 weeks still low lying.

I was then given another scan at 35 weeks as if it was still low lying I would have been seeing a consultant/midwife to discuss plan/C-Section. I had the 35 week scan yesterday and it's moved!

So if I were you, I wouldn't faff with private scans etc as they can move so late. I honestly thought there was no chance it would move when I saw it was still low lying at 32 weeks, because why would it move when it had been that way since the start, but they do 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thanks for the replies everyone, fingers crossed it will move! Im not the most patient person in the world so 12 weeks feels like forever to find out but no sense getting an early scan if they can move so late as people have said!

I would just wait rather than stressing yourself with extra scans. Mine was low lying at 20 + 26 but at 32 had moved. Delighted as didn't want a Csection obviously I know it could still happen for other reasons but nice to have that sorted.