Low lying placenta at 20 wk scan - looking for reassurance!

[Fagin99]

Had my 20 wk scan today, I am so grateful that everything looked good with the baby, however they said my placenta is lying low and that I need to be rechecked at 32 weeks. They also said to "come in if there is any bleeding".

She didn't seem concerned and said it's common, and that in most cases it will move to the right spot, but I'm a worrier by nature and couldn't help but look it up on Google!

I'm now so worried that I might suddenly start bleeding one day or that I'm going to bleed to death in labour or by c section! (Like I said, I'm a worrier!) I also have mild endometriosis which I'm worried will make it worse somehow.

Has anyone else had a low lying placenta at 20 wks and been OK? How worried should I be?? Thanks in advance x

Hi, I had this in my first pregnancy. I had a scan at 29 weeks and it had moved and I had a vaginal birth. I didn't have any bleeding during the pregnancy x

I had a low lying placenta at 20 weeks too - it soon moved to anterior instead! x

posterior* rather

I had the same at the anomaly scan, by the next scan (32 weeks I think?) it was well out of the way. Apparently this happens most of the time

I was diagnosed with a low lying placenta at 18 weeks, confirmed still low at 20 week scan, ended up in pregnancy assesment a few days ago at 23 weeks with a bleed, kept in for 2 days as I was passing red fresh blood, seemed to simmer down and had an ultrasound and internal scan to check cervix and placenta and it had moved 1mm, so was 21mm away from cervix so technically wasn't low lying anymore, it's given me hope that by the next ultrasound it will have shifted even further.

I had a low lying placenta at 20 week scan. I had an extra scan (because bump was small) at 28 weeks and placenta has moved up a lot but it’s still low so I’ll get another scan at 35 weeks.

I’ve not had any bleeding and Im not concerned. Either the placenta moves up and nothing to worry about, or I’ll need to have a c section (not ideal but not a disaster).

In the grand scheme of things that can go wrong it’s not usually a big deal. It’s very common and in the vast majority of cases causes no problems.

Mine moved : )

I had this many years ago and I had scan at about 30 weeks and it had moved.

They absolutely move up in the vast majority of cases, so the likelihood of it becoming full-on placenta praevia is very very small.

But... it has to happen to somebody, and it happened to me! I had 3 large bleeds and then spent 2 months in hospital. But, back on the note of reassurance, baby was completely fine throughout, arrived healthy via planned section at 36wks and is now a thriving one year old 😊.

I just thought I'd add that perspective because being prepared really helped me for the 2nd bleed. There was no prior warning for the 1st and I ended up in hospital with sunglasses and no pants or trousers. So, it wouldn't hurt to just have a little bag packed with essentials should something unexpected happen.

I'm sure your placenta will be far less stubborn and shuffle off to somewhere sensible! Congratulations and good luck x

Yep had one with my first and it moved

Now pregnant with my second and same again! Getting scanned at 32-34 weeks, can't remember which now

Thank you so much everyone for your replies, I have each one more than once and found it very reassuring.

My placenta is posterior, does anyone know if this makes a difference to it moving or bleeding etc?

And was anyone told after the 20 wk scan to avoid any activities? I wasn't told anything.

@Relfm I'm sorry you went through that and thank you for sharing. I appreciate your positivity even though it must have been frightening and I'm so pleased it worked out OK for you. Good idea to pack a little bag just in case. Due to a previous (unrelated) medical situation, I have a bit of a fear of bleeding in general now which I think is making my worry about this worse. X

I had a low lying placenta in my first pregnancy. I had a scan at 32 weeks to see if it had moved and it hadn’t, had another at 36 weeks and it had moved. I wouldn’t worry too much, apparently the vast majority of the time they do move. I never had any bleeding, everything was fine so try not to worry.

Mine was low at 20 weeks, and was right over my previous c section scar, so I had some extra screening a few weeks later. I was advised to avoid sex, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise. It was still low when I had the screening, but not attached to scar tissue, then at a growth scan at 28 weeks it had moved up a little bit. Not sure if it’s moved up enough to no longer count as low lying but I have the 32 week scan this week, so fingers crossed! I felt quite anxious about it all for a few weeks (also made the mistake of googling!) but have relaxed now. I was told that it is far more common for them to move than not.

Thank you both very much for your replies, it helps so much to hear about other experiences and has made me feel less alone and worried. Thank you x

@StillUp Good luck with your next appointment. Fingers crossed it has moved for you!

I was told at 20 week scan that I had a low lying placenta (also posterior). I was told to avoid sex, strenuous exercise etc and to come straight in if spotting/call ambulanceif bleeding heavily. Like you I googled a lot and for a few weeks was really stressed about it. Had re-scan at 36 weeks - it hasn't moved one bit so having a cesarean today at 39+3. I'm telling you this not to scare you but to reassure you that even though mine remained low I haven't had any bleeds at all throughout this pregnancy (and it's almost almost over so don't want to curse myself!)
I read that in the vast majority of cases placenta will move up - if I recall it's slightly less likely to move as a posterior one but may be misremembering that. Just wanted you to hear from someone who's didn't move but also didn't bleed. All the best

I had a low lying anterior placenta at 20 weeks and at 31 it had moved in line with my belly button. Please don't worry, you have plenty of time to grow and for it to move up with your growth!

I was told at 20 weeks that my placenta was low and anterior. I was due to have growth scans anyway, and at my 28 week scan last week it hadn't moved. I am back for another scan at 32 weeks - midwife said it's still got a good chance of moving.

I had a small about of bleeding at 24 weeks, I went to triage and was checked out. They couldn't see any issues, I could have been admitted if I wanted to, however, I live close to the hospital and my wife is a doctor - so I went home. Since then I've had nothing!

I was told to avoid any penetrative sex, and any strenuous activities.

I did too! Also posterior.
Scanned at 36 weeks and it had moved so could plan for vaginal delivery.
I didn't have any bleeding at any point.

If I'm honest, I found the wait between the 20 and 36 week scans very difficult as I am by nature someone who wants to feel in control. I didn't like not knowing if it had or hasn't moved and if I would need a section. If you can afford a private scan (I can but my husband said no) then you could do that about 30 weeks, which may give some reassurance.

I believe 90% do move, which is pretty high. I hope yours does too

I was told I had a low lying anterior placenta at my 20 week scan. I was quite anxious but my consultant said she wasn't worried at all, that in 90% of cases they move up, and even if it doesn't it's not a reason to panic - it just means they'll have to plan to for a c-section. She did tell me to come in if there was any bleeding though, which freaked me out.
I spoke to my friend who's a midwife and she reassured me with the same info - in the majority of cases they move up, and even if they don't it's really not a reason to get overly anxious, it just means a vaginal birth won't be on the cards.

Anyway, I have monthly scans (for other reasons, nothing to do with the placenta) and by the next scan at 24 weeks the placenta had moved up! Now my notes say "anterior high". So it can move up fairly quickly, or it can take a while.
As someone else said, you could get a scan earlier than the 32 weeks - say, around 26 weeks - to see if it moves up and get some reassurance earlier. But equally if it doesn't move up by then it doesn't necessarily mean it won't move up after, so in that sense maybe better to wait til the 32.

I'm at 36 weeks and mine hasn't moved. Been praying all the way through but no such luck. Section scheduled for next week but I am having twins so less room for movement in there for me

@IndigoJam

I'm at 36 weeks and mine hasn't moved. Been praying all the way through but no such luck. Section scheduled for next week but I am having twins so less room for movement in there for me

Sorry to hear that. As you say, probably much less room with your two little ones safe in there! I think I read it was more common in 'multiple' births. Good luck with it all

Thank you @Fagin99. It has moved up . Hope yours does too!