Low lying placenta 28 weeks , possible section.

[Laurenxx94]

Hey everyone.
Any advice is really appreciated.
I went for a 28 week scan today and my placenta is low lying and posterior (1cm covering)
She said to prepare for a section and it’s totally freaked me out. I have a 32 week scan to check positioning.
Has anyone had this and has there placenta moved within. 4 weeks? Thanks x

What's freaked you out? The possibility of a section?

I loved my c section if it helps!

@tvcc

What's freaked you out? The possibility of a section?

I loved my c section if it helps!

Yeah the section. It's not something I've considered and with having a 6 year old who needs attended to as in school runs etc the recovery is scaring me I'm also scared of operations so the thought of the spinal block etc too! I think because it's out with my control the choice has been taken away it's totally threw me off guard x

Yes mine did. Went on to have a VB. (It was actually my third as had 1CS, and 1 vbac before - it really doesn't matter hownthe baby gets out as long as you are both healthy. Try not to worry. )

I did have a giant placenta which the MW said was the biggest she'd ever seen and send off for tests. I never heard anything else about that so I'm sure it was all good! Birth was absolutely fine.

I've had 3 csections, last one was because of placenta previa. There's no point freaking out or worrying for the next month, just wait for the scan and it is what it is then, it'll either move or it won't.

Recovery isn't too bad, I was back doing school run with my 6 year old 5 days later while baby was still in NICU, you'd be amazed what you can do when/if you have to.

OP, don’t meet trouble halfway. Your placenta may move away from the os as your uterus grows, and you will have been worrying for nothing.
Even if it doesn’t shift, a section is very straightforward and has some advantages compared to labour. The absence of pain and exhaustion for starters, and the planned date rather than random event, which gives you more time to organise childcare.
Spinals are nothing to fear - and I speak as a retired anaesthetist who inserted literally thousands over 36 years in the NHS. The worst bit is the cold antiseptic wash on your back, pre insertion! The needle is so thin you could barely see it, and we insert local anaesthetic into your back first anyway.
It’s a very safe form of anaesthesia- I used it on frail patients in their nineties for repairing hip fractures or operating on bladder cancers.
Good recovery from a section just requires regular decent painkillers and help with lifting/chores etc. Gently mobilising as soon as you can is important to prevent blood clots and maintain fitness. The vast majority of mothers do very well - some even say it was a better recovery than a previous vaginal birth, especially if that involved severe tearing and stitches.

Put it out of your mind, OP, and focus on enjoying your maternity leave and planning for your baby.

@Mumdiva99

Yes mine did. Went on to have a VB. (It was actually my third as had 1CS, and 1 vbac before - it really doesn't matter hownthe baby gets out as long as you are both healthy. Try not to worry. )

I did have a giant placenta which the MW said was the biggest she'd ever seen and send off for tests. I never heard anything else about that so I'm sure it was all good! Birth was absolutely fine.

When did you discover it had moved? I've been told I get a 32 week scan and also possibly 36 ? Thanks for your advice x

@Garman

I've had 3 csections, last one was because of placenta previa. There's no point freaking out or worrying for the next month, just wait for the scan and it is what it is then, it'll either move or it won't.

Recovery isn't too bad, I was back doing school run with my 6 year old 5 days later while baby was still in NICU, you'd be amazed what you can do when/if you have to.

Thanks for your reassurance.

@Babdoc

OP, don’t meet trouble halfway. Your placenta may move away from the os as your uterus grows, and you will have been worrying for nothing. Even if it doesn’t shift, a section is very straightforward and has some advantages compared to labour. The absence of pain and exhaustion for starters, and the planned date rather than random event, which gives you more time to organise childcare. Spinals are nothing to fear - and I speak as a retired anaesthetist who inserted literally thousands over 36 years in the NHS. The worst bit is the cold antiseptic wash on your back, pre insertion! The needle is so thin you could barely see it, and we insert local anaesthetic into your back first anyway. It’s a very safe form of anaesthesia- I used it on frail patients in their nineties for repairing hip fractures or operating on bladder cancers. Good recovery from a section just requires regular decent painkillers and help with lifting/chores etc. Gently mobilising as soon as you can is important to prevent blood clots and maintain fitness. The vast majority of mothers do very well - some even say it was a better recovery than a previous vaginal birth, especially if that involved severe tearing and stitches. Put it out of your mind, OP, and focus on enjoying your maternity leave and planning for your baby.

Thanks so much for all that advice. It's greatly appreciated.. I think it just came as such a shock and I didn't expect to have the option outwith my control. In a way there is positives it's just because I have my daughter to worry about also now and so many thoughts running through my head. Thanks again x

30th Jan was my scan - baby was due 26th Feb - when they rescanned me 2 weeks later it had moved. So that was 36 and 38 weeks roughly. -- FYI he came exactly on his due date...the only one.

I received this same news with my DD at the same stage and the placenta had moved out of the way by 32 weeks. We were told by the doc that much of the growth in the uterus over those coming weeks would be in the lower part and the placenta was likely to shift out of the way.
That said, I wasted so many nights stressing myself out over it. Now I look back and realise that the way your baby is born is not important, what matters is your health and the baby’s wellbeing. I would give my eye teeth for another healthy pregnancy today, c-section or whatever!! Please relax and enjoy this blessed time.