Low lying placenta

EllieRosesMammy · 2022-08-20T19:38:52+00:00

So I was told at my 20 week scan that my placenta is low lying, they said it could still move but if not I may need a section. Asked if I've had any bleeding with this pregnancy (I haven't), I'm just wondering if I should be making a change to my usual activities so I don't trigger any bleeding or complications. I have an extremely active job that requires me to be on my feet for long hours, with a lot of running around. I don't see my midwife till I'm 28 weeks so unless I give her a call I'm not gonna get any advice for a while 😫

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Cantgetausername87 · 20/08/2022 21:08

I had this at my 20 week scan also and no bleeding at all. I didnt change any activities and stayed quite busy throughout. When they scanned again, the placenta had moved up! So I would say try not to worry too much and continue as you are- its common for it to be low at 20 weeks and it tends to move as baby grows x

Original poster

EllieRosesMammy · 20/08/2022 21:09

Cantgetausername87 · 20/08/2022 21:08

I had this at my 20 week scan also and no bleeding at all. I didnt change any activities and stayed quite busy throughout. When they scanned again, the placenta had moved up! So I would say try not to worry too much and continue as you are- its common for it to be low at 20 weeks and it tends to move as baby grows x

Brilliant thank you! Hopefully it shifts out the way before delivery 😬 I'm dreading the idea of a section, those women are warriors 😅 x

OP posts:

Butwhichoneistheman · 20/08/2022 21:12

I would call your midwife and ask whether you should be on pelvic rest. I had placenta previa marginalis at 20 w and was put on pelvic rest. It didn’t move but I did get to 36w before my section.

Original poster

EllieRosesMammy · 20/08/2022 21:16

Butwhichoneistheman · 20/08/2022 21:12

I would call your midwife and ask whether you should be on pelvic rest. I had placenta previa marginalis at 20 w and was put on pelvic rest. It didn’t move but I did get to 36w before my section.

What does pelvic rest involve? Just not too much walking around/sex or a complete abstain from both eg. Bed rest? Did you have any bleeding?

OP posts:

Butwhichoneistheman · 20/08/2022 21:21

No sex (even alone), no vaginal ultrasound, no baths.
I had bleeding between 10 and 18 weeks for an unrelated reason, and a lot of bed rest for that reason too. I also had vasa previa but probably they checked you for that when they saw where your placenta was so nothing to worry about.

Original poster

EllieRosesMammy · 20/08/2022 21:34

Butwhichoneistheman · 20/08/2022 21:21

No sex (even alone), no vaginal ultrasound, no baths.
I had bleeding between 10 and 18 weeks for an unrelated reason, and a lot of bed rest for that reason too. I also had vasa previa but probably they checked you for that when they saw where your placenta was so nothing to worry about.

Dear God don't take my baths away 😭😂 ill give my midwife a ring on Monday!

OP posts:

Hatscats · 20/08/2022 21:52

Mine is was low at 20 weeks and they told me no sex, no other rules and I continued all my horsey jobs as normal 😂
it had moved up by my 36 week scan!

Goodnewsday · 20/08/2022 23:55

It fully depends on how low it is. Mine was low and I was sent away with a leaflet with three types of placenta previa on it but no indication as to which one I was! I wanted a section anyway and had one but my placenta had moved just enough by the last scan so I could have gone for a vaginal birth if I wanted to. My friend had the same thing and hers moved too, I think 80% move. I didn’t do anything differently because of it

ecossegirl91 · 21/08/2022 10:08

I was also told I had a low lying placenta at 20 weeks but that was just “a little close” to the cervix, not covering it at all. Sonographer and midwife not concerned and didn’t tell me to behave differently (I still had sex, went on two abroad holidays). Had a private scan at 25 weeks and was told placenta was well out the way. Have my 32 week Nhs scan in ten days where I’m hoping they’ll confirm 🙈 9/10 placentas that are low move, it’s a bit different when they cover the cervix - think 4/10 or 5/10 of them move before delivery.

user1472831178 · 21/08/2022 10:21

I had a low lying placenta at my 20 week scan. They were very casual about it and just gave me an appointment to have another scan at 36 weeks. Wasn't given any further advice so just carried on with all activities as normal.
My 36 week scan showed the placenta had moved. I was very relieved as I had wanted to avoid a c section. I then ended up having an emergency section anyway and the recovery has been so much better than I expected!

Original poster

EllieRosesMammy · 21/08/2022 10:25

Goodnewsday · 20/08/2022 23:55

It fully depends on how low it is. Mine was low and I was sent away with a leaflet with three types of placenta previa on it but no indication as to which one I was! I wanted a section anyway and had one but my placenta had moved just enough by the last scan so I could have gone for a vaginal birth if I wanted to. My friend had the same thing and hers moved too, I think 80% move. I didn’t do anything differently because of it

Yeah I got the same! The sonographer mentioned it was low, and then I saw a consultant afterwards for something else, and I asked her how low it was and she checked my notes and said "it just says low" very helpful haha

OP posts:

Original poster

EllieRosesMammy · 03/09/2022 17:59

So just an update on this thread cause I'm pretty mad. Got a letter today from the hospital with a breakdown of what they discussed with us at our consultant app, and they've said that apparently they told us to avoid sex and other things due to my low lying placenta. They absolutely did not advise this, nor did the midwife or maternity advice line. I'm fuming that they've lied to us 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:

Chocolat · 03/09/2022 18:13

Do you know if the placenta is anterior or posterior?
Most that are posterior do move up

sunshinecoffee · 03/09/2022 18:23

I had a low lying placenta in my last pregnancy. I had to go on complete pelvic rest - no sex. And take it easy. I had bleeding and had to go on bed rest. Even if you have the tiniest amount you need to go straight to be seen because a tiny amount can turn into full blown hemorrhaging really quickly. I had a c-section 5 weeks early.

Original poster

EllieRosesMammy · 03/09/2022 18:59

Chocolat · 03/09/2022 18:13

Do you know if the placenta is anterior or posterior?
Most that are posterior do move up

They didn't say, at one scan it was anterior, at another it was posterior, and at the last scan it's low lying 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:

Original poster

EllieRosesMammy · 03/09/2022 19:02

sunshinecoffee · 03/09/2022 18:23

I had a low lying placenta in my last pregnancy. I had to go on complete pelvic rest - no sex. And take it easy. I had bleeding and had to go on bed rest. Even if you have the tiniest amount you need to go straight to be seen because a tiny amount can turn into full blown hemorrhaging really quickly. I had a c-section 5 weeks early.

Unbelievable that I've been advised none of this!

I have a very active job too where I'm on my feet, actually running around for very long hours. They know all this so you'd think I'd of been advised this stuff!

I also had two previous post-partum hemmorages and I've got iron deficiency anemia, so I'm an even higher risk. I'm losing all faith with this hospital, between this and the cockup the last time I gave birth there (overdosing me on something I'm actually allergic to) I'm worried to go back incase they actually kill me this time 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:

AuditAngel · 03/09/2022 19:10

I had grade 4 placenta praevia (totally covered) twice.

the first time I was given zero advice, admitted at 33 weeks with bleeding, git to 37 weeks (in hospital all that time as bleeding kept stopping and starting)

second time round was completely different, they didn’t want me to leave without seeing a consultant. Unfortunately no-one was available.

advice I was given at appointment the following week:
no sex
no flying
no pushing a shopping trolley
no picking up my children
no carrying anything heavier than my laptop

got to 36 weeks, but 6 admissions covering about 6 weeks.

happy to answer questions

Original poster

EllieRosesMammy · 03/09/2022 19:36

AuditAngel · 03/09/2022 19:10

I had grade 4 placenta praevia (totally covered) twice.

the first time I was given zero advice, admitted at 33 weeks with bleeding, git to 37 weeks (in hospital all that time as bleeding kept stopping and starting)

second time round was completely different, they didn’t want me to leave without seeing a consultant. Unfortunately no-one was available.

advice I was given at appointment the following week:
no sex
no flying
no pushing a shopping trolley
no picking up my children
no carrying anything heavier than my laptop

got to 36 weeks, but 6 admissions covering about 6 weeks.

happy to answer questions

Wtf, I've been left completely in the dark here 🤦‍♀️

Considering my job also involves moving very heavy roll cages, lifting 25kg boxes, a lot of bending, twisting and running etc, I'm a little concerned now.

Oh and my hospital is 35 miles away from where I work! (over an hour car journey), or there's another hospital 20 miles away from me 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:

AuditAngel · 03/09/2022 21:09

The first time I got no advice, second time, same hospital and completely different approach. I have a very sedentary job. With DC3, the first admission was at 24 weeks, and I was told I couldn’t return to work, I laughed at them! I took 2 weeks off, before returning to work. I was back 2 hours and had to be re admitted. I did continue working, but part time from home.

i think you need to ask your doctors.

it may be that you are younger and fitter than I was. I was 41 and very overweight

Original poster

EllieRosesMammy · 03/09/2022 22:08

AuditAngel · 03/09/2022 21:09

The first time I got no advice, second time, same hospital and completely different approach. I have a very sedentary job. With DC3, the first admission was at 24 weeks, and I was told I couldn’t return to work, I laughed at them! I took 2 weeks off, before returning to work. I was back 2 hours and had to be re admitted. I did continue working, but part time from home.

i think you need to ask your doctors.

it may be that you are younger and fitter than I was. I was 41 and very overweight

Madness isn't it that they told you you couldn't return to work, eventhough like you said your job is sedentary. But for a chef who works on her feet 10+ hours a day it's like "nah you'll be fine" 🤦‍♀️

I'm 27, I'm classed as overweight from my BMI but I'm very physically active and my weight doesn't have any affect on my life, so it could be that I guess! X

OP posts:

flowergarden16 · 09/09/2022 15:01

@EllieRosesMammy I am in the same boat. Have total PP (so covering cervix) and have been given different advice by everyone.

We saw a private consultant in the end (long story) who said no flying no sex no orgasms no work outs no lifting etc. have to wfh. And he said he doesn't think my placenta will move as I had a previous c section

Nhs just said come in asap if you bleed...and nothing further.

The risk is bleeding which can be very heavy and sometimes doesn't stop.

I'm almost 30 weeks and haven't had any yet and my scan is in 2.5 weeks to see what's happened.

It's a bit of a lottery and a nightmare!

@AuditAngel did you have bleeding from 24 weeks? We're your sections emergencies?

XtinaCaligulara · 09/09/2022 15:50

9/10 women with a low lying placenta at 20 weeks will have it move up by the follow up scan at 32 weeks

Try not to worry

LegoFiends · 09/09/2022 21:02

Awful that they’ve lied and not given you full instructions. Might PALS help?
If your care hasn’t been great you might want to ask at the next scan if vasa previa has been ruled out (I also had this, low lying placenta is associated with it).

Original poster

EllieRosesMammy · 09/09/2022 21:30

LegoFiends · 09/09/2022 21:02

Awful that they’ve lied and not given you full instructions. Might PALS help?
If your care hasn’t been great you might want to ask at the next scan if vasa previa has been ruled out (I also had this, low lying placenta is associated with it).

I had this with my 2nd child too, the same hospital lied about my care during labour. My mam is a nurse and she was urging me to go to PALS, I just was unsure at the time because I was due to start my own Nursing Degree this year (on hold now due to baby no. 3) and I didn't want to have a complaint in against the NHS whilst being a new student with them 😬

OP posts:

Mumspair1 · 09/09/2022 21:52

I had placenta previa and honestly why would you not even google or research this for yourself? The very same things that pp posted, it's the same standard don'ts and it's online. They should have told you definitely, but it's pretty much there for you read up yourself.