Low lying placenta

[EllieRosesMammy]

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 😫

I did research myself, between our scan and waiting to see the consultant. And when I saw the consultant I asked exactly how low was my placenta and should I be doing anything different? And she said "oh it doesn't say, it just says low" and gave no further advice. But then in a follow up letter they claim they gave advice, which they didn't.

Even with a low lying placenta the precautions are pretty much the same. If they have outright lied then you should definitely take that up. As for your consultant, she seems a bit clueless. With my scans they could clearly tell how many mm from the cervix.

Yeah they have, they reckon they discussed the whole thing with us and gave information but she didn't seem remotely concerned about it (we were seeing a consultant for something else), which is why I was a bit confused after because I know the risks a low lying placenta can carry :|

But this is the same hospital that lied about the medication they gave me during my last labour, and forgot to hang a bag of fluids, amongst a lot of other things 🤦‍♀️

I'm also prone to post partum hemmoraging and very anemic, which is definetely what you want with a low lying placenta 🤦‍♀️ I've raised my concerns now with multiple doctors, a consultant and the maternity advice line and no one seems to care

I had placenta previa with my first. One thing they mentioned to me when I had my scan was that while the placenta may move further away it may also move closer/the "wrong" way, which is what mine did. I had bleeding on and off but got checked each time (would advise the same if you experience it). Due to a very heavy bleed at 33 weeks I was taken to hospital and kept under observation until 36 weeks where they performed a planned cesarean. The csection was fine (much better than my subsequent vbac with my daughter), except the recovery afterwards which was slow and difficult.
I was advised the same as the ladies above - particularly with lifting and sex. I'm surprised they offered no advice. I hope you are able to take it easy and in the meantime do get in touch with your midwife with any questions (I am fairly sure I bombarded mine with them at the time!)

Did you have any other symptoms before the heavy bleed at 33 weeks?

I'm 23 weeks and no bleeding so far, but the last couple of days I've felt extremely light headed and just not right. When I rang the maternity advice line they basically just shrugged it off, and said the only thing they advise is no sex. No concern about my job which requires heavy lifting and long hours on my feet 🤦‍♀️

Hi, I'm 33 weeks pregnant, the placenta was 1.4cm away at my 32 week scan so still low lying. It's posterior which apparently is less likely to move. The midwife said I might be admitted to hospital 2 weeks before my section if it doesn't move at my 36 week scan. Just wondering if this is common practice as I've had no bleeding and I've got a 2 year old at home, who I really don't want to leave for 2 weeks, plus arranging childcare would be a nightmare. Obviously mine and babies health is paramount. We're just over half hour from the hospital, and my husband works at home, so I'm never on my own. I'd be grateful for anyone else's experiences, thanks.

I had placenta previa marginalis like you plus vasa previa and was told that for either condition I would have to deliver at 36w to avoid labour starting and to plan steroids for the baby‘s lungs two days before. I guess the idea of the two week admission is to be able to do the section quickly if labour starts but to give the baby those important extra two weeks to get to full term (37 weeks is no longer universally considered full term and some places call it early term now). I guess both ways have advantages. My baby was born without problems at 36w but he was very delayed compared with my first full term baby until he reached 14 months.
You might want to ask why they are going for admission over delivery at 36w and whether they give steroids.

Thanks for getting back, how long ago was this as everything changes around pregnancy. It's reassuring to know he was ok at 36 weeks, they do catch up. Not sure when they're planning my c section for if I need one, will have to wait for this scan. Did you have any bleeding? I haven't had any yet, but finding I'm getting increasingly anxious, just in case as apparently there's no prior warning. I will ask about steroids, I see my midwife on Monday so hopefully she'll be able to give some reassurance and an idea on when they plan for the c section normally.

2018

Sorry, forgot to finish my answer. I had first trimester bleeding but likely from a different source. I had no worrying symptoms at all post 20w scan.
I was born at 34 weeks myself with no ill-effects so wasn’t very worried about him being born at 36w, and he did really well in general, but lots of work to get him through jaundice etc.

Thanks, I had spotting in my first trimester as well. It sounds reassuring, I think a lot of babies get jaundice, I know my first did but I think that's because he was in and out of hospital the first few days for tests so no natural sunlight. This time of year isn't very good either. As long as she's born healthy and I'm ok that's the main thing. Just got worried with all the stories on here with hemeraging and a lot of blood loss. Hoping it moves at the next scan, if not hopefully between 38 and 39 weeks I can have a c section, at least then she's more or less full term. I know the longer she's in there the more riskier it is for me though so trying to weigh up what's best is hard. Sorry for the long reply. Thanks again

I thought I had replied to this back when it was sent but it doesn't look like it went through.
I had spotting and some cramping throughout but nothing major until the point I was taken to hospital. I hope everything is ok - I realise it has been a while.
@Jodie8933 I hope everything is going ok. I'm sorry if my comment caused any worry. The blood loss I had didnt cause any huge danger for me or the baby (as far as I'm aware) and did stop after a while of being in hospital. I did have spotting beforehand and if I had any worries at any point in the pregnancy leading up to that point I rang the maternity line and they checked bump and me over and checked the placenta was looking like it was working as it should. All the best for your next scan and here's to hoping it has moved out of the way 😊 Also to add my little one was and is totally fine born at 36 weeks (he turns 8 tomorrow).

Everything is going fine apart from this low lying placenta, really hoping it moves or at least no bleeding until c section. It's reassuring to know you made it to hospital before any blood loss apart from spotting. Think I've read too much, she moves loads and we're happy and healthy in every other way. The midwife at my last appointment was like, I could die which was a bit abrupt, I'm sure that's super rare but it did worry me. Thanks for your reassuring message, much appreciated, pleased everything went well for you in the end, to be fair the horror stories are few and far between thankfully.

Hi there I was told at 19 weeks 6 days I had anterior placenta by radiographer but then at specialist fetal medicine at 22+1 I was told anterior low lying . She said it could be because my bladder was full but I swear it was even fuller the first time. Has anyone heard of the bladder being full leading to that diagnosis?

also I have been reading it’s less likely to move if you’ve previously had a c-section ? I wondered if anyone has any feedback on that if you had a csec previous then low lying but it moved? Thanks

I'm surprised they didn't get you to empty your bladder as that's how I was diagnosed on my 20 week scan, so I'm guessing the bladder does have an impact. Mine moved at 36 weeks, ended up being induced due to her not growing. Try not to worry easier said than done. It's rare for them to move after 32 weeks, but mine did the midwife was surprised as she'd not seen one move that late. I've not had a C-section but anterior moves more than posterior I do believe. Mine was posterior. Just try and enjoy your pregnancy as best you can, I spent a lot of time stressing over it, which I wish I hadn't as it doesn't help the situation.

Thank you very much. She did say “we could empty it half way” but then said don’t worry even though I said I was happy too . Very true not stressing is best. Not the greatest obstetric history so it’s easier said than done. Back at 26 weeks for another scan. I’m high risk so there will be plenty of scans and growth scans :)

Yes I had growth scans as well, which is good as she stopped growing at her due date scan so I was induced, if I was given the choice I'd have opted for c section, it was far too quick and painful. I'd had false labour for 4 weeks, so I was glad to have her out though. Unfortunately I lost all my hair from 3 weeks onwards from stress. So try not to get stressed, mine was piled on by family as well usif I hadn't gone through enough. Their keeping a close eye on you that's good, just keep your stress levels down as that's better for you and baby. Rest when you can especially in the third trimester, slow walks in the countryside anything that takes your mind off worrying as you have no control of placentas or babies growth, as long as you're eating and drinking that's all you can do :).

Thank you so much! Ah I hear you on family stuff!!!

hope you are good now 🙏🏻

Yes apart from no hair, but getting used to the wigs. All completely worth it. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. It all works out in the end :).