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Original poster

Low-lying placenta, NHS error

35 replies

notmyname22 · 03/02/2023 16:32

Hi, everyone.

Just hoping for advice from anyone who's had a similar experience.

I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant (second pregnancy; my first was born vaginally 18 months ago). I had a small bleed on Monday with small clot. Got checked over in hospital, given an injection of anti-d, then sent home after a few hours with no explanation for the bleeding. They checked my cervix and it was long and closed.

I had a bigger bleed (bright red) on Wednesday morning with two small clots so went back to hospital and was kept in overnight for monitoring.

I didn't have further bleeding, all my obs and baby's heartbeat were fine, cervix long and closed, so they let me go after 24 hours. I wasn't given an explanation for the bleeding – they basically said sometimes it just happens. I asked for a scan to check my placenta and they said no, it wasn't required.

After leaving hospital I booked a private scan (with a properly qualified sonographer). She said that I have a low-lying placenta and confirmed this via transvaginal ultrasound. It's 1.6cm from my cervix and apparently anything less than 2cm should be classed as low. This seems the most likely cause of the bleeding. She said I have grounds for an official complaint against the sonographer who did my 20-week scan, as they marked my placenta as high in my notes, and this is a potentially very dangerous mistake to have made. She also said I should have extra monitoring/scans from the NHS before I deliver.

As I understand it, it's likely that my placenta will move out of the way before delivery, and there's no immediate risk to me or baby right now, but it's definitely something that requires further monitoring to avoid the worst-case scenario.

I tried to get my midwife on the phone today but no luck, so phoned triage for some general advice, which was a vague take it easy, no exercise, no sex – but I’m not sure if that just means for now, i.e. in the aftermath of the bleeds I’ve had this week, or for the rest of the pregnancy.

I’m trying to absorb all of this after what has been a tiring week, and I just feel a bit… lost? I’m frustrated with the lack of information, and I feel both scared and angry that this was missed at my 20-week scan. I'm a big supporter of our NHS, but I feel pretty let down by this. And very, very grateful that I could afford a private scan.

I already had a midwife appointment booked in for next week, so I’m going to take it very easy until then, but in the meantime, if anyone could please share their experiences of low-lying placenta, I would be very grateful.

OP posts:
PumpkinPastiez · 03/02/2023 16:40

@notmyname22 you do realise that the placenta can and does move? Maybe it was 'high' during your 20 week scan, but it's now moved? Complain if you want but they can probably prove it was in the place they said it was 2 weeks ago by looking at the scans.

iwannascream · 03/02/2023 16:41

I had a low lying placenta (grade 4) I think, had a bleed at 30 weeks and it was picked up then. Placenta moved 4 weeks later scan confirmed, and had a normal birth at 39 weeks. Child now healthy 18 year old.

It is worrying as this was my second and i'd never heard of this. Try not to worry and just rest up and take it easy till you see the midwife.

OntarioBagnet · 03/02/2023 16:44

PumpkinPastiez · 03/02/2023 16:40

@notmyname22 you do realise that the placenta can and does move? Maybe it was 'high' during your 20 week scan, but it's now moved? Complain if you want but they can probably prove it was in the place they said it was 2 weeks ago by looking at the scans.

It doesn’t “move”, it’s embedded on your uterine wall in the same place throughout. What happens is as the pregnancy continues and the uterine wall moves up the placenta travels with it. The uterus does not move down in pregnancy so afaik the placenta will not move down.

Nursemumma92 · 03/02/2023 16:47

PumpkinPastiez · 03/02/2023 16:40

@notmyname22 you do realise that the placenta can and does move? Maybe it was 'high' during your 20 week scan, but it's now moved? Complain if you want but they can probably prove it was in the place they said it was 2 weeks ago by looking at the scans.

It is highly unlikely that it would move from 'high' to 1.6cm from cervix... they move in the sense that your uterus grows so they move further from cervix but if you have a high up placenta to begin with, this will not move down. It is attached to your uterine wall. It certainly needs further investigation and is a cause for concern that this was not picked up at 20 week scan.

Hope you get some answers OP. My low lying placenta in my 1st pregnancy had moved out of the way by 32 weeks. X

Quartz2208 · 03/02/2023 16:48

Yes it should not move from high to low.

there is very little tou can do but rest and keep an eye apart from the fact you need a 34 week scan to confirm if it has moved as if not it will be a c section.

mine was low lying and never moved and had a 38+1 c section and 7lb2oz baby who will be 14 next month

4thonthe4th · 03/02/2023 16:50

PumpkinPastiez · 03/02/2023 16:40

@notmyname22 you do realise that the placenta can and does move? Maybe it was 'high' during your 20 week scan, but it's now moved? Complain if you want but they can probably prove it was in the place they said it was 2 weeks ago by looking at the scans.

This.

what would complaining achieve? Make your own midwife aware, take the notes from the private scan along and I’m sure they’ll update your care plan accordingly.

Happinessandrainbows · 03/02/2023 16:56

Nursemumma92 · 03/02/2023 16:47

It is highly unlikely that it would move from 'high' to 1.6cm from cervix... they move in the sense that your uterus grows so they move further from cervix but if you have a high up placenta to begin with, this will not move down. It is attached to your uterine wall. It certainly needs further investigation and is a cause for concern that this was not picked up at 20 week scan.

Hope you get some answers OP. My low lying placenta in my 1st pregnancy had moved out of the way by 32 weeks. X

Show quote history

When uterus expands and 'tilts' it can move down to. It happened to me. From anterior, to fundal, to posterior.

Original poster
notmyname22 · 03/02/2023 16:58

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Yes, my understanding was that the placenta can (and usually does) move from low to high as the pregnancy progresses, but not the other way around.

I don't know if I want to make a complaint or not – I don't have enough information yet. I was just making the point that the sonographer was shocked this had been missed and it was her opinion that a complaint would be justified.

Right now my priority is to get more information and to look after myself and my baby.

In terms of resting and taking it easy, what were others with low-lying placentas advised to do?

OP posts:
PumpkinPastiez · 03/02/2023 16:59

Actually for those saying I'm wrong. As the uterus expands and tilts it can move downwards as well as up.

Soontobe60 · 03/02/2023 17:05

notmyname22 · 03/02/2023 16:58

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Yes, my understanding was that the placenta can (and usually does) move from low to high as the pregnancy progresses, but not the other way around.

I don't know if I want to make a complaint or not – I don't have enough information yet. I was just making the point that the sonographer was shocked this had been missed and it was her opinion that a complaint would be justified.

Right now my priority is to get more information and to look after myself and my baby.

In terms of resting and taking it easy, what were others with low-lying placentas advised to do?

www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/low-lying-placenta-placenta-praevia

Nursemumma92 · 03/02/2023 17:23

Happinessandrainbows · 03/02/2023 16:56

When uterus expands and 'tilts' it can move down to. It happened to me. From anterior, to fundal, to posterior.

Show quote history

A placenta is attached to your uterine wall. It cannot move down, it is possible for an anterior placenta to become fundal as your uterus grows but posterior means on the back of your uterus, not low and this isn't physically possible for it to move from front to back.

OntarioBagnet · 03/02/2023 17:26

PumpkinPastiez · 03/02/2023 16:59

Actually for those saying I'm wrong. As the uterus expands and tilts it can move downwards as well as up.

Probably not from 20-22 weeks and in 20 years of being a midwife I’ve never come across it though I accept I worked on Labour ward for 20 years so wouldn’t get involved with scans and antenatal care.

Happinessandrainbows · 03/02/2023 17:38

Nursemumma92 · 03/02/2023 17:23

A placenta is attached to your uterine wall. It cannot move down, it is possible for an anterior placenta to become fundal as your uterus grows but posterior means on the back of your uterus, not low and this isn't physically possible for it to move from front to back.

Show quote history

That's what I thought until it happened. A registered midwife explained to me that it can happen and how it happens. I'm not making this up, this is literally what happened and I was surprised too but they explained it's normal.

Quartz2208 · 03/02/2023 17:48

From memory (and it was awhile ago) take it easy as much as possible and to take my notes saying I had one with me everywhere I went. Then to avoid what you were told for as long as it was low lying

I then had a 34 week and 36 week scan to confirm still low lying. Most do move.

i booked in the c section then for between 38-39 weeks. I had to have blood tests at 36/37 and the day before the c section to ensure blood was available for the c section if I bled (I didn’t I lost far more in my vbac and was close then to a transfusion)

was the first c section of the day and then the elective process was the same. All fine DD was fine. Second pregnancy was fine without it and was a vbac. I breastfed just fine as well.

Yellowelly · 03/02/2023 17:55

I had a complete previa, which never moved up, but that is unusual. As long as the placenta is low, I was advised no sex, no exercise and take it easy. I had a c section at 34 weeks, baby (now toddler!) was fine although it was scary at the time. Speak to your midwife, as low lying placenta is very common, and they'll be able to advise you suitably. I'd be fuming about the incorrect scan though!

Original poster
notmyname22 · 03/02/2023 18:03

Thanks @Yellowelly and @Quartz2208, that's very helpful. Fingers crossed it moves up by my next scan! (Don't love the idea of a c-section but obviously I'll do whatever is safest.)

OP posts:
pennylanestrawberries · 03/02/2023 18:14

What would you hope to achieve by making a complaint? I do understand how you feel as some mistakes were made at my 20 week scan too (luckily it all turned out ok). But knowing how overstretched the NHS is, I wasn’t convinced a complaint would really change anything.

I’d channel your energy into getting repeat scans (you shouldn’t have to wait until 34 weeks, you should be offered another before then) and obviously go straight in if you get further bleeding.

Greybeardy · 03/02/2023 18:17

Any chance it could be the private sonographer that’s got it arse about elbow?

Original poster
notmyname22 · 03/02/2023 18:18

@pennylanestrawberries, please read my previous comment. I haven't said I'm making a complaint. That was the opinion of the sonographer I saw this week. She said it was a dangerous mistake, I was lucky it had been caught, and a complaint could prevent it happening to another woman in future.

OP posts:
Original poster
notmyname22 · 03/02/2023 18:20

@Greybeardy, yes, I've considered this.

She's given me ultrasound printouts to hand to my midwife, and I assume I'll be given another scan at some point so I'll find out more then. But it would explain the bleeding I've been having.

OP posts:
Original poster
notmyname22 · 03/02/2023 18:22

@pennylanestrawberries, sorry, just re-read my reply and it sounds a bit arsey, which I didn't mean it to be. I'll definitely be pushing for more scans and some real information and guidance.

OP posts:
stepstepstep · 03/02/2023 18:33

I had complete placenta praevia that never moved. It was almost missed at 20 weeks as I had a trainee sonographer, but at the end her supervisor said ‘errrm, anything you want to say about the placenta?’ I had a big bleed at 30 weeks & was then in hospital until 36 weeks when dd2 was delivered by c-section.

Starsinthesky22 · 03/02/2023 19:00

@Greybeardy funny you say that - that happened to me in my first pregnancy. I’d had a 4d scan at a private clinic and the sonographer told me to get the NHS to check the position of my placenta as she thought it was low lying. She really worried me. Luckily I was already having extra growth scans and everyone of them confirmed my placenta was posterior and high. worth noting though I never had any bleeding which made me suspicious that anything was wrong unlike OP.

AreBearsCatholic · 03/02/2023 19:08

You should definitely complain (not for the sake of complaining but for their information and training), they could have missed vasa previa too (as you’ve had a transvaginal scan now that would have been picked up, but someone who didn’t have a private scan could have had a stillbirth).
My placenta didn’t move, but it was fine. It was good to have a few months knowing that the baby would be early etc.

Blue2020 · 03/02/2023 19:21

It’s standard practice to be offered another scan at 32weeks with the nhs to check the position at that point if they find it’s low lying/placenta previa at the 20week scan.

Enquire with the maternity unit at the hospital?