Placenta Previa?

[starryeyeze]

Please help me out, as I'm quite confused.

I had my 20 week scan recently and the notes said 'The placenta is low lying on ultrasound today reaching/covering the internal os'.
It was not discussed much but they told me they'd re-scan at 32 weeks to see if the placenta has moved. They said for most women it does move up.

Although the placenta is covering the os, am I right in saying it is a 'low lying placenta' right now and only classed as 'placenta previa' if it hasn't moved by 32 weeks? And that most move?

Yes, that's correct. It's low-lying right now. Placenta Previa if it's still there at the end of pregnancy.

A lot do move, mine moved by 32 weeks and then baby turned breech just to add another layer of complication!

Oh Lordy, another thing to worry about!

Thanks so much for replying, a lot of online sites seem to get confused between the 2 terms but I'm glad to hear I've got it right.

Technically you currently have placenta previa as it's covering internal os. Low-lying placenta is within 2cm of os but not covering it.

Is it anterior or posterior? Anterior ones are easier/faster to move. My posterior placenta previa at 20w was still only 0.9cm from os at 34w scan, but it somehow moved to 2.3cm from os at 36w. Though I'm now growing a big baby with GD so may end up with a c-section anyways....

Good luck OP! Most of them do move but don't do too strenuous activities meanwhile to minimise the risk of bleeding.

I have a low lying placenta, I'm 28 weeks today and have a scan at the hospital to check to see if it's moved. So I'll find out what happens next- in about 4 hours and I'll update. I have no idea

@katerose2022 Oh, it is anterior! That is the first good thing I've heard about an anterior placenta.

@VictoriaBlossom Fingers crossed for you!

I had my 20 week scan a couple of days ago and discovered the same. My is complete coverage and posterior, so the chance of it moving is very slim.

Anyone else been put on pelvic rest?

@Chunkychips23 they should have given you a leaflet about placenta previa? think the recommendation is basically pelvic rest, no sex, no strenuous exercise, no long-time standing/walking, no long-haul flight. Any spotting/bleeding just bring yourself to the hospital.

Good luck! As I posted my posterior placenta previa didn't move until 36w but it's all clear now.

I’m the same as PP, complete coverage of the os and posterior. I didn’t realise a posterior low lying placenta is less likely to move😩

Hmm.. I've got a flight booked for when I'm 32 weeks so I'm going to book a private scan before to see if it's moved.

If it has, happy days.
If not, I may have to make a difficult decision about the family holiday:/

Sorry to jump on this post, but couldnt ignore your flying comment at 32 weeks. I've got an anterior low-lying placenta. Just had a bleed because of it at 28 weeks... 4 days after returning from a holiday abroad. Honestly, I'm pretty lucky I was back as would probably have been 2+ hours from a hospital there. 32 weeks is late to get a fit to fly signed off for a holiday (although fine to fly then if it was one-way to travel to home country for birth etc.), so you might want to check your gp will do this if your placenta hasnt moved. I was asked for my fit to fly a lot.

I'm not saying cancel, but think through the details, the length of flight, your personal circumstances- at 28 weeks I struggled getting things off the floor for my kids much more than the outward journey at 27 weeks (without kids would have been fine, but husband seated elsewhere as stupidly we didn't pay the extortionate amount to sit together, but in the circumstances, we should have done).

If you use the healthier together app, you can still use it when you're abroad apparently- midwife told me thos before i left. Although I didn't need it then, it was a godsend in UK as was 5 minutes between bleed starting, speaking to someone and leaving for hospital. Hope this helps.

Thank you for your comment @3rdtimemumma I appreciate it and I'm glad to hear all is ok after your bleed, that must have been very scary.

I think as I'm Easyjet they do not need a Fit to Fly and allow flying up until 35 weeks (which does sound a little crazy to me).

If it's still low I'm almost certainly not going to risk it; it would be far too scary to be on a place and bleeding!

I’ve got a low lying placenta - so not covering but within 2cm (or at least I did at my 20 week scan). It’s also anterior.

Apparently as the womb grows it tends to push the placenta upwards for most women.

I’ve got my 32 placenta scan tomorrow so will find out then where it is! I feel like it’s still quite low as bottom of my bump is quite spongy and all movements are at the top but who knows?!

It was the exact same with me at my 20 week scan (touching or covering os) and I just had a private re scan at 27 weeks and it's now moved and is 3cm away from the os. This means it is no longer low lying. Woohoo, fingers crossed for you other ladies in similar position.

I have a anterior low lying placenta with the tip covering the os at 20 weeks, have I got a good chance it will move?

@Nat2903 yes most likely it will move out of way. Anterior ones are easier and quicker to move than posterior ones. Even my posterior complete previa moved away in the end, though only at 38 weeks....

Do u need to be careful how much u do ect? Or can you carry on as normal?

@Nat2903
You do need to be extra careful, esp in 3rd trimester. Always carry your maternity notes. Any sign of bleeding even just a tiny bit just go to the hospital to be on the safe side. No carrying heavy stuff. No long walks or any vigorous exercise. My only exercise was short walks around my local park.

Mine despite being complete previa didn't bleed at all. But some others low lying ones do, so it's quite random.

Good luck!

Will walking to school run about 5 mins away be OK? Will be having growth scans from 28 weeks anyway so hopefully they will keep eye on it thank you

@Nat2903 yes think that should be ok. I was commuting to work 10mins walk each end until I was 30 weeks then fully wfh. It was fine. Bleeding before 3rd trimester is less likely, and you may well get an all clear at your 28 weeks scan so you know how to take it forward.

Sorry, only just been back on this thread. Mine didn’t end up moving and I had recurrent haemorrhages and bleeds starting at 29wks, resulting in multiple hospital stays. Ended up being kept in hospital for the last part of my pregnancy just to keep him baking until early term. Born healthy via planned c-section at 37+1.

Anyone discovering this thread after a diagnosis of a low lying placenta, my situation isn’t the norm. 90% of low lying placentas do move before delivery. Even if it doesn’t, this doesn’t mean you’ll bleed.