Low lying (touching) placenta

[Lucky2023]

Hi all. I had my 20 week NHS scan today and I was advised I had a low lying placenta (only touching the cervix, not obstructing). I was hoping to go on holiday at 24 weeks pregnant but now reconsidering. I've been rebooked for another scan at 32 weeks but if I had a private scan at 22/23 weeks is it possible that it will have moved will it be too early to tell at that point?

22/23 weeks might be a bit early. It may have moved a bit by then or not. This is why they rescan at 32 weeks to give it enough time to move. You could book it for 28 weeks instead?

I wouldn't skip your holiday as your placenta is over the cervix, especially only just. Low lying at 20 weeks is common and they usually move up. Placenta over the cervix at delivery is so dangerous...that is why they need to check, but also so unlikly (natural selection, with ultrasound only being available for a couple of generation...). As the uterus gets bigger, the placenta doesn't so much and the cervix doesn't grow so theres so many more options for the placenta to attach itself.

It doesn't make pregnancy more risky, only labour so your holiday will be fine.

The extra scan may give you some peice of mind, I guess if it's really just overlying, it's nearly grown off your cervix, I could have moved in a couple of weeks. But if it hasn't, could give you extra unnecessary stress. I'd enjoy your holiday assume it will move and not do a private scan.

I thought it was harder to get signed fit for travel, and get insurance with low lying placenta. I could be wrong but that would be my main consideration.

I continued travelling and flying for work with a low lying placenta. I had a private 4d scan at 26 weeks and they confirmed that the placenta had moved a lot and is now approx 7cm away from my cervix so it’s moved a lot in that space of time alone.

Is it anterior or posterior? I was told that anterior will rise up higher as baby grows but posterior is likely to remain in place.

Either way, unless you’ve been specifically advised I don’t think you need to change your plans.

It is an anterior low lying placenta. The sonographer didn't seem concerned when I asked her about flying, she just said wear compression socks and do exercise and just make sure there is a medical facility nearby the hotel. We were hoping to fly to dubai from London and I've found a company that can insure me.
Ladies thank you very much for your responses I feel much better informed :)

You're very unlikely to get travel insurance with a low lying placenta sorry. You certainly wouldn't get a fit to fly letter from a midwife or GP.

There is a company called World First, they provide insurance cover for most conditions related to pregnancy. Have you heard of them?

I haven't but that's great that it gives you the option of flying! The risk isn't in flying itself, its the fact that there is always a risk that a low lying placenta can bleed very heavily. Although it doesn't happen often, it's very possible and could be extremely dangerous if it happened during the flight.

Yes you are absolutely spot on. I think I will go ahead with the scan in a few weeks time and see where I am. Your insight is very helpful x

I believe you only need a fit to fly certificate if you are 28 weeks or more, if you’re travelling before this date you may not be issued with one. I was told just to make sure I always took my notes with me.

I wonder if there is confusion with placenta previa in this thread? You absolutely must take precautions if it’s placenta previa and covering the cervix and you’d likely be put on pelvic rest. But as I say I was told o could just carry on as normal and did not require any additional documentation to fly. At that point my placenta was less than 2mm from my cervix so very low lying.

Hi, it's not placenta previa. The report says the leading edge of the placenta is only touching the cervix so hopefully there is no obstructing or covering of the cervix. If I had PP I would definitely not think of going anywhere!

@Lucky2023 I’d go with your midwife/doctors advice as I did, sounds like we have a fairly similar placement and as I say mine has moved up. Midwife and sonographer both told me it’s very unlikely for anterior low lying to move further down, it’ll be pushed up as baby grows.

I think some people here are mixing up low lying with actual placenta previa.

I wasn’t allowed to fly at 20 weeks with low lying placenta (not covering or touching the os). Was told not to swim or bath either. Did they tell you the distance?

‘Touching’ is the definition of placenta previa marginalis, so this may be why some people are using the term

No they didn't advise on the measurement and it's not in the report either. She also didn't say to avoid bathing/sex etc
I guess she is not that concerned but it's very confusing when reading that others were advised to avoid certain activities

Hi, I also had an anterior low lying placenta at my 20 week scan (not obstructing, just touching, so very similar). I was advised that I was at increased risk of bleeding, and so should avoid sex and strenuous activity until we knew whether it had moved (it did by 32 weeks, but hadn’t moved completely by 28 weeks). I was due to fly at 27 weeks and decided not to, because my midwife pointed out there’s really not much that can be done if there’s an emergency when you’re flying. As others have said though, it sounds like people who have similar situations are given quite different advice, and so you can only do what you feel comfortable with x

Sorry to hear you had to cancel holiday plans but I guess it's much better to play it safe no matter how low the risk. At the end of the day the most important thing is you and baby's health. I guess if it hasn't moved we can just put the money aside and go after the baby is born!

Only an issue if goong into labour or close to due date. As you can't deliever vaginally if the cervix is covered thats why arilines dont want you flying with them. You would.need a C section.
Your only early aaand you dont have a complete coverage of cervix. So I wouldn't worry.