Referral to fetal medicine after finding low lying placenta at 20 week scan

[Rainbowsunshine81]

I had my scan today at 21 weeks and the sonographer told me that the placenta is over the cervix, I can't recall if she said fully or partially. I have been referred to the fetal medicine unit.
She did say that as the pregnancy progresses it can move away and up.
Feeling anxious now.

I had the same picked up in my 20 week scan, at that point the placenta was lying low, by 36 weeks it was completely covering the cervix. Without scans I would never have known. I didn’t have any bleeding or other indications. You’ll likely be consultant led for the rest of the pregnancy with extra scans, I think mine were 28 weeks and 32 weeks.

They are right in saying it could move up and away though, I know of a few that had low lying placentas at 20 weeks and they moved, theirs had all moved by around 28 weeks I think. It will all be fine though, they have identified it and will know exactly what to do. Good luck!

I had a low lying placenta at 20w (touching the cervix not covering) it had moved by 28w. It moves most of the time as the cervix grows although if it's covering it's unlikely to. If it doesn't move you'll need to have a c-section but they'll keep an eye on you. Try not to worry although I know it's hard not to!

@Keepsmiling2948 Thank you for replying, I had a private scan at 16 weeks and wasn't mentioned to me then. I haven't had any indication that I can think of, though in the very beginning some spotting which was put down to have progesterone pessaries.
I think they did mention a scan at 32 weeks and if it doesn't move up then will be a c section, which I know is best and I think that if it were to move up, I think I'd still go for a section. It's good to be closely monitored and they said I should hear within 3 to 5 days with an appointment. Thank you for your help 🙏🏻

@HelterSkelter224 Thank you for replying, she did say it can move up and I'll be having a scan at 32 weeks, she said I should get an appointment within 3 to 5 days for the fetal medicine. I think that maybe even if it does move up, I'd go for a c section anyway just to be safe. It is hard not to worry isn't it, I'm a worrier anyway.!

Can I ask why you’d opt for a c section even if it moves up? The majority do move up, mine included. It won’t affect your birth if it has moved out of the way.

@BroomAdventures I'm hoping it does move up, as I would have liked to have tried naturally this time. Maybe I'd just feel it would be safer.

It only needs a few centimetres for it to be safe so I wouldn't rule out a vaginal birth if that's what you want! (Assuming it moves up of course)

Hi @Rainbowsunshine81 sounds like we're in a similar boat. I had my anomaly scan just before Christmas where the sonographer referred me to fetal medicine as the placenta was covering my cervix os and also against my previous c section scar. I did know this was likely as I'd asked where my placenta was located at earlier scans.

I'm 22+3 today. I was already due to have a growth scan at 32 weeks, but with this referral my trust will now also scan at 28 weeks and I meet the fetal medicine consultant at 26 weeks.

Is this your first pregnancy? I never wanted a c section before, but ended up needing an emergency one. This had complications and sadly makes this placenta positioning so much more stressful with the risk of accreta too. I'm so glad for all the monitoring the NHS are providing though and I've been taking it very easy as to limit the risk of bleeding. The bleeding risk particularly scares me as we live quite a distance from a hospital.

I'm having a private scan next weekend as to ask the position again as I'm keen to see if there's been any movement in a month. Fingers crossed for you that yours moves well up and out the way!

No I also wouldn’t rule out a vaginal birth. I think I was 34w when mine moved. Fingers crossed for you

I had placenta previa that moved up slightly, leaving vasa previa (baby was fine). The scary scenario is when they don’t know about it. Whatever happens, you are likely to have a good outcome

@HelterSkelter224 that's good to know that it only needs to move a few centimetres. I'd like to experience a vaginal birth this time. Hopefully it does move up.

@Narkacist I'm glad that it was seen today and being referred to be monitored.

My cervix was still partially covered at the point I gave birth, vaginal birth with no complications, they just had me strapped up to a monitor to keep an eye, you’ll be well looked after, don’t stress x

@Zeeha I've had a previous c section and I was asked today if this has caused me any problems which I can't think of any.
I've been told that I'm going to be having growth scans and I'm sure they mentioned to be about having a scan at 32 weeks.
Hopefully I'll get an appointment through in 3 to 5 days, do you know what they'll talk to me about?
She did say to me today about possible spotting etc which made me anxious, up to this point there has been none, I'm going to be taking it easy and I might ring the fetal medicine tomorrow and ask any advise they have. I remember with my son the placenta became stuck, and had started to calcify. I'm hoping it does move up.

@BroomAdventures definitely not going to rule out a Vaginal birth, I guess I'll have a better idea after the appointment and also after speaking to a consultant midwife from the birth choices clinic.

@Flipslop Will try not to stress too much, it does seem like I'll be closely monitored which is good. X

i would talk to your midwife for details of what was found on the scan and some reassurance, you’ll feel heaps better for knowing the full story x

@Rainbowsunshine81 is your placenta anterior or posterior and did the sonographer give you a leaflet with any information?

Anterior is more likely to move as the front of your uterus stretches more, but with a scar on your front they'll likely be keeping an eye for accreta (especially given your placenta being sticky before). I recall the stats in the leaflet read 9 out of 10 usually move up enough, however if a previous c section the odds are more like 50/50.

I found the appointments were showing on the Badgernotes app my trust uses the following working day. The sonographer said the consultant appointment would be within a couple of weeks, but it was about 6 weeks. She said they may send me for a MRI to look at how the placenta is against my scar and that if they believe the risk warrants it I may have to go to a different more specialist hospital for the birth. I guess each trust differs in their procedures.

Pelvic rest is usually recommended as contractions of the uterus can risk bleeding. Also I feel a lot safer limiting my activity as much as possible, trying to reduce bending, squatting and lifting. Quite difficult with a toddler though!

I had placenta previa/low lying placenta so it was over my cervix and anterior. It was my first pregnancy though so maybe that’s why I didn’t get referred to fetal medicine? Whereas you have the csection scar as a possible added concern.

All I got told by the sonographer was I would have another scan at 32 weeks, that there’s a small chance it wouldn’t move and in that case it would be a csection. Also to watch out for bleeding. At 27 weeks I did have a point of some minor bleeding but I think I caused it by rushing up some stairs. The hospital didn’t even say to come in just said to put a pad on and if I bleed again to call them back. It didn’t and by 31 weeks mine had moved enough as my bump grew that it wasn’t a problem and they said I could have a vaginal delivery if I wanted.

I did end up with a csection but only due to a sudden concern for DS while I had preeclampsia.

@Blue2020 The sonographer did an internal scan to have a closer look at the placenta and cervix, then I'm sure she said I'd have a scan at 32 weeks. She did say if it doesn't move then it would be a c section. She did say any spotting etc to contact and come in. Didn't say anything about taking it easy, rest etc, I think I will ring the fetal medicine unit tomorrow and ask if there's anything that I shouldn't be doing.

@Zeeha my placenta apparently is at the back this time, they didn't give me a leaflet apart from the fetal medicine unit and why I've been referred.
I'm going to give them a ring tomorrow and ask for some more information, do's and don'ts I have been resting and not doing anything too strenuous. I have an eight year old who usually keeps entertained

@Flipslop That's a good idea, to speak to my midwife about it, I like to know the full details.

Hey, I had my 20 week scan today and got told the same thing. The placenta is currently partially covering cervix. I’ve have 2 c sections and no vaginal births (EMCS and failed VBAC) so i will be having an elective anyway. She said it’s less important for me as I’m going to have a c section but I’ve had an additional scan booked.

No one told me about any risks etc so maybe that will be talked about in next appointment. Following with interest!

I just wanted to add that I had this with my first at my 20 week scan in 2023. Placenta partially covering the cervix. I had a scan booked for 32 weeks and then spent the next 12 weeks mentally preparing myself for a C-section. At the 32 week scan it had completely moved so all back to plan A birth wise.

It was explained to me like inflating a balloon so as it inflates it can easily move positions and it does for most. (I don't have the actual stats). There are some good videos online explaining it like a balloon which I'd recommend

@Nollybolly6 Did you? I can't recall if they said my placenta is partially covering or completely covering. I'm definitely going to ring tomorrow about anything that I should or shouldn't be doing as the sonographer didn't say anything. I'd like to know before I have my appointment.