Low Lying Placenta Confusion

[Foreverbusymum101]

A bit of a long one so I’m sorry about this, first time posting as I’m going out of my mind. I’m 32+1 today, we were told at 20 weeks that I would more than likely have to have a c section as I had placenta previa covering the entire exit, which I eventually got my head around. They said at the time I would have an internal scan at 32 weeks. So today we go in for said internal scan. Before I jump to what happens next, 2 nights ago I was feeling a bit unsettled about the fact the babies movements felt more lethargic than usual, she was still moving around but something felt off so we went to check. All fine, was sat on a monitor for 20 minutes and then got sent home (we had obviously annoyed her doing this as we got loads of movement whilst I was wired up - poor baby). The week prior to this (so last Friday) we had had a growth scan as she was showing larger than she should be with a tape measure but that all turned out fine and the lady said at the time she couldn’t confirm for definite but she seemed to think the placenta had moved but to wait for the internal to make sure. So fast forward to today and I just feel like my heads a mess to be honest and it’s all a bit of a blur but we went in, within seconds the lady said that they didn’t need to do an internal because the placenta had only moved 0.5mm and it needed to be 2mm - we asked if they would check this again, she said yes they should do at around 36 weeks. Fine, that’s what we expect but didn’t seem right not doing an internal in the first place as she even said herself there can be shadows and all sorts on the scan so it’s never 100% accurate and that’s why they do an internal in the first place so I’m wondering why they didn’t just do it and how can they be sure. Then she’s almost forgotten what she’s doing and said something like oh sorry I forgot you probably want to see the rest of your baby, so she quickly shows us the kidneys, tummy, bladder etc. Then she comes out with the fact that the pressure is high in the cord and starts mentioning preeclampsia and the baby having to be in an incubator. Me and my partner are sat there like what how did it jump to this, I don’t have preeclampsia, my blood pressure has always been fine and not a cause for concern, i don’t even know why she mentioned it. She said something about if i need a c section that they will keep the baby in there as long as possible and won’t do it until 39 weeks. By this point I’m so confused and my partner is looking at me like that isn’t right is it. We both know that isn’t true so like what the hell is this woman talking about. Anyway we come out of there, I’m practically crying. She comes over after telling us to go and sit in the waiting area for a midwife not to look at google and not to worry (we were googling preeclampsia) i already know what this is but i started panic scrolling as you do looking for answers. 10 minutes later we’re in with a midwife and she herself is confused as to why she has mentioned preeclampsia as this isn’t a problem i have, she also told us not to worry and it can be an anomaly and sometimes there is no reason as to why the whole high pressure in the cord happens or that it could just be because the baby has been active or they’re holding onto it/ sat on it etc. She books us an appointment for Thursday next week for a follow up scan and a consultation to discuss a plan for a c section presumably. We get home and my head is just a complete mess so I leave it a bit and then call triage at another hospital. You can’t have a baby at our local hospital. I asked if it was normal to have to wait a week to go back, she said yes basically (there is no concern over weight by the way she is on track so far) anyway that is that and then i check my phone later and i have a missed call from triage. I rang back and the original lady i spoke to said she had escalated it and infact i should be having two scans a week not just the one, so they are currently trying to get me in for another at the beginning of next week although they can’t guarantee it and told me that movement is the best indicator and to keep an eye on things. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? I feel like no one actually knows what they’re talking about now and it’s stressing me and my partner out SO much.

reading between the lines a bit and with some obs knowledge their thought processes do make some sense, but doesn't sound like it's been communicated well. Perhaps a meeting with your obstetrician to go through it all would be a good idea?

OK first of all, take a breath. It sounds like you're in a spin. Pregnancy can throw up unexpected things like this from time to time, and you won't always have clear answers straight away. Sometimes you need to watch and wait. They are in the process of arranging follow ups for you which is great. Did you have this done today, Saturday? They won't have full admin resources etc on a weekend so by Monday should have more clarity on appointments.

It sounds like your placenta hasn't moved much. Needs to be at least 2cm from the internal cervical opening. It's usual to confirm this again at 36 weeks, 32 is still a bit early. In my my experience this scan happens 34-36 weeks. Insist on a transvaginal scan then for certainty.

If it hasn't moved by then, your c section will be booked. 39 weeks is ideal for baby's lung maturity. C sections happen at any stage if there's more risk to baby. Why do you say it isn't true that they'll keep baby in until 39 weeks? This is accurate. If they can, they will.

Fetal movements are another issue. Usual advice, keep an eye and if your movements aren't right then present to triage. Present as many times as you are worried.

Your scan will always look at baby's overall wellbeing. Did she call it 'increased resistance' in the cord? This can be associated with pre eclampsia. You may not show signs right now, but it doesn't mean you won't get it. She isn't saying you have it but she's pointing out a clinical finding that she has seen on your scan. You were very quick to dismiss her findings but she is only telling you what she sees. It could have been a fluke and maybe you won't see this again.

It's great they're going to keep a close eye on you and that you're getting consultant opinion. Hope everything goes as smoothly as possible for you.

It was yesterday morning, although someone has called me today and advised that they should be able to get me in on Monday even if it means travelling to one of three locations which I’m fine with. I will definitely be making sure I have an internal at some point, even if that is at 36 weeks it’s the most accurate way they can check otherwise that wouldn’t be an option. That might be the case in other situations but they had already advised 36-37 weeks based on the fact I had full placenta previa at my 20 week scan. They didn’t want to risk me going into labour early and there being further complications. The longer she stays in there the better I agree because I don’t like the thought of her having to have steroid injections because her lungs aren’t quite mature enough but they never mentioned waiting until 39 weeks so this caught me off guard. The only thing she said was that there was pressure in the cord. This is my first child, I have no idea what they mean unless they explain it to me. I’m not dismissing what she’s said but if you’re going to throw a load of medical terminology at me I’d like to know exactly what that means and potentially entails instead of having to worry myself sick looking at google for answers, when I did ask questions it was all very vague 🤦🏻‍♀️ of course i am hoping it is just a one off and next time its fine but it got me really worried, i think thats a pretty normal response when you don’t understand something. She should of backed up what she said with an explanation as to why she thought that, throwing preeclampsia at me and saying my baby might have to be incubated with no further information would worry anyone. The fact that two other midwives were also confused as to why she even mentioned it also? I’m a very anxious person and it doesn’t take much for me to overthink something, this pregnancy has been a bit of a whirlwind so any sign of anything bad and I’m straight on the worst case scenario.

How stressful for you. I think you should write down any questions that you have to take with you on Monday so that you can be reassured at your scan, rather than being left with questions and worry.

Sorry you're having such a worrying time. Hope you get all the answers and clarity available to you next week. I would truly encourage you to ask ask ask, it's your medical information and you're entitled to have all of the details. If something isn't clear, keep asking for a better explanation or request someone who can give it to you. They may be used to throwing out medical jargon but that isn't right and it will sometimes take you reminding them of that for them to realise. Your Midwife should have been able to read the scan report and either explain it herself or get someone who can to speak to you.

If your placenta has moved slightly as she said in the scan, then it's not a complete praevia anymore. So potentially can keep baby in longer which would be great! Everyone's situation is different and only your own team can advise you for sure.

Pre eclampsia alone isn't a reason for a baby to be in an incubator so not sure why she said that, unless she meant if baby was delivered prematurely. Anyway, I would put that out of your mind as it is not something you have at this time.
Good luck next week!