Low lying placenta at 34 weeks...

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Morning!

Just looking for some others who might have been in a similar boat. At 20 weeks, I was told I had a low lying placenta but not to worry as 90% of the time they shift.. I haven't had any symptoms at all, so I was hoping I'd be part of the 90%... Well, at 34 weeks, I'm 18mm away from the cervix (when the safe distance is 20mm!). I've got another scan booked a week later - but just wanted to see if others had any similar experiences and what was your outcome? Did things move? Did they let you try natural with a c section as a back up? Or did they go straight for c section and if so, at what week? I just can't see how things will move enough in a week at this stage!

Incredibly anxious about having a c section - I've got an 18 month old who's very clingy, so I'm already worried about how she'll handle it all, let alone if I'm not even able to pick her up if I've had a c section. We've also not spent a night apart, so I'm worrying about all the practical stuff!

I had a lovely birth with my first (well, as lovely as birth can be...!) and this just feels completely opposite already. My first was at the birth centre, in and out relatively quickly, BC is 10 minutes away - all good. Whereas hospital is 40 minutes away, overnight stays and all the fun and games that come with having an operation.

I know that the most important thing is that baby and I are healthy and safe, and I know my eldest will adjust, and it's a relatively short amount of time in the grand scheme of things etc. I know there's nothing I can do about it either - I'm just in a wallowing mood and interested to hear others stories! I don't know anyone in my life who's had a c section, so I'd be grateful to anyone willing to share stories (good or bad!).

Your recovery from a planned c section is likely to be much better than an emergency c section. With an emergency c section, it is big surgery through muscles that are constantly contracting and fighting the surgery. When planned, you're not tired, the muscles are relaxed, the incision is smaller and nearer, and (usually) recovery is much easier.
Being away from your toddler for a night is not the hardest part of this. Bringing a baby into their lives for their whole future is. So keeping that aspect in mind for context may help - this is a long journey, not a sprint in terms of them getting used to having a sibling so a couple of weeks when you can't rough and tumble with them isn't a big deal. You'll still be able to cuddle and practically you will still pick them up. Just tenderly!

With an emergency c section, it is big surgery through muscles that are constantly contracting and fighting the surgery. When planned, you're not tired, the muscles are relaxed, the incision is smaller and nearer,

rubbish

If they say c section definitely go for it.

I had a low lying placenta early on when pregnant with my third - it mostly moved but one lobe stayed low. They decided I could have vagina birth but I had to go in early in labour especially if any bleeding. It was a very different delivery to my other two and my baby had to turn to back to back to get out. I had a constant monitor on baby’s head as their heartbeat wasn’t great and I had to stay in a position where it was at its best. It took a long time and I had dozens of people in and out to discuss was now the moment for a c section at the bottom of my bed. It did end up being a vaginal birth but baby did need oxygen and were bruised all over with a lot of fluid under their skin (weighed 10lbs) - even their eyeballs had rings of red blood when they opened their eyes fully. I felt like someone had kicked me down my spine and I was bruised from the inside out. We live in a rural location and I suspect I would have had an emergency c section if more staff available. But the staff were amazing and everything ended up well. It was a dramatic birth though! You know how they tend to ignore the Dad. Well while I was being stitched up they gave him hot chocolate and toast and tucked him under a blanket on the chair.

I had a vaginal birth first time and planned c-section with my second - it was calm, straightforward and I recovered well. It took a bit longer than the vaginal birth but it forced me to slow down and that was probably for the best. I took painkillers but I was up and about as normal after two weeks. I had lots of cuddles in bed with my eldest (and my baby) in that time. I just had to be careful with lifting my eldest but my husband did most of that. Honestly, they adapt and so do you!

When would you have the section, if it was planned? For your peace of mind maybe schedule it but ask to have a scan and see if the placenta has moved closer to the time and assess if a vaginal birth would be possible. My sister has had it twice and it moved after 34 weeks. She was in the same position as you and she was adamant she wanted monitoring. She didnt need her sections anymore. Good luck

I found my c-section much easier recovery wise than my natural birth, and I had a toddler after c section. Birth centre will be out of the window anyway unless the placenta shifts massively, and I wouldn’t risk a natural birth unless there is a larger movement personally which seems unlikely.