20 week scan and posterior placenta finishing 1cm from internal os

[Nicki77]

Hiya

I had my 20 week scan today, which I found quite nerve wrecking. Our baby was super active and kept moving and when the scanner tried to look at its heart it promptly kicked me several times and turned its back on us. After a walk to try and get the baby to turn the scan was completed. Everything was normal. So relieved. One thing I don't understand though looking at the notes is that it says I have a posterior placenta which finishes 1cm from the internal os. Does anyone know what this means???

Is it anything to worry about at this stage of the pregnancy.

Nicki

I think it means that you have a low lying placenta (internal os is the cervix).

I am a little surprised that you don't have a follow up scan later to check if placenta has moved up as I think that a low lying placenta is something to keep an eye on in labour.

I think that there is also slightly higher risk of bleeding duing pregnancy.

Have you been refrred for another scan at 30 or so weeks? If not, then they don't think theres anything to worry about. Whats they're measuring is where the placenta is and whether it is likely to move into the right position when the baby starts getting much bigger. The vast majority of placentas do this. They only usually ask for another scan if the placenta is covering the os at this point. The posterior bit means that, at the moment, it's slightly to the back of the womb, but again that's nothing unusual.

You'll be fine; it all sounds normal .

Thanks PleaseMrsButler

I have a 30 week growth scan already booked as I am high risk due to pre-existing medical conditions and they are worried that the baby isn't growing well enough. Certainly wasn't a problem today, its growing like mad. I just seem to be hitting one problem after another and would very much like something to start going right.

JUst try to relax and be glad that the scan went well today. At the 30 week scan it's highly highly likely that the placenta will have moved up. If you do have any spotting at all though, ring your midwife. Otherwise, try to be as laid back as poss if you can.