Low-lying Placenta - anyone experienced this?

[grommit]

I just had my 20 wk scan and have been told that my placenta is low. I know the chances are that it may move up - I have another scan at 34 weeks - but I just wanted to be prepared for what to expect if it doesn't. Thanks!

I had the same but it moved up - I think most do. If it is going to cause a problem (if it is a proper placenta praevia) then it is likely to cause you some bleeding a bit further down the track as the baby gets bigger, engages and bumps it around- any time from 32 weeks onwards I think. If that happens then they will keep a good eye on it and you, will tell you not to carry anything at all, not over exert yourself but keep moving to avoid clots. If it is praevia you will need a caesar which will be scheduled a couple of weeks before you might otherwise go into labour, around 38 weeks, or they may caesar you beforehand if you have repeated bleeding.

But it probably will just move up as your uterus expands - what they have told you is just a precaution and the scan at 34 weeks will probably just tell you that everything is fine!

I can't remember the statistics exactly, but I think it is something like 90% of low lying placentas diagnosed at 20 week have "moved" to the upper section of the uterus by term. So I really wouldn't worry!

As others have said grommit - will most probably move up out of the way as your uterus grows. Obviously, were you to get any bleeding prior to your 34 wk scan, you should be checked over promptly at the hospital.
If the placenta is still low at 34 wks they will want to keep a close eye on you, with more scans probable. the consultant would want to determine just how low it is, and does it actually affect the cervix - ie: is it lying partalliy or fully across the cervix? This is called placenta praevia, and there are different grades according to the 'severity' ie: how much the cervix is invoved. The more 'severe' cases would necessitate caesarean section, and possible hospitalisation nearer term for observation

Thanks everyone - I will try not to worry!

I had this at my 19 week scan, but everything had moved round by the time I went again at 32 weeks. Don't worry.

I can echo Neen99?s experience on this - 20 week scan told me that I had a low lying placenta but by 32 week scan it had moved out of the way. At the initial 20 week scan I made the mistake of asking what complications this can cause and they really frightened me with c section, hospitalisation in last few weeks etc. etc. and my research on the web did little to comfort me either - all for nothing. I wish someone had told me then that there is a 90% chance of it moving up and that those that are lying down only a small percentage are really cause for concern and careful monitoring... Wouldn?t worry too much if I were you. 10% is fairly low odds for this problem not to disappear by itself and, if it doesnt, you have the benefit of the hospital staff knowing well in advance what is wrong and being able to treat you and your baby properly to avoid any difficulties. Keep yer chin up.

I also had a low lying placenta at 20 wk scan twice, and both times it had moved in 8 weeks and I had two vaginal deliveries. It moves up as your womb stretches, as far as I remember. Looking forward to being told next week that I have it again!

Is it just low? If so I agree it will almost certainly be taken up by the womb as it stretches. Mine was right over the cervix (the term is complete) - like a saucer balanced on an egg cup so I reckoned (correctly) that it wasn't going anywhere. But it was fine. I did have some bleeding and a boring month in hospital beforehand but my c-section at 37 weeks was great. Ds was 10/10 apgar and totally healthy.

I had two 'low placenta' pregnancies. The first was diagnosed at the 20 week scan after 12 weeks of slight bleeding but cleared before the birth. The second again caused bleeding from 6 - 18 weeks but nothing was said at the 20 week scan so I was blissfully unaware of any problems. At 31 weeks I had a slight bleed and stayed in hospital for a night but was discharged - no explanation, no scan. A day later I was readmitted with further bleeding and had a major bleed the following day which eventually resulted in a c-section at 31 weeks +5 (according to scan dates at 20 weeks). DS2 was in special care on a ventilator for 3 days with a further 3 weeks care and I needed a 4 unit blood transfusion. But at 7 years of age DS seems fine now. I later had a VBAC with DD and all was well.

Another lady had a placenta previa baby at the same time as me and although she had spent many weeks in hospital due to minor bleeds, she had a planned section at 34 weeks and went home with her baby 4 days later.

Personally I think that 34 weeks is a bit late for a second scan and although the chances are that your placenta will not cause a problem, you should be aware of the urgency to go to hospital as soon as any bleeding does occur and should have an overnight bag packed from an early stage, just in case.

Can only agree with PamT on this one, and really don't mean to be a prophet of doom but...

I've had Placenta praevia grade 3/4 twice, both resulting in long hospital stays due to erratic bleeding.

In both pregnancies my placenta detached - once at 28 weeks and once at 31 weeks. Both my babies survived in the end , but only cos i was in the right place at the right time.

I'm sure this won't happen to you, it is rare, but I felt you should hear my experience too. Take good care of you both and good luck.

I had this at my 20 week scan, but was fine by 34 weeks.

Good Luck. I'm sure it'll be fine, but speak with your midwife or ObG if you're unsure or feel something's wrong.

I had this too, it was worrying as I thought I would need a cesaerean, wanted natural birth. I was going for scans frequently after 20 weeks and in the last few weeks, every week. However, at the last minute, everything was Ok, placenta was in a safe enough position and I was allowed to try natural birth, everything went well and there were no problems, in fact, the birth experience was wonderful and magical. So, everything can correct itself at the last minute. It helps to have a good midwife too that explains everything clearly and reassures you, I felt confident the Placenta Praevia wouldn't intervene with my wishes and it didn't for me, it was only very slight. If covering the cervix too much it is safer to have cesaerean, Docs and midwives will advise you. GOOD LUCK.

Hi,

I also had a low lying placenta at my first scan, but like many other posters it was fine by 32 weeks.

Good luck to you.

Grommit. I too had this and the best piece of advice I can give you is not to "research" into too much as you will find some horrific stories. Do you really need to put yourself through that when the chances are it will move??

I had many sleepless nights worrying over what I found out coupled with the fact mine did not move but like I said before the majority do move.

Good luck,oh and if I was you I would ask my midwife for a earlier scan if poss just to put your mind at rest.

My placenta was in the worst possible place but my outcome was great. I am sure you have nothing to worry about.

I went for a scan today and told my placenta is low; I know it will probably sort itself & I can't do anything about it so won't worry too much, but I still have questions:

1. they wrote on my notes "placental location just reaches 05."

I think they said that they flag it up if placenta was nearer than 2cm, but what does "05" mean?

2. They said we had to abstain from sexual intercourse! I can't believe it, after months of morning sickness when I couldn't bear being touched, now I wouldn't mind a little, but told I can't!! Is it really that risky?

Cheers!

I think that's the letter S rather than a five. As to what the OS is, someone else will have to answer that.

I was told I had a low lying placenta at 20 week scan and was scanned every four weeks after that in the hope that it would move. It did'nt, I had Placenta Pravia. However, I had a wonderful pregnancy and an elective section at 37 weeks as my placenta was completely covering OS. I worked up until the friday before giving birth the following tuesday - healthy baby girl 5lb 12oz. C-Section and recovery were a dream. The only advice I would give is try not to worry, if you feel fine, then you probably are!

Thanks for the replies! Just "touching OS" doesn't sound very good, then .

What about the sex thing, though, do I need to refrain?

And another question... suppose at 33 weeks they declare placenta is still too low... can I insist on a further scan at 37 weeks to be totally sure I need a C-section, or would that be silly because placenta would never move enough between 33 & 37 weeks?

Thanks!

I think that you really do have to refrain from sex, probably even non penetrative. Orgasms stimulate the uterus (contractions), sex can irritate the cervix, both of which can lead to bleeding. Sorry! Hope someone else sees this soon to give you a definitive answer.

Just steer clear of penetrative sex and you will be ok. It can trigger bleeding, which you really don't want. But don't panic. How many weeks are you now?

I'm 20 weeks today. That's the part I can't get. 2 days ago penetrative sex was fine, now it's off-limits. . The MW told us to be "creative", but I don't like the "creative" alternatives so much.

From what I read I think it would be called "Grade II" -- I could accept "no sex" better if the placenta was definitvely covering the cervix. It's not like I've had any bleeding. I know I sound like some sex fiend, but after all the morning sickness, I was just getting in the mood again!

Another question I didn't ask and they didn't say-- what about exercise?! I was going jogging (very carefully, not so much it tired me out) every 2-3 days. Do you think that's off-limits, now, too? What about other types of exercise (cycling or swimming?) I can't find much advice about exercise on the Internet except when it's definitely a Grade III or IV placenta previa.

Thanks, I will ask community MW when I see her, but that won't be for a few weeks, at least.

I didn't have any bleeding at 20 weeks (except after sex ahem - and then not really bleeding) - indeed nothing until 32 weeks, which for complete PP was very good going indeed. But bleeding with PP is pretty shocking - painless but a LOT of blood with moves fast. It can also, if I remember rightly, provoke premature labour. I certainly wouldn't jog and I couldn't take any exercise at all. I would ask your m/w or consultant for advice on what is safe - call or make an earlier appointment. It isn't so much that it was safe two days ago and now isn't, it just that two days ago you didn't know it was unsafe.
However, on the bright side, you sound as if you don't have very severe sort of PP and will probably avoid any serious problems, or indeed, an problems at all.

Hi Cavy - it is difficult to advise at times. The problem is that your low lying placenta has been identied. However, up until now you were blissfully unaware (another problem with detailed scans). I have known women with placenta praevias who have never bled and I have known women who have bled and that was when the praevia was diagnosed.
However, at 20 weeks it is not uncommon to have a 'low lying' placenta which is then normally situated at a later scan. I remember the days when women were admitted at that time and kept mainly in hospital for the rest of their pregnancy. It was then recognised that is not at all necessary and most low lying placentas do not then become praevias.
No-one can actually tell you what to do. You are given information and you have to make the decision that is right for you. However, if you decide to have sex and then start bleeding you are going to be distressed about your 'wrong decision'. I doubt you would probably enjoy it very much with the nagging doubt in the back of your mind.
It might be better to wait until your next scan and hopefully things will look better. There is a strong likelihood that your placenta will 'move' to the correct position.
Sorry I cannot give you a green light.