Low lying placenta

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I got my 20 week scan results back today.

Everything is normal, bubs is great with a great strong heartbeat of 167bpm.

But my GP mentioned that i have a low lying placenta. The placenta is 4cm away from my cervix, he said for now its nothing to worry about but when i get further along it can be a problem. Mentioned something about a painless bleed and if the placenta covers my cervix i will have to have a c section.

I'm trying to stay positive so i am just wondering if any of you lovely ladies have had the same and what happened with you, did the placenta move up?

Any advice is muchly appreciated

TIA

[feeb]

Placenta previa is common on 20 week scans. Generally by 32 - 34 weeks the placenta has moved when the lower uterine segment is formed around 26 - 28 weeks.

When I was preg with DS1 I had a low lying placenta and it have moved by my repeat scan at 34 weeks.

If you have any bleeds during pregnancy go to the hospital to be checked out. It is correct that if Placenta is low lyeing you will need a cs as of course cervix cannot dilate for you to give birth naturally.

[*TripleJ*]

i was told that mine was very close too but it must have moved coz i had no issues and had a VB

[Visitor7]

Placenta previa is common on 20 week scans. Generally by 32 - 34 weeks the placenta has moved when the lower uterine segment is formed around 26 - 28 weeks.

When I was preg with DS1 I had a low lying placenta and it have moved by my repeat scan at 34 weeks.

If you have any bleeds during pregnancy go to the hospital to be checked out. It is correct that if Placenta is low lyeing you will need a cs as of course cervix cannot dilate for you to give birth naturally.

:yeahthat:

I wouldn't worry too much about it at the moment. It's still early days (and very common) and a lot can happen between now and 34 weeks.

[kitten2b]

Mine was 2 cms and it moved by the time Fia arrived, don't worry too much but if you have any bleeding go to the hospital

[Laranna]

This was the reason for my c/s with DS. They are saying yours is 4cm away so I wouldn't be worried yet. It will still move further away between now and later. You'll have another scan around 32 weeks to check the location. I think generally most OBs prefer it to be between 3-5cm away from the internal o/s (depends on the OB).

[*LittleMissSummer*]

During the ultrasound the lady said she was worried at how close the placenta is to my cervix she said she likes it to be 5cm away. My doctor said even if it stays where it is hes happy with that but if it moves and covers my cervix thats when we hit problems.

I think i might wait and see what my midwife says tomorrow at my first antenatal appt.

[AliBaby]

it is hard when you hear anything that they say is a worry (even if it is only a little worry).

To reassure you, I can tell you hat I had the same thing (I think mine was closer though) and I was told that in most cases the placenta will move up as the uterus grows and they re-check at aroun 32-34weeks. It did for me and I had a natural birth.

Like Kitten2b said, if you have any bleeding make sure you go to the hospital.

[Shell77]

I too had a low lying placenta with my DD - it was 0.3cm away at the 20 week scan so couldn't really get much closer. But the placenta cooperated (not sure if it moved more as it was attached anteriorly) but at th 36week scan (I think it was then) it was well over 7cm away. I went on to have a VD.

[mzcatieboo]

i had it was DS but by my 34 week scan it was all okay. good luck

[*TripleJ*]

and another thing my friend who just had a VB not long ago go told hers was over her cervix at 20 weeks so i'd say theres definately a chance

[Pinny-mum]

My placenta was 3cm away with DS and my Dr also said not to worry, as long as it is not less than 3 cm. He also said it would not be able to move closer the cervix only further away .. I know it's hard not to worry but please try not to be too concerned. Did he talk to you about a follow up ultrasound at around 30-32 weeks?


FWIW my plaenta was completly covering my cervix at my 12 week scan with DD and was partically covering it at 20 weeks but by my 32 week scan it was not, uterus had stretched and I was able to deliver naturlly both times.

[Inanna]

It's very very common 1st Time & I would just take it on board as interesting info but certainly most likely not to be a problem.

Congratulations on having a little girl!

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I had that. They didn't even bother checking later on, just "knew" that it would be OK. And it was!

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Thanks ladies.

I'm glad that it is common, i will be having a follow up ultrasound around 34 weeks. I guess i shouldn't worry until then but thanks for all your kind words and not thinking im a huge worry wart. The way they say it makes it sound alot worse than what it is.

[BellyBelly]

Low Lying Placenta & Placenta Praevia

Moving to pregnancy general discussion as this is not a medical condition.

[AndiE]

I had a low lying placenta and had a VD with DS2 - my placenta actually moved up and out of the way in the final couple of weeks of my pg (DS2 was delivered at 39+6). Unusual, but a REALLY good reason to have a scan as late into your pg as you can if your placenta doesn't appear to cooperate at 34 weeks.

When I was 20wk pregnant I think my placenta was about 2cm away from the os ... at 36 weeks it will still only about 2.5cm. But ... I never gave up hope of the placenta moving up, had lots of acupuncture and voila ... my last scan at 39 wks showed it had moved up at least another 1.5cm - the radiographer could see up to 4cm away from my cervix and no sign of placenta, so it may have moved further. No one was quite sure what prompted the big, last minute heave ho ... I don't care - something worked for me!

My Ob explained to me after my 20wk scan, that as you advance in your pg your uterus "grows upwards", generally moving the placenta away from the cervix.

And the type of delivery can often depend on your obstetrician. Some seem to shudder at the thought of delivering naturally with a placenta less than 5cm from the os, others are happy to let you have bub naturally at 2-3cm and "deal" with events if they arise. My fabulous Ob was happy to let me deliver naturally when I was 2.5cm (though she hoped I'd get to 3cm) - yet her colleague would have whipped out the scalpel without asking questions if my placenta had been less than 4cm.

Don't worry too much about this until at least 34 weeks ... and even then you'll have approx 6 weeks for it to keep moving up if it's being stubborn.

Andie

[sassy123]

i was told htis at my 20 weeks scan and nearly everyone i know aswell.
it is really common at that 20week so dont worry ur self. i know easier said then done. i didnt realise it was common at the time and was freaking out.