Low lying placenta - not scared, just want feedback

[Taurean]

Hi All

I had my checkup with the OB today and we went over the results from my 20 week scan. Tarko is fit, healthy and growing so all good there. I, on the otherhand, have a low lying placenta. Thanks to Belly Belly, I knew a lot about them already and wasn't concernced at all when he raised it with us. I actually said 'oh that's ok, they're very common at this stage, aren't they?' and he said 'Yes, they are but your placenta is much lower than a standard low placenta'. Bugger. He's told me there is a good chance I may spot around the 28 week mark and I'm not to travel any further than 2 hours from the metro area. Golly! We are grateful we didn't book a Babymoon after all!!

I did wonder what all the fuss was about (given I'm such an expert on these things thanks to BB - LOL!) but it turns out mine is less than 2.5cms from my cervix so yeah, it's pretty close. He did say there is still a good chance it will rise and I'm having another scan at 32 weeks to check on it. He did prepare us for the fact that I may need a CS though. That would be a shame but I'm ok with it especially given I've had so much warning and there may be no option. Poor Tarko is trapped at the moment and unless my placenta moves, there will be no light at the end of the tunnel to guide the way!

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone has experienced a super low lying placenta (so less than 2.5cm) and went on to deliver vaginally.

Ta!

[sangie]

Taurean I have a low lying placenta too (apparently 2cm from my cervix) and my OB said exactly the same things to me. I'm kind of relieved actually as I've been having bleeding/spotting on and off throughout this pg so its comforting to know why. I'm the same as you, don't really want to have a c/s but I guess it may be the only option.

One of my work colleagues had a low placenta at 20 weeks too and went onto deliver vaginally only a month ago. I'm hoping that happens for both of us too!

[Inertia]

Cant really help - mine have always been the other side of the uterus from the cervix - but I just wanted to drop in and say that for you both I hope it moves up enough to get it out of the way!

[Taurean]

Taurean I have a low lying placenta too (apparently 2cm from my cervix) and my OB said exactly the same things to me. I'm kind of relieved actually as I've been having bleeding/spotting on and off throughout this pg so its comforting to know why. I'm the same as you, don't really want to have a c/s but I guess it may be the only option.

One of my work colleagues had a low placenta at 20 weeks too and went onto deliver vaginally only a month ago. I'm hoping that happens for both of us too!

Hi Sangie! Was going to post in our BB Group thread about this too! I thought you and Pooley said you both had it too. Glad to hear I'm not alone on just how low it is though! I thought I knew so much about it and was all blase about it until he said that it's lower than the 'normal' low. Doh! Fingers crossed we both defy the odds!

[BellyBelly]

Obs are all different so there is no definitive answer. I think most low lying placentas should be a 'wait and see' approach. Know examples of this going both ways when waiting and seeing (i.e. vaginal birth and c/s after bleeding started), you never know what the placenta is going to do. 20 weeks is way early yet. You have read the BB article I assume?

If you want to see how placentas move, get a balloon, blow it up a little, say like an orange, draw a smiley face on it at the base and then blow it up all the way, see where it is then

[Brooke2550]

hi there, i was also told that i have a low placenta 1.7cm from my cervix. My OB said 90% move before bubs are due. i have to have a US next week to check if its moved. so unfortutally cant help u but its pretty much a waiting game your closer to the end. good luck!

[Tobily]

A low lying placenta is actually defined by being less than 2.5cm away from the os generally. So without knowing exactly how far away it is, it's hard to say whether yours is more of a concern than anyone else who is diagnosed with a low lying placenta iykwim.

Perhaps if you ask him the exact distance that will give you an idea about whether it's something you should be concerned about. If it's 2.3cm, obviously that's very different to .5cm.

Lots of women (myself included) have this finding at the 20 week scan and it turns out to be a complete non issue. Knowledge is power - ask questions