Low lying Placenta

Hey ya girls!

I saw my Dr on Thurs and found out I have a low lying placenta and have to have another u/s at 32 weeks!!!

Buggar!!! :eek:

The u/s report says that "The placenta has situated poteriorly with its lower edge at the internal cervical os". I know that it's on the back wall, but what does the "os" mean.

Obviously close enough to warrant more investigation towards the end of the pregnancy. He told me its just a precaution and what they hope is that as I get bigger, the placenta goes up the back wall away from the cervix, instead of close or over the cervix.

I don't know enough about these things to know the percentage of low placenta's that end in a cessar, but I'm banking it's high! Does anyone know about this???

Hi Tash,
I too had a LLP and i had another u/s at 33 weeks, it had moved up. I cant tell you what the os stands for but most cases the placenta does move up!
Goodluck with the rest of your pg.
Jenni

Thanks ScorpioMum!

I did read that in 5% of cases at the 32 week scan they are still low. So there is a higher chance of it moving than not, which I'm happy about - better odds in my favour!:biggrin:

Thanks again. Will let you know how I go in the next couple of months.

Low Lying Placenta

The os is the opening in your cervix. From what you say I would expect your placenta to move higher and away from your os as your pregnancy progresses

Thanks very much for that Alan. I feel a lot better about it all now.

Thanks to you all who have posted.:D

I had a low lying placenta at 19 weeks then at 30 weeks it had moved up. I was told by my midwife though that you can still have a vaginal delivery if it's low but not touching the cervix. They just monitor you more closely.

Hi Tegan,:D

Thanks for that. On my report it says that it's at the internal cervical os (opening). So I suppose I just have to hope that it moves away from the cervix, then I can still try for the vaginal birth.

I see my midwife on 27th Feb, so will just have to discuss all the pro's and con's with her then I think.

I just don't want any complications, but I don't want the c section either!! Ahhhh!:eek:

Hi Tashie

Im with you i also have a low lying placenta and have to go back from another scan i was told at 18 week scan that i had it then went for another scan at 24 weeks and is still laying low so here is hoping it moves up but i did hear also that 5% stay low so hopefully we arent in that 5% good luck in yours moving up as well

Hi Tashie

I had a low lying placenta at 12 wks, still at 19 wks and was scheduled for a check up at around 32 wks. Mine was posterior as well, but not touching the cervix. Still low at 32 wks, but my ob assured me he had NEVER had one that hadn't moved far enough away. He agreed that I could have another u/s at 37 wks (leaving it as late as possible). Unfortunately the darn thing hadn't budged a mm, so I had a scheduled c/s at 39 wks. This is very unusual, according to my ob, that it didn't move. There are several reasons in my case, 1) posterior doesn't move as much as anterior, 2) I am fairly small and my baby was also small (2.5 kgs at birth, no reason, just little), so the uterus did not grow as much - my fundal height was always behind, and 3) I'm a freak of nature!!

I tried not to think about the birth until there was no doubt what the outcome was going to be. I was allowed to wait until as late as possible. I was a little upset about a c/s, but when you don't have a choice you realise there are a lot of other important things to worry about with your baby's arrival and immediately afterwards. I also made sure that I discussed the c/s in detail and was prepared as much as I could be so that my recovery was quick.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll have a much more cooperative placenta than I did!!

My ultrasound report at 19 weeks said exactly the same as yours, and my obs said that they'd do another ultrasound somewhere between 34-36 weeks and not to worry as in most cases it moves up. My obs also said that if the head had engaged that all would be fine for a natural birth. I'm trying not to think too hard about, but know that I just want what is safest for my baby's arrival. Good luck with the next scan! :)

Hi Ladies,

Thanks for your replies!

Good luck Sweatpea - not long to go until your next scan. Let me know how you go....

Thanks for your note Jennifer13. I am also small, but maybe being my second bub it will stretch more and easier??

I'm not as worried about it now as I was when I first posted this thread. My girlfriend had a c-section Wednesday and she is OK with things. I am a lot more relaxed either way. I too have been a freak of nature with other medical issues that I've had in the past few years, so that's why I panick a bit when I'm told, "most of the time these things move" or what ever, because most of the time, mine won't and therefore, I'll be like you.

It's good to know from what Sweatpea has said that if bubs engages you are good to go for a natural birth. I have my next midwife appoinment when I'm 25 weeks, so I can discuss this with them and they'll book me in for my scan.

They have already said that it's very common and it's rare they don't move, so let's hope I'm not rare on this occasion - LOL!!!

The good thing about the c-section is at least you know when bubs is coming and you can plan things better.

Take care all and let me know how you all go! :D

I saw the obs today and he said he'd check it at 36 weeks, so I'll let you know how I get on!

Hi Tasha,
I got diagnosed with this yesterday too.1 of my placentas is lying right over my cervical opening but like the others said my OB said most of them do move as you grow.They are worried that mine is starting to fuse onto the wall.Im thinking that we both have a good chance being at this stage that it will move as we progress.im preparing myself for c/s anyway as is more common with twins.

Good luck Linny, I'm sure your ob is keeping a close eye on it. One of my belly buddies had the same thing, over the cervical opening, and needed to be kept a very close eye on as she had issues with bleeding. She did need a c/s, but all is well now and her little boy is almost a year old!

Hi Linny,

Geez, that's a bit more serious than mine. I hope it all goes well for you. I'm sure, having twins, they keep a very close eye on you anyway. I wonder if it's more common with mutilple births, considering there isn't as much room for both placenta's?

I see the midwives next Tuesday and will find out about when I get booked in etc, but I'm not worried about it now. I would be a bit more worried if it was over the cervix.

Just be careful with bleeding and keep an eye on things and don't over do it and you'll be OK. I would think that your obs should check you a bit more regularly than they will with me, just because it is actually over the cervix already.

Take care and let me know how you go.

Hi Girls,

Tashie D- Ill be thinking of you tomorrow let us know how you get on.I wasnt trying to say mine was worse or anything i didnt mean it like that.Im hoping for both of us that it moves and that it wont be that bad.We are lucky they can do these checks on us these days and at least drs are prepared as well as us.Take care and ill speak to you tomorrow.

Jennifer13- Thanks it gives me relief to hear that your friend was ok and having a c/s although not my 1st choice im prepared for that to happen having twins anyway.Its all scary to me either way but as long as they are delivered safe thats the main thing.Im lucky i havent had any bleeding for months now and that was when my placentas were up the top go figure!lol.Im trying not to worry although i worry about everything so it not working very well...
Take care and keep in touch

Hi Linny - IKWYM about how having a c/s is not your first choice, I was originally very upset with the idea. But once you know you have no choice I think you can focus better on what the outcome is going to be rather than worry about what might have been. I asked my ob heaps of qns about how the c/s would proceed and then got all prepared for bf, since that was something I had some control over! Good luck, twins are a wonderful blessing (my closest gf has identical twin girls that just started school and it's been a joy to be a part of their lives). You're in for an incredible journey!

Hi Linny,

It's actually next Tuesday not this week. I'm sure it'll all be fine. I know you weren't saying your situation is worse than mine, just letting me know what your situation is.

A girlfriend of mine just had her second boy and she had a c/s this time as he was breach. She was really happy with the process, even though she'd had a natural with her first.

She said it was better than the first time, because she knew when it would be, what would happen and the first time her DS was face up, so it was a really hard labour with lot's of stitches etc. So she had a hard time the first time around.

As long as everyone comes out of it OK, that's the main thing!;)

Hi Jennifer -Yeah look at the end of the day i just want whats best for the babies and either way theres pain involved and pros and cons for both natural and c/s.Hope you are doing well.

TashieD-Sorry i thought this week im ahead of myself.I have heard sometimes a c/s is easier because you conserve your energy for when the babies are here even though its a longer recovery but some of my friends have had a bad time after a natural delivery as well so either way its going to hurt lol.Ill be thinking of you for tues but im sure everything will be just perfect.Let us know how you get on.
Linny xxx

Hi! Just thought I'd update you. I saw my obs today and the checked the position of the baby with ultrasound and the baby's head was low down in the pelvis and engaged, he said that if the placenta was in the way it wouldn't be able to engage and that at this stage a c-section wasn't necessary! So it did move up!

Congratulations Sweetpea! All the best for a good birth!

That's great news Sweatpea, not long to go now!

I have my u/s on the 16th April. Not long to wait seeing as Easter is just around the corner.

I now also have another issue to contend with - Gestational Diabetes!! My test last week came back high so tomorrow I'm off for the next lot of tests to see if it was just a bad result or if I do actually have this issue.

I'm a bit over all of this testing to be honest and just want a crystal ball to tell me things will work out.

I'd prefer a low placenta to GD, so fingers crossed it's all OK.

Will keep you posted on both these issues.

The 16th will be here in no time!

Good luck with your gd testing, I hope it all works out!

Hi girls,

Thats great news sweet pea i bet you are relieved.
Tashie D- im sorry to hear about the high results and good luck today with the other tests i hope they are ok.
My newest saga is that i have an uncontrollable itch from head to toe and no rash so i spent yesterday at the hosp having tests.They are testing for a thing called cholestasis which is when your liver reacts to hormones and doesnt clear bile etc away.I dont find out until Tues if i can stand it for that long.Im really hoping its not because it not good for babies or me although there is medication.Anyway fingers crossed thats not what this is.
Ill check in tomorrow to see how your tests went today Tash.

Linny,

My sister in law had this with both her pregnancies. Second time was worse and was admitted to Hospital to control it.

First time, they had to take Elli out at 36 weeks, second bubs, Jade came out at 39, both c/s because natural would put too much pressure on your body.

It isn't serious for bubs, although they monitor the baby closely, but it isn't good for Mum.

How many weeks are you currently? If you are close to the end, that's a good thing because you won't have to put up with it for too long and they will try and keep baby in for as long as possible for obvious reasons.

Sounds the same as my sister in law though. Try baths with camamile lotion (?? what you use if you had chicken pox) until next week, that helped her a bit.

You'll go back to normal after a week or so, once bubs is out, but until then you will be closely monitored. Don't worry about the meds, they are fine, I would take them personally because it does help with the itching and there's nothing worse than a constant itch that won't go away!

Try not to worry, keep having those baths and let us know how you go next week.

I had my blood tests yesterday, but won't know the results until Monday, so will keep you posted and let you know when I do.

Have a great weekend ladies!

Tahsie D

Thanks for the info it good to know others have gone thru it especially when you feel down.I rang hosp late last night because i couldnt stand the itch and sweating in hands and feet any longer.To cut long story short DP went and got a antihistamine script filled for me so i started those last night.It has lessened the symptoms a bit but not enough for my liking.I will take your advice and get some calamine lotion that makes sense.I so wish i could stop this sweating it feels terrible.Bring on Tues and lets get it sorted.Thanks again for your care i appreciate it and keep me posted on how you get on with your tests on Mon.Ill be thinking of you.Good luck chat soon xxx

Hi Linny,

I really feel for you, there's nothing worse, Hopefully it'll all be sorted tomorrow.

I've got my results and they came back normal - YAY - I don't have gestational diabetes.

Now I can eat and enjoy the Easter eggs this weekend!!

Let me know how you go tomorrow.

Take care.

Tashie D-:clap: So relieved to hear that you got the all clear.That is fantastic news and a big weight off your mind.Now you can enjoy easter.Ill let you know tomorrow on how i go.Talk soon.

Hi,
I got admitted to hosp last tures and was allowed to come home last night.i have cholstasis and am beeing treated for that and also my kidneys arent working properly but they still dont know why or what it is.its been a terrible week and i feel very depressed but just wanted to let you know what had happened to me.i now have the flu and have pulled my bum muscles from coughing and i can hardly move so im a wreck and just cry.ill come back on when im feeling more positive.hope you are all doing well.

Oh Linny, you poor thing. Hope you're resting up and taking it easy. It's awful when you're in pain and you have worries on top of that. So hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel. How are you treating the cholstasis and the kidney trouble? Are you getting plenty of help from your DP or family?

Hugs and best wishes coming your way via cyber-space!! Counting down the last few months with you now...

Linny - I hope you're having lots of rest now! Look after yourself! I hope you're feeling better soon and they work out what's going on :hugs:

Linny!!

You poor thing - I hope that you're feeling better soon. It never rains it pours hey!

Now my sister-in-law also had some kidney issues with her second pregnancy which they tested for gestational diabetes just to see if that was a factor but it wasn't.

At the end of the day, I would say that you're body isn't coping so well and so therefore the next thing to start to play up with this gestational liver condition are you kidneys as they are forced to work extra hard to help clean and clear your system.

Plus the fact that you are carrying twins always takes a lot out of your body normally, let a lone with extra complications.

The flu is the pits, but I had to laugh when you said that you hurt your botton muscles - sorry, bit immature I know!!:hugs:

I don't know what else to say, except what everyone else has said and that's rest, rest, rest and see your GP if you're still feeling lousy and see if there is anything that you can safely take at the moment that might help with the Flu at least and prevent more coughing and sore bottoms!!

I have my scan on Monday for my LLP so I will try and up date you on the results as soon as I can.

Take care and heaps of hugs and kisses.

Tashie, all the best for your scan on Monday. I can't believe you're already 32 weeks! Wow, it won't be long until you'll have another little boy to cuddle!! Let us know how you go with the u/s.

Hi all,

Just a quick note to let you know that my u/s went well today. Bubs is doing really well, but I am in that 3 - 5% who's placenta doesn't move so I will be having a c-section.

The placenta is less than 2 cm away from the cervix, so not technically placenta privia, but will still be diagnosed with that term as it's close enough to prevent a complecation free natural delivery.

Bit of a bummer and I was hoping to avoid extra surgery, but at least I will know the date/time etc and know that bubs is a bit bigger than average (57%) at 32 weeks, he should be a good weight at 38 not to be worried that he will need to much extra care once he's pulled from his nice warm home into the big wide world.

Won't know any more details until my next appointment, which at this stage is in 2 weeks. Then I will be referred onto the Obs clinic and go from there with any extra tests they may want to do or just give me the date etc for the surgery.

Good luck to the rest of you. Take care and I'll keep you posted.

Hi Tashie

I was in exactly the same situation as you at that stage and mine didn't move at all. But there is still time, and I requested a 37 week u/s just to make sure. Mine was about the same from the cervix as well, the reassuring thing was there was no real risk of bleeding during the pg and should you go into labour you've got a while before there's any danger to you or bub.

My ob still felt there was enough time for it to move at 32 wks, so don't lose heart yet! As a side note, Lucy's placenta was also posterior and she was small, so that might have been a factor in the lack of 'movement' out of the way.

Good luck!

Thanks for that Jennifer.

I decided to call the midwife clinic today as I want to discuss options with them as I will worry about this now until I eventually get to see an Obs about it.

I hear what you're saying about the chance that it should still move, but mine doesn't seemed to have moved at all since the 20 week scan and in the last 3 weeks I grew 6cm's, so I figured if it hasn't moved now, it's unlikely to move much more.

Will just have to wait and see what they recommend. I know in public hospitals in Melbourne they are really cracking down on elective c-sections so if they think I can still deliver this baby naturally, I'm sure they'll be pushing for it.

Take care and I'll let you know the goss when I find out more.

Hi girls,

Thanks for your support.ive been on bedrest and going to hosp twice a week to be monitered.The babies are happy and my BP is good.the liver and kidney are still really high.Im on liver tablets 3 times a day and they really dont know what is going on with the kidneys which is comforting lol.im 29 weeks today and Dr on tues said we are aiming for 34 weeks just depending on my body holding up for that long but i really want them in there for as long as possible even though i feel like s---.
Tashie- Did the Dr say there was any hope of the placenta moving?All you can do is be thankful that it will be the safest way for you and bubs to deliver and that they knew this already.
Hi to everyone my bum a bit better went to physio and my tailbone has bent in.i must sound like a hypochondriac nut i swear im cracking up and feel 100 years of age.im glad im having twins cause im never going thru this ever again lol.ill keep in touch but have to get back to bed before DP tells me off for being out of bed for too long but just wanted to check in with you guys.Talk soon take care xxx

Oh Linny, I know it sounds trite, but soon this will all be a distant memory. My closest gf had twins and they gave her body an awful time. She's since had a singleton and nowhere near the troubles during the pg (easier birth too). But still, I'd understand you not wanting to go through it again, especially since you went through IVF in the first place!

Each week is a milestone and one step closer to holding your beautiful babies in your arms. And my gf with twins now thinks it's the best thing that could have happened!

Oh Linny - I feel for you. My pelvis is very unstable and I now where a belly belt from the physio to help with my pain. It's been good so far, but I have noticed that my hips/ pelvis in my butt muscle region is now sore when wearing it. I know that I need another ajustment from the chiro as my neck is also out, but won't see him again until the 12th May - so yes, I am too complaining a lot at the moment!!

I see the Dr on Tues, so until then I have no idea about my placenta moving etc. But I do know the radiographer said that as it is posteria, and that I have been growing at a rate of knots (without it moving as yet) the chances of it moving now are pretty slim.

I'm having another growth spurt at the moment, so will see what Dr says, but as far as I'm concerned, next week is about giving me the date for the c/s, and to be honest, I'm used to the idea now and will be happy when this is all over, as I too don't plan on having any more!

Take care, rest, rest, rest and keep in touch when you can.

Will let you know what the outcome is after next Tuesday.