Worried about Placenta Accreta after previous caesarean

[~mamaspice~]

I'm probably getting ahead of myself here but I am having a little freakout.
At my 12 week scan the sonographer mentioned that my placenta is anterior, but she said it is too early to tell if it is low lying.
I know an anterior placenta is normally no problem, but I'm now worrying that it might be a low lying anterior placenta, and if it IS low lying, apparently I have a 30% chance of Placenta Accreta because of my previous caesarean.

Has anyone else had a low lying anterior placenta fter a previous CS? How did it turn out?

Any advice much appreciated.

[Mildez]

Placenta Accreta are pretty rare. Your more likely to have one if you have multiple c/s like over 4 or 5. I have only seen one (out of probably 6000/7000 births) and it was diagnosed at the ladies 12week scan (bub was c/s 5) Of all the other's I have heard of (from other ob's and midwives) they have been undiagnosed until after the birth. The lady who had one and was diagnosed really early the Ob insisted it was impossible to diagnose at that stage. Many placenta's are low lying and anterior and stretch with the progression of pregnancy. Did they say anything that made you concerned?

[~mamaspice~]

Hi Mildez, thanks for your reply
I'm guessing you're a midwife
It's re-assuring to know that you have only seen one case out of 6000 births.

No the sonographer didn't say anything concerning, she just mentioned the placenta was anterior and that it was too early to tell if it was low lying.
But then I started googling and read about how accreta is becomming more and more common with the rising CS rate. I read on a RANZCOG article that if the placenta is anterior low lying then there is an increased risk of accreta in a person who has had one of more CS. Then I read in a midwifery article that the risk of accreta in a patient with a low lying anterior placenta after 1 previous CS is 30%. (which in my opinion is a pretty decent risk) After 2 previous CS 40% after 3, 50% and so on.

So that just got me worried that if this placenta DOES end up growing over my CS scar then I have a 30% chance of having some degree of accreta.

Just got me a little freaked, thats all . . .

[~mamaspice~]

Just an update.

I had some unusual pain and some bleeding over the weekend (currently 17.5 weeks) so went to the hospital where they did a scan that shows that my placenta is low lying anterior. The Dr thinks I had a slight bleed from the edge. All is good now, but it has definately re-ignited my fear of accreta. Especially as the radiologist confirmed that the placenta definately is growing over the scar tissue (which puts me at a higher risk) and is about 1cm from the OS. Man, I hope it moves away from my cervix and my casearean scar. I just have a bad feeling about this and I'm hoping it's just my over active imagination running wild and not instinct IYKWIM.
Has anyone else had probelms with or fears of accreta?

[Visitor7]

Just wanted to send you lots of .
My placenta is anterior also, and have been told it's very close to the front. However I haven't had any c/s in the past and hope not to, but I do know they (sonographer & OB) were asking me heaps of questions with regards to my plans for this birth, as they need to prevent me from having a c/s at all costs.
Hopefully it moves away for you in time for your c/s.

[~mamaspice~]

Hi jodi, thanks

My placenta with my first bub was anterior too but that in itself isn't a problem. It's just this time as it's growing over the caesarean scar it can abnormally fuse to it which causes severe hemmorage at the time of birth. I'm trying to avoid a repeat caesarean but I'm not liking my chances anymore

Is your placenta low lying also? How come you cannot have a caesarean if need be?

[Visitor7]

Apparently it's right where they'd need to cut if I needed an emergency c/s. Although I'm sure if that was the case, they'd work something out.

Good luck.

[Arimeh]

OOoh babe I hope it moves for you

FWIW - both pregnancies with the two girls my placenta was anterior and it was a little low, but didn't fuse to my scar.

[~mamaspice~]

OOoh babe I hope it moves for you

FWIW - both pregnancies with the two girls my placenta was anterior and it was a little low, but didn't fuse to my scar.

Thanks mate. Yeah it had better start heading north, lol. Once it's away from the scar I'll be happy. Will see what it's doing at my morph scan on 12th April.

[Arimeh]

Once it's away from the scar I'll be happy.

Yup - I remember that feeling!!