Low lying placenta

[kat13]

I am asking on behalf of my youngest sister who is expecting her first in October. She's had her 2 routine ultrasounds and the latest one shows her placenta is lying low. She got a phonecall 2 weeks later saying she needs to see a specialist and have another ultrasound at 30-32 weeks to check again.

Can anyone give me some advice or shed some light as to what this means for her.....is this a sign of placenta preavia ??sp

TIA Kat

[Shakey]

it is common to have a low lying placenta at around 20wks, most will move away from the cervix by 30wks, but there are some people that have had placenta's that don't move at all or have finally moved by 35/36wks

with DS2 I have a low lying placenta, it didn't move away from the cervix till 36wks,

btw a low lying placenta is placenta previa :yes: there is a risk later on in the pregnancy with bleeding, but not all people with a low lying placenta will bleed,

[Wondermum]

Placenta praevia can be divided into four types, of which the first two are the most common:

I the placenta is positioned low in the womb, but the baby can still be born vaginally.
II the lower edge of the placenta touches the opening of your cervix, but does not cover it, so the baby can be born vaginally.
III the placenta partially covers the opening of your cervix. The baby will need to be born by caesarean section.
IV the placenta completely covers the opening of your cervix. The baby will need to be born by caesarean section.

As the baby grows, the expanding uterus naturally pulls the placenta away from your cervix. Even if the placenta is still low-lying at your 20-week scan and later, it may well not present a problem once you are full-term.

I had low lying placenta throughout my last pg. I was monitored with regular scans to check the placenta. I was only in the all clear at 37.5 weeks and gave birth naturally.

[kat13]

Ahhh makes sense to me now. Thanks for that info.

[Josh]

I have what the doctorś are calling central placenta praevia, my placenta covers my entire cervix, and it has been that way all the way through my pregnancy, I am now 32wks and nothings changed, it looks like a c/s for me in about 5wks time, this is my second placenta praevia,:( but not everyone will have the same probs as me. Good luck with it all.:yes:

[mum of 2 girlz]

I had my first daughter by ceasearean as I had placenta previa, 2nd time round was all fine and had a VBAC. My SIL had a low lying placenta in her 2nd pregnancy, however it moved up and she delivered naturally, so I think it just depends. I was told by the midwife while being induced with my second, that it is rare to have placenta previa with your first, it is common to have a low placenta in early stages, so ive read, but it quite often moves up and the always make you have a later ultrasound to check whether it has moved or not.

[JATS]

I had low laying placenta, EVERYONE said it'd probably move enough to go VB, guess what? It didn't. :doh:

Wondermum I don't know where you got that info but my placenta was 1.8cm from the OS (I still have the U/S report), not touching, and I had to go C/section.

[Lyglc]

I had a low pying placenta at my 20 week scan. I'm booked in for another scan at 32 weeks. From what I was told it is only considered placenta previa after 32 weeks as the majority of placenta's move up before then. Before this time it is considered to be a low lying placenta (I think).

My ob said not to worry about it unless it's still low at 32 weeks, unless of course I start to bleed.

[kritti]

I also have a low lying placenta and had some bleeding last week which was scary. Fortunately everything is ok now. OB advised me to be very careful now lifting anything heavy etc and no sex for 10 days. He did not seem overly concerned because as previously stated by other posters the placenta usually moves. I think your sister will have to wait and see and I sincerely hope that her placenta moves so if she wants to she can experience a vaginal birth.

[tickle]

I had low laying placenta, EVERYONE said it'd probably move enough to go VB, guess what? It didn't. :doh:

Wondermum I don't know where you got that info but my placenta was 1.8cm from the OS (I still have the U/S report), not touching, and I had to go C/section.

I would have been okay'd for a v/birth at the hospital with a placenta 1.8cm from the os. I guess it just depends on your hospital, but from the research I did, that distance (depending whether it is posterior or anterior etc), it is usually safe for a v/birth.

A low lying placenta at 20 weeks is really common and 90% of the time it is well clear of the os by 40 weeks. :)

[Josh]

Low lying placentas dont always move, I have had it 4 times and 2 moved just enough to give birth normally, but 2 never moved at all, resulting in an emergency c/s for me at 35 wks, because of massive blood loss, and now I have it again and my placenta has stayed in the same position for my entire pregnancy, covering right across, and for me I am becoming quite scared at this stage of pregnancy (33wks), because I know what happened to me last time:(, but as I said previously not every 1 will have my problems, I have been told that it is because I have had so many D/Cś

[biscotti]

I don't know where you got that info but my placenta was 1.8cm from the OS (I still have the U/S report), not touching, and I had to go C/section.
Mine was less than that (still not touching) and I got a VB :yes:

[JATS]

Depends how it's positioned.

How mine was positioned it was trapped, the only way it was going to move as bub's head descended was down. :no:

There's no one size fits all answer here. Prep yourself for either possibility regardless of how 'remote' the chance of a c/s is.

[~*clairesmum*~]

dont worry i have one to lol, have to have a scan at 32wks to check it. im also due in oct,

[Wondermum]

Depends how it's positioned.

How mine was positioned it was trapped, the only way it was going to move as bub's head descended was down. :no:

I had an 'anterior' low lying placenta - which allowed for a better chance for a VB. If I had required a C/S it would have been a tricky op with the position of my placenta being anterior.

The placental site (anterior or posterior) and the distance from the os are important factors in predicting the mode of delivery. C/S delivery is done in all patients with placenta previa covering the internal cervical os and generally in 'posterior placenta previa' when its lower margin is within 1 cm from the internal cervical os. Normal vaginal delivery is possible, especially if it is situated anteriorly, if its lower margin is more than 2 cm away from the internal cervical os, and if bubs head is lower than the placental edge.

[JATS]

Thanks wondermum, that helps explain why with posterior placenta 1.8cm from the OS it was a very fine line for my doctor deciding whether it was safe to VB or not. That and why it was such an easy operation.

I was pushing for a VB, my Dr said it wasn't worth the risk but brought in both the other Obs on duty as well as the surgeon who'd be doing the op for second, third and fourth opinions as like I said, it was so close to being OK and I was terrified of c/s. They did an internal US to be sure of exactly where the placenta was and where Tom's head was and that sealed the deal. C/S for me.

I have since heard at least one of the Drs who was there helping decide (Wollongong public hospital, can't remember the Drs name anymore) is very pro-VBAC, they were adamant my case would be too risky. That's enough for me to know I made the right call.:thumbsup:

[MrsMiggins]

I had low laying placenta, EVERYONE said it'd probably move enough to go VB, guess what? It didn't. :doh:

Wondermum I don't know where you got that info but my placenta was 1.8cm from the OS (I still have the U/S report), not touching, and I had to go C/section.
My story was similar. My OB said they would trial labour if the placenta was at least 2cm clear of the os, as there needs to be enough clearance for the cervix to dialate & still remain clear of the placenta.

Mine was shown to be 1.8 and they were considering trialling labour if DD turned (which there was little to no chance of due to the way she was sitting), but a further, more detailed scan at 37 weeks showed it was actually only 1.6cm clear, so a c/s was booked - DD was still breech!

[Kangaskippy]

III the placenta partially covers the opening of your cervix. The baby will need to be born by caesarean section.

I had grade 3 placenta previa with my first pregnancy, and was told I would need a C-section..but luckily it moved just enough by 34wks that my specialist said I was considered lower risk and I was able to have a natural VB...so things can change even that late stage...

I hope your sister gets better new at her next scan...:hugs:

[roz2288]

hi i also have a lying low placenta expect my placenta is on my left and lying low so i have to have another scan at 34 weeks so hopefully it moves or something.:fingerscrossed:

[Lyglc]

I had an anterior low lying placenta at 20 weeks - 1.3cm from cervix.

at my 32 week scan (last monday) it had moved to over 5cm away from the cervix, so that is no longer a problem for me.

Wish you all well - that your placenta's all move up and that you and bubs are not at any risk.

[creativewarrior]

I had a low pying placenta at my 20 week scan. I'm booked in for another scan at 32 weeks. From what I was told it is only considered placenta previa after 32 weeks as the majority of placenta's move up before then. Before this time it is considered to be a low lying placenta (I think).

My ob said not to worry about it unless it's still low at 32 weeks, unless of course I start to bleed.

i just found out i have a low lying placenta, and my dr didnt seem to stressed about it... after reading alot on the net i was starting to freak out but reading your posts has soothed me a bit. i guess i shouldnt worry too much unless i bleed and just cross fingers til my 32 week scan.