Low Lying Placenta
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Topic: Low Lying Placenta
Posted By: Marengo
Subject: Low Lying Placenta
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 8:59am
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hey ya,
at my 20w scan on friday they expressed a wee bit of concern about the placenta lying right next to the cervix.. has anyone had this before and had it shift away as the baby grows or is it something i should be concerned about or anything i can do to try and prevent it moving across my cervix? thanks, little bit worried!! i did ask my midwife she said it may shift but they will check again at 32 weeks.. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
 Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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Replies:
Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 9:09am
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Hey love!
I had the same thing said at my scan, and my midwife said the same thing - a scan at 32 weeks to double check. I think the theory is, as you get bigger and the uterus expands upwards it also pulls the placenta up and away at the same time. I don't have any advice - just letting you know i'm in the same boat, and lurking along to see what responses you get. |
Posted By: Babykatnz
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 9:20am
Mine was sitting right against cervix at 18w5d scan, f/up scan 2 weeks later showed it had already moved clear of cervix. (with Jae obviously since I havent had anatomy scan for this one yet  )
As Bowie said, when the uterus expands upwards, the placenta goes with it  I think something like 80-90% of 'low-lying' placentas noted at anatomy scans have moved clear of cervix by the time a repeat scan is done.------------- Brandon - 05/12/2003  
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 9:26am
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I had a low-lying placenta both pregnancies (both times it was within 1cm of the exit) but both times it had moved by 32 weeks and I went on to have a natural aneasthesia-free VB. An estimated 20-30% of pregnancies have a low lying placenta in the second trimester but by full term the vast majority have moved into the upper segment of the uterus and only about 1% of full-term pregnancies has placenta praevia. -------------  
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 9:56am
| Theres been a few threads on this in the past with lots of girls (myself included) who have had low lying placentas that have moved later on |
Posted By: Marengo
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 10:01am
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oh thanks ladies sounds not as bad as i was thinking then, i did a search for some threads on this here and couldnt find any, must have not searched correctly will have another look too..
those percentages not too bad, am quite keen to have a natural birth! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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Posted By: Red
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 11:03am
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Mine was about 1cm away from cervix - needed to be 2cm at 19 weeks scan. At 28 weeks it hadn't moved and then at 32weeks it had so we were all good. MW said 90% of time they move up. Had to have internal scans later on in pregnancy as sonographer couldn't see with bubs head in way - but they were fine. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 11:57am
| I wouldn't worry about it. I had a low lying placenta and it was fine at the 32 week scan. |
Posted By: RedHeadDuck
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 12:34pm
I had a low lying placenta and it moved up perfectly fine  So not a problem in the end
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Posted By: KH25
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 2:23pm
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I had a complete placenta previa - the placenta was totally covering the cervix. Not many move when they are complete. I had 3 bleeds (very high risk of bleeding with PP) with the latest and biggest at 24 weeks. I was admitted on bedrest - probably for the remainder of my pregnancy - then I requested an internal scan just before 28 weeks. The abdo scans looked like it was still completely covering but the internal showed it was actually out of the way and above the babies head. I had another internal scan last week and they were able to measure this time - placenta was 2.4cm away and needs to be 2.5cm to attempt natural delivery so i should be fine by full term. Pretty amazing actually and sooooo glad I was able to come home! ------------- Kelly, mum to DD, 19Jun06 (26wks 1lb15oz) DS1, 24Oct10 (32wks 4lb11oz) and DS2, 31Dec11 (32wks, 4lb11) http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 1:14pm
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That's useful info about the internal scan Kelly!
I had this at 20 weeks, and didn't worry about it, but it was still there at 32 weeks and the MW started talking C-section. If it got to that stage, I was planning to make them do another scan at the very last minute just in case, but it moved by 36 weeks. There is nothing you can do about it though, just hope! good luck ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Marengo
Date Posted: 12 January 2011 at 5:26pm
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well i had my 32 week scan today and had an internal to get an accurate measurement, and its only 1.25cms from cervix.. considering the first measurement was 2.4 i'm not holding out too much hope of a natural birth now :(
anyone else with similar stories that either led to a planned csection or having it move enough for a natural birth? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 12 January 2011 at 6:46pm
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Honey, panic not!
Like i wrote above i had low lying at 20w scan, i went for a second scan at 35 weeks and it was still much too low and i was told to come back in two weeks, and by 37 weeks it was clear enough to attempt a VB
The OB told me at the 35 week scan that its incredibly unlikely that it would move enough but my midwife told me that they're worriers and not to stress - and she was right! I DO have some limitations though, no homebirth obviously and i've been advised to head straight for the hospital, no hanging out at home during the early stages for me. I'll have to have a lure in my hand and blood matches lined up just in case and i'm aware that an emergency c-section is a real possibility. But me and my midwife are confident and she said i'm all ok to labour in the water etc so no being strapped to a bed or anything. Will keep my fingers tightly crossed you have a similar good result
ETA: says in my notes that i have type 1 placenta previa which is the least serious of them all. |
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 12 January 2011 at 6:50pm
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I've told you my story already, but my measurements were 2.3cm at 32 weeks and 7cm at 36weeks - which gave me the ok for a homebirth. So don't give up yet. Fingers crossed for you. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Marengo
Date Posted: 13 January 2011 at 12:59pm
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thanks girls,
i think the thing i'm alsot worried about (apart from not being able to attempt vaginal birth) is that it wont be moved enough for me to birth at waitakere (they need 5cms clearance) i desperately do not want to go to north shore i cant stand the place! but holy moly t-rex thats a lot of movement in the last few weeks! i'll tell baby to make sure she keeps an elbow on it to shove it out the way, ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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Posted By: LeeG
Date Posted: 13 January 2011 at 1:41pm
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I'm the 1% that didn't have it move ... if you get to that stage let me know ... but as you've seen above chances are very slim. But in all honesty, complete bedrest from 33 weeks, and an emergency c-section are not that bad. Even Abi arriving 5 weeks early was ok ... I have a gorgeous baby girl, so nothing else matters!
And you have to be really unlucky for it not to move! I just made sure that I was as organised as I could be at 32 weeks when I went for the second scan, so when I had a bleed at 33 weeks and was admitted to hospital I didnt' have to worry about things like the baby's room not being set up. Let me know if you want to know anymore about it ... but in all honesty try not to worry, there is nothing you can do and they do normally move with all the stretching/growing thats happening ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Marengo
Date Posted: 13 January 2011 at 4:04pm
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thanks for your story to LeeG, its good to know what all possible outcomes could be!
can i ask was your baby well engaged by 32 weeks? my midwife said something like because my baby is well engaged (her head is literally resting on my cervix for the last couple weeks) it means the placenta is out of the way enough for her head to get down there at least, so it might mean good things, but i'm not really so convinced about that, i just think she is trying to make me not fret :) also, did you have any bleeds prior to you going into hospital? i have had four episodes of brown spotting which i attributed to the placenta as they couldnt find another cause, but it hasnt happened for about 5 weeks now.. sorry you dont have to answer those questions if you dont want to! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 13 January 2011 at 4:25pm
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I know you werent asking me but i hope you don't mind me butting in anyway - at 35 weeks my midwife said baby was partly engaged and if he'd managed to get his head down that far the placenta should move and at 37 weeks he was further engaged and the placenta was moved away. Basically the same as what your midwife said anyway, that if baby can get a head down there there isnt too much placenta in the way, maybe just a little corner that has heaps of time to move
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Posted By: Marengo
Date Posted: 13 January 2011 at 6:17pm
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ooh yay thats good news! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 13 January 2011 at 8:22pm
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They told me the same thing Marengo, about the head, and it was true for me
My measurement was 1.9cm at 20 weeks I think? So less than half a cm of movement from 20 to 32 weeks, and then a massive movement after that. Also, I was told something like if it's less than 2cm, then it has to be a caesar, if it's more than 5cm it's considered normal, and in the 2-5cm range (which was me for a while) you have a chat with the OB who reviews the risks and your history etc and they make a decisions as to VB or caesar on a case by case basis. I have my fingers crossed for you! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Marengo
Date Posted: 13 January 2011 at 9:06pm
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wow okay, so perhaps it could move significantly enough for things to be okay :) and her head being firmly down there hopefully means it might be okay then
i'll have to update at the next scan :) ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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Posted By: LeeG
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 9:49am
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Hey marengo ... ask away (but sorry I only just found the thread again!) also feel free to pm me if you want :)
I had no prior episodes of bleeding until I had a quite big bleed at 33 weeks ... and then no other bleeding until the next one at 35 weeks (which was when Abi was delivered). In all honesty no one ever said anything about where Abi's head was or how well engaged she was ... they were just fixated on the position of the placenta - it was firmly over the cervix ... no chance of moving. It really does sound like your's is in a much better position! Just remember to try and take it easy, avoid any strenuous exercise (and I'm sure that includes housework!). ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Marengo
Date Posted: 21 January 2011 at 12:38pm
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thanks LeeG, ive had off and on bleeds (very very minor, just a day or two of brown spotting a couple times, which i attribute to the placenta cause no other cause was found ((no bding here lol)) )
baby turned breech yesterday and i had a bit of a momentary freak out that it must mean the placenta is now getting in her way! but back to her normal position today and i'll have to wait untill wed next week to find out if any changes have happened... i havnt had any bleeding recently so hopefully thats a good sign.. how scary for you when you had that happen! oh and i'll make sure to tell my partner i have to avoid all housework lol.. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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Posted By: Marengo
Date Posted: 26 January 2011 at 5:49pm
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aww had my 34 week scan today and its moved closer not further away.. darn it..
my dreams of a waterbirth are firmly thwarted! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 26 January 2011 at 7:05pm
| Awww, gutted Marengo, i was hoping for a good outcome. BUT, just to put a cheerful face on, my 34 week scan i was being booked for a c-section, a few weeks later i was in the clear. I assume you were offered a final scan? |
Posted By: Marengo
Date Posted: 26 January 2011 at 7:16pm
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yeah a scan in 2 weeks, referral to the OB been made.. hopefully some sort of magical placenta elf comes along and fixes me heh.. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 26 January 2011 at 7:26pm
Imagine what a placenta elf would look like....
Fingers crossed that something like that happens! |
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 26 January 2011 at 7:53pm
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Awww stink. I'll keep my eye out for a placenta elf and send him your way if I find him
On the plus side, if you do have a caesar, you won't have to wait so long to meet your baby. I went a month past my tentative C date in the end! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: LeeG
Date Posted: 28 January 2011 at 11:42am
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apparently if bub holds on until c-section they normally like you to have it at about 38 weeks ... so just think, not too long until you get to meet bubs! Will be interesting to hear what the ob says, I never actually got to see them to discuss the placenta praevia (had the first bleed before my appointment) ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Marengo
Date Posted: 28 January 2011 at 12:31pm
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haha, i just see a leprechaun with some kind of dirty brown coloured suit instead of a green one jumping up and down on the placenta.. dirty little bugger get out of there!!
bowie how far away is your placenta now from your cervix that they are letting you birth naturally? aww thanks for the positive bits, the information i'm getting is that it will prob be a csection so i'm trying to prepare mentally.. i made an appt with a private obstetrician too that i saw in my early pregnancy also, just to get more information so i'm prepared more, so will see him and the hospital one and report back :) i would be exited to meet her early, but then of course i really want to experience birth the way its meant to be done naturally with the pain and the emotions and my partner there with me.. but have been thinking today really the most important thing is that baby is okay.. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 28 January 2011 at 3:05pm
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I'm over my penciled in c-section date by 18 days now as well, bum!! I had the same sort of feelings when i had my first follow up scan and i was pencilled in. To be honest i felt like i'd failed at even being female, not being able to birth "normally" though that isnt the case at all. I don't say that to put the idea in your head either, just to empathise. I kept telling myself that the moment baby is handed to me for the first time will be magic no matter what exit he takes. My OB was all for skin to skin straight after as well, so they'd check the bub and hand him over all gooey instead of taking him away and dressing him etc. And your partner can be at your side in most cases as well.
I havent got a measurement - i just looked through my notes and the letter from the OB to midwife isnt in my copy, she must have it. I'm "allowed" to birth naturally but no home or water births, blood matches lined up, lure in place so a few restrictions. The OB is referring to it as a "trial vaginal birth" and cautioned me to be prepared for a c-section anyway but fingers crossed all will be well. |
Posted By: Marengo
Date Posted: 28 January 2011 at 3:45pm
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bowie i had had those thoughts already :( like i have failed as a woman, a mother, i feel like my partner wont be proud of me, seems my body has been against me from the start of this whole baby making process!
yes fingers crossed for you, i hope your baby decides to arrive soon! you must be so anxious to get things underway! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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