Low lying placenta-what now?

[Brandi1234]

Had the 20 week scan today and all went well.

The tech casually mentioned I had a slightly low lying placenta so to come back for another scan at 32 weeks.

No other advice though. A quick search says others have been out on pelvic test, no sex etc. but again, I wasn’t told anything.

So do I continue as normal until told otherwise?

Thanks all x

[KiboXX]

I’ve been told this at my 20 week scan with both my pregnancies. It’s really really common and nothing to worry about. 90% of the time you placenta moves up as baby grows and causes no problems. Both times mine has moved and I’ve had a natural birth. If you’re still worried, have a chat with your midwife xx

[Bigblueskies]

hi

I had the same thing and it was not a problem at all. As KiboXX mentioned, it moved out of the way by 32 weeks and I had a vaginal normal delivery with no complications. I didn’t have to do anything specifically while the placenta was low, just keep an eye on it with scans. It is rare for it to stay low past 32-34 weeks.

[Abs1403]

As the others have said, lots do move up by 32 week scan, as baby grows it pulls everything up with it.

Everyone's slightly different though. I had low lying, partially covering my cervix at 32 weeks. If this is the case you'll be scanned again at 36 weeks like I was. Mine was still partially covering my cervix at 36 weeks so I had a planned c-section at 39 weeks. In some cases I was told this could be done anything from 37 depending on where the placenta lay and the risk to both you and the baby if you were to go into labour naturally. There's a higher risk of bleeding and obviously if the low lying is totally covering your cervix then the option to birth vaginally simply isn't available.

We didn't have to avoid sex or do anything different, but it does increase the risk of bleeding after sex so there was a couple of times I had to go for anti-d injection as I'm also rhesus negative blood group.

I was also told that its more common for the placenta to not move if youve had a previous c-section, which i had with my first. So id say if this is your first baby its more likely to move by 32 weeks leaving all birth options open to you.

If you're worried, speak to your midwife though as they will be able to help you. Good luck x

[Leebee03]

Hi Brandi1234. Sorry your clinic haven’t given you much information about this. As the others say, in 90% of cases it does move up. However, I am one of the 10% where it hasn’t. I haven’t been told about pelvic rest or abstaining from sex, but if you have any bleeding at all, then you need to contact your hospital/clinic immediately and they then may advise you to do these things. So just be aware of any bleeding but otherwise wait and see what happens at your next scan. Take care and all the best xx

[Brandi1234]

Thanks so much everyone, your input has helped a lot! X