Low lying placenta

purple_magada

purple_magada

Cathlete
Do any of you have any experience with low-lying placenta? When I had my u/s on Friday I was told that I had a low placenta. The technician told me that it could result in a c-section. I had my reg check up afterwards and the midwife told me that they would have me have another u/s at 32 weeks to see where it is at that point. She was impressed with my exercise routine and wasn't told to stop it or anything else. I wasn't worried b/c I felt if I needed a c-section then that would be that. But this morning I did a search on the internet and now I am scared to death. From what I read a low-lying placenta is also called "placenta previa" which can be very dangerous to the mother. You can start bleeding in the 3rd trimester and hemmorage. One site that I was on said that you should be within 10 minutes from a hospital b/c you could hemmorage and lose all your blood within 10 minutes. So needless to say I am scared to death. If anyone has any experience you could share with me to put my mind at ease, please so do. I'm thinking I shouldn't be worried at this point b/c my midwife didn't see anything to worry about. I go back on June 2 for another U/S and an appt so I'm definately going to bring it up then.
 
Dana,

I don't have personal experience with this, but just want to share what I know about this condition. It's probably information you already know. First off, did the tech or the midwife say that the placenta was covering the cervix at all? I understand that it can partially or completely cover the cervix. If it completely covers the cervix, and remains that way, then c-section is required. However, as pregnancies progress, "low-lying" placentas can move up away from the cervix, and there is no problem for delivery.

Apparently some first trimester bleeding is a result of the placenta touching the cervix. I've never heard of anyone fatally hemmoraging from this; that's a very terrifying prospect.

Have you checked out TCYOF.com? If you go to the message boards on that site, you will see a forum called "High Risk Pregnancies". I know Placenta Previa is discusssed alot on that forum, and I'm pretty sure they have a FAQ on it, as well. That website is a great resource!

When I had my placental tear I did a lot of investigating on the internet and found all sorts of horror stories, which I can only assume are the extreme, rare situations. I eventually stopped reading, because it seemed pointless to scare myself so bad. If your midwife is not alarmed at this point, then take your cue from her. You're still very early in your pregnancy, and a lot can change between now and the 40th week.

Take care,
Sandra
 
Thanks Sandra. There are so many pregnancy related things that you never even hear of until you are in that situation. I"m going to try not to worry. Thanks for your response.
 
Hi Dana,

I totally understand your fear and concern. I was told at my 18 week ultrasound that I had a low-lying placenta has well. I had another ultrasound at about 24 weeks to see if it had moved up away from the cervix and it was still covering the cervix by a mere 8 mm! I have a final ultrasound in 4 weeks at 35 weeks to see if it has moved up out of the way. I had no idea about low-lying placentas or placenta previa before this pg. I've had two healthy pg/deliveries with no mention of placenta placements. So this has been news to me too. The way I understand it, this is not a dangerous condition unless you try to deliver vaginally without knowing that the placenta is in the way. I am hoping I will not have to have a c-section. I know it's not the end of the world, it's just not my first choice. Supposedly, most partial covering placentas work themselves up by the 3rd trimester. It's a frustrating process, though. Because there's nothing I can do to make that placenta move. It just either does or it doesn't! HTH, Heather
 
Same thing happened with my last pregnancy. I too was worried, but at next u/s it had already lifted. VERY normal. Almost ALWAYS moves to where it's suppose to go. Not to worry, continue enjoying your pregnancy. ;)

**Melanie**
Justin born 1/17/04
Jory born 4/9/94

 
Thank you for the reassuring words ladies. I feel great and the baby is very active so I am not going to worry about it. Or at least I'll try not to worry about it.
 
I had complete placenta previa until my 26th week. I was worried too! I'm so glad the placenta finally moved up! I also experienced cervical pain with this condition. Up until my 25th week, I did all of my Cathe tapes religiously (6 days a week w/the same weights as Cathe) and took a week off working out just to see what that would do and I think that helped too. I am now at 29 weeks and have reduced my intensity and I feel the best I've ever felt with this pregnancy. I hope this info helps!
 
Dana,

Based on the responses here it sounds like the bit about hemorraging and losing your blood within 10 minutes is either complete bunk, or something extremely, extremely rare. Surely if there was that kind of risk involved with your condition, your midwife would have told you?

Sandra
 
Rare, but not impossible! I know I am guilty of focusing on medicine's shortcomings, but ultrasounds and today's medical techonology prevent many, many complications.
 
I tried to find the website that I read that on and I can't. I'm glad that I will be having 2 more u/s to keep an eye on things.
 
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