low lying placenta - anyone experience this?

mrs.rn

I am 25 weeks pregnant w/ my second baby and two weeks ago I met with my ob doctor who told me that I had a low lying placenta.  I go for a second ultrasound on 12/22.  I'd like to hear if anyone else experienced this and did your placenta move and if not, how did that impact your care.  I know I will need a scheduled c-section if it does not move.  I'm just looking for support, encouragement b/c I am scared of a c-section.  thanks ladies -

eshaffer

Hi, I had one. I was told they are very common, and move on their own about 85% of the time. (I think I got that % right, it's been 2 years.) The only way I knew I had one was because I had some issues with bleeding from 11 weeks- 20 weeks. It was scary, but the dr. said that they do move on their own a large majority of the time. Mine had completely moved by 30 weeks. 

I did have a c/s though, for failure to progress in labor, and it wasn't terrible. I was dead-set against it, but for things like this, it just happens how it happens.  I had a great recovery, and now after I hear people's vaginal birth stories, I'm pretty glad I had a c/s.  

lsufan

I had a complete previa at 19 weeks, and it had moved by 28 weeks. ?I never had any bleeding associated with it, so it was pretty much a non-issue for me. ?The vast majority of low-lying placentas move out of the way, so I wouldn't worry about it for now.

Amy H

I don't have the link to the article, but I was able to find one online that had all the % likelihood that the placenta would move based on when it was diagnosed in pregnancy.  The earlier they see it, the more likely it is to not be an issue for delivery.  If you had a previous c-section, there's less of a chance for it to move given that there's scar tissue on the uterus.  I had a low lying placenta which had moved by 20 weeks with both pregnancies.  DS was an emergency c-section after I progressed to 10 due to fetal distress. I was really scared of a c-section, but given the outcome, it would have been worse to have something happen to DS obviously.  This is definitely a good question to ask your dr and then talk about your fears of a c-section if the placenta doesn't move...  I hope that it will though!

anneinmech

I had a low placenta at my 18 week appointment and by  28 weeks it was far enough from my cervix that they weren't concerned.  My doctor said that when they are detected in the second trimester, they usually do move out of the way by the third. I see that you are pretty close to the third trimester, but your uterus still has a lot of stretching to do. Here's hoping that  it stretches your placenta out of the way!

FWIW, my mom had two c-sections over 35 years ago and she said it wasn't bad at all.

sweetie1528

I had it.  my ob said not to worry and that 98% of them move.  mine moved by the next u/s and I had a vaginal delivery, no problems.  he just said not to lift anything heavy and to rest.  I really didn't change my life in any way.  you will be fine.  don't lift anything heavy and try to take it easy.

akgram

I had a few different placenta issues with DD#2 so I was getting u/s after u/s throughout the whole pregnancy.  At 30wks. I still had the placental lobe covering my cervix and a c/s was being planned but when my OB rechecked it at 32wks. it had moved completely and I was able to to have a vaginal birth.  I know it's scary but hopefully it will move out of the way and correct itself....good luck!

mauceddie

I had one. They said it would likely move, and it did.

Saying that, I have had 2 c-sections and they weren't that bad...

 

 

josie402

I did w/both pregnancies and it moved up both times.  Good luck!