Bilobed Placenta?

hkmr

Hi everyone, I'm not a regular poster or anything, but I figured I would throw this out there since I'm finding very little on the internet.  I had my follow-up appointment to go over my a/s today and my OB told me that I apparently have a bilobed placenta.  The lobes are roughly equal in size, and from what they can tell it looks like the cord is attached to the lobe closest to my back.  I will have some additional scans at 28 and 34 weeks, and possibly more, to monitor growth since apparently this condition can affect that.  As well, she indicated there is some increased risk of bleeding if the lobes separate during delivery and I might need a D&C after delivery to get the rest of the placenta out and could be at increased risk for needing a transfusion.  I was prepared to have questions if I was given news about any abnormalities with the baby, but I really didn't know what to ask about this condition.  Has anyone else experienced this?  If so what questions should I be asking at my follow-up scans?  Oh and there is no issue of placenta previa, so at least the positioning of the lobes appears to be good.

twobluelines

I'm sorry to hear this... I hope your doctors help you feel informed.

Jessica3290

I was just diagnosed with bilobed placenta and vasa previa. Vasa previa is when the baby's main blood vessel is blocking the birth canal. For me, the blood vessel is connecting the two placentas. I will be monitored by my OB and a specialist. My suggestion would be to have a color ultrasound if you have not had one. This is the only way to detect that there are/are not any blood vessels blocking the birth canal. If you deliver naturally and have vasa previa it is a 95% chance that the baby will die. I will be having a c-section 4 weeks prior to my due date to ensure that my water does not break. Good luck! Any other questions please e-mail me (I don't check this board) jessica329@sbcglobal.net

mrspharmd

I keep reading this as "Bilbo-ed", as in the hobbit.

AnnikaD20

It sounds like your medical team has a good plan in place, and extra monitoring sounds like a good idea (plus ultrasounds are always fun, even if the reason you're having them is less than awesome.)

Since you're at increased risk, I'd ask some basic questions about the procedure if you do end up having a bleeding event, like if your SO and labor support people have to leave the room, where the baby goes, etc. I have a good friend who had bad bleeding/needed transfusions with both of her deliveries (different placenta issue, she was fine both times, just took them time to control the bleeding) and it was a lot easier on her husband the second time cause he knew more what to expect. The medical staff got caught up in, y'know, doing their jobs, and communication to him was pretty sparse at the time. Not trying to scare you, like I said she made it through just fine. And there's a good chance you'll have a smooth delivery. Just something you may want to be informed about.

daltosostarby

aneubecker said:

I keep reading this as "Bilbo-ed", as in the hobbit.

Lol! That's exactly what I keep reading!