Low lying placenta at 34 weeks

saresirene

So I found out today that my placenta is still low lying (I'm 34 weeks). It's 7mm from my cervix and OB says it needs to be at least 20mm for a vaginal delivery. He's going to check again at 36 weeks and I'm trying to be optimistic but I'm a little scared! I'm not allowed to exercise, am on pelvic rest, and he said he would have put me off work if I worked anything but a desk job.

Has anyone else had experience with this? It seems unlikely to me that it's going to move enough in the next 2 weeks, which means a c-section at 38 weeks.

MiddleSister22

It sounds like you have a marginal previa. My question is are you only finding out about this NOW at 34 weeks? I have a marginal previa as well but I was informed at 19 weeks...have been on pelvic rest and have had two follow-up Ultrasounds since then. My next one is at 32 weeks and then another at 36 if necessary. My placenta was 2.1 cm away from my cervix at 28 weeks, and OB said it has to be 2.5cm for natural delivery. (just a little more than what your doc said)

I don't want to sound like a Negative Nancy but I don't know how much it will move in only 2 weeks Not sure if it will be enough to clear you for a vaginal delivery. Either way I would stay as optimistic as possible until then, but start preparing yourself for a c-section. I keep reminding myself that baby is HEALTHY and that is what's most important.

Wishing you a safe delivery whatever ends up happening!

MiddleSister22

I just re-read your post and realized you must have known about your previa since you said it was "still low-lying at 34 weeks". I'm guessing they just didn't schedule a follow-up until 34 weeks.

saresirene

No I've known that I've had a low lying placenta since 20 weeks! It's not a marginal previa as it's not covering my cervix at all. I just hoped it would have moved by now.
I know...I'm trying to be optimistic but it seems to me that if it hasn't moved much since week 20, it's not going to move in the next 2 weeks. Yes, as long as baby & I are healthy, that really is all that matters.

Thank you for your reply

J&D2007

I have a low lying placenta still at 31 weeks. At 20 weeks it was over the cervix. At 26 weeks, it was 1.7 cm away, I go back at 32 weeks to recheck. My doc says we need 2 cm away for vaginal delivery. They want to schedule c section at 36.5 weeks if it hasn't moved:(. I am on pelvic rest, but other than that I am working (not a desk job) and exercising every day.

ambah

Ive had complete placenta previa since 18 weeks...where mine is completely covering my cervix. I have been on no lifting, exercise, sex since then and was pulled from work at 28 weeks for modified bed rest. My c-section is scheduled for mid july at 38 weeks as well.

Clovell23

I too have partical previa was told at 20 weeks. Since then my placenta hasn't even moved a hairline. I am 31 weeks and at 34 weeks if it doesn't move the 3 cm it needs to then I too will be having a csection. My doctor basically told me to prepare for that happening as it's very doubtful at this point. I was super worried and scared about it at first. But now that it's sunk it that that is reality and doing research I'm not as scared about it. Either way as long as me and baby are healthy all said and done that's all I care about! Best of luck to you, just no you are not alone in this low lying placenta boat. There could be entirely worse things to have to go through, I think we're doing ok!

e1223

I had a complete previa at 20 weeks, still complete at 28 weeks, and they'll check again at 34 - but right now I have my c-section scheduled for 36w6d which is late July. I'm on pelvic rest but still working and have had no bleeding. I do think the uterus grows quite a bit in the last few weeks so I suppose it's possible!

J&D2007

I find it interesting when each OB elects to perform the c/s with low lying and previa. Mine says no later than 36.5 and some of you are at 38 weeks or later. Also that it looks like some want 1.5cm, some 2.0, and some 3.0. I wonder which measurement literature supports? I sure wish mine would consider holding off until 38. It'd make me much more comfortable!

e1223

@J&D2007 I had a long, long conversation with my (new) OB after finding out I still had a complete previa (I had previously only seen midwives with my 2 prior births) - they just changed the recommendation for when to do c-sections for previas, and she actually gave me a copy of the 10+ page document outlining those recommendations. For a complete/marginal previa (which yours isn't even) the recommendation is anywhere between 36w0d and 37w0d. IF a person is a significant distance from the hospital, they can schedule it prior to 36w. I don't have the document in front of me, but 2.0cm away from the cervix opening I BELIEVE was what they require for attempting a vaginal birth. I was afraid my OB would "force" me into a 36 week c-section, but it turned out after having a conversation about my history of vaginal births and even talking about how I went into labor and when, etc, she was fine with waiting until 37 weeks. I really am not sure why with a low lying placenta that is NEARLY 2cm away from the cervix, why you'd need such an early c-section, but maybe there are reasons! It sounds like yours is close, so hopefully it has moved far enough away anyway!

J&D2007

Thanks @e1223! If you get a chance, I'd love to look at that document. Is there a study name or author on it that I could google?

e1223

Here it is: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/management-of-placenta-previa

Clovell23

@J&D2007 I guess I should have explained mine better. It needs to move all together 3 cms for it to be the 2 cm away from the cervix. Hope that clears up my measurments. Thank you @e1223 for the link! I'm interested to read more as well!

J&D2007

e1223 said:

Here it is: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/management-of-placenta-previa

Thanks a bunch!

J&D2007

J&D2007 said:

e1223 said:

Here it is: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/management-of-placenta-previa

Thanks a bunch!

Looks like I have to buy a subscription to read the article:-(

e1223

Weird! I pulled it up on my phone, but now that I try to read any categories, see that I have to log in - sorry!!

ambah

That is very interesting about the new document. I live in Canada and my hospital still does it at 38 weeks...im scheduled for 37w 6d....but have been on the placenta previa protocol since 28 weeks (which is when I was also pulled from work for modified bed rest). So basically since 28 weeks every week I have had to go to the hospital to give blood to make sure they have my most accurate blood type (with or without antibodies) in case I need a transfusion. Also if I have any bleeds (35 weeks now and so far no) then I am admitted to the hospital.

saresirene

Thank you for that information! That's good to know for sure. The way my OB explained it to me is that they don't want me going into labour at all, even though mine is just low-lying. Going into labour is extremely dangerous for both me and baby as I could hemorrhage. That's why my c-section will be scheduled for 38 weeks if the placenta hasn't moved enough by 36 weeks.

miamae86

I'm in the same boat my placenta has been completely covering since early scan just been in for my 33 scan and it's only
Moved slightly, but I wasn't given any information I have to wait till I see my doctor on Wednesday to see what he thinks they did seem to say as its not moved much in the entire pregnancy out come seems to be a c section, I've had a lot of bleeding early on in pregnancy and only once later on. Was interested to see what would happen next... Guess it's looking like being booked in, I had a twin miscarriage last pregnancy so I'm guessing that's the cause as your more at risk if had a previous miscarriage so I've read.

miamae86

So I had my doctor appointment and even after 3 scans one being internal he wants me to go for another as doesn't believe the hospital scans are good, so I now have to go and pay for a scan so he can be happy $250! Little anoying! U would think they would be accurate enought on the internal
For him to be happy?? Also told me to keep exercise which I feel is strange as most I've read are told to take it easy? I'm so confused as to what I should be doing or not doing...