Thick Placenta?

cmr5776

I had mild cramping/spotting this morning so my ob had me go to the hospital for an u/s. Everything measured great - baby is 6 ozs - right on schedule, but when they checked my placenta - the u/s tech said it is very thick and is recommending me for growth monitoring (u/s scans every 2 wks) to monitor the baby's growth.

So, of course, I'm freaking out and asked her what is this an indicator of - I had never heard of it before - and she said, oh it could turn out to be nothing... or you could develop preeclampsia (sp?)... or the baby is at risk for being much smaller...

 This overshadowed the exciting fact that we are Team Pink and super excited about having a baby girl.

 Has anyone heard of this/experienced this?  I hate Dr. Google but had to go there and it really wasn't any help.

Thank you!

SJHodgson

I was told at an ultrasound that I had a thicker placenta, however after delivery they told me the placenta was completely normal. My doctor too told me that a thick placenta can mean different thing, or nothing at all. I was given the option to go to another clinic for a higher level ultrasound or just wait for another ultrasound at my usual clinic. Have you talked with your ob about the ultrasound, or did you only with the tech?

cmr5776

I left a vm for my OB but haven't spoken to her yet.  The u/s tech offered a ton of info for me to process... Thanks for your input!

SJHodgson

Good Luck, I hope your OB gets back to you soon! Sorry, I couldn't be much help I know it can be very frustrating not knowing, and it can make it hard not to worry when they don't tell you much and have to wait.

RissKay

Try not to let yourself get too worried! Like it's been said, it could be any number of things. You get to see your LO every couple of weeks, and monitor all of it's growth. This part is a good thing! You may go in for the next U/S by a different tech and they say absolutely nothing is wrong. Some techs are a little on the more cautious side, (which I'm not against.)

I'm glad all is good and that you and baby are ok!!  

Congrats on team pink!!!  

choppinbroccoli22

I don't know about the term "thick", but I do know that larger placentas in women who are active are more highly vascularized, which provides the baby with an extra cushion of protection against distress. My friend is an avid runner, and her OB said that hers was "giant" when she delivered it. Her LO is doing awesome.