XP from 2nd Tri: 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!

danieleandwayne

What is it the u/s tech who was telling you all this? Because if it was, then that tech is WAY outside the range of professional responsibility. Techs are NOT supposed to give medical advice because they haven't had the training. They are trained only to do the u/s.

If it's your doc telling you this, then the doc needs to have a more in-depth conversation with you about this (this is also why u/s techs are not supposed to give opinions-- they don't have the depth of knowledge to actually talk intelligently about treatments, implications, etc). 

Dr. Google and WebMd are both lousy resources. Your doc or midwife if the best resource, especially if you have a good relationship with them. 

Before you start getting yourself freaked out-- which would totally be reasonable given what was said-- I would check in with the doc. 

(FYI-- I'm a nurse, so I'm not just saying all this about techs as a "civilian." If I had a nickel for every time a tech stepped outside the boundaries of what they know and what was professionally responsible for them, I'd be a rich woman. And half the time, they are so completely wrong it's detrimental.)