Placenta question

LittleOne5222 · July 2012

My mom told me to find out where the placenta is when I get an ultrasound. She said that placement is important. Can anyone shed some light? I'd appreciate it.

Rynleigh · July 2012

What she probably means is "Make sure the placenta isn't too close to your cervix" i.e. placenta previa. It's a *very* rare situation where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, making it very important to perform a C-Section instead of a vaginal birth... but it only happens in approximately .05% of pregnancies.

The other thing she could mean is that if your placenta is against the front of your belly, it may be longer before (or more difficult to) feel the baby's movements. It's not a huge concern, but it's something to be aware of.

Usually, everything is just fine.

sararn2004 · July 2012

If you have it, they advice nothing inserted into the vagina. I thought I had placenta previa(partial) with my daughter and told us no sex for almost 3 months til the next u/s to check on it again. One could bleed out if the placenta was damaged and bled. I actually don't remember the details about precautions necessary if you have it from nursing school, and I don't work in OB or Labor and Delivery. But that, and placenta abruptio(not generally found on an u/s...it's quicker and very dangerous late in pregnancy) can be very dangerous to both baby and mom. I remember during school in the NICU a baby that had multiple problems and probably always would had lost his mother during the delivery due to placenta abruptio.

All reasons why I'm a huge advocate of being near medical services when birthing.

lizspreg · July 2012

That is a good thing to know! I never thought about it

Eags · July 2012

Rynleigh:

What she probably means is "Make sure the placenta isn't too close to your cervix" i.e. placenta previa. It's a *very* rare situation where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, making it very important to perform a C-Section instead of a vaginal birth... but it only happens in approximately .05% of pregnancies.

The other thing she could mean is that if your placenta is against the front of your belly, it may be longer before (or more difficult to) feel the baby's movements. It's not a huge concern, but it's something to be aware of.

Usually, everything is just fine.

I've had 2 friends within the last 3 years be diagnosed with placenta previa (partial to complete). It wasn't diagnosed until their a/s. It's my understanding that they look for this during that u/s.

As far as anterior placenta, mine was just picked up on my last u/s (14w3d).

sgb721 · July 2012

I had partial placenta previa with a prior pregnancy. It can change though if its found really in pregnancy. As you grow, it can sort of grow away from the cervix.

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