Grade 3 Placenta at 34 weeks?

troublejessy · January 2014

I went in this morning for an u/s to check the position of the baby, as I'm 34w3d and he's been transverse the entire pregnancy. What we weren't expecting to find was that I have a Grade 3 placenta. They basically just told me to be very serious about doing kick counts, report any decrease in movement, and that they'd see me in two weeks for a Biophysical Profile and pending the results a NST every week.

I had never heard of this before, so I didn't know what questions to ask at the time, and now that the office is closed due to snow, I'm pretty worried and have a million. It is really morbid, but now I have this crushing sense of pressure that the wellbeing of our baby lies solely with me - like what if I miss the decrease in movement and he dies?

Do any of you have any experience with this? If so, how did it impact your pregnancy?

Are you more likely to be induced? Go in to labor early? Is there anything else I should know or be on the lookout for?

amdecker1016 · January 2014

I have no advice but you will be in my t&p's.

YankeePeach08 · January 2014

sorry I have never heard of this. Does your OB office or insurance have an after hours nurse line you can call. Surely you can at least call the OB on call and he/she will return your call in between catching babies.

I think that fact that they didn't schedule you to come back for 2 weeks is good.

if you are super worried go to L&D to be monitored and those nurses can answer your questions.

Good Luck!!!

ETA: you know your baby best, you have been feeling his/her movements for several months so trust your instincts!

katykatykaty · January 2014

Yikes. I'm sure I'd be having the same thoughts you're having. I would call the doctor/nurse back and leave a message telling them you have more questions. Also, could you get a doppler so you could check the heartbeat at home?

Thinking of you.

troublejessy · January 2014

Thank you! I am freaking out - I asked if there were increased risks and she just replied that they would "keep a close eye on me", but it doesn't seem that's the case if they aren't even going to do a stress test or anything for two weeks.....

elliebean14 · January 2014

That is nerve-racking. I second what PPs said about trying to reach the on-call OB via the after hours line or the nurse's line through your insurance if you have one.
I'm at risk for placenta degradation and my midwife said just to be strict about doing kick counts twice a day but as it gets closer to my due date I get more and more worried about the little guy so I completely understand why you are freaking out. I agree, though, that if your OB had an immediate concern you would be going back before two weeks.
I'm sending good thoughts your way. Hopefully you can get some answers very soon.

elliebean14 · January 2014

Edited to delete my accidental double post.

ceh789 · January 2014

I would call the after hours number. They get paid good money to take questions and you have legit questions - it's not at all surprising that it took you some time to digest before you could organize your thoughts.

FWIW: A quick google search gives me this much information from www.babymed.com

Grading of the placenta can be done by ultrasound and by looking and how much calcifications there are in the placenta. A grade 3 placenta, for example, is normal at 40 weeks. But if too many calcifications are seen early in pregnancy, it can indicate that the placenta is aging too rapidly. This can happen in high blood pressure and diabetes, for example. If the placenta is found to have advanced calcifications early in pregnancy, the baby will be evaluated for growth at intervals to be sure he is getting the nutrients that he needs. In addition, the amniotic fluid level is checked frequently to make sure there is enough of it, because decreased fluid could mean the placenta is not providing enough nutrients to the fetus. - See more at: https://www.babymed.com/ultrasound/placenta-grade#sthash.PcDZavoS.dpuf

kelley72 · January 2014

First, Ts and Ps for you and lo. Second, please ask for additional information for your peace of mind. I imagine that if the risks were much increased they would begin NST's and more frequent visits now not in 2 wks but I would be uncomfortable if I was you and did not feel that they answered all of my questions.

amholley1 · January 2014

T&P for you and little one. I hope you get your questions answered soon

MayKay12 · January 2014

I was freaking out about my complete placenta previa and had a million questions after I left. I am so sorry you are going through this! I haven't heard of what you have, but I hope everything will be just fine.

troublejessy · January 2014

Thanks everyone - I am so worried. I've been researching and putting together a list of questions. From what I've gathered most people with a Grade 3 placenta this early are doing NST twice a week and many are induced at 36 weeks. I hate when doctors are stingy with information, "trying not to worry you" - it just makes it worse. I wish that one of the midwives had been available for my appointment.

They also said that he's weighing 5lb 6oz (which I know can be off) and his head and body are measuring ahead at 37 weeks (97th percentile), but his legs are measuring right on track (34w3d). But somehow he's in the 45th percentile overall? I have no idea what that means.

I've read a million message boards and seems like there aren't that many people with personal experience with this - or at least those that have posted questions never come back to share the outcome :-/ Updates should be a rule! Thanks again for the T&P!

Jess11019 · January 2014

T&P sorry no advice but I agree with everyone else and the after hours hot line for concerns.

MeggsM · January 2014

T&p's for you and your LO. Call the after hours- that is what they Are there for. Make a list of questions so when you call you are prepared and get the answers you need.

Not that I have this problem but when I noticed a decrease in movement and called my midwife she said it was the right thing to do even though LO was fine. If you have any concerns re: baby call.

Good luck! We'll be thinking of you.

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