Anyone with any experiences of low lying placenta's - need advice

[Mrs_P]

I have had my 34 week scan today and the tech told me my placenta is still low lying, she would normally like to see a 3cm gap between the cervix and placenta and i have less than half of that. She said occasionally it can improve over the next few weeks but its not likely and it will mean a section.

She referred me through to see the consultant.......she was surprised i had not been getting any bleeding and gave me three possible outcomes:

1 - i start bleeding and we look at an elective section at 37 weeks ish
2 - Things stop as they are and the baby can't descend into the pelvis, nothing has changed by 37 weeks and we will plan an elective section at 39 weeks.
3 - With this being my fourth her preferred option was hopefully things will give a little and hte babe can get her head around the placenta and into the pelvis before she grows too much bigger. If so, they will let me give birth naturally but monitor me in case of placenta previa given the low lying location of the placenta. Which would mean emergency section if we are at risk

Has anyone experienced anything similar i'm not sure whether i'm looking at a section or not?

Are we at risk if we let it go naturally and see what happens. If its likely to end in an emergency section i'd rather plan an elective one now and avoid the risks to me and her. On the other hand i feel quite sad i may not give birth for my last baby (although obviously her safety is most important), as weird as it sounds i was looking forward to the experience and it means less recovery time and time away from my little man. I had suspected placenta previa with my third and the midwives spent a lot of time telling me it was normal to bleed a little during labor, that i was overreacting and that i should go home and see what happened as i had stopped contracting - it was only after i really insisted that they checked me again and saw all the blood - we then became high risk and i was told if he wasn't out in half an hour he'd be evicted by section and it was panic stations to get me into active labor. All in all i am a little worried of potential complications and a repeat of poor care from last time.

Not really sure what i'm suspecting as i know none of you can predict the future i was just after advice or similar experiences i suppose?!?

[Dreamofpink]

First of all, I want to send you a big hug! What a worry.
I'm sorry I don't have any advice re a low-lying placenta as I've had two c-sections. One of which was very stressful at 30 weeks with ds1 and I was very ill with pre-eclampsia. Ds2 was a failed vbac as my waters broke and labour didn't progress. After I accepted the inevitability of another section it was lovely, relaxed and he was given to me to feed as soon as I was stitched up. Although I always regret never being in labour & giving birth - I felt like a failure - I know that I had the best possible outcomes under difficult circumstances. I'm going to attempt a vbac this time if all goes well, but a well-managed c-section holds no fear for me anymore. Perhaps wait it out a few weeks, can you book one and then change your mind if things improve? Hugs to you it must be a worry. Not what you need at 34 weeks!

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[Mrs_P]

Thanks dream, although i would prefer not to have a section its the idea of an emergency section that scares me most, but then i'm not sure i will get the chance to choose an elective section if the consultant thinks we have a shot a natural birth

[Wanting-a-girl]

Dreamofpink you are awesome! Everyone I know who has sections refuse to even try to have a labour and delivery! It actually kinda sickens me... My cousin doesn't want her vajay to stretch lmao how pathetic is that! I love labour and delivery the experience not the pain ... But ya I just wanted to applaud you!


Anyone I have known with a low lying placenta has had sections cause it is quite risky for you and baby to go naturally... Are you having another u/s before you have to decide? Choose what's safest for you and the baby tho

[Mrs_P]

i have another at 37 weeks but thats what is worrying me really, is it safe to leave it, right now i am not being given choice and not filled with confidence at the advice i've received either, i thought low lying mean't automatic section but its the fact that she is no 4 thats changing their minds

[fish2012]

oh hun poor you

Hope for a miricle placenta move ;-S

[Wanting-a-girl]

It is fine right now it's when you go into labour that it's an issue and can be very dangerous! I would hinestly do the section cause the risk of bleeding out is pretty high... I know it sucks but you and baby being healthy in the end is the only outcome that matters

[Mrs_P]

Thanks wanting i'm not being given a choice at the moment but hopefully push for a section at my next appt

[*ruby*]

There are different grades of previa with the worst being when the placenta completely covers the cervix and therefore you need a definite c/s. They are probably taking the wait and see approach as yours is still around 1.5cm away and it's still possible that the placenta will move away even more.

[RKT Mama]

I haven't had one personally but have dealt with a number of women with low lying placenta's. Less than 2cm from the cervical opening starts being risky so you are right on the grey area.
If you haven't bled already and don't bleed, your risk is mainly in labour as the cervix dilates and baby's head is pretty good at putting pressure on the placenta to decrease the bleeding. The placenta is pretty soft so is unlikely to block the entrance enough to stop baby coming through. The blood that is lost is from you, not baby is not at risk unless you bleed a lot or too much of the placenta comes away.
Being a 4th baby you should labour quickly which also decreases the risk.
An elective Caesar is an option to continue but remember that the lower part of the uterus doesn't contract very well so your risk of a huge bleed during delivery or after is much higher and having a hole cut in your uterus increases that even more.
Remember also that if the placenta is in the front they have to cut through it to get to baby or much higher in the uterus which increases your risk of it rupturing if you ever do have another baby.
Depending on your doctors they may also want to do a Caesar under general anaesthetic which is a pretty horrid way to have a baby.

Personally I would ask a lot of questions at your 37 week appointment to make 100% sure you are happy with the doctors decision making. Whatever option you choose carries a risk and you need to be able to trust whoever is making those decisions at the time.