I am almost 23 weeks pregnant and the doctor just told me I have a low-lying placenta. I have to have a scheduled C-section anyway, so it won't affect the birth but I can't stop worrying about it. He didn't seem to concerned because he didn't tell me to do anything differently. How common is this and is there anything I should or should not be doing? thanks for any help.
2007-03-27 12:51:29 · 8 answers · asked by Good Gushy 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
At 20 weeks when a low lying placenta is found, over 95% of the time it resolves by the end of the pregnancy. If it doesn't, like in my case, a diagnosis of placenta previa is given, either complete, partial, or marginal. I'm guessing you will be scheduled for another sonogram in a few weeks. Depending on how bad your case is, if it doesn't resolve, you are then at high risk for a placenta abruption which could in the worst case scenario kill your baby if the an emergency C-section isn't done in time. You are supposed to abstain from sex, and modify your activity level. If there is any bleeding it is to be reported to an OB right away. A C-section is a given in the complete and partial previa scenarios, but in marginal, like my case was, a vaginal birth can take place. It is a very serious condition that is monitored closely. Many premature babies are a result of this condition. Like I said though, in over 95% of cases it resolves, since your uterus gets so big and pulls the placenta upwards (it doesn't move by itself since it's attached) and away from the cervix.
2007-03-27 12:56:53 · answer #1 · answered by Melissa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally it is a cause for concern only when the cervix begins to dilate. At that point, if the placenta is low enough, it can separate from the uterine wall prematurely. Without the placenta attached until after birth, the baby cannot get oxygen and it will die. Also the mother can bleed to death if the placenta detaches prematurely.
Not to terrify you--- but it is very serious, depending on position.
On the other hand, there is no reason to be fearful during a normal pregnancy. Until labor begins, there is no more danger than in any other pregnancy.
If you start having signs of labor prior to your scheduled C-section, get to your hospital right away.
Thank God for ultra-sounds! While not a great percentage of pregnancies have this problem, so many lives can be saved by early detection of it.
God bless you and your new baby!
2007-03-27 13:05:03 · answer #2 · answered by Rani 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be a "low lying placenta" or "placenta previa" .. I had this!
(I'm not sure if you've had any spotting or anything .. but if you do, this should ease your mine ...)
I started bleeding bright red blood at 15 weeks .. went to the ER (hystrical, because I thought I was losing my baby) .. they did an ultrasound, baby was perfect and the bleeding was because I have a "low lying placenta". I then (for 4 weeks) continued spotting brown. It does not affect the baby whatsoever. The doctor said 96% of people who have a "low-lying" placenta in early pregnancy will clear itself up and will be perfect by full term and will have a normal vaginal delivery. Worse case scenerio is that if the placenta doesn't move up (from your uterus expanding as your tummy grows) .. then in that 4% you will have to have a c-section. But you will still have a healthy baby :)
I then went in for my 18 week ultrasound .. and no more low-lying placenta!! it was completely normal!! no spotting .. nothing! it was as if I never had it :)
I've known SEVERAL women who had this (some spotted, some didn't) and EVERY one of them cleared up by term and deliverd their babies vaginally! It's so very common in early pregnancy. Don't stress about it. I stressed myself retarded when it happend to me. I'm now 25 weeks pregnant with a very healthy baby boy!
Hang in there .. and relax :)
**PS - everytime I started to spot .. I would lay on my left side .. that seemed to make the bleeding stop, and it eventually went away for good **
good luck! God bless!
2007-03-28 05:19:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am 15 weeks along and I have a low-lying placenta. I have some bleeding and blood clots so since I was 7 weeks, I have been on pelvic rest...no sex, no orgasms. I can't carry or lift anything over 10 lbs. If I do a lot of walking, I have to rest for at least a half hour afterward. And I am not supposed to bend over or squat too much. It has taken some getting used to, but I haven't had any more bleeding since my 10th week.
2007-03-27 16:48:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also had a low-laying placenta but lucky for me it moved up before I gave birth. I don't think that it's anything to worry about just do whatever your Dr. says. I know some of my family members have had it too and everything came out fine with them also. Good luck and don't worry about.
2007-03-27 12:58:51 · answer #5 · answered by Pixie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HI, i have a low lying placenta also and I wasn't planning on having a c-section, i wasn't told to go on bedrest or anything . You justhave to be careful, sex is ok, just mild (if you get me:) and other than that, i am perfectly normal.
2007-03-27 13:23:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they say it should resolve but sometimes it dont. like me i were put on bed rest i didnt listen and one day woke up in blood. i went to the hospital and the medivacked me to the city. i were put on complete hospital bedrest. i were in there a month and woke up in blood again so they had to take the baby. he were born two months early. i had to have a blood transfusion after the first bleed and after the c-section. now if i only would of listened to them docters i prob wouldnt of bled. but usually they can not allow you to go to term with previa. and they deliver by c- section.
2007-03-27 13:04:06 · answer #7 · answered by she_ferr30 w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem arrises durning natural labor. Since you are having a c-section, you are ok. Your doctor would've told you if you needed to be concerned.
2007-03-27 13:03:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋