Placenta previa?

Question

I just had my 20 week ultrasound, and the dr. tells me I have a low lying placenta. What potential problems does this condition come with?

Answer 1

i had it with my first four, Normally, the placenta is attached to the uterus above the cervix. However, in less than 1% of all births the placenta forms low in the uterus and is partially to completely covering the cervix. 1 When the placenta is blocking the cervix, it is called placenta previa. See a illustrations of a normal placenta and placenta previa.Placenta previa can cause complications for both mother and fetus, including:

Early separation of the placenta from the uterine wall (placenta abruptio).
Severe maternal bleeding (hemorrhage) before or during delivery, which can be life-threatening for both a mother and her fetus. When the placenta has abnormally attached or grown into the uterine wall (placenta accreta, placenta increta, or placenta percreta), bleeding can be severe enough to require a hysterectomy. 6
Premature, or preterm, delivery (before the 37th week of pregnancy), which typically poses the greatest risk to the fetus.
Birth defects. Birth defects occur 2.5 times more often in pregnancies affected by placenta previa than in unaffected pregnancies; the cause is currently unknownTreatment for placenta previa depends on how much you are bleeding and whether your fetus is mature enough to survive early delivery. Providing that you and your fetus are stable, you can be closely monitored until the baby can be safely delivered.

When your fetus is mature enough, or if too much bleeding is endangering you or your fetus, your baby will be delivered. Because disturbing the placenta with a vaginal delivery can cause severe placental bleeding, a cesarean section is always used when placenta previa is present.

Answer 2

At 20 weeks, you have a 95% chance of the placenta being pulled up and out of the way, this is why they wont actually diagnosis previa this early. They will check you again in a couple of months, and if it's not out of the way then you will be given the diagnosis. I was one of the 5% and had the diagnosis. The worst case scenario is fetal death due to a placenta abruption and not getting the baby out in time. If the plenat fully abrupts you only have a few minutes to get the baby out. Another thing that happens is premarure delivery due to a partial placenta abruption. The best outcome is usually getting a c-section and having a full term baby. Luckily I made it to 38 weeks, and actually had a vaginal birth because in the last couple of weeks it was pulled upwards. I bled out though because the placenta was so thin and it ripped. This was all from the previa. I'm sure you will be part of the 95%, but no sex for you in the meantime, and take it easy. If you bleed at all, go straight to the hospital.

Answer 3

If it continues until your due date, most dr's will do a c-section to avoid any bleeding. Usually though, as the uterus grows the placenta will "move" up one of the sides. I had placenta previa at my 20 week ultrasound as well and found out that it is pretty common at that point. Only 2-3% of pregnancies that have it at 20 weeks will still have the problem at their due date.
Check out www.babycenter.com for answers to a lot of these types of questions and support of other pregnant women at the same place in pregnancy.

Answer 4

My sister had all 3 of her children 6-10 weeks early due to this. The doctor said its like the baby gets to a point were the placenta cant carry it no more and she has to go on bed rest and then deliver c-section early. If can be danger. but just keep close to your hospital, if you start to bleed at all go to the nearst hospital even if you are not at your own. Good luck

Answer 5

If the placenta is obstructing the birth canal, you will need a c-section. The good thing is that they you and your doctor can know this ahead of time, and schedule the c-section. It can go a lot more smoothly when it's anticipated and prepared for, rather than an emergency c-section.

Answer 6

You could potentially end up having to get a c-section instead of delivering vaginally. But right now, it could actually move back into it's right place.

Just ask your doctor to keep check on it for you.

Best wishes to ya!

Answer 7

Mine was low lying at my 12 week visit, but things are normal now. If you still have it when it comes closer to time to deliver, you'll have to have a C-section.

Answer 8

i was diagnosed with the same thing at my 16 week check up, my doc said it could cause preterm labor, and bleeding. Also if it persists u may be bedridden and will need a c-section, thankfully mine cleared up on its own good luck

Answer 9

you have to rest a lot take good care of you don't make any hard movement at all rest rest rest and rest you need to be extra care full i suggest you talk to your doctor so he can inform you more about this. And loo for it on the Internet.

Answer 10

This is a question for the doctor who gave you that diagnosis.