[New_England_Girl]

Hello, ladies! Well, even though it seems like I just found out I was pregnant yesterday, my 20-week ultrasound has come and gone I have to say that pregnancy #3 is flying by.

The big news is that we're having a boy! I'm pretty excited about that I thought we were going Team Green until the day of the ultrasound, and then DH surprised me by telling me we could find out if I wanted. Best surprise ever!

Anyway, my question is this: Has anyone ever had a low-lying placenta? Mine is very low, right to the lip of the cervix but not covering it. How does this affect birth if it does not move up as the uterus grows?
She said I would likely have a couple more ultrasounds to check on the placenta, which I'm okay with for the most part, but I don't know if this will prohibit having a normal, natural birth. Any words of wisdom for me?

[MissusF]

I was diagnosed with a low lying anterior placenta at my 20w ultrasound too. I'm not sure exactly how low mine is, my midwife just said "pretty low" lol. I believe it needs to move up 2 cm to not be considered low lying anymore. My midwife explained that a low placenta at 20 weeks is pretty much just a variation on normal and nothing to be concerned about. The vast majority of the time the placenta will migrate up as pregnancy progresses and never cause a problem. However, in the unlikely event that it doesn't move, I'll be risked out of home birth and probably end up with a scheduled c-section. I'm really not worried about it though. Everyone is so confident that it will move. I go back for another ultrasound at 36 to check the placement. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that our placentas cooperate

[New_England_Girl]

Thanks! Fingers crossed for you as well

[andi2284]

I had a partial placenta previa with my second pregnancy. It moved up and by the end of the pregnancy, it wasn't an issue anymore. I think all you can do is keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't migrate over the cervix and continues to move up. As long as it does, it shouldn't cause a problem during the birth.

[Mod-quietsong]

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner with this one! At 20 weeks with my second pregnancy, my placenta was partial previa, very low lying. We did a follow up ultrasound at 32 weeks and it was completely out of the way I think the stats I've read say that 80% of placentas that are low lying at the 20 week ultrasound move up and aren't an issue at all by birth. So I'd say at this point, don't sweat it!

[BobbityBoo]

Originally Posted by MissusF

I was diagnosed with a low lying anterior placenta at my 20w ultrasound too. I'm not sure exactly how low mine is, my midwife just said "pretty low" lol. I believe it needs to move up 2 cm to not be considered low lying anymore. My midwife explained that a low placenta at 20 weeks is pretty much just a variation on normal and nothing to be concerned about. The vast majority of the time the placenta will migrate up as pregnancy progresses and never cause a problem. However, in the unlikely event that it doesn't move, I'll be risked out of home birth and probably end up with a scheduled c-section. I'm really not worried about it though. Everyone is so confident that it will move. I go back for another ultrasound at 36 to check the placement. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that our placentas cooperate

Pretty much this. It is most likely it will move. If it does not for whatever reason I believe you have to have a c-section. I'm not sure the different plans of action regarding partial vs. full previa. In full previa, c/s is the only option. If that is the case though, it really is the safesty option. Good luck!!