Horrible bed side manners (kind of long...)

Yesterday I went for a normal check up with my OB. Not only did I have to wait for an hour to be seen, but she just rushed in and rushed out. In this short amount of time she managed to tell me that I have a low-lying placenta and that she wants me to get another ultrasound… but it has to be 4 – 6 weeks after the last one… but it’s not a rush, but also don’t wait until your 8 months. Okay wait… it’s been 4 weeks since the last ultrasound, so wouldn’t you think that it would be important? So I asked her is this a bad thing? Her response was, “Oh, it’s common”… that wasn’t my question… and then I stopped hearing everything and went into complete panic mode. The next thing I heard was bed-rest… and then c-section… and then you don’t want the placenta coming out before the baby… and then she said, “I’ll see you in 4 weeks. We’re testing your blood sugar so make sure you let them know when you come in…” and out the door she went…

Wait what?! So I went over to the imaging center to make an appointment for next Tuesday. All what is going through my head is the last thing the ultrasound technician said… “The next time you see your little girl is on her birthday, unless there is any complications… and then we’ll take another peek.” And here I am scheduling another peek… so there must be something wrong.

So needless to say, I FREAKED when I finally spoke with my husband. And completely lost it. I’ve read a lot about low-lying placentas in the limited amount of free time that I’ve had (since I had 2 classes last night). So I’m trying to stay calm and deal with things as they happen not the what if’s…

Sorry this is so long… but I was wondering if anyone else had this condition and it corrected itself…

Thanks for listening

Oh you poor thing!

There is one doctor in my practice that just makes me feel like such an ass. I went in with these BH contractions that were happening like every 10 minutes at times, and she examined me and said…well you're fine just watch for contractions. I was like - THAT IS WHY I AM HERE!!!! She said, well if they come with any frequency, and I said - well how much more frequent can they get? I mean - I am ASKING a question. I realize you've been asked this three million times before, but hey honey! It's the first time for me OKAY?!?!

I don't know anything about low lying placenta, but I am quite sure somebody on here will. Are there are other doctors in your practice that you can see? Or is she the only one? Feel free to say to her next time, ya know I was really concerned about the answers I got on my last visit and I really feel I need a little more explanation at my appointments.

Let us know how it goes. If I can find anything on my other sites on this condition I will certainly post.

The placenta is also called the afterbirth. It is this that allows your baby to get all its oxygen and nutrients from you. Normally the placenta implants or buries itself into toward the middle or top of the womb. This means that it is well out of the way of the 'exit' when it comes to labour, and the baby has an easy passage out.

Your scan has shown that the placenta has implanted in the lower part of the womb, hence the name 'low lying placenta'.

If it remains in this position, then it would be unlikely that you would be able to give birth normally, and a caesarean section operation would be necessary.


How common is this and how often does it stay low lying?

This is not an uncommon finding on second trimester ultrasound scan. As many as 15-20% (one in five to six) of pregnancies have a low lying placenta. Fortunately, only 5% (1 in 20) of these remain low lying at 32 weeks and only one third of those are low lying at term (37 weeks). After 28 weeks, a low lying placenta is known as placenta praevia.

So you see that the vast majority will have resolved by the time labour starts and will not cause any problems.


How does the placenta move?

It doesn't actually 'move' but the growth of the womb and placenta relative to each other mean that it appears to do this.

The lower part of the womb - the lower segment - grows a great deal in mid to late pregnancy. After 28 weeks its size increases by more than ten-fold. In addition, the placenta grows most toward the top of the womb, where the blood supply is best.

It is because of these two events that most women with a low lying placenta have no problems.


How will I know if it has moved or not?

You will be asked to come back for another scan, probably around 32 weeks, by which time most women will be reassured that all is well and the placenta is now postioned toward the top of the womb.


What do I need to do now?

There is nothing you can do to try and encourage the placenta to move!

Because of the placenta's position over the cervix, there is an increased risk of early labour and bleeding. Very rarely the bleeding can be quite heavy.

If you notice any fresh blood or regular pains, it is important to contact your doctor or to delivery suite right away. This is not something that is common.

Thanks Jenny for posting that information. So I’m wondering if I made my ultrasound appointment too early. Oh, I don’t know. I love the ultrasound technician… he is so nice, so I’m planning on asking him a whole bunch of questions. I just want to make sure I have them all down before I go… you know so I don’t turn into a moron!

I’m just glad that little Madeleine is kicking away inside. When I read about hemorrhaging in one of my books yesterday I was so p i s s e d that she didn’t even warn me about any potential signs. I mean, come on, at least give me the information. I’ve read that a lot of doctors will not mention this condition to you, so they don’t worry you… but what would happen if all of a sudden I started hemorrhaging and had no warnings!?!?! I would completely flip! At least I know to go straight to the hospital!

God I hate these doctors. I just wish they understood that we don’t see these things everyday!

I have been telling myself - as long as that little baby is moving things must be somewhat okay in there!

When I go to the dr., I bring a steno pad with ?'s. This way, they see my pad and realize they have to sit through my questions and concerns! It's FINE to do that. With the technician too!

Jenn -

I had almost the same experience as you with the LLP. My doc didnt explain anything to me except telling me at 32 weeks I get another sono to see if it moved. It was 2CM's from the cervix at 20 weeks. Once it sank in I FREAKED!!!! The last thing I wanted was a c-section (which happened anyway but had nothing to do with the LLP). I called another OB in the practice (there are 5) and she calmed me down and gave me the facts about how often they move up. She said it wasnt complete placental previa so I had a 98% chance it would move. She put my mind at ease. I had my 32 week sono when the results came in the doc only told me 'it was way far away' from the 'escape hatch'. Alls well.

Moral of the story: LLP's are VERY common, you have a VERY good chance it will move up, Just relax and be pregnant knowing that there was nothing wrong on the sono except the LLP, if you have a c-section at the end ITS OK because you have the most precious gift in the world

Thanks for the reassurance and support! I’m either 22 or 23 weeks… my doctor can’t really pin down a due date. So she will make her appearance any time from January 25th to February 4th. So I guess next week would put me at 23 or 24 weeks. I know that I’m more than likely overreacting, but I just felt so alone and confused when the doctor told me this! It just seemed so matter-of-fact to her… and it really bothered me.

I’m not too worried about having a c-section or a v aginal birth… I’m scared either way you look at it. I just want her to be born the best way… but also keeping in mind that I’m also someone who needs care! I think that’s what scares me the most… they might overlook me and focus on her. Do you think that’s being too selfish?

There are going to be so many people there for the both of you. PLEASE DONT WORRY!!! You will have nurses and so will your little baby.

I would call the OB's office and say you want an appt within the next 3 days to discuss this issue. Just because she is running behind on her appts does NOT give her a right to rush you- this is NOT a Burger King. Your body and your child are your top priorities and she should make them hers when you are in her office.

Don't panic- as I know there are lots of girls on this board who have had this and it self-corrects very often. Your right- it is a big deal IF you are close to your due date and it is still low-lying. But just like a breech baby it can self-correct without any intervention.