Pregnancy guide > Your baby in pregnancy > Pregnancy health > Pregnancy problems > Low lying placenta praevia

Low lying placenta praevia

Advice on the symptoms of low lying placenta praevia with information on management and treatment.

Placenta praevia is where the placenta is situated over or near the cervix. It may overlie the internal opening of the cervix preventing the head of the foetus engaging.

Symptoms include painless vaginal bleeding which occurs late in pregnancy and may be initiated by sexual intercourse or vaginal examination.

Ultrasound is used to reveal the position of the placenta. There is no treatment to alter the position of the placenta and delivery is carried out by caesarean section.

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Hi, I had my scan this week and was told I have a low lying placenta, the sonographer said it was common and for 9 out of 10 people it moves naturally as the pregnancy develops. She said it was nothing to worry about and didn't advise that I needed to do anything different. I have to go back at 34 weeks for another scan to see how it has progressed - I am not worried just conscious of it, meaning I am more careful at not agravating anything i.e. not lifting heavy items, resting when my body gets tired - which is more often lately lol! I do alot of driving with work so have told them I am reluctant to drive long distances any longer in case anything happens.

by EmHink

14th May 2010, 3:13pm

hi friends mom and dads..........my wife is on her second pregnancy and she have a problem of low lying placenta Dr said to bed rest she is 16 week pregg. and Dr say not to move frombed and also lay on her back due to it she had a back pain and she cry like a baby with this pain wat to do ......please suggest friends and Dr's
by mark100874	17th Nov 2009, 3:46pm

hi guys i was told at my 18 week scan i had placenta preavia, i have experienced bleeding from 26 weeks on due to the uterus stretching and the placenta moving. i had another scan at 27 weeks to make sure everything is ok and the placenta has moved by 5 cms. So it is possible for it to move. very excited am no longer considered to have placenta preavia.

To saurabh - placenta posterior is when the placenta is on the back of the uterus and anterior is on the front.

by kilah

2nd Sep 2009, 10:26am

Hi, I was told my placenta is low. Is it safe for my normal delivery? will it move upward within rest of time?
by APankaj	2nd Sep 2009, 10:25am

i was told i had low lying placenta completly covering my cervix at 21 weeks and they are rescanning me at 32 wks to see if its moved, has any1 actually had theres move in that time and have a natural birth?
by nattyboo	26th Aug 2009, 11:03am

my placenta is lying low but i hope it moves before the bith but if it dont thats when i might have to see if i have to have her out on my 34 week but i dunno
by CarrieAnneC16	18th Aug 2009, 9:15am

a low lying placenta is not normal it usually sits at the top of the womb but a scan at 32-36 weeks will confirm what will happen next it has to be above 2cm of os if it is clear of os then a normal delivery may be possible but cannot be confirmed til ur 32-36 week scan
it is possible for the placenta to move in the late stages of pregnancy
if a normal delivery cannot be carried out then a c setion will be neccessary
i am pregnant with my second child and have just got back from my scan where they informed me i had a low lying placenta but am not going to worry too much until i speak to my midwife at my appointment toomorrow
if anyone has any worries do not think twice about ringing your midwife but possibly expect a little extra ante natal care

by sazza1985

23rd Jul 2009, 9:08am

my wife is into her 11th week of pregnancy, it is our first time and we are looking for advice, she has started discharging a dark brown/red. she had a pain in her shoulder for 2 days and we are concerned as to what this means. a scan tomorrow will tell more but if anyone has any ideas please share them
by juliedevers	24th Jun 2009, 9:47am

hi my last ultrasound scan shows placenta posterior.does anyone know what it is?
by saurabh	21st Apr 2009, 10:14am

Hi I'm pregnant with my 4th baby and have just had my 22 week scan, nothing was said at the time but when I saw my midwife a week later she mentioned about my notes saying that I had a low lying placenta which is clear of os. I have not been offered another scan which I thought would be necessary, Has anyone else had this and if its clear does that mean it will stay clear and I will be able to have a vaginal delivery. any comments would be appreciated xx

by funcaat

12th Mar 2009, 9:06am

Hi, my wife just had her 20 week scan and were told that she had a low lying placenta. We were told that this is normal. (Is this true?) We have been given another scan date in week 34 to see if the placenta has moved. I don't want my wife to worry and try to tell here that it will be ok. I would be grateful if anyone could email me or post their comments from there experience,
by Tesh12	17th Feb 2009, 9:43am

Hi, I've just had my 32 week scan to see if the placenta had moved on its own which it has. Apparently it is common and will usually move as the uterus expands, I think thats why they scan so late (but I'm not an expert!) Unless you have any bleeding or pains, try not to worry (easier said than done!). I just tried to think of it as an inconvience as I wanted to sort my birth plan out. And to be honest the scan and the photos I have are amazing,I have a gorgeous scan picture of his/her face and it was well worth the worrying.

by adandloz

5th Feb 2009, 9:58am

hi i am 25 weeks pregnant and at my scan at 21 weeks i was told i had a low lying placenta which is covering half of my cervix i have to return at 36 weeks for another scan to check if its moved, is this likely to move or not??? and is 36 weeks a little late to be checking??? i dont feel that my midwife or anyone seems very interested in explaining this all to me?? any answers anyone??
by fayelou75	4th Feb 2009, 8:47am

hi all im new to the site! this is my 6th child and im now 30wks and been told my placenta still not moved much so to go bk in 3wks for enternal scan! wot happens next as i dont know ive had a section b4 with me first and the rest were normal deliverys im so scared with this one i have had some heavy bleeding but none sine bout 2 mnths now xx
by jinty09	2nd Feb 2009, 10:44am

Hi there i went to my 20week scan about 2 wks ago and i looked on my records and it said anterior placenta approaching the os.I have to go back at 34 weeks to see if the placenta has moved.I havent had any bleeding or that in my pregnancy but still should i be worried.Do think it will move? plz get back thnx xx
by XxYummyMummyToBexX	22nd May 2008, 9:03am

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