Would you be concerned about placenta?

[babycatcher12]

So I had a sono today. We found out we're having our 4th boy!! Yay! We're totally excited.

I'm planning a HBA3C. What has me a little worried is my placenta location. It is anterior and fundal. It is several (5-6)cm away from my lower uterine segment. So it's not over my previous scar (yet).

I'm wondering how much more will a placenta grow width wise etc? Is it likely that it will begin to grow over my scar as the baby grows? Is it something that I *should* be concerned about and have rechecked later? Would you be worried?

FWIW when I feel baby move I feel it down low towards my old scar and on the sides, I'm assuming around my placenta.

I'd just like someone else's feedback. (I'm a nurse so it's hard for me not to imagine the worst case scenario and I'm trying to be really zen this pg).

Thanks!

[shenanegans]

Unfortunately I don't know much, I hope it doesn't grow much. From what I heard from my Dr. is that it mostly moves up as the uterus expands, not down.

[SelenaJean]

My placenta is also in front and above my scar. It's just moved up along with my uterus growing over the course of my pregnancy. I would think that it could not move down since your uterus is growing up but maybe I'm wrong. I did have an U/S around 32 weeks to check it, maybe you could do the same?

[babycatcher12]

You know as I thought about it last night, it stands to reason that the placenta will actually move up and grow with my uterus right? Kind of like someone with a partial previa at 20 weeks and then it moves during pregnancy as the uterus grows and expands.
It is attached to the front and top of my uterus, so it should just keep getting a little further away (I think).
Thanks for helping me think this out!

[cathicog]

Generally, as the uterus grows, it carries the placenta up with it. I don't think you would have anything to worry about- if anything, it would be a relief! (because it is anterior, and up in the fundus)

[mediumcrunch]

All I can tell you is I've had a few VBAC's now with an anterior placenta and nothing bad has happened. I am happier though when I have a nice posterior placenta, I don't blame you for being concerned but as PP said, it will likely move up and away as your pregnancy progresses.

[Amynf1]

I am planning a vbac with an inverted t scar and my placenta is anterior front and center, over the vertical portion of my scar. My doc said that it's about 40% on the vertical portion of the scar ad 60% above it. He's not worried, he said the risks of accreta are very low after one c/s and that the biggest concern would be detachment after birth. It could even warrant manual extraction but like he said, I'd still have my vaginal birth. I have a friend who also vbac'd with this same scenario and had no problems.

[mamaspirit]

Congrats on planning your HBA3C!!! I wish you a joyful journey!

I too have an anterior and fundal placenta and it has just grown up with my uterus. If it is fundal, it will be at the top of your uterus, a long way from your scar! I do understand about over thinking things as a nurse. I am one too! I'm planning a HBA2C in May!

[shenanegans]

what is the difference with where it is located? (besides over the scar obviously)

[AustinMom]

I'm kinda curious about this, ours in anterior, and I would think it's a good thing, here is why. The baby in the uterus towards the end of pregnancy is not directly over the pelvis, as you can tell a woman's belly hangs over waistline. So, if the placenta is in front, that means there is more room in the back of the uterus for the baby to be closer in alignment to the pelvis, right? I would think and anterior placenta is a perk? But to answer your question, it'll grow up with uterus, I wouldn't worry about it reaching your scar. Any responses to this statement would be much welcomed.

Oh, and happy HBAC! We're HBACing in Sept!

[babycatcher12]

Austinmom I hadn't thought of it that way, but maybe I should. I don't know much about it affecting fetal position other than that I didn't want it over my scar.
It makes sense though. I might have to ask our midwife about it at my next appointment. I'm not sure how much placenta location makes baby lean one way or another in utero. Hmmm.
Thanks for the well wishes! I'm really excited about this birth and the opportunity to do some healing!

[Amynf1]

One thing I have found (from several sources) is that a woman with an anterior placenta is more likely to have an OP (sunny side up) baby. This concerns me since my first was a malpositioning issue (mentum transverse or face first sideways). It is also more difficult to get an OP baby to rotate of the anterior placenta. That said, there's not a guarantee that the baby will be OP just because the placenta is anterior.

[mediumcrunch]

anterior placentas do tend to encourage OP babies but it isn't a guarantee or anything. I've had a bunch of pregnancies with anterior placentas and all OA babies

[babycatcher12]

Well that's fantastic (notice the sarcasm). I had an OP baby with my first pg (which is why I had a c/s in the first place) and a posterior placenta.
I'll think positive and spend the last two weeks or so on my hands and knees. Good opportunity to scrub my floors.

[Amynf1]

Originally Posted by mediumcrunch

anterior placentas do tend to encourage OP babies but it isn't a guarantee or anything. I've had a bunch of pregnancies with anterior placentas and all OA babies

I have heard others say this a few times and I am always encouraged by it. Malpositioning is a big fear for me with this VBAC.

Originally Posted by babycatcher12

Well that's fantastic (notice the sarcasm). I had an OP baby with my first pg (which is why I had a c/s in the first place) and a posterior placenta.
I'll think positive and spend the last two weeks or so on my hands and knees. Good opportunity to scrub my floors.

I know, right?! But, at least we know it going into and can work on optimal fetal positioning techniques (and scrub our floors on our hands and knees ) rather than go into it blindly not knowing.

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by Amynf1

One thing I have found (from several sources) is that a woman with an anterior placenta is more likely to have an OP (sunny side up) baby. This concerns me since my first was a malpositioning issue (mentum transverse or face first sideways). It is also more difficult to get an OP baby to rotate of the anterior placenta. That said, there's not a guarantee that the baby will be OP just because the placenta is anterior.

Originally Posted by mediumcrunch

anterior placentas do tend to encourage OP babies but it isn't a guarantee or anything. I've had a bunch of pregnancies with anterior placentas and all OA babies

Originally Posted by Amynf1

I have heard others say this a few times and I am always encouraged by it. Malpositioning is a big fear for me with this VBAC.


I know, right?! But, at least we know it going into and can work on optimal fetal positioning techniques (and scrub our floors on our hands and knees ) rather than go into it blindly not knowing.

Same here.
Good Luck mommas~