Homebirth and Anterior Placenta

[hookahgirl]

Is there anything I should worry about if an U/S at 12 weeks showed that my placenta is anterior?
Anyone have experience with this?
Thanks!
Whitney

[KariM]

I had an anterior placenta with my DD and had a successful HBAC!

I'm not aware of an anterior placenta being a contraindication for a natural birth or a homebirth. From what I understand it's a variation of normal.

[sapphire_chan]

Anterior placenta means it's on the side of the uterus that's near your belly button? Wouldn't that just mean that a c-section would be more dangerous?

[DreamsInDigital]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

Anterior placenta means it's on the side of the uterus that's near your belly button? Wouldn't that just mean that a c-section would be more dangerous?

Ooh good point. I never thought of that. I had an anterior placenta with my last homebirth and it never caused any problems for us. We had a successful homebirth.

[DoulaJulian]

I have an anterior placenta and the only difficulty we've had is hearing the baby's hear tones through the blood flow noises of the placenta. And at the 20 week sonogram, the tech had me lay flat on my back and then became concerned that the placenta was laying on the babies face--which she saw as a sign of low amniotic fluid. I asked her if i could lay on my left side and we magically saw the placenta leave the baby's face and the area filled in with amniotic fluid--no low fluid issue after all. (and who the heck asks a pregnant lady to lay on her back any more? I thought that was common knowledge at this point!) So those are some things to keep in mind.

From what i have experienced with my other pregnancies and births is that the baby will tend to face the placenta, which means posterior positioning for labor and birth (not necessarily a rule for everyone--just for me, maybe?) My ds was a side lying placenta and he always faced that side. My 2dd's were both anterior and they both presented sunny side up (longer labors, more back labor, and quite a bit of head and face bruising for them, but not impossible) and at 33 weeks now this baby is still posterior, too. Granted my posterior babies may also be a symptom of having a short torso, from what i've read, the baby is just more comfy that way when momma is short. But we'll see if my chiro appointments are gonna do anything for that before labor begins!

Good luck and i will keep you updated in case the anterior placenta does end up causing some unforeseen issue...but with only 6-7 weeks to go:, you won't have to wait long for the answer!

[Reha]

anterior placentas are pretty common. I can't recall the exact percentage that are anterior, but about 40%.

It wouldn't be a concern in the case of a cesarean unless it was low-lying (which you won't know for sure until at least 30 or more weeks).

While many babies do tend to like to be posterior when their placenta is anterior, most of the time, by the time labor starts, they will have turned anterior (or be born posterior, of course).

[tinyshoes]

Originally Posted by Reha

anterior placentas are pretty common. I can't recall the exact percentage that are anterior, but about 40%.

Makes sense, since half of your uterus is the "front" (anterior) half, and the other half is the "back" half.

I discovered my anterior placenta myself, using my fetoscope. My hbmws confirmed it's location (placentas are LOUD--so it's really not rocket science, nor do you need U/S to find it) and not one word of risk or problem has been uttered.....my placenta is on the front side this time, no biggie.

[wendy1221]

I had an anterior placenta w/ ds3. It just means it's harder to hear the baby's heartbeat, which is good to know if you ever have trouble hearing the heartrate.

[lc81002]

I don't see why it would be a problem. I had an anterior placenta with my son. I never would have known that, if not for the ultrasounds I had. I felt him really early and we never had trouble finding his heartbeat with the doppler.

[hookahgirl]

Thanks!
So here is a fluff question, does having an anterior placenta make you carry larger?? Is my belly gonna be HUGE LOL

[sjbvl]

I'm 30 wks w/#2, anterior placenta this time, my hbmw isn't concerned about placenta position. It was a bit harder at first to feel baby movements, but we've not had any trouble hearing the heartbeat. I don't think it matters really.

[Patchfire]

Both of my have had anterior placentas. I didn't get extra big. It did make it harder to find the hb with a fetoscope until close to 30 weeks with my second, though it was a little easier the first time. Also, early movement is a little more 'muted' than I often hear described, and there was less movement that could be seen outwardly.

[shanniesue2]

I am at 36 weeks with an anterior placenta... at 20 weeks I had partial previa, but it has moved up now. That was one thing I thought of. I know that placentas move around alot during pregnancy... and you're only at 12 weeks. But I don't know if placentas just tend to move upward or if they can move around the sides as well. Anyway, my MW has never said anything indicating that an anterior placenta would be a risk. I'm pretty sure the only placenta position that would be a risk would be low-lying or previa (but I'm not an expert, so don't quote me).

Also, I thought I'd let you know that, even with my anterior placenta, people are usually surprised to find out how far along I am. At first, they'll say something along the lines of, "wow. you're really getting big" then they'll ask how far along I am. When I tell them, they change their response to something along the lines of "Oh, I wouldn't have guessed you were that far along. Your small for where you're at"

[queenjulie]

An anterior placenta means your baby will be more likely to be posterior (that is, sunny side up). There are technically no health risks or dangers associated with that, so there's no reason you shouldn't have a homebirth if you want. However, posterior presentations tend to be longer and more painful, because back labor is often present and it is more difficult for the baby to move through the birth canal. If you are prepared for that, then a homebirth may be for you.

Also, anterior placentas are NOT that common--they only occur about 25% of the time, not 40% (the placenta can be on the sides also, not just the back or front).

[sunnymw]

We just found out at 16 weeks that we have an anterior placenta. No risks, just haven't felt ANY movements at all, and had a tough tough time finding the HB (and yes, as PP mentioned, PLACENTAS AR SOOO LOUD!!!)

I had a posterior placenta last time and also a posterior labor (but not birth), so praying that maybe I'm the opposite of the statistic on that

[lc81002]

That didn't seem to make a difference for me. My belly was tiny! I think my pelvis is shaped in a way that my babies tend to be posterior though, so that may account for some of the smallness. Well, that and my kid didn't even weigh 6 lb at birth, LOL. He was just a peanut. Still is, actually. He is 20 lb and 19.5 months old.

Originally Posted by hookahgirl

Thanks!
So here is a fluff question, does having an anterior placenta make you carry larger?? Is my belly gonna be HUGE LOL

[flapjack]

Opposite problem, actually. Fourth term pregnancy, first with an anterior placenta and my bump is just way out on the other side of the room, whereas I usually carry small and trim. Right now, we're having some as yet unknown problems with positioning: I'm 5cm dilated, have been contracting fairly regularly but not strongly for 3 weeks and I'm not in active labour yet. It's not posterior, doesn't seem to be an asynclitic head or a nuchal hand, your guess is as good as mine :

One of the other MDC mamas suggested the rebozo technique to help if I have another bout of rocky contractions, so if you find yourself sticking like this, it's worth a try. I'll come back and let you know if it works.