I got this email this morning.

AmandaB · 08-23-2006, 10:27 AM

This is from my client due in Jan. Does anyone have any knowledge about this? I am so freaked out! I know I have to calm myself for her, but after being in this support group for pregnancy loss and hearing about placental problems leading to death, I can only think of the worst. Perhaps some of you have some insight and perhaps prayers so that this thing turn out alright.

"We didnt meet with the midwife Monday as she had a birth, we are meeting her tomorrow morning. She did call however with my ultrasound results. She said that my placenta is low lying (about 1 cm from Cervix) and not to worry, they will monitor it again at 28 weeks and it should move up. I thought that you should know. I am not "overly" concerned, but I am not doing TONS of research as I do not want to be freaked out. It is my understanding that this is quite common, and in 80 - 90% of patients it corrects itself, and would mean a c-section if it does not."

~Tranquility~Doula · 08-23-2006, 10:40 AM

Don't worry about it. A lot of times the placenta will correct itself and move up.

Jilian · 08-23-2006, 10:42 AM

Don't freak out, placentas can move. As long as it is a partial previa they can still attempt a vaginal birth (most modwives will). A full or complete previa will most likely require a c-section. I had a client with a partial abruption and she still went on to have a great homebirth.

Your client still has a long way to go, and the baby is still tiny so things can shift around. It's nothing to worry about at this point. Reassure your client that it is fairly common and unless she has pain or bleeding then she should not worry.

jesscardona · 08-23-2006, 10:43 AM

Oh no, I hope it corrects itself.. keep us updated!

joandchris18 · 08-23-2006, 10:50 AM

I have a client right now with a scheduled section because of placenta previa. hers did not correct itself, but they often do. Certainly at this point you should not worry about it. Just see it as normal until it really does look like it wont correct.

fearlessbirth · 08-23-2006, 10:52 AM

What they all said! Sending lots of positive energy and wisdom to help this mama

loveslabor · 08-23-2006, 11:33 AM

I've known several people, including myself, with this issue. And in all cases, the placenta "moved up" as the uterus grew.

AmandaB · 08-23-2006, 11:41 AM

Thank you for the support. I did do some searching and I did come across the fact that

by midpregnancy things should start to move.

I have just been very nervous for this woman (maybe it's because she hired me early) from the very beginning. I should be more confident that a large number of babies are born fine, but there is just something nagging at my brain. I will keep you all updated.

liwabuchi · 08-23-2006, 11:42 AM

stay positive, she has time on her side still. Mine corrected it self and i have a health 7yr driving me crazy still to this day. keep us informed.

loveslabor · 08-23-2006, 11:45 AM

Don't forget there is great value in intuitive feelings. Learning to distinguish them from general worrying is really tough though. =)

Annie · 08-23-2006, 12:34 PM

One thing I like as an example of how placentas "move" is to use a balloon. Near the part of the ballon that is at the base of the balloon but before the part that you blow it up, where those two connect, place a dot with a marker. As you blow up the balloon (uterus) notice how the dot moves. I think it could make a great visual for clients. This way they see that a placenta can move, but not that it can jump all over the place and move, kwim.

-Annie

Kalamazoo Doula · 08-23-2006, 01:28 PM

Annie, that is a really cool idea for a visual! Thanks for sharing! I will have to remember that for clients and cbe students! Awesome!

moncton doula · 08-23-2006, 08:22 PM

Mine was marginal at 18wks but stretched up and away fine.

tlcdoula · 08-23-2006, 11:29 PM

I wouldn't worry about it - they will diagnose mom one way or another as she gets further along in her pregnancy. If it hasn't moved then she will most likely have a cesarean birth, but to worry about it now is senseless.

supportingmom · 08-24-2006, 03:20 AM

with my second baby I had a very low lying placenta. the dr and my midwife decided that it was ok to deliver vaginally but warned me that it might be a bit messy. I did not have any problems during the delivery but had lots of bleeding afterwards, no transfusion needed but a shot of pic and a fluid IV overnight. baby was fine and I was good to go the next am. I have had two babies since and never had the same problem.