Childbirth/low placenta

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Expert: - 8/4/2011


Question
"Dear Sir,
i am 30 years old ,22 week pregnent with my first baby
everything is good going with me but ultrasound on 17 week shows that  placenta is posterior,low lying just reaching os,grade 0 in maturity
is it serious ,what precautions should i have been taken  , is travelling by train is safe
please help me"

Answer
Hello Shikha,

At 17 weeks, the placenta should be low lying.  This is not a surprise nor an unusual occurrence.  During pregnancy, the placenta usually forms low and then gradually shifts upward away from the cervix as the pregnancy progresses.  As no sign of previa was noted, there is no immediate reason that any precautions need to be taken and traveling by train should be safe.  A repeat ultrasound around 32 weeks may have been recommended to check placental position.  Unless you have bleeding, pain or other symptoms, then there should be no cause for overt concern.


Best,
Catherine

Childbirth

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Catherine Beier MS CBE

Expertise

I can provide evidence-based information and current research findings concerning childbirth and pregnancy. My specializations include natural childbirth, pregnancy and birth interventions, fetal positioning, labor induction, choosing a care provider, midwives, homebirth, unassisted birth, natural pain relief, medications in pregnancy and birth, informed consent, understanding the risks and benefits of childbirth choices, doulas, waterbirth, childbirth methods, childbirth education classes, cesarean section, and VBAC.

Experience

I have been a childbirth educator, mother, author, public speaker, researcher, and birth advocate for the past 9 years. I am also the author of Giving Birth Naturally, a site dedicated to natural childbirth and pregnancy information. I publish evidence-based articles on pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and post-partum care. I'm also a mother of three children, two daughters and one son all born naturally. To learn more about what normal birth looks like, view the natural childbirth video of my son being born at home unassisted.

Publications
My book, Birth Outside the Box, was published in 2007.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in communication disorders with an emphasis in child development. I am also an independent childbirth educator.

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