placenta previa at 26 weeks

[nolababy]

I was recently diagnosed with complete placenta previa at 20 weeks. I am 26 weeks now and was wondering if anyone knew the chances that the placenta will move before my due date. I feel confused about whether i should expect a section or vaaginal birth.

[kindergal]

I cannot remember the time line but a friend of mine had placenta previa and was put on very strict bed rest....I do not know that her placenta actually "moved" but she was able to eventually get up and move around the house and she carried almost to term.  She had a c section...but for complications not necessarily related to the plac. prev.

[peekawho]

When you are in the 20th week, the uterus is relatively small, compared to the size of the placenta, so its not uncommon for part of the placenta to cover the cervix.  As the pregnancy progresses, the uterus grows larger and the placenta often appears to have moved out of the way, up higher in the uterus.
In reality, its because the uterus becomes larger in comparison to the placenta.

Many times, partial placenta previas diagnosed at 20 weeks will be found later in pregnancy to be totally normal implantations, and no C/S would be required.

If you have a complete previa, it may be less likely for such a thing to happen.  Not impossible, but less likely.

I'm sure your doctor will be doing another ultrasound soon, This next one will better predict what the delivery route will be--vaginal vs C/Section.

Good luck!