Low-Placenta at 32 Weeks: Understanding Risks & Delivery Options

Question
i had a placenta of 1.1cm from the internal os at 32 weeks.  i was told @ 20 weeks that it was low & booked for a follow up scan @ 32 weeks where it was still only 1.1cm. I have been booked for another scan @ 36 weeks (this thursday)  What is the likely hood that this might move up any more & what is a safe zone for delivery naturally as my first baby was smooth sailing & now i have this & its all a bit over mine & my partners heads.
HELP PLEASE ..... Scared Aucklander :)

Answer
Your placenta needs to be at least 2 full centimeters away from the os in order to have a vaginal birth.  In general, you have about an 88% chance for this to have happened, based on your 32-week scan.  Even if the placenta has not moved enough at your 36-week scan, you may still have a chance.  The placenta should continue to migrate at least as fast from 36-40 weeks as it did from 32-36 weeks.  You may be able to continue scanning at weekly intervals until at least 38 weeks, perhaps longer.  But if your placenta measures at least 2cm away at your 36-week scan, you should be in the clear, since it will not move back down.

Good luck!