QuestionMy daughter had an ultrasound recently. The physician asked her if she felt the baby move much. She told her this baby didn't seem to be as active as her first one. The doctor said it didn't surprise her because the ultrasound showed that her placenta was in front. Where is the placenta supposed to be,and will this make her prone to placenta previa? Any information you can bive me on this would be appreciated. Thank-you.
AnswerDear Deb,
This is called an anterior placenta. Most often the fertilized egg will implant on the posterior side of the uterus (the spine side) and that is where the placenta will also begin to grow. Occasionally though, this implantation/placental growth will take place on the anterior (belly) side. It really makes no difference as far as the baby is concerned - he/she could care less where inside the uterus he is at. However, it can make feeling early kicks a bit more difficult because that placenta acts as a cushion between the fetus and the mother's abdomen. It can also make an amniocentesis a bit more challenging, if the need arises.
Most often an anterior placenta will actually move more posterior as the pregnancy progresses and the uterus grows. However, if the placenta is lying very low in the uterus, whether anterior or posterior, it can pose a higher risk for placenta previa. But again, often a placenta tends to inch its way upward and out of the way by the time the baby is ready for delivery. I'm quite sure your daughter's doctor will keep an eye on the placenta and track it's progress throughout the pregnancy. But the anterior placenta, in and of itself, does not pose any additional risk to the pregnancy.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well and a Merry Christmas.
Brenda
