Placenta

Hi Naantje,
why didn’t you get more info about this here??

Your placenta is partially or completely covering the birth canal.
Depending on how far along you are, the placenta might still shift.
If that doesn’t happen and it’s fully covering, there’s a high chance you won’t be able to have a natural birth because of the risk of the placenta tearing during delivery.
Makes sense since the baby’s head gets pushed against it.
So it would likely end up being a planned C-section.
But definitely ask how it’s with you!!
And what you can do yourself to change the position of the placenta (like always lying on one side..

Love, Olivia

Is your placenta located at the front of your uterus or in front of the birth canal? Because if it's at the front of your uterus, you might feel less of your baby (kicks, etc.) since there's an extra layer between you and the baby. If the placenta is in front of the exit, it depends on whether it grows upward, allowing for a vaginal birth. If it doesn't, you'll need a C-section, and you might need to take it easy with exertion to avoid tearing the placenta. I'd definitely talk to your midwife about this.

My placenta is also anterior, and indeed, what Iza wrote is exactly what my OB-GYN and midwife said: you might feel your baby move/kick a bit less (or slower). But nothing serious at all, okay!
You can always ask about it!
Good luck!
Love, Jo

I also had a placenta previa. After Googling it, I thought it was blocking the birth canal, so I started getting worried. I called my midwife right after, and she took the time to explain it to me. I had my 20-week ultrasound at Radboud in Nijmegen because they couldn’t see everything here due to the placenta and my weight. Just stay under the care of your midwife, fortunately.

So I have a thicker abdominal wall, then the placenta, and only then our baby.
I only started feeling soft flutters at 20 weeks. At 23 weeks, I feel the baby several times. My partner hasn’t yet... Now at 27/28 weeks, it’s really going strong... Even though my placenta is in between, I feel the baby very well and send messages to the point of annoyance... Especially when going to sleep and I lie on my side... Apparently, Mr. Baby needs to let off some steam in the first hour, and then I can sleep hahaha.

So call your midwife, don’t wait until your next appointment (especially if that’s 3/4 weeks away). You read so much on the internet that isn’t always good for your peace of mind...

Had a check-up today and my placenta is indeed positioned against my belly wall, not in front of the birth canal, so that's absolutely no problem. You just feel the baby move (less quickly) because of the placenta being against the belly wall, so there's an extra layer between the baby and your belly. But since the placenta is in front and not in front of the birth canal, that's no issue. You can ask your gynecologist about it, as they can see exactly how it's positioned.
xxx, Jo

Oh yeah... and your placenta won't just tear from exertion, okay!
I asked because I work with dogs and sometimes get a pretty hard tug on the leash, and then I felt something on the side of my belly and thought it was the placenta tearing, but it's actually your abdominal muscles that are located on the side of your belly and have become weaker, which you can feel from time to time. But the placenta can't tear from exertion, even lifting things, etc. You should just ask your OB-GYN everything to rule out any uncertainties. I do that too, I come with a whole list of questions, after all, that's what they're there for..
Good luck!
xxx, Jo