ANTERIOR, POSTERIOR, FUNDAL OR LOW-LYING?

“What does anterior placenta mean?” “Is posterior placenta better?” “Will my placenta position affect my delivery?” Let me explain it simply. The placenta is the organ that connects you and your baby during pregnancy. It provides your baby with oxygen and nutrients and helps remove waste products. And yes, the placenta can attach in different parts of the uterus. 1. ANTERIOR PLACENTA This means the placenta is attached to the front wall of your uterus, closer to your tummy. It is usually completely normal. One thing you may notice is that you might feel your baby’s movements a little later or less strongly at first because the placenta can act like a cushion between your baby and your abdominal wall. It does not automatically mean you will need a C-section. 2. POSTERIOR PLACENTA This means the placenta is attached to the back wall of your uterus, closer to your spine. This is also a normal placenta position. Some mamas may feel baby’s movements more easily because there is less cushioning at the front. A posterior placenta does not mean you will have a natural birth, just as an anterior placenta does not mean you will have a C-section. 3. FUNDAL PLACENTA This means the placenta is attached toward the top of the uterus, called the fundus. This is generally a normal location and, by itself, does not usually prevent VG birth. 4. LOW-LYING PLACENTA This is different. It means the placenta is located low in the uterus, close to the cervix. Early in pregnancy, a placenta may appear low and later be well away from the cervix as the uterus grows. That is why your healthcare provider may recommend another scan to check its position later in pregnancy. 5. PLACENTA PREVIA This is when the placenta covers the cervix. This is more serious because the placenta can obstruct the baby’s route out through the birth canal and can cause significant bleeding. Depending on how the placenta is positioned later in pregnancy, a C-section may be recommended. So mama, when you see “anterior” or “posterior” on your scan report, don’t start worrying. Those words mainly describe where your placenta is attached. The important thing is whether the placenta is safely away from the cervix and whether there are any other concerns. And please remember: PLACENTA POSITION ALONE DOES NOT DETERMINE HOW YOU WILL DELIVER. Your baby’s position, your health, how labour progresses and other factors also matter. So next time you see your scan report, mama, you will know what that placenta position means. #PlacentaPosition #PregnancyTips #PregnancyEducation #LabourAndDelivery #fyp