In this article:
What Does “Placenta Position” Mean During Pregnancy?
The placenta attaches to the inner wall of the uterus and provides oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby. It can form anywhere in the uterus in the early stages of pregnancy. This includes front (anterior), back (posterior), top (fundal), or even low near the cervix.
If your doctor says the placenta has changed location, it simply means it shifted after the embryo implanted.
Why Does the Placenta Look Like It’s “Moving”?
The placenta is an organ, so it does not move on its own. What really happens is that the uterus expands as the baby grows, which makes the placenta appear to have shifted upwards in later scans.
To make it easy to understand, imagine a sticker placed on a balloon. The sticker will rise as you inflate it. The same thing happens with the uterus, which expands from around 7 cm to more than 30 cm during pregnancy.
How Does Uterus Growth Affect Placenta Position?
The uterus grows rapidly between 18 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. It can change the way your placenta appears on the scan.
- A placenta that appears low in the second trimester ends up higher later in most cases
- A placenta located near the cervix can shift as the bottom of the uterus stretches
- Anterior or posterior placentas may also appear higher as your uterus expands vertically
Why Is a Low-Lying Placenta Common Early On?
Around 5-10% of the cases have a low-lying placenta in the 18-20 weeks of pregnancy. However, the numbers drop to 1-2% as they enter their final trimester for the following common reasons:
- The lower part of the uterus grows more in later months
- The uterus takes the placenta upward as it expands
- This upward shift helps naturally clear the cervix
What Conditions Can Affect Placenta Position?
Several conditions can also influence the location of the placenta.
- Placenta Previa: The placenta covers the cervix even in late pregnancy, which requires close monitoring or may result in a planned C-section.
- Placenta Accreta Spectrum (rare): Regular scans detect this condition in which the placenta attaches too deeply in the uterus.
- Multiple pregnancies: Twins or triplets can limit the space in the uterus, thereby affecting the position of the placenta.
- Previous C-section scars: The placenta can even settle near your previous C-section scar, so your doctor will monitor it carefully.
Can a Baby's Position Change How the Placenta Appears?
Your baby’s movements can affect the way the placenta looks on the screen.
- The placenta may appear closer or farther from the cervix
- The thickness may look different
- The apparent location might shift slightly
What Should You Expect in Follow-Up Scans?
Your doctor may advise a repeat scan if your placenta is low or near the cervix in the following weeks.
- 28–32 weeks
- At 36 weeks again if needed
How Can You Support a Healthy Pregnancy While Monitoring Placenta Position?
Try the following tips to support a healthy pregnancy:
- Attend all your ultrasound scans
- Avoid heavy lifting if your doctor advises against it
- Rest more if you have a low-lying placenta
- Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet
- Communicate any bleeding or discomfort immediately
What Should You Do Next? A Quick Checklist
- Understand your scan report.
- Note whether your placenta is anterior, posterior, fundal, or low
- Go to the next scan when your doctor recommends
- Monitor signs of bleeding
- Share your concerns with your partner to reduce emotional stress
- Practice gentle prenatal activity unless advised otherwise
The Emotional Side: Why This Can Feel Stressful
It can be concerning to hear you have a low-lying placenta. You may worry about your baby’s health the most in such cases. You can discuss the concerns with your partner or family to ease your burden. In most cases, everything turns out to be fine, so do not worry. You can ask your doctor more about it to feel reassured and clear your doubts.
Placenta position changes as your uterus grows and stretches throughout pregnancy. It may appear low at 20 weeks, but it rises in the later stages. Your doctor regularly monitors the position with follow-up scans. These are normal changes, but staying informed can help you lead a healthy pregnancy.
FAQs on Why Placenta Position Changes on Scans Throughout Pregnancy?
- Can a low-lying placenta stay harmless throughout pregnancy?
Yes. Many women with a low-lying placenta experience no symptoms at all. Your doctor will simply keep an eye on it in later scans to ensure it isn’t blocking the cervix. - Does a low-lying placenta always mean a C-section?
The placenta may rise higher in your third trimester, which allows for normal delivery. A C-section is necessary only in cases of constant placenta previa. - Can I help my placenta “move up”?
You cannot do anything to move your placenta, but attending all your scans and taking rest will help you reach the full term safely.
