Anterior Placenta and Baby Kicks: What to Expect

Expectations for Baby Movement with Anterior Placenta

Pregnancy is full of thrilling experiences, one of the most anticipated being feeling your baby move for the first time. However, if there is an anterior placenta, the experience may alter slightly. If you have been told that you have an anterior placenta, you may be wondering what this means for you and your baby. Here’s everything you should know.

What is a placenta?

The placenta is a transitory organ that performs an important part in your baby’s development. It attaches to the inside of your uterus and connects to your baby via the umbilical cord. The placenta connects your bloodstream to your baby, delivering oxygen, nutrients, and antibodies. At the same time, it eliminates waste items from your baby’s blood and returns them to your body for disposal.

Simply put, the placenta serves as a life-support system for your developing baby, nourishing and protecting them throughout pregnancy.

What is an anterior placenta?

An anterior placenta indicates that the placenta is linked to the front wall of your uterus, which is closest to your belly. This placement is extremely frequent and is typically identified during a normal ultrasound between 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy, generally during an anatomy scan.

Typically, the placenta forms where the fertilized egg inserts in the uterine wall. While it typically attaches to the back (posterior) or top (fundal) of the uterus, it is totally common for it to grow on the front (anterior) wall as well.

Imagine an anterior placenta as a cushion between your baby and the front of your tummy. While it has no effect on how effectively the placenta operates, it may influence how you feel during particular stages of your pregnancy.

How Is Baby Movement Affected by an Anterior Placenta?

One notable difference with an anterior placenta is how you feel your baby’s kicks. Because the placenta acts as a cushion, fetal movements may feel softer or occur later than normal. While most expectant parents notice their baby’s first kicks between 18 and 24 weeks, those with an anterior placenta may experience sensations closer to the latter end of that range.

Is an Anterior Placenta Common?

An anterior placenta occurs in almost half of all pregnancies. Some studies indicate that it may be more common in people with O-positive blood or connected to factors such as sleeping position during conception, but further research is needed to support these findings.

However, having an anterior placenta does not mean your baby moves less. The kicks and flips are still happening, but you might not feel them as strongly, especially in the early weeks. As your baby grows and gains strength, his or her movements should become more noticeable.

How Is Baby Movement Affected by an Anterior Placenta?

When to Worry About Your Baby's Movement

Even with an anterior placenta, you should monitor your baby’s movement patterns. If you detect a considerable decrease in motions, or none at all, you should always contact your healthcare professional for reassurance and additional assessment.

The Anterior Placenta's Other Effects

Hearing the Heartbeat of Your Baby

An anterior placenta can make it difficult to detect your baby’s heartbeat with a Doppler machine early on. The placenta may block sound waves, but this is normal, and your doctor or nurse will know how to work around it.

Pregnancy Complications

While most pregnancies with an anterior placenta proceed normally, certain studies have connected it to a slightly higher risk of specific problems, such as:

✅ C-section delivery
✅ Induced labor
✅ Back labor (due to the baby’s position)
✅ Gestational Diabetes
✅ Placental abruption
✅ Placenta Previa
✅ intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
✅ Pregnancy-induced Hypertension

It’s important to understand that having an anterior placenta alone isn’t considered high risk. Many persons who have this placenta location had healthy pregnancies and births.

Labor and the Anterior Placenta

Vaginal Delivery

In most circumstances, having an anterior placenta will not prevent you from having a vaginal birth. The only exception is if there is also placenta previa, which occurs when the placenta covers or is near the cervix. Placenta previa increases the need for a C-section, however it is uncommon.

C-Section Delivery

An anterior placenta will not restrict a successful C-section, either. If surgery is required, your doctor will use ultrasound to determine the safest location for the cut, away from the placenta.

Diagnosing Anterior Placenta

During your second-trimester ultrasound, which usually occurs between 18 and 21 weeks, your healthcare professional will determine the position of the placenta. This scan examines the baby’s growth and development while also determining where the placenta has placed.

In some situations, an anterior placenta may complicate procedures such as amniocentesis, but your medical team will use ultrasound guidance to avoid difficulties.

When to Give Your Doctor a Call

While an anterior placenta is normally safe, you should consult your healthcare professional if you see any of the following:

Significantly fewer or no fetal movements
Vaginal bleeding
Chronic or severe back or abdominal discomfort
Regular, painful contractions
Abdominal stiffness or rigidity

Your doctor may look at your symptoms to ensure that you and your baby are safe and healthy.

Final Thoughts

An anterior placenta is a normal and usually uncomplicated phase of pregnancy. While it may affect how quickly you feel those beautiful kicks, it has little impact on the health of your pregnancy or your delivery options. However, maintaining in touch with the doctor you see and tracking your baby’s movements will offer you with peace of mind.