Different Placenta Positions

Beyond the Bump
Jul 9
6 min read

Updated: Jul 30

Pregnancy is full of surprises, and one of the most fascinating is discovering where your placenta has settled. It may seem like a small detail, but its position can influence when you feel those first kicks, how your baby grows, and sometimes even your birth plan. We’re Vicky & Melissa from Beyond the Bump, here to guide you through the facts, share trusted NHS- and NICE-based insights, and empower you to take control of your journey. Ready? Let’s get started.

Why Placenta Position Matters

Your placenta is your baby’s lifeline, delivering oxygen and nutrients while whisking away waste. Where it attaches can:

Muffle early movements if it’s between baby and your bump.
Affect quickening (when you first feel those kicks).
Influence monitoring - some positions make heartbeat checks simpler; others require a bit more patience.

Fancy a deeper dive? Download our free “Taking Control of Your Birth” video and start planning today!

1. Anterior Placenta

When your placenta attaches to the front wall of your womb, it’s known as an anterior placenta. Consider it a natural cushion between your baby and your bump - perfectly normal and usually nothing to worry about.

Delayed quickening: You might notice those first gentle flutters a little later than others.
Softer kicks: With the placenta absorbing some of the shock, you may not feel pronounced punches until around 20 weeks or so.

Tip: Keep a simple movement chart or diary - gently lie on one side, place your hands on your bump, and breathe deeply to tune in.

To learn coping strategies tailored to an anterior placenta and get ready for labour, join The Birth & Baby Academy for expert-led modules.

2. Posterior Placenta

A posterior placenta sits at the back of the womb, closest to your spine.

Strong, early kicks: You’ll likely feel movements sooner and more distinctly - ideal for bonding.
Straightforward monitoring: Heartbeat checks are often easier and quicker.

No special action needed here - just enjoy every wiggle!

3. Fundal Placenta

Positioned at the very top of the womb, the fundal placenta is often considered ‘textbook ideal’. It:

Encourages optimal blood flow.
Rarely interferes with your baby’s growth or your labour.
Simplifies clinical checks.

Continue with balanced nutrition and gentle activity - walking, pregnancy yoga, or swimming - to support good placental function.

4. Low‑Lying Placenta

When the placenta attaches low in the womb - sometimes brushing or covering the cervix - it’s called

low‑lying placenta, and in more pronounced cases, placenta praevia.

Often resolves: Up to 10% of women have a low‑lying placenta around 20 weeks, but most migrate upwards by 32–34 weeks, as noted in NHS scan guidelines.
Close monitoring: Your midwife or consultant will schedule follow‑up scans in the third trimester to check the position.

If you experience any painless bleeding, contact your maternity unit immediately. In the majority of cases, the placenta shifts away as the womb grows.

5. Marginal Placenta

A marginal placenta, sometimes called marginal placenta praevia, lies at the edge of the cervix.

Bleeding risk: There’s a slightly higher chance of bleeding late in pregnancy.
Management: Rest, modify activities as advised, and attend all ultrasound appointments.

If the placenta still overlaps the cervix near term, your care team may suggest a planned caesarean birth to ensure safety for you and baby.

What Placenta Position Will Be Recorded at Your 20-Week Scan?

At your 20-week anomaly scan, your sonographer will usually note the location of your placenta. This information helps your maternity team understand whether any additional monitoring may be needed later in pregnancy, although in most cases it's simply recorded as part of your routine care.

You may hear your placenta described as:

Anterior – attached to the front wall of the womb.
Posterior – attached to the back wall of the womb, closest to your spine.
Fundal – attached at the top of the womb.
Lateral – attached to either the left or right side of the womb.
Low-lying – positioned close to the cervix and may require a follow-up scan later in pregnancy.

It's important to remember that all of these positions can be completely normal. The main reason your placenta position is recorded is to identify whether it is sitting close to the cervix, as this may influence monitoring and birth planning later in pregnancy.

Many parents leave their 20-week scan with questions after hearing terms like anterior placenta or posterior placenta. If you've found yourself searching Google after your appointment, you're certainly not alone. Understanding what your placenta position means can help you feel more confident, informed, and reassured as your pregnancy progresses.

You've explored the five main placenta positions and learned how each can shape your pregnancy experience. Remember: your body and your baby are unique, and knowledge is power. Stay informed, ask questions, and trust your instincts.

Placenta position is a perfect example of why birth preparation needs to be about more than just labour stages and breathing techniques. Most parents don't expect to be making decisions around scans, monitoring, induction, caesarean birth, or changing plans during pregnancy - until they're suddenly faced with them.

If this blog has got you thinking, "What else don't I know yet?", grab our free guide, You're Probably Preparing for Birth Backwards: 3 Simple Shifts That Change How Prepared You Feel for Labour.

And if you're ready to prepare more deeply, join us inside The Birth Preparation Programme. Because confidence doesn't come from having the perfect birth plan. It comes from understanding your options, knowing how to advocate for yourself, communicating your needs clearly, and feeling prepared for whatever path your pregnancy and birth take.

We help you navigate the decisions, conversations, and realities of modern maternity care, so you can approach birth feeling informed, confident, and in control of the things that matter most to you

Frequently Asked Questions About Placenta Position in Pregnancy

Can placenta position affect how early I feel my baby move?

Yes. An anterior placenta (where the placenta sits at the front of the womb) can cushion your baby's movements, meaning you may feel kicks later than someone with a posterior placenta. However, every pregnancy is different, and there is a wide range of normal when it comes to feeling movements.

Is an anterior placenta dangerous?

No. An anterior placenta is a normal variation of placenta position and is not usually associated with increased risks during pregnancy. It simply means the placenta is attached to the front wall of the uterus. Most people with an anterior placenta have healthy pregnancies and births.

Can placenta position determine whether I can have a vaginal birth?

In most cases, placenta position does not affect your ability to have a vaginal birth. The main exception is placenta praevia, where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix. If the placenta remains low near the end of pregnancy, a planned caesarean birth may be recommended.

Can placenta position affect baby growth?

Generally, no. Most placenta positions support healthy growth and development. Your healthcare team will monitor your baby's growth throughout pregnancy and investigate further if there are concerns, regardless of where the placenta is located.

What is the best placenta position?

There is no single "best" placenta position. Anterior, posterior and fundal placentas are all considered normal. While a posterior placenta may make movements easier to feel and a fundal placenta may simplify some clinical assessments, all three positions typically support a healthy pregnancy.

Can placenta position affect labour?

Most placenta positions have little impact on labour. However, a low-lying placenta or placenta praevia may affect birth planning and could increase the likelihood of a caesarean birth if the placenta remains close to the cervix later in pregnancy.

Can the placenta move during pregnancy?

The placenta itself does not move, but as your uterus grows, it can appear to move higher away from the cervix. This is why many low-lying placentas identified at the 20-week scan are no longer low by the third trimester.

Should I be worried if I have a low-lying placenta at my 20-week scan?

Not usually. A low-lying placenta is relatively common at the 20-week anomaly scan. In most cases, the placenta moves away from the cervix as the uterus expands. You will normally be offered a follow-up scan later in pregnancy to check its position.

Does placenta position affect baby's position in the womb?

Some studies suggest there may be an association between placenta location and fetal position, but placenta position alone does not determine whether your baby will be head-down, breech, or in another position. Many factors influence how babies settle before birth.

Can I tell where my placenta is without a scan?

Not reliably. Some people suspect they have an anterior placenta because movements feel softer or start later, but the only way to confirm placenta position is through ultrasound imaging during pregnancy.