I came home from my 20 week rob anatomy ultrasound today, i brought home a cd with all of my pictures on it and stumbled across the preliminary report. it says i have anterior low lying placenta, what is this and should i schedule to see my doctor sooner

Not a problem: You'll probably get another ultrasound just to make sure your placental has stretched well away from the cervix. Low-lying anterior placenta is just where your placenta happens to be at 20 weeks. I don't worry about this unless you had a prior c-sec, then i check to make sure there's no accreta (placenta growing into the old scar). In summary, it's normal & not a problem. Enjoy your pictures.

Relax!: Low-lying placenta at 20 weeks has >80% chance of moving out of the way as the pregnancy advances and the growing uterus expands higher up in your abdomen (placental migration). You do need another sonogram at 28 weeks and some instructions until then: avoid Aspirin and all nsaids (e.g. Motrin, advil, aleve) and only take regular tylenol (acetaminophen) for aches/pains; nothing per vaginam; no heavy lifting/sex.