Advise on 2nd pregnancy aftee placental abruption

[baileybram]

Hi Girls,

I had a placental abruption with my son which was luckily picked up on a extra scan because i had reduced movements and i had to have an emergency c-setion under general i was told we were very lucky and any longer and we would have lost him he had to spend a week in the nicu.

I went to see my midwife for the first time as im 12+3 weeks pregnant i asked her what would she suggest about vbac or planned c-section and she said you are going to be very closely monitored on this pegnancy and i think you will have a planned c-section at around 38 weeks. She then said if i didnt want a section then there was no way i would be allowed to be overdue. Im unsure now as my son will be 20 months and i really didnt want to have to be away from him for 4 days and be unable to drive etc for 6 weeks. Im seeing my consultant next wednesday any suggestions what i should ask him? What would you all do?

Thanks
Ruth

 

[premmiemum123]

Hiya, I think you might have to go with the medical professions advice. I had a placental abruption at 26 weeks, thankfully my LO survived. I had a natural birth which was high risk but it was too late to have a c-section, looking back and knowning what I know about abruptions I sometimes think we are both lucky to be alive.

You will be closely monitored on your second but everything crossed your won't have another abruption, they prefer to give you a c-section as the risks of giving birth naturally with an abruption are high and you don't want to put your baby at risk and also yourself. I will go with whatever I am told next time if I decide to have another one.
Is there someone who can look after your son who he is fond of, that way it will make your abscence easier.

x

 

[LouLou78]

Hello Ruth,

I can certainly understand your concern. As advised you should have a nice chat with your health professional who will have details of your previous pregnancy and labour details. Many hospitals and birthing units difer around the world following rules with previous Caesarians but certainly in my experience, just because you have had a previous abruption doesn't automatically mean you will have another. As health professionals, caesarian sections are not a preferred choice of delivery due to risks and recovery time etc compared to a vaginal delivery. Obviously a caeasarian is preferred in certain circumstances, just like in your case you needed one due to your abruption. However, the fact that you had a previous abruption isn't a reason alone to have a caesarian and this doesn't stop your chances of a vaginal delivery this time. The fact that you have already had a Caesarian would be considered when discussing mode of delivery this time around because of the risks associated with the scar. When looking after a woman wanting a vaginal delivery following a previous Caesarian (VBAC), obviously potential signs of another abruption would be monitored but more of a pressing concern that would need to be observe closely is a previous caeasarian scar. Many woman successfully deliver vaginally following caesarian sections. These women are closely monitored throughout labour. So if this is what you would like to do have a chat with your health professional. Like I said, they should have your previous surgery details and how everything went. For example, the surgeon may have written in the notes immediately following your surgery that it is recommended to have another section due to this that or the other reason. Hope that helps a little

Lou, UK

 

[angelstardust]

I had an abruption with DS2 and should have died (I also had eclampsia, HELLP and organ failure) so was told not to have any more and he has cerebal palsy because of it . In January I discovered I was pregnant despite having a minera coil (which turned out to have went missing).

My first consultant told me to terminate because I'd either miscarry, not make it to 20 weeks, die or have another abruption, but in the end I couldn't and was put under a new consultant. From 24 weeks I was scanned every 2 weeks and had the full works done at day care. My abruption was caused by pre eclampsia (I also had pre eclampsia in my first pregnancy) so my BP was closely monitored too.

All the way through I was convinced I would have a VBAC because the thought of another c section terrified me. My consultant was amazing, she basically nodded her head and said of course you can then later on (from 33 weeks when I started getting an irritated uterus and contractions) we started to talk about the delivery. I also had gestational diabetes at that point, so come 36 weeks after I had spent a few days in hospital with the contractions and my BP was up a bit she sat me down and fully explained the reasons why she would prefer me to have an elective section over an induction.

Section was booked for 37 weeks and it was an amazing experience. Yes, I was scared, if it wasn't for the fact I was too scared to speak I'd have told them I had changed my mind when I lay down on that table! But, it went well. Amber was lifted out, held up for me to see and she let out a good cry! DS1 was resuscitated at birth (induction) and with DS2 I was under a GA plus he was whisked away (also resuscitated, the placenta was fully detached when they opened me up).

My husband held her as they stitched me up and had a good look about for my minera and I BF her in recovery. She spent the night in the room with me (another first). Her time of birth was 9.46am.

At 11pm that night my catheter came out and I got up and had a shower. Next morning I was up and dressed for 8am to go get breakfast.

She was taken to SCBU the day after she was born due to low blood sugar levels (because of my GD and lobitalol) so I spent a week walking up and down several times a day. It was uncomfortable but not painful.

2 weeks later I was driving again. I recovered so quickly from the elective.

I'm not saying that you should have an elective, but it's nothing like an em c section. And also, I didn't have another abruption or even pre eclampsia and I didn't even nearkly die or anything. (should see people faces when you say that!)

Hope my rambling has reassured you that it is possible to go through the crap we have went through, do it again and it can all go fine.

 

[LouLou78]

Brilliant Angelstardust, just a great example that you can have just about every conceivable complication and come through the next pregnancy fine and possibly a VBAC too, had you not have certain other complications arise, well done. Congratulations on your daughter's arrival.

 

[angelstardust]

LOL, thanks Loulou. If I had pushed she would have 'allowed' me to have an induction at 37 weeks even though she wasn't happy about it, but by that point I was fed up and sore!

It went so well for me simply because I had the greatest consultant ever

Reminds me, I need to sort out a wee card for her.

 

[baileybram]

Thanks girls,

Well i went for scan yesterday expecting to see the consultant and was told i didnt need to see them because i had a straight forward pregnancy with my son ( are you kidding me!!) I explained i didnt have a straight forward pregnancy and she went away for a bit came back and said if i waited around for a few hours somebody would try and see me!!! I told her not to bother and i would see my midwife next week as you can imagine this experience has filled me with lots of confidence not!! My experience with my son was awful and now im thinking this ones not going to be any better. Im sure when i talk to my midwife she will sort it out and the hospital promised me i would see the consultant at 20 weeks so i will wait and see what happens then!!!

Thanks

Ruth

 

[LouLou78]

Oh poor you, there is obvious unresolved reassurence which needs to be addressed. Poor you hun. Its a shame you have to do it, but you need to push to see someone before you are in late pregnancy.

 

[chatterbox09]

hey luv i had a plcental abrouption at 27weeks, but things didnt go the right way and i ended up with an emergancy c section.
my son only lived 18 hrs
im now pregnant 9 weeks im thinkin the same as u! i have decided for a c section this time round, just because i just want my baby out safe and sound! with no problems

 

[CS10]

We lost our son in October because of placental abruption.
Glad to hear your son is fine and that they picked it up on a scan.

Had follow up with hospital and was promised very close monitoring during a next pregancy. Will have scans every 4 weeks to start with and then more regular towards end of pregnancy. Will also have doppler scans, dont' know if you've had them before but this is where they look at the blood flow between baby and placenta. They will also keep a close eye on my blood pressure due to history with 1st pregnancy.

Will have elective csection at 37-38 weeks but was told if I go into labour before then I will need to try for natural delivery with close monitoring during labour. But I think this is because I don't want to be induced, had epiosotomy and ventouse delivery with my 1st and took me a long time to recover, much longer than with my emergency section. I was able to leave hospital 2 days after section and was feeling ok physically. Not sure if that was because emotionally I was in so much pain that i just didn't notice.

Have you got a number for your midwife, maybe phone her and ask her to make an appointment with consultant. She should be able to do this. You really need to be seen by a consultant. The person doing your scan obviously doesn't have a clue!

Sorry this is so long, got a bit carried away.

 

[CS10]

LOL, thanks Loulou. If I had pushed she would have 'allowed' me to have an induction at 37 weeks even though she wasn't happy about it, but by that point I was fed up and sore!

It went so well for me simply because I had the greatest consultant ever

Reminds me, I need to sort out a wee card for her.

You are an inspiration and your story gives me so much hope for the future.
xx

 

[natasja32]

Hey sweetie....Im so glad things worked out well for you and your little boy. I lost my son in march due to a placental abruption at 36.4 weeks. As you can see im pregnant now,and the closer i get to my little boys gestation the more im panicking. Saying that im having things my way this time. They meaning mw/consultants want me to be induced between 36 and 38 weeks,but because my waters broke first and then my placenta came away i dont want to have an induction. Ive opted for a elective c-section hopefully at 36 weeks. This is how i want it and with a little pushing i will get what i want. Thinking of you lovely.

 

[LouLou78]

Yes, I notice Consultants like to induce those who had a previous abruption at say, 37 weeks, like to induce at that gestation the next time. For parents, the anniversary of being at that gestation again makes women very very anxious when they reach that memoral week again.

 

[angelstardust]

Yes, I notice Consultants like to induce those who had a previous abruption at say, 37 weeks, like to induce at that gestation the next time. For parents, the anniversary of being at that gestation again makes women very very anxious when they reach that memoral week again.

Strangely enough, from 33 weeks I was having contractions (they were showing as contractions but irregular) which was put down to the amount keytones in my urine (I was a gestational diabetic but my diet wasn't controlling my sugar levels and my keytones were sitting at 2+, 3+, it was a complication of the GD). But a lot of it was also psychological. I crapped myself every time I felt any pain in my 'bimp', so much so that I was probably far more aware of the pain than what I would have been normally.

But for me, 31 weeks was my worst day. You see, I had my eldest at 35 weeks (induction due to PE) then Ds2 arrived at 33 weeks, so you can guess what best odds were on...