Anyone with placenta previa?

[OhhBabyBump]

Hi all, just went to the doctor today for my 21-week checkup and I asked about the results from my anatomy scan at 19 weeks. The dr said they couldn't see the bottom of my placenta, so she scheduled me for another ultrasound because she thinks I might have placenta previa. I'm just flustered, one, because they never once told me there was a possible problem and waited until I brought it up to tell me, and two, because I don't have any risk factors for placenta previa. I haven't had any bleeding at all, I've never done drugs, haven't smoked since I was 17, don't drink, am 20 years old, and only carrying one baby. I'm worried that I do have it, since my doctor said they will put me on bed rest which means I can't take my vacation to go see my sister for her 18th birthday next week

How were you diagnosed with placenta previa? Did you show any warning signs?

 

[PugLuvAh]

There is nothing you could have done differently to prevent this, its not your fault, alot depends on where the fertilized egg attaches itself in your uterus.

With my son, I had a low-lying anterior placenta which partially covered my cervix. I wasn't prescribed bedrest or anything else so Im not sure why they mentioned that since you aren't bleeding. I just had to go for a late ultrasound at 34 or 35 weeks to see if my placenta had moved up. Thankfully it had, and I had a regular vaginal delivery.

If you aren't having any symptoms from it, I wouldn't worry too much. They'll check the position of your placenta later on and go from there. If it hasn't moved enough you may require a c-section though.

Good luck!

 

[Foogirl]

Placenta Praevia is hugely common. Especially at around 20 weeks. Something like 95% of placentas move by themselves as the pregnancy progresses. It's not generally risky and there is absolutely no need for you to be on bed rest because of it. When they found mine at 20 weeks they scheduled a scan for 34 weeks to check it had moved and sent me on my way with very little advice. I never got as far as that because I went on to have an early birth but that was not caused by the low lying placenta in itself.

There are a few things that you need to know. Most important, if you have ANY bleeding, any at all, no matter how small, get it checked out. Also, try to resist internal examinations if you can. You aren't supposed to have them with Placenta Praevia (I had about 4 of them and only found out too late they were a risk). Finally, do take it a little easier than you might have. I was told "don't strain your uterus" although I was never sure how that was done. Avoid any particularly heavy lifting, sex can sometimes be an issue, and do take time to put your feet up. But full bed rest is entirely unnecessary and in fact can put you at more risk from things like blood clots etc so it generally isn't done. If you are taking a long trip, try to avoid heaving suitcases or bags about.

But generally don't worry. Regardless of risk factors, these things can happen in any pregnancy and if you are in the low risk group, the chances are you will go on to have a healthy pregnancy and birth.