Placenta previa - now really worried

[Alwilan]

I am now 21 weeks pregnant and other than bleeds at around 6-8 weeks I've had a rather uneventful pregnancy. I had my scan last week and was told I had a posterior marginal placenta previa, but due to my obstetric history it is unlikely to migrate, according to my midwife. I am seeing a consultant next week anyway as my last pregnancy was a twin section and unless I have any bleeding or cramping I won't be scanned until 32 weeks. I'm intending on having a 4d scan at 26 week's so can check on placenta position then. At first I was only stressed at the thought of another c section but after speaking to Midwife and researching I'm now genuinely petrified. I've been told not to have sex or go far from home. Anyone else going through this or been through it?

 

[CaptainMummy]

I have the exact same as you and will be scanned at 32 weeks also. The sonographer didn't explain it at all though, so I have no idea what to expect!

 

[Tigerlily01]

I think it totally depends on your particular case how "serious" it is. I had a complete previa (but not centered) at my 20 week scan, and some blood vessels close to my cervical opening, but have never had a bleed or any other symptoms.

My OB didn't seem terribly concerned to be honest. She said it may or may not move (getting another scan next week to see), and told me to go on pelvic rest, ie. no sex, no lifting over 20 lbs, and no strenuous exercise. She also said to call if I had any bleeding, but seemed to think for my particular case that she didn't expect any bleeds until late in the pregnancy and the first one she said is usually very minor. I was told if it doesn't move I'd have a c-section around 36 weeks to avoid me going to labor on my own. They do check lung function first though, and make sure everything is good with the baby...by 36 weeks everything should be developed, they are really just putting on muscle and fat at that point.

But I've heard of other women (who have had bleeds) who are told not to lift more than 5 lbs, or in some cases have gone on bed rest at the hospital. I'd just go by what your care provider says...if they don't seem concerned, you shouldn't be either. If they are, just follow their advice to the letter and you should be ok.

 

[msq]

I have a low lying placenta, part of it is anterior, part is posterior and there is a lobe connecting the two that goes right across my cervix with blood vessels in it. Needless to say I am scared and can totally relate to you. My doctor is doing monthly ultrasounds but I am really afraid I have vasa previa, I can't stop worrying about it. I wanted to VBAC this time around but at this point I don't even care, all I want is to have a healthy baby and the thought of having vasa previa scares me because there is such high mortality rate for the baby.

 

[pinkribbon]

I went through this twice with my past 2 pregnancies.

The first time my placenta moved up and out of the way. They described it to me like imagining it is a dot on a balloon. The more you blow it up the further round the balloon the dot goes so the further on in your pregnancy you are the more chance there'll be that it moves out of the way for the baby's head to come down. I had a vaginal birth with #1.

The second time my placenta didn't move. I was scanned at 20, 26, 28, 30, 32, 36 and 38 weeks to check the placenta and it just didn't move. I had a minor bleed at 26 weeks and was hospitalised, and then was admitted at 36 weeks to wait for my csection at 38 weeks as if I had have bled it would have meant I'd need a section there and then.

The good news is 9/10 times it will move, your chances of it moving are very good at this point. It only needs to be something like 2cms away from the OS for you to attempt a vaginal birth so if it says in your notes where it is you'll know how far you have left for it to move.

Good luck and if you have any questions on either outcome feel free to PM me I was sh*tting myself too

 

[Alwilan]

Thanks for the replies. It just sounds so flipping scary and when you add pregnancy hormones into the mix too, it just adds to the feelings. Trying to remain positive, but just a lot to take on board and with the other children petrified about bed rest or further complications.

The sonographer didn't tell me much either. Thankfully my midwife called a few days later. I'm going to try and chill especially until next Thursday when I see my consultant anyway, hopefully she may re scan and then I might see a gradual shift and start being a little more positive.

One thing she said was that if I did have a section it is more likely to be under a general, is this always the case?

 

[pinkribbon]

They won't put you on complete bed rest unless you are prone to bleeds or have frequent heavy bleeding. As I said earlier I had a minor bleed (of old blood) at 26 weeks, I stayed in hospital for a couple of days and then was able to go home and continue my life as normal

The sonographer didn't tell me much either at my 20 week scan, it's mostly because it's usually resolved by around 34 weeks, have the invited you back then to check?

The only time they'd go a general is in an emergency, if you started pouring blood and they couldn't stem the bleeding they'd possibly put you under but I just had a standard csection, I was awake. There was a few other girls on my ward with previa too, none of us we're put to sleep

 

[Alwilan]

Thanks again pinkribbon. I'm being scanned at 32 week's but think I'm having a mini scan at my consultants appointment to check scar tissue from previous section. My midwife just said she'd be surprised in my case if it did move due to the number of pregnancies and the section last time. Although I think she worried me too much she indicated it would be a general and just prepared me not to have sex or go far from home in case of a bleed. I'd also read it's less likely to move if posterior v anterior, although the latter is more likely to attach to previous tissue. I get they don't want to worry you too much but you'd think they'd know what worry warts we all are!

Mrs Murphy sorry you are going through this too, hope you find some comfort and you too msq, although I gather the vasa is more serious, I'm sure there are lots of positive stories

Tigerlily that's such a positive story like pink ribbons especially as it was a complete.
Thanks again x

 

[pinkribbon]

Posterior placentas are much easier to manage as obviously if the have to cut into you to get the baby out they dont have to worry as hard about where the placenta is. That's what my consultant explained to me anyways!

I completely sympathise with anyone who has fears about previa, I had nightmares and all sorts leading up to my delivery but it all went smoothly. I have my first scan tomorrow with this pregnancy and honestly if my placenta is low I'll be psyching myself up for all this again. Both my deliveries went fine though, I'm sure yours will too

 

[noshowjo]

Iv just had my scan and I have this also . I gotta be scaned at 34 weeks . I only had just under 1cm from placenta and cervix so hopefully it moves out the way . I didn't have consultant appointment straight after tho . And haven't got one until next we'd . So I have no idea of do s and don,t s ? Good job I have his site to learn .