Scared Sh*tless!!

[Aelanu]

Hey ladies...I'm 21+3 today and I found out just before 20 weeks I have complete placenta previa. Had an ultrasound and met with the OBGYN yesterday (found out its a boy, btw!) and she said by the looks of how the baby is laying and the way the placenta is placed...it probably won't move and I'll have to have a c section! I've got a check in 7 weeks to see if theres been any change...but my LO seems to enjoy using the placenta as a pillow and my uterus is considered small so I highly doubt it

I'm scared...I wanted to do this the natural way and now I'll probably have to get cut open. Is the recovery time longer with a c section? Do you feel anything? Does having a c section make it harder to breastfeed? I know giving birth somehow triggers milk flow and I wonder if a c section would hinder that. Is it harder to move around after a c section than a vaginal birth? I have so many questions.

Mainly...I do NOT want this...but if I gotta do it, I gotta do it. *sigh*

 

[Baby321]

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. i hope your placenta moves up. I will be having my 4th c-section in six weeks. never wanted a c-section but have ended up having all my babies with c-sections. I so wanted natural births maybe next time you will be able to. breast feeding is no problem after having a c-section. I breastfed my last three babies, had no problems.
as for the c-section you will feel having the spinal injection, once that is in, you will feel little tugging and pulling. Recovery time is longer than a vaginal birth unfortunately. You'll forget everything once you see your little one. Best of luck!

 

[beachlover1]

i had praevia last time. i had asection...my recovery was fab, feeding was find and i cant find my scar 2 yrs later!! im opting for an elective section this time...it cant have been that bad!!

I would say...DO NOT go far from home after 33 weeks with praevia. I went 3 hours away for the weekend at 34 weeks....and my placenta decided to start to come away and i was admitted to the local hospital and there i was made to stay for 3 weeks on bed rest until they decided to do a c section. It can happen, not saying it will but just be aware that at around 34 weeks you will need to be a bit more wary and take it easy.

 

[Liesje]

Don't be worried, you can't feel anything during the surgery and even if you could you'd be way too excited to notice, no matter how afraid you are.
Mine was great, everyone was calm, hubby was videotaping all of it and my son was out in 16 minutes. After that, you're totally distracted by your new baby to notice them putting you back together.

 

[Pink_Pixie]

Aw first off . I had an EMCS and wasn't prepared at all so you've got that on your side which will make things easier for you.
Recovery does take longer as its major surgery but also super common and you won't feel anything after the spinal expert tugging and pulling like people have said, but you have to take it easy for a while but get up and walk when the nurses etc tell you as it helps recovery loads. My milk came in after about 4 days but you can breatfeed straight away as you'll have the colostrum already. Good luck it's not ideal but as long as your baby is here safely that's the main thing

 

[JASMAK]

I had complete previa with my first. I was hospitalized a lot for bleeding. Mine moved a smidge, but still covered and I hemoragged during birth...which was supposed to be a scheduled section at 38+2 but my water broke at 38+0. Baby was fine...I was very sick from the hemmorage and even got shingles after...also had anemia. But...despite ALL that....3 weeks later I swam 1km and was walkng 5km a day. My twin sister had 'natural' births and took waaaaay longer to recover...it all depends on what kind of vag birth you had and complications ect. It is dissapointing knowing that thngs will be different than what I expected BUT you do have choices in sections...and finding out now will give you time to absorb the news, but also make your birth plan and ask questions about what you can choose at birth. Research. All my babies were sections...and except 1, they were great births with wonderful memories. The only one that was not a good birth for me was when I was put under...but even then I have special memories.

 

[Aelanu]

Thank you ladies so much for the support...I definitely feel much better knowing its not as bad as a lot of sites and my doctor have made it seem. I am still upset that I won't be giving birth the way I want to, but if its what I have to do- its what I have to do.

I had asked my Mom these questions but honestly didn't believe her because she gave birth naturally to all four of us- at least I know she wasn't bs'ing now. I was more worried about my milk than anything else...I can handle being cut open, I can handle not giving birth the way I wanted...but if I can't feed my baby naturally it would just be completely and utterly devastating. I was seriously afraid not having the hormones released from giving birth would hinder that....and I'm really glad it doesn't. Even if I have to pump, I'm still happy...I just want whats best for my little man.

My doctor even advised me against going to birthing classes until after my next scan at 28 weeks. She says if it doesn't move by then, it probably won't and they'll schedule me for a c section.

Another plus to this...at least I can give a more definitive date on when Damani will be here...which means theres more of a chance of my Mom being able to come to see her first grandchild when its time for him to come into the world. When you do it naturally, baby just comes when he FEELS like it.

My last travel date will be August 27th-September 3rd for a week long visit to family in the next state over about 6 1/2 hours away. I will be 26 weeks. Family and friends want to throw me a shower. Thank you for warning me against traveling after 33 weeks...even though I had no plans, its good to know.