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Pregnancy

Can Someone Reassure Me I'm Not Likely to DIE During This C-Section?

32 replies

MollyMurphy · 25/01/2013 17:22

I'm not trying to be dramatic but am feeling really scared and emotional about this.

I went to another ultrasound today and the Dr. came in with concern all over her face advising that in addition to having an anterior placenta and 100% placenta previa, I may also have Placenta Accreta too. She was going to call my doctor right away and stressed that this puts me at even greater risk of hemmorage during my c-section. Google is not reasurring. I have a section planned for 37+2 next Tuesday. Thankfully I've had no bleeding to date but its like pins and needles waiting and knicker checking constantly. Seems now though that regardless this is likely going to be quite high risk to me and to baby.

I am sitting here crying just feeling terrified at how severe this surgery is sounding with each passing ultrasound.

I guess I just want to hear that OBGYN's deal with this all the time and that this is no big deal for them - they will have it covered. I want to hear that I'm going to be there for my kids and my husband. Unless its not true of course. My Dr. is so non-chalant about everything - it makes me distrust her a bit TBH.

Sad

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pipsytwos · 25/01/2013 17:33

I had a c section-not for the same reasons and I'm still here! Grin I'm sure had the same problem as you and she's still here too Grin You'll be fine, just concentrate on the fact that you're going to be a mummy-Congratulations!!

I asked for there to be no screen so I could watch the birth of my daughter. It was the most bizarre yet beautiful experience of my life. Recovery was tough, hurts like hell to cough/sneeze/pick up baby so make sure you have home support. Personalise things for the birth to regain some control, like music etc. As well as having no screen I asked that my daughter wasn't dressed until I'd got out of recovery so I could have some good skin to skin with her first breast feed. Concentrate on details like that rather than the op.

Again huge Congrats, I can't wait to do it again Grin

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pipsytwos · 25/01/2013 17:34

my friend had the same problem*

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marriednotdead · 25/01/2013 17:35

Hi Molly. Am here with a ((hug)) and a virtual tissue or two.

Having read probably the same google page as you, I can understand why you are scared. Remember that they will give you the worst case scenario, but that does not guarantee that it will turn out as badly.

Your doctor does not want to frighten you, and I'd suggest you leave google well alone from now- it's not helping.

All I can say to you is that the scans we have nowadays give the professionals a chance to plan your surgery as far as possible to give the best outcome. Before scanning was introduced, you would have known nothing and the outcome would have been bleak.

I will be thinking of you and your lo and sending positive vibes x

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AlreadyScone · 25/01/2013 17:45

I've had 2 and I well remember the horrible filling out of the forms...

You will be great, you will come through it with a bit of a sore tum and slight constipation, no worse... and before you know it, you'll be tucking into a 1st birthday cake!

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LunaticFringe · 25/01/2013 17:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

VestaCurry · 25/01/2013 17:55

I've has 2 c sections. First went fine, second not so and I had complications but all ok in the end.
What I'm pretty sure of is that you will be an absolute priority for the obgyn team, and they will try to anticipate everything for you. In my case, the staff couldn't foresee what happened and that's why we ended up with problems.
I'd expect a case like yours to be top of everyone's mind and you should hopefully therefore get great care. You might get more attention than you want Smile.
I'd say google is a worst enemy at the moment, step away if you can.
Have you talked through how you're feeling with your midwife etc?

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LunaticFringe · 25/01/2013 17:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bonzo77 · 25/01/2013 18:03

Your situation sounds scary, but everyone knows that it's risky, are taking careful precautions and will be prepared for the worst. I think you might well find you are safer than someone for who the risks had not been identified until after the CS had begun. FWIW I had my 2nd CS 7 weeks ago, the recovery was very very easy. Driving in under 2 weeks, pain killers for less than a week.

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ilovesprouts · 25/01/2013 18:06

i had 2 cs my ds are now 23 and 6 ,dont google :)

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chartreuse · 25/01/2013 18:12

I had 2 cs and they were infinately preferable to the vaginal birth I had with dc1. I had far less pain on recovery with the cs and I was up walking around the following day on both occasions. The theatre staff were lovely and I can honestly say both cs were great experiences.

Please try not to worry Smile

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BerthaTheBogCleaner · 25/01/2013 18:30

OK. You're not going to die, but this may not be the nice relaxed c-section you're hoping for. Music, watching the birth, bit of a sore tum - mmm, probably not.

Have they talked about what difference the accreta might make to the way they do the cs? If not, can you talk to your doctor and find out? (are you in the UK?)

Are you at home? Have you had any bleeding so far? If you're at home, how close are you to hospital? If you do start bleeding, it can be heavy and fast.

They may want to give you a general anaesthetic. They may need to do a vertical incision. You may bleed a lot and need transfusions. Recovery may take longer because of those things.

But you're not going to die - basically all the women with accreta in the UK who have died in the last couple of decades were undiagnosed - ie the doctors hadn't spotted it until during the birth. Most hadn't accessed antenatal care at all. And we're still talking single figures.

I had accreta with ds2 5 years ago. We're still here!

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MollyMurphy · 25/01/2013 18:32

Thanks everyone. My guts just churn with worry when I look at my 2 year old and my husband. I just can't help it.

Feeling sorry for myself, but your all right when you say at least they are prepared and can plan for these complications. I haven't heard from my OBGYN so I don't know if the other doctor was able to reach her or not or if she's just not going to cal, but perhaps asking her more questions about the preperations will help put my mind at ease. I am going to tell her not to faff around trying to save my uterus if it puts me at any greater risk as we don't really plan on a third anyhow (though the option is always nice).

I am going to stop Googling. One thing is certain - none of this can be fixed, there is nothing to be done but have the surgery.

Thank you though, its nice to get it off my chest.

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BerthaTheBogCleaner · 25/01/2013 18:35

Lol at "not to faff around trying to save my uterus"!. I had two (male) doctors sitting on my bed on the antenatal ward, earnestly telling me all about how they planned to try to save my uterus. At the end of their little chat, one of them said "but you and your husband must make absolutely sure you never get pregnant again". They got an earful! They did try to tell me that having a uterus was good for something even if you couldn't use it (can't remember what, hormones maybe?) but I made sure they wrote on my notes that I didn't actually want a womb any more.

They did a hysterectomy during the cs in the end, and I do not miss my uterus at all. No periods, very lovely.

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DoodleAlley · 25/01/2013 18:36

Oh OP I really feel for you. I'm possibly facing a cs without all this and going thru the same I don't want to die and not be around to look after DS so you have absolutely all of my sympathy and understanding.

Really hope you get the information and real life hand holding you"ll need and please look after yourself afterwards.

Would you mind if I prayed for you in the run up to and on the day of your c section?

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Fairylea · 25/01/2013 18:36

Hi I had placenta previa that wasn't actually discovered until during my section for other reasons ! It was supposed to be straight forward and yes it was a bit more dramatic as I did lose 2.5 litres of blood but this was more to dowwith the fact they didn't know there was a problem until they started!

I had two transfusions and spent a day in recovery but I'm still here and ds is here and recovery from the section after that was absolutely fine and better than my previous vaginal birth.

Don't panic. They didn't even expect mine and I am fine. They will be well prepared for yours..

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MollyMurphy · 25/01/2013 18:41

Thank you Bertha - sorry we cross-posted. Its good to hear from someone who has been through this. That makes me feel better. I am in Canada and don't have a midwife. I am at home and probably 20 min from hospital IF traffic is good. I have contemplated just calling an ambulance if I start bleeding.....though I'm not sure that would be faster TBH. Thankfully I haven't had any bleeding to date.

My Doctor hasn't said anything. Last appointment I asked her about Maternal risks due to my previa and she briefly and vaguely covered that they have some techniques they try to reduce hemorraging but I haven't heard from her about this Accreta diagnosis. I'm not sure if its helpful to move up the section or what her plans are - I will express to her how anxious I am and try to get her to give me a bit more of her time in explaining the plan forward. I don't have an appointment with her until Tuesday.

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MollyMurphy · 25/01/2013 18:43

Thank you Doddle - that is very thoughtful and would be lovely.

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CaseyShraeger · 25/01/2013 18:44

There may be complications but (especially given they are prepared for previa and accreta so there won't be any nasty surprises) they are very unlikely to be fatal. I have a friend who went into natural labour at home with 100% previa and she's fine (although it wasn't precisely a fun experience, and her hall carpet will never be the same...); you're going to be in an operating theatre surrounded by medical professionals and high-tech equipment.

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BerthaTheBogCleaner · 25/01/2013 18:49

Yes, call an ambulance if you start bleeding! It may not be any faster but they can get a drip in and start giving you fluids on the way, and you get fast-tracked into theatre when you arrive.

And go in for even a spot of blood (maybe get someone to drive you in if it is just a spot!).

Can you phone your doctor? It is worth asking about the best/worst case scenarios. Well, I'd want to know - you may be happier not knowing, I'm a control freak though. But if there is a chance they may decide to give you a general anaesthetic during surgery (ie if things get hairy) then your dh needs to be prepared for that - they'll throw him out of the theatre. And even if it is spinal anaesthetic, you need to decide whether he should stay with baby or with you if they're a long time stitching you up afterwards.

Oh and you know you are not allowed to hoover, don't you? EVER GrinGrin

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BerthaTheBogCleaner · 25/01/2013 18:51

Casey, lol at the carpet. I bled at 23 weeks and we'd just had a new living room carpet fitted that morning. I sat on my front doorstep waiting for the ambulance. The paramedic wanted me to go back inside and I refused Blush.

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DigestivesWithCheese · 25/01/2013 19:02

You're not going to die and they've got it covered.

I know how you feel though. Slightly different situation, but I went into labour and had an emergency section, three hours after I'd taken a high dose of blood thinning medication. There was supposed to be a 24 hr gap so I could have a safe section & I was being carefully monitored but it was just the way it happened. The medicine I took actually peaks in your blood three hours after you take it, so it was the worst timing possible!

Before going to theatre, the (very worried looking) Dr told me that she didn't want to take me for the operation because the risk of hemmorrage was so great... But I laboured so quickly that there was no other choice but to go straight there Sad

I said goodbye to DH and got put to sleep, really thinking that I might not see him or our children again - but when I woke up a few hours later I was fine! Grin. A bit sore & woozy but I was safe & had only needed 2 pints of blood in a transfusion. That was an emergency that the staff weren't prepared for (and they were very short staffed at that time as well) but somehow they still managed to handle it and everything turned out fine.

When you go in, your Drs should be prepared, have enough staff there and be ready to deal with it if you do have bleeding problems.

Sending you a big hug though, it's so hard not to worry. Lots of luck.

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ilovesprouts · 25/01/2013 20:34

oh wen i had my cs the song that came on was i will survive Grin.

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rrreow · 25/01/2013 20:56

You're going in knowing about your condition, and so are the doctors. That's actually a good position to be in, because it means they'll be fully aware of all the risks and be very vigilant (and ready for it) in case anything happens that requires specific course of action. That's much better than an emergency C-section!

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MollyMurphy · 26/01/2013 03:09

I took a nap and a deep breath and am feeling less doom and gloom. I think I am just weary of the stress over it. your comments have helped me feel better and I thank you for the support Brew

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kitkatsz23 · 26/01/2013 10:32

I'm glad you are feeling better now Molly. I was asking about your scans on the other thread...I totally understand your worries, I have 100% previa and c-section is in my future too (27 weeks this weekend). I'm terrified of the thought of it. I was thinking what if I'll find out in 5 weeks time that I have accreta too (this is my first preganancy). The reality is that we cannot control it. Don't forget that you are in a strong position Molly, with no bleeds and at the finish line. They now diagnosed you and it will be all good!Try to have a nice weekend, eat a lot and drink a lot of fluid.
I'll be crossing everything for you on Tuesday!!

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