Low lying placenta 4 big bleeds and spotting

[user1474462943]

First time poster, sorry if it's long. Looking for advice if you've had something similar or what would you do if you were in my position please?
At 16+4 weeks I had a horrendous bleed after going to the toilet, to the point where I called my DH from work and told him he needs to get me to the hospital because I was sure I was having a miscarriage. In A&E they scanned baby and found a heart beat, did full blood count and a urine sample, we spent 4 hours there until bleed had totally stopped and was scheduled for a scan the next morning. At this scan I was found to have a low lying placenta, but no more details were given. From that first bleed I've had spotting at least a few times a day (nothing on pads, just enough to see when wiping and all fresh blood). 4 weeks after first bleed I had another big bleed after a bm (sorry tmi!) and visited a&e again for them to check my bloods and baby's heartbeat then send me home again with advice of no heavy lifting or running.
Two weeks ago to this day I had another (slightly less but still big) bleed and contacted my midwife who sent me to adau who sent me to labour ward, checked my bloods and insisted I stay over 24 hours in the maternity ward to be sure I wasn't going to bleed again then sent home to take it easy and stay off work until Monday from the Thursday I was admitted. On the Monday I went back to work (2-4 hours a day supervising children on my feet constantly) and had another much less significant bleed on the Wednesday again after being at work. Again the hospital admitted me for the night and monitoring, however in the morning I was told by the doctor doing the rounds that she couldn't see why I was in the hospital when I wasn't activly bleeding continuously and because I was only 22+5 there was nothing they could do for baby if it was born so early. She said as I live less than 10 minutes drive from a&e I can go home and just come back if I have a bleed that's more than an egg cups worth. I asked about going back to work or should I be resting and she said it was up to me but only my gp can sign me off. I decided to not work until I saw my midwife hoping she would be more useful but when I asked if I should be working she said again it's up to me and said she doesn't see why not (being on my feet for 2-4 hours is making me sore and tired already even minus the bleeding and I told my midwife this.) she told me the gp will do a sick note for the week I had off but I'd have to call and request more time off if that's what I decide I want! I hate being off work and have a 7 year old to take care of at home as well as working his school hours. I had my usual 20 week scan at 20+5 and was given another scan at 22+5 where they said the placenta looks like it has moved in the wrong direction but it's hard to tell without doing an internal scan which can be dangerous with bleeding. I'm never normally a worrier but feel like my primary care givers just don't care all that much (I know they are busy and probably have worse to deal with than me). When I saw my midwife after the big bleed at 16 weeks she told me if I bled again I would be on fortnightly appointments with her plus fortnightly scans to check baby's development and health of the placenta, at today's appointment she said my next appointment will be 2nd November with her and 32 weeks for the next scan.

Questions are;
would you be working or demanding time off from gp? I don't want to not work at all before baby arrives but with spotting every day which can be upto a tablespoon of blood at a time I'm just not sure standing for up to 4 hours and walking and chasing after children with no chance of a break is a good idea.

Would you be happy with the above appointments as they are 6 & 8 weeks away?

How much blood would you need to see before going back to the hospital? One midwife told me even spotting isn't normal, another said over a tablespoon is a worry and another said don't go in for less than an egg cup.

Thank you to anyone who responds, going out of my mind with worry and stress (which I know doesn't help!).

[user1474462943]

Just looking for opinions, bump.

[SeashellHoarder]

I would be pushing to have some time signed off tbh. Alternatively can you speak to the boss about getting lighter duties?
You have to do what feels right for you and this baby, and it looks like rest.
Even though you've had bleeds, I would be going in to be checked for anything more than spotting.
Your health and babies health are more important than worrying if they think you are a nuisance.

[HP07]

Hi op. I just wanted to share my experience with you, it may help or it may not. I also had a low lying placenta and was spotting brown blood throughout my first trimester and having regular red bleeds from about 14 weeks. I had a private scan at 16 weeks and the sonographer told me I had a low lying placenta and that coudl be the cause of the bleeding. I told my work and asked to be put on light duties as I work nights which can be very demanding sometimes with up to 14 hours on your feet when it is busy. I found I was having more bleeds after busy shifts and so they accommodated my request and changed my working patterns and duties which was brilliant of them. I had quite a lot of bleeds and as I'm rhesus negative I had to have an anti d injection each time. On of the times I went to the hospital after the bleed for an examination and they found I also had an ectropian on my cervix and said this along with the low lying placenta probably was the cause of the bleeding. I had no more bleeds after about 22 weeks and I had subsequent scans which showed the placenta has moved away from my cervix ready for a vaginal delivery which should hopefully be any day now (I was due yesterday). It is very scary to keep having bleeds and I don't think that people who have had straightforward pregnancies can truely understand how it feels. The best piece of advice I was given by the midwife was that if I felt I should rest/be off work then that was the best thing for me. Her reasoning was that although there is nothing they can do to prevent a miscarriage happening and that exertion is not necessarily a cause for miscarriage, if any were to happen I would know in my mind that I had done everything possible to keep the baby safe. Does that make sense. No one can tell you you should or shouldn't be at work, it is ultimately up to you but I felt that when I had a bleed I should rest and I should ask my employers for some leniency when it came to my duties.

Good luck, I hope the bleeding stops soon and your placenta moves. It's a stressful time being pregnant and scares certainly don't help.

[user1474462943]

Thank you for the responses, what a great thing to read about your experience HP, I haven't had any brown blood but majority of the experience sounds similar and gives me hope!
When I went into work last week, Seashell I spoke to my line manager who insisted I could take a break during the period of which one year group goes in and another comes out, however when this period came I was handed 2 jobs to do to organise for the next year group which isn't unusual for my job role but meant I couldn't get a break.
I'm going in tomorrow to discuss getting firm break times and support as often I'm left alone with large groups of children which obviously isn't appropriate if I start to bleed.
I only starting working in my new school early this year and the pregnancy was a total surprise, as DH has issues with his swimmers, so I really don't want to take the Micky but baby should obviously be priority number one.
I already feel a nuisance to the maternity ward for being there so often and taking up so much time, especially as the doctor so bluntly put it on my last visit - baby isn't viable for a while.
I've read lots of stories about steriod injections etc but yours is the first I've read that had big bleeds but not pre term labour so thank you for sharing. Wish you all the luck in the world welcoming your little one!

[Sunshinegirl82]

Hello, I'm really sorry you're going through this. I thought it might be helpful to share my story in case it helps.

I had a low lying placenta and had two significant bleeds at 20 and 21 weeks. It was the most terrifying thing to ever happen to me. I spent time in hospital for each and, like you I felt a little bit like people weren't really taking it seriously if you know what I mean? I did a few things.

Firstly, I got the gp to sign me off sick. My job is stressful and client facing and I was in no state to do it frankly! The gp signed me off straight away with no quibbles. I just rested at home and felt like that helped me to feel like I was doing everything I could.

I booked myself in for additional midwife appointments, you don't have to only see them in the allotted weeks, you can make an appointment anytime. I found being checked out weekly (and hearing the baby's heartbeat) reassuring and that helped me get through the weeks.

I insisted on being referred to the consultant to discuss the bleeding. I did have to push a bit for this however once I got in front of the consultant she wanted me to stay off work and booked me in for 4 weekly scans and appointments with her. Consultant also advised no sex, no lifting, no swimming/running, taking it easy really. I found the additional appointments reassuring and I felt as though they were keeping a really good eye on us. Based on what you've said I would push for this if you can. I got the midwife to refer me but if no joy there the gp probably can.

I had no further bleeds. Whether that is due to the rest or is what would have happened anyway I'm not sure! My placenta did move up and I was cleared for a vaginal delivery but due to the issues consultant advised inducing me on my due date if baby didn't make an appearance before then.

I went into labour following a sweep at 39+5 and baby was born the next day by emcs (nothing to do with placenta issues). He is now 12 weeks old and asleep in my arms as I type.

There is every prospect that everything will progress well but I would definitely push for the attention you need, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease quite often with the nhs.

Take care, I really hope it all settles down for you so you can try and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

[Sunshinegirl82]

P.s I have just seen your update, please do not feel guilty for going to the hospital etc. Go as often as you need. I was told to call triage with any fresh bleeding (ie not brown spotting following a bleed). I would err on the side of caution and call them whenever you feel you need to.

[helenatroy]

Have low lying placenta myself. And am 32 weeks with all going well. Go to your chosen maternity ward and don't delay. They will always accommodate patients with placenta previa.

[helenatroy]

I'm also on four weekly scans. It's so reassuring to see her I swear to god she was waving.

[user1474462943]

When I spoke to the doctor in the hospital about my midwife saying fortnightly scans and she told me they were pointless because the placenta won't move that fast. My first pregnancy was the total opposite, not a single complication, this pregnancy I've had none stop morning sickness until 14 weeks, my blood pressure dropped dramatically and I kept having feinting episodes. I'll be so relieved when I get to 28 weeks and the baby has a good chance if it needs to be delivered early.

Did anyone have the baby laying very low down at 24 weeks? Mine is right down low and feels like it's kicking into my cervix 😳 Whenever they search for babies heartbeat they don't listen to me about how low it'll be and spend ages messing about looking just under my belly button!

[Sunshinegirl82]

The scans I had weren't to check the position of the placenta, they were to check that the placenta was functioning ok and the baby was growing well.

I would make an appointment to see your midwife as soon as you can and discuss it with her further. I did have to push to see the consultant but once I got there it was really reassuring

[PacificDogwod]

This is so scary - sorry to read you are having to deal with bleeds/low lying placenta in pregnancy.

I had repeated big bleeds from Grade 4 placenta praaevia when expecting DS2 - he was eventually delivered at 31 weeks after several big bleeds and the last one that did not settle after several hours. He is now 12 years old, built like the proverbial outhouse (quite a change from 3lbs!) and very well indeed.

My experience was that activity/rest made absolutely NO difference to whether I bled or not.
The majority of my bleeds happened in the middle of the night while I was lying flat on my back not moving a muscle
I was transferred several times due to threatened delivery as 'my' hospital had no NICU cots during the nights in question and the most disconcerting thing was dealing with different consultants' opinions which ranged from 'stay in your bed and don't move, you will have to use the bedpan' to 'we can manage this as an outpatient, you can go home'

So, in summary, do what you are comfortable with.
If you felt better saying at home/if your job is particularly demanding, have time off.
If being at work is a welcome distraction/staying at home with other children is too hard, well, stay at work.

Fwiw, I was admitted to hospital from 25 weeks after my first big haemorrhage which is how the whole problem came to light. I had bled monthly for the first few weeks of pregnancy but simply thought the bleed were periods, so did not find out I was pregnant until I was 16 weeks along....

[helenatroy]

User my baby was really low too. She's an active girl so is moving around a lot now. At this moment in time her feet are up under my rib cage. She's bang on in every way. And is being delivered at 37.5 weeks.

My cousin had the same condition and bled all the way through her pregnancy, had a c section at 33 weeks. My cousin tearfully waved that girl off to university last week. Try not to worry. Sounds like your midwives are all over the situation.

[HP07]

I'm glad it helped and it's good to hear all the other stories too. I meant to say I was consultant led until 34 weeks at which point they discharged me and advised I could give birth wherever I choose! Quite a difference from the scary uncertainty of the first half of my pregnancy. I think you should be under consultant care though if you are not already.

[S0dabread]

Hi User. I also had a low placenta and 3 big bleeds. Around 26 weeks, 30 weeks and 35 weeks. The first two I stayed on overnight having a steroid injection after the 2nd and then a cesarean on the 3rd bleed. I took the initiative with work as I had a very busy commute through London on packed tube's. I changed my hours and was able to drive getting a parking space on health grounds. Like others say protect your baby above all else and forget about what anyone else thinks. It all worked out well for us. My little boy was 5lb and in the baby unit for a little while (which to be fair I was very surprised about and no one had ever mentioned it to me so I am raising with you not to worry you but just as a possibility ) but had no health issues at all and started school on Monday. Forget being polite or worrying about anyone else just take it as easy as you can. If nothing else it will help to aleviate your worries. Wishing you a very safe happy pregnancy !

[user1474462943]

Wow, it's so fantastic reading about you girls and some great advice here, I wasn't sure about posting my experience but now I'm glad I did.
I am not worried about a cesarean as I know a few people who have given birth that way and recovered just fine. I wanted a water birth but I've almost written that off with all the complications. I know that a huge % placentas do move and that fills me with hope. I would be gutted to need a transfusion as I'm a regular blood donor and encourage everyone I know to do the same, obviously won't say no if it's life or death. I'm thinking that maybe I'm being treated less seriously because im so early on in my pregnancy but I get what you mean Sunshinegirl, I try to read the doctors and midwives and worry that they are rolling their eyes at the fact I'm there! Thank God for MN and other similar sites, makes me feel so much less alone!

[helenatroy]

Look at gentle Cesarian on your tube. That's what I'm going for. It's a beautiful thing and as close to a natural birth as you can have. The advantages amongst others are skin to skin immediately and delayed cord clamping. I know two people who went through them and they said it was amazing and moving and that thanks to the delayed cord clamping they had very healthy robust babies.

[PacificDogwod]

user, my blood count (Hb - haemoglobin) fell to 8.6 and I felt entirely well (because it had dropped gradually over several weeks). There are photographs of me straight after the CS and I look a bit like a corpse, but I felt fine. I had 'triple iron' therapy - oral iron supplements + Vitamin C + Folic acid, and my blood count recovered very quickly.
IME blood transfusions will be avoided where at all possible because the do carry risks - I, like you, did not want to lose my ability to donate blood. DS2 needed a tiny transfusion post-natally though.
Oh, and while my CS was not planned and technically en emergency one, it was not a 'crash' section (which sounds horrendous and potentially very frightening). There were hours between the decision to deliver DS2 and the actual operation, all v calm and collected. It was not a horrible experience at all

[user1474462943]

Just an update- I continued to have bleeding episodes and had 6 overnight stays on the maternity ward within 16-32 weeks pregnant. At 24 weeks we had steroid injections to mature baby's lungs in case baby came early. Then at 33+2 weeks I had PROM and my labour started within 6 hours. My son was born at the end of November at 33+3 gestation at 4lbs10oz and spent a fortnight in Neonatal (2 days on cpap & 6 days high intensity) his lungs weren't strong enough but improved really quickly and he was severely jaundice. Thankfully we were home in time for Christmas and he's a happy healthy little boy who is exclusively breast fed and so strong for someone born so early!

[Snowflakes1122]

Congratulations.
Reading your posts, you had a rough ride in your pregnancy. Must have been so stressful. Glad you are both ok.

[SeashellHoarder]

Congratulations 🤗 a great update!