obstructing placenta anyone?

[happyatlast]

Anyone else had an obstructing placenta and did it move out of the way in time for delivery?!

Am 26 wks, just been hospital and they said I need to be re scanned at 36 weeks because my placenta is blocking my cervix at the moment so if its still not moved by 36 wks I might have to have a c section.

I dont want a c section.

[whensmydayoff]

Oh sorry happyatlast. Yes I had a low lying placenta all through last PG with lots of bleeding.
Have you had that?
If not, there's more chance your will move out the way.
Mine almost did and they thought it had but as I went into labour I started to bleed and was taken for an emerg C section.
I know it's not what you ideally want and there's every chance you wont get it (mine was very low to begin with).
BUT even an emerg C section is painless, very quick and the relief at seeing your baby takes the disappointment out of it.
The after math, I thought was fine too as your on strong painkillers in hospital for a week then home pushing your pram by end of it.
I thought Id hate the stay in hospital but in actual fact it was great. Plenty of time to bond and enjoy your baby. Help on hand with breast feeding, nappies, bathing etc.
Best part, annoying in laws can only stay for an hour !
Its not to say this will happen but just to let you know there's nothing to fear, c sections are painless.
Im now having a normal PG without the low lying placenta so a little more reassurance if there is a next time. x

[MandaHugNKiss]

This is my second pregnancy with placenta previa (the first, placenta obligingly moved up by 33 weeks and I had a natural vaginal delivery).

Like you, I'm hoping I don't end up with a c-section this time, but we have to be prepared for it - ultimately, if the placenta doesn't move (this in itself is misleading - it doesn't, but the site where it's implanted can. In the second half of pregnancy, the uterus grows from the bottom up, hence it being said the placenta moves) we need to do what we need to do to ensure the safe arrival of our babies. There is no alternative 'natural' way to attempt - if the exit is blocked, the baby can't get out. THe placenta will come first, which the baby can't live without... not to mention the risk of hemorrhage.

Although c-section carries it's own risks, they simply don't compare to the dire outcomes of not being aware of placenta previa come delivery day. And as whensmydayoff says, many women have a very positive experience with c-secion (and I believe our mindset plays a huge part in this too).

Not many of us woudl wish for a c-section, but when we don't really have a choice, it helps to make our peace with the idea before the fact.

Lots of good luck - here's hoping we both get the births we want!

[Sella]

I've had 2 low lying placentas, the last 1 moved with no problems (they almost always do) and I find out with this 1 if its moved next week, so know exactly how you feel.

I was told by my midwife this time that going down on all fours for 15 mins a day helps - not sure if this is true or not - but it also helps with positioning the baby later on so can't do any harm!

Hope it all goes well and at the end of the day if it doesn't move a planned c section is far less stressful than an emergency, good luck x.

[paisleyleaf]

I had this and it didn't move out of the way in time, so had to have an elective c-section. I didn't feel thrilled about it beforehand, but afterwards I recovered well and quickly, had no problems feeding or bonding with my DD and didn't feel I'd missed out in any way.
We are lucky that they can spot and prepare for these things nowadays.

[happyatlast]

Thanks everyone. This is my third baby, the other two were natural delivery but incredibly traumatic, ventouse and episiotomy with both, babys lung collapsed as a result of complicated birth with my first etc.

When I found out I was pregnant initially I wanted a section so I didnt have to go through another traumatic birth( I am very very narrow!), but after a few months getting used to it, getting my head round things, I think I would rather do it the same way again despite the pain, I dont want to be sort of bed bound by the end of it etc, I am single....dont ask!! and I need to be out of the hospital asap to look after my other two children so these are the main reasons for wanting to avoid a section!

[Chunkamatic]

Hi, at my 20wk scan I was told the same - am being re-scanned at 34 wks. It's not ideal, I had a natural birth last time and tbh the thought of a section fills me with dread for lots of personal reasons. But if it has to be, it has to be. I guess at least with them scanning you again I suppose the idea will be to be able to plan for a section, which I have heard in itself is much more prefferable than an emergency one. And in turn I suppose you will get chance to plan and prepare what you might need to.

FWIW my midwife told me that in 90% of cases it "moves" out of the way.

Good luck - I shall keep my fingers crossed for both of us!

[happyatlast]

Chunkamatic.....yes, my midwife said the same to me, 9 out of 10 do move out of the way. I will keep my fingers crossed for both of us too!

Funny thing is that the hospital didnt even tell me, they picked it up at my 20 week scan but just scanned me, told me I was having a girl and sent me on my own. It was only whilst being at my midwife appointment that it was brought to my attention which I think is really bad that the hospital never said anything!!

I know having a planned section would be less painful than going through labour for the third time, cos I cant even say that the bad experience I had was a one off, it was actually worse with my second child.

Its just afterwards that concerns me, like I said, who is going to take care of the children I have at home? My mum works full time and my children at home have different fathers to eachother and my son is currently not seeing his father on a regular consistent basis as his wife will not except my son, so I cant really rely on the kids dads to have them, so for this reason ideally I would prefer to give birth naturally, then come home the next day.

Like you said though, 9 out of 10 do move and my mate who had a son in June this year said she had the same thing the other day, and it moved so fingers crossed I'm worrying over nothing!

I hope yours shifts too!!

[stressheaderic]

Mine was very low-lying at 20 week scan, booked to be rescanned at 35 weeks but the not knowing is driving me a bit mad. I don't know whether to start delving into info about having a c-section, just in case, or go with the "most of them move up" probability...
Things that make me think it may have moved up - I had a bleed at 24 weeks (am now 26 weeks), and I can feel the baby LOTS, all the time in fact. Maybe I'm well off the mark, haven't actually got a clue about these things. Just wish I could see inside sometimes!

[happyatlast]

Oh god, I dont know what youre supposed to feel if it has moved, I have had no bleeding whatsoever through my pregnancy, and my baby is very very active, the midwives always says 'shes a wriggler alright!'.

Trying to remember back to my other two though and I dont think this baby is kicking any more or less than the other two.

Think I'm just going with the "it will move out of the way in time" theory too, as they say, most of them do. I know thats not to say everyone but the odds are definitely in my favour anyway!

Good luck to you too. I'm being re scanned at 32 weeks though, whereas you're being scanned at 34 arent you? I wonder why the two week difference?

[happyatlast]

I am 26 weeks too by the way stressheaderic, 27 weeks on weds!! due date 24th feb!!

Do you know what you are having btw and is it your first,sixth,tenth?!!!!

[Fibilou]

my sil is a mw and says that in 95% of cases they move by 33 weeks

I have a low-lyer (scan at 34 weeks) and am hoping she's right

[stressheaderic]

happy - 26 Feb for me, decided not to find out the sex (although is KILLING me now, and novelty of buying white/cream/yellow wearing thin) and is my first.
Am only slightly terrified of all it entails...Moses Basket got delivered yesterday and we both just stared into it for a moment like a pair of idiots, both clearly thinking 'no going back now'!

[Chunkamatic]

OOh I'm due on 25th of Feb!

Happy it sounds like you will have a few things to think about, but at least you will have time to be able to get something planned. Have you any friends who might be able to help out? How old are your other DC?

I have two friends who have recentley had elected CS's after having to have emergency one's the first time round and their recovery's have been much easier.

stressheaderic we did that with the moses basket, only difference was that we did once we got home with the baby! Definatley no going back then ha ha ha!

[whensmydayoff]

Bleeding isn't the placenta moving stressheadaric. It's just because it is low. The placenta is firmly stuck to your womb and it moves with the womb as it grows and stretches up along with the placenta IYSWIM.

Mine was prosterior (to the back). Anterior (to the front) has an even better chance of moving as the front of the womb grows out more.

It's not to say prosterior doesn't as mine moved up quite a bit but have a wee look at your notes, if it's anterior you've got an even better chance.

[stressheaderic]

Ah thanks for this wheresmy, like I say, I've really no idea! Just concerned that it might happen again at some point, fingers crossed it doesn't.
Just looked at notes and it is anterior which is one good thing