Placenta Previous 36 +5

[Pocketsizedpixie]

Had a review scan of my placenta today, done internally. The placenta is still (just) touching the cervix and posterior. The sonographer said it is unlikely to move significantly now.

I dont see the consultant until tomorrow, and the sonographer refused to answer any more questions, saying I'd need to ask the consultant (fair enough.)

I'm fairly resigned to the need for a section, but I'm wondering if anyone knows when they are likely to carry this out? I've had an otherwise healthy pregnancy and no bleeding.

[Pocketsizedpixie]

Hopeful bump....

[SeashellHoarder]

Hi pixie, I'm 34 weeks and in the same boat as you with the placenta.

I'll be having a csec at 38.5 weeks. It can't come soon enough!

I'll be interested to hear what they tell you tomorrow.

[Pocketsizedpixie]

Consultant refused to discuss likely outcomes with me when I last saw them at 33 weeks, she pretty much told me not to worry my silly little head about it so no idea what to expect.

[DesignedForLife]

Usually they book you in for section around 38 weeks.

Far better to have scheduled section that "we think it's moved enough" and have scary crash section because of serious bleeding at 42 weeks :( (all fine in the end thankfully, just wish I'd pushed for scheduled)

[Pocketsizedpixie]

42 weeks would be Christmas Day, so definitely not waiting that long!

[SeashellHoarder]

Omg, designed. That must have been terrifying.

Glad it was all OK for you in the end.

[Pocketsizedpixie]

Quick update - saw the consultant today, what had admitted me until I deliver! Wasn't really expecting that at all as have not had any bleeding. They wanted to section at 39 weeks, but doe to some other issues have brought it forward to next week when I will be 37+6.

Now lying in a hospital bed with a whole week of nothing to do but panic about the section.

[Littlelegs19]

I have PP as well.

Had a bleed at 32 weeks and was told I wasn't allowed to leave hospital until 38 weeks and they delivery baby by CS. After 10 days I was allowed him.

2am this morning had a major bleed and I'm back in hospital. One minute I was being prepared for CS next minute they said baby was happy in there, bleeding had stopped and I've got to wait for 37w. (35w now)

Very scary when you feel baby will be best out but they know what they are doing.

Did you get told how close your placenta is? Mine is 4mm away hence the bleed.

Ask as many questions as you need to. I'm laying in a hospital bed here too, so able to chat if you need to

[Pocketsizedpixie]

"touching" according to the scan notes, but the consultant wasn't convinced as I've not had a single spot of blood, which she says is very unusual if the placenta is that low.

It's been a bit of a shock as the 33 weeks scan (abdominal) had the placenta at 11.3 away. Apparently abdominal scans are really unreliable, but no one told me this at the time!

Have you had steroid injections?

[Littlelegs19]

My 32w and 32+6 were abdominal and I was told the same by the consultant. He sent me back for an internal and they were very reluctant to do it saying they only do it at 36w but I refused to move until it was done. That's when they realised how bad/close it was.

Yes I had the steroids at 32+6. bloody horrible things! Sting like hell!!

I'd ask your consultant if he can arrange an internal scan for you.

How you feeling?

[Pocketsizedpixie]

I've had an internal one yesterday, which is what landed me here. I just wish they had hinted at this being a possible outcome when I saw them at 33 weeks, as they were so positive and confident I would be OK for a vaginal birth by term that I had no idea that they might admit me today. No one had even mentioned the possibility of admission until today so it was quite a shock!

[NickMarlow]

In had exactly the same. Scan at 32 weeks, then at 36 weeks and admitted with no warning. Total shock, I hadn't even started maternity leave, dh and I had a last meal and cinema evening planned which never happened. I had steroid injections in the first few days, and then ELCS at 38 weeks.

The section was incredibly calm and a really positive experience. The 2 weeks before that were long and boring! Everyone will tell you this, but rest now while you can, I wish I'd been able to relax more. Do you have a single room? I got dh to bring in a laptop and a lot of box sets!!

[Pocketsizedpixie]

Nope, on a ward unfortunately with lots of coming and going, and crying babies as it's combined with the post natal ward.

I'm very anxious about the section due to previous surgical experiences. Everyone keeps telling me it will be completely different etc etc, but I was very traumatised by my previous care and having nothing much to do but sit here and think about it is not helping!

Luckily because of the way my dates are compared to the clinic dates I'm already nearly 37 weeks, and they have agreed to do the section late next week on MH grounds, I'm hopeful we will be home within 10 days as long as everything goes smoothly.

[SeashellHoarder]

Hi pixie, what a shock. At least you're now in the right place should you have any issues this week. Don't panic about the section, if it's planned it's much better than the emcs.

Littlelegs what a scary experience I hope you have a very calm and uneventful next 2 weeks.

I've got another scan on Monday to look at placenta, I'll be 35.4w. I really hope it's not the same story and I end up in hospital too!

[Pocketsizedpixie]

Unfortunately seashell it was planned surgery that triggered my hospital phobia, so I have a hard time trusting in the care I am/will get. It's entirely an anxiety thing, but despite knowing that I can't really stop it.

I think the thing I am finding very strange is that everything has been totally normal, there has been no hint if any issues, bleeding, risks etc so to go from that to this has been quite unexpected.

I hope all goes well with your scan, and at least it won't be a complete surprise if they want to admit you!

[SeashellHoarder]

I'm so sorry to hear that pixie I've been really struggling with anxiety this pregnancy around previous births so I understand how debilitating it can be.

It's especially worse when no one around you really understands and they just say "I'm sure it will be fine". Well, it wasn't last time, was it?

I didn't mean to belittle your feelings in any way.

I hope you have good support to get through this next little while.

[Pocketsizedpixie]

No worries seashell it's refreshing to hear someone understand that just telling me everything will be OK just won't cut it. They seem most put out when I don't necessarily believe them!

[Littlelegs19]

How did you sleep pixie?
Any more news for you?
I do find it strange they have admitted you when you've had no complications or bleeding.

I'm waiting for the doctors to come round. Didn't sleep at all!

[Pocketsizedpixie]

Morning little

Very little sleep here, it's noisy and bright and they woke us up at 6 for no apparent reason.

I'm a bit baffled about the admission too, but I think it's mostly because I live quite far from the hospital, if anything happened it would take at least 45 mins to get here, even to be blue lighted in, which if it was a big bleed could be problematic.

Going to ask for another scan though I think, because the consultant and sonographer seemed to have very different interpretations!

[Littlelegs19]

I ended up being the only one on the ward, so should have slept well but woke every hour. It's horrible with no sleep isn't it?

Yes, maybe that's why. I'm very close to the hospital. I've just seen a consultant and I'm being allowed home today but I have consultant and scan appointments Monday.

I would ask if I was you. When I had my first internal I asked them to print pictures and a report so I could give to my consultant. I hope you get some answers soon,that's the worse thing I think, the not knowing x

[Pocketsizedpixie]

I've spoken to the midwife and she's agreed to ask for another scan. That's a good idea about asking them to print pictures for the consultant. I will do that.

I have some very loud people on my ward, who seem to need to call every contact on their phone and have the same conversation over and over (and loudly.) two of them fell asleep with their TVs on last night, and the sound on.

[Littlelegs19]

I do agree with you though, the consultant and scan people defiantly don't agree on things!

Fingers crossed you get some answers from the scan.

Some people are so inconsiderate! I feel for you, I really do

[Pocketsizedpixie]

So, consultant has agreed to rescan (done by one of the consultants rather than a sonographer) the day before the scheduled section to check it is definitely necessary. I'm fairly happy with that outcome, but does mean I need to stay in the hospital until then (end of next week) and then however long after delivery.