Any experience of placenta previa major?

[accidentalgrownup]

Hi all,

Currently 22 weeks & found out at my scan that the placenta is completely covering babies exit route 😱

Booked in for another scan at 32 weeks to check if it's moved but the midwife at the scan said it's unlikely.

Help! I've been a bit enthusiastic with dr Google & read some horror stories about early labour, increased risk, early admission into hospital etc...

Can anyone tell me if the placenta is likely to move enough for me to give birth naturally or should I get used to the idea of having a c section?

Also if it's a c section at what point will I be booked in? 38 weeks?

TIA

[LemonCurdles]

Hi op, don't know if any of this will be of any help to you, I too had previa last year with my firstborn.

I would talk through your concerns with your midwife and sonographer, every womens experience is unique and they can advise you the likelihoods based on your personal circumstances. I found jotting afew questions down to take to my mw appointments helpful so I didn't forget to mention anything.

Mine was fully covering until a scan at week 36 showed it had moved (can't remember how many mm ). I too was advised previously that it was unlikely to move.

My placenta was still overlapping so I was advised that it would be safer to have an elective c section, that a vb wouldn't be impossible although v risky. Weighing up the risks I was booked in for an elective c section at 37+5 weeks. It was safer for me to wait as long as possible in my circumstances.

I had a bleed at 27 weeks (not uncommon with previa, but extremely rare to be life threatening) stayed in mau for afew nights monitoring and was fine. Thankfully that was the only one for me, I was advised to avoid prolonged hours of standing and excessive exercise or sports. I took it really easy after that and took early maternity leave, although not necessary at all.

It was discussed to me about possible early admission at 34 weeks but due to no more bleeds, my close proximity to the hospital, constant companionship and factoring in my relaxed lifestyle at the time the doctor was happy for me to go home until my delivery date.

My delivery went ahead as planned with no complications apart from some oozing from a segment of the placenta, which was very minor. I was home 3 days later with a healthy baby

Sorry for the long reply

Good luck and congratulations

[accidentalgrownup]

Thanks for the reply! Glad everything went ok for you 😁

You're right I need to make a list of questions for my midwife.

Think I was just a bit in shock & remember them vaguely mentioning something about injections to make sure my babies lungs were ready... bit confused why they mentioned this so early if there's a possibility I won't need them.

The CS doesn't concern me too much but I do live nearly an hour from the hospital and have a DC at home to consider if I'm taken in early 😳