to ask mn to help me calm? Problem with placenta.

[Barbz568]

Sat in the antenatal clinic. 35 weeks and they've found placental insufficiency.

Waiting to see consultant but might be over an hour.

No idea what this means. They mentioned baby coming early. I'm really scared and desperately hoping someone will tell me I won't necessarily need a c section.

Anyone any experience? Trying not to embarrass myself and cry in the waiting room.

They should rescan to confirm I think. Just remember that C section outweighs the risk if it is considerable. You may be admitted for monitoring and have your baby sooner than expected ❤

You may not need a c-section, they may induce you early or try and keep you going until full term with close monitoring. Try not to worry, you are in a much better position now that they are aware of the problem.

If it helps, I had twins at 34 weeks and they were both fine - we were home 3 days later!

Firstly, dont panic. You're in the right place and, if they've left you waiting to see a consultant then it's not "urgent" in an emergency, blue-light way.

Placental insufficiency means that the placenta isnt working as well as it might. This happens sometimes, for various reasons, but it's not always clear why. Certainly nothing youve done or not done.

If the placenta isnt working well then it msy not be able to help your baby grow (now it's quite big and putting big demands on the placenta). Sometimes when this is the case, they will advise that the baby is born early so it can be given what it needs in a neonatsl unit. Sometimes they will watch and wait a bit, doing growth scans.

If your baby does need to come early you can discuss with the consultant how the birth can be managed. I dont think it had to ve csection but it will depend on your exact circumstances.

I don't have any experience but just wanted to offer a hand hold. Also a c section, if you have to have one, can still be a positive birth experience. I have very good memories of mine (though scared witless at the time).

I had this and DS was delivered at 35 weeks on the dot. It’s a good thing that they’ve picked it up as now they can monitor/act as appropriate. Try not to worry, at 35 weeks your baby will be fine.

Now that they're aware of the problem, that is 90% of the solution. It would be far, far worse not to know.

If it comes to it, an ELCS is really very straightforward. No, the first week or so isn't fun, but I've had 2, and of my mum friends, I think I have pretty much one of the easiest experiences of childbirth overall (birth injuries, prolapse/long term impact etc)

Don't be sad I absolutely loved my calmly managed emergency c section it was a lovely experience and the recovery is minimal. You'll be fine either way but main thing is you and baby will be ok and are going to be well monitored and looked after throughout. Good luck OP

Sorry don’t know about this just popping in for a handhold. I’m with pp though - if you’re waiting around then it’s not an emergency so don’t panic.

Also I had a c section (bloody useless placenta too) and it’s not the awful disaster my nct teacher made it out to be. It was fine, quite civilised really and I was up and about really quickly. So please don’t think it’s the worst thing ever.

Hope you hear back soon. Big hugs

It's not the same but I had issues with only one artery on the cord so DS2 was small and his growth was monitored every couple of weeks.

They first mentioned inducing me early at 35 weeks and he would have needed a steroid then but he hung in there and was induced once I hit 37 weeks. I didn't have to have s c section, I just had to be monitored during labour.

I had to be very careful to monitor movement in those couple of weeks. When he was born he was a couple of oz bigger than predicted, though still skinny and he piled on weight and filled out quickly.

Good luck

I've seen the consultant and still don't feel reassured. He mentioned induction but told me not to worry. Didn't talk through anything really even when I asked. He just brushed it off. Don't know what's going on.

I had DS1 at 35 weeks 3 days, and DS2 at 34 weeks 6 days. Both are absolutely fine. The key point is, it doesn’t matter how they arrive - induction, C-section, natural birth - all that matters is that they make it, and at that level of gestation you should be fine. So if the medical advice is to get them out, do it. Try writing down your questions, and then look at that list when you are taking to the consultant, so that you don’t forget the things you want to ask. And don’t be afraid to say that you don’t understand and want something explained again.

OP I would go and ask for further clarification as you say that the consultant was neither use nor ornament. Is there a midwife you can speak to? Are you still at the hospital? If not, call the labour ward and discuss with them. You will find a sympathetic ear and hopefully the clarification & reassurance that you need and deserve. Do not go home and just worry about it.

I had placenta issues and pre-eclampsia at 27 weeks. After being admitted to hospital and given steroid injections to help prepare my now 5 year old DD lungs, she was eventually delivered at 31 weeks by CS weighing 2lb 2oz.

Pre birth I had regular growth scans (every other day) and a close eye was kept on mocements but then the Pre-eclampsia progressed to severe. I was petrified but the doctors were brilliant and my DD came home after a few weeks. She's a little more petite but otherwise you would never know she was born so early.

Sometimes it's safer for baby to grow and be monitored from the outside and 35 weeks isn't too early.

Ask the doctors to explain every thing in detail if it helps and to clarify anything you are not sure about, just to put your mind at ease.

Good luck op.

.... and I second what another poster said..... I have had 2 births. ...one CS and one natural but forceps delivery.

If I had choose one again, I would by far choose the CS. It wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be and recovered far quicker than the natural birth.