in hospital now.. my "simple" elcs was undiagnosed placenta previa!

[Wigglewoo]

Anyone had this?

Basically I went for an elective section after difficult first birth with dd 9 years ago.. Fought consultant as he was adamant ishould have a vaginal delivery. On my third appointment with him he agreed to ook my elcs after acknowledging how traumatised I was by the idea of a vaginal birth again.

So I go in for my section on thursday. All going ok until everyone starts panicing, senior everyone rushes in, husband ushered out, I go dizzy, everyone saying they can't stop blood loss..... Basically they realised I had completely undiagnosed placenta previa!!!!

I hasd no symptoms whatsoever. No bleeding. No pain. Still having sex till 39 weeks! (Read that you're not supposed to if you have it) .. 3 scans and nothing!!!

I'm recovering well now and oddly enough even though it was horrid I don't feel as traumatised as it was well controlled in theatre and midwives have been amazing this time (different hospital to where I had dd).

Just curious how it could be missed / more info etc.
Of course ironic thing is would have been c section anyway !!!

Sounds scary, glad you're both ok.

I had an EMCS after failing to progress at 9cm and increased bleeding following the oxytocin given to move things on. Afterwards I was told that DS was stuck face up, and that I had partial placenta praevia which was the reason for the bleeding.

My placenta position was fine at my 20 week scan, but appears to have grown downwards after that.

Thanks.. Sorry you had a similar problem. Poor you!

I'm so surprised the scan I had at 35 weeks didn't show anything! Unless it moved / grew after that?! Seems really odd!!!

How scary! I'd be asking why (the bloody hell) it wasn't picked up at your scans.

Wiggle - have you given feedback to the consultants who didnt want you to have an elc, about what happened to you?

Thanks .. I'm going to write to him. I think he was so focused on trying to convince me to have a vaginal birth that he didn't bother to check things proiperly. At least that's my feeling.

Was very very scary.

I actually thought I might die! But I can't fault the midwifery care on the post natal ward, they were so kind and worried about me. (Norfolk and norwich hospital). I will write to them and say thanks.

Not sure what this means IF (???!) We have any more chiildren either????

Oh my goodness!!

I had undiagnosed placenta praevia too but 6 years ago!
At my 20 week scan the sonographer said that my placenta looked a bit low and she got a second opinion. This person said that it wasn't.
2 weeks before my due date I thought my waters had broken but it was blood. I was kept in hospital overnight but discharged the following morning after being told that the bleed was something that "sometimes just happens".
I did mention the fact that the sonographer had initially thought that the placenta was "A bit low".
Had 2 more small bleeds, went into the hospital both times and was told I had a cervical erosion and that was the cause of the bleeding.
Finally my DH had to call an ambulance at 2am as I had a massive bleed at home! Rushed to hospital, internally examined (for the millionth time!!) and kept in.
I had an internal scan the following morning to be told that I had placenta praevia and would have a c-section.
I had my beautiful DD just before 10pm - no complications.
However, did need (and have), a birth debriefing after writing a complaint to the hospital about their catalogue of failings! I was assured that procedures are now different to attempt to prevent this happening again.
It was one of the scariest times in my life!