placenta previa - does having it once make it more likely to happen again? anyone had more than one child after severe bleeding during c section?

[Fairylea]

Not thinking of having another right now. But genuine question for the future.

I had one very long difficult vaginal birth with dd now aged 9. So I opted for an elective section with ds 8 months ago.

As soon as they started there was a huge panic ... turned out I had undiagnosed placenta previa.

I had had no symptoms or bleeding at all during the pregnancy.

During the section I lost nearly 3 litres of blood, had two blood transfusions in recovery afterwards. I was in hospital for a week.

Would I be mad to even consider another?

Or was it just a case of bad luck and if they had been more prepared maybe it wouldn't have been so bad?

Thanks.

Can't help but bumping and curious I have PP now due in a few weeks it has been hard with bleeds and wondering possibility of it happening again. Sorry

Thanks, maybe someone will know ! :)

I'm not medically qualified or anything but don't think PP is more likely if you have had it before. There are however risk factors that make it more likely, which include a previous CS.

I think you were very unlucky Fairy because a CS is normal if you have been diagnosed with PP and it doesn't move before you are ready to give birth. Also it was unlucky not to be picked up at your 20 wk scan.

I agree Fairy you were unlucky for it not to be picked up although they nearly missed it with me at 20 weeks as sonographer was pleased to be giving us good news but we asked about the placenta as she was finishing since I had problems last time which is when she double checked and spotted it. I had lots of bleeds which would have meant it would probably be picked up but you never know as I wouldn't have had extra scans if it wasn't for the early diagnosis.
The consultant I saw also said bleeding is more likely with a c section but if they had known they would have been more prepared.

I'm watching it with interest as I am currently pregnant with DC1 and have placenta previa. I would recommend you to go back to the hospital and request an appointment with the consultant. Could you request to see the same dr who did the section? They should have given you advise on future pregnancies after your c-section and placenta previa. I've been told the section scar will increase the risk of having placenta previa again.

I have had a very similar experience to you and had a follow up discussion with my consultant about subsequent pg/births.

I had a placenta previa that moved with DC1 - followed by a very straight-forward ELCS.

2nd pg I had an ELCS but had an undiagnosed placenta accreta (placenta had grown through uterus via thinned area of c section) that had been missed on scans. I bled out 5 pints of blood/had blood transfusion/nearly had to have a hysterectomy to stem bleeding but didn't in the end. My DP was told "don't worry she's now got 4 consultants in with her" - this did nowt to reassure him. At one point they lost a needle in me and the surgeon called for an Xray machine with the immortal line "bring it down but I've got bigger things to worry about here than a missing needle".

Anyhoo - I asked for a follow up chat with my consultant and he said I'd be good to go again and would be very carefully scanned next time as my chances of it happening again were increased - but it was still unlikely. However my DP has said he was very scared that I was going to die and so we have agreed not to have any more children.

I didn't have placenta praevia but did have massive pph during emcs - 7 litres due to sepsis and hence blood not clotting. I have just had dd2 - now 4 months but there is a 5 year age gap because neither of us felt ready to ttc sooner. We went back when we were thinking about ttc and saw the consultant again - had same consultant for second delivery - to have a proper talk about it and that really helped. Had a elective section second time which went incredibly smoothly but felt very well looked after as everyone was very well prepared.

Stangirl what a terrible experience my friend had acreta and needed a hysterectomy something that scares me about this pregnancy. Glad you are ok!
I had PPH as well as smiley with DS they said the risk of this happening again was likely I then had retained placenta which got infected they thought this may have contributed to placenta previa as I had infections for 6 weeks till a D&C which left scarring I imagine a c section on top of this may increase chances again.
Seeing consultant Thursday so may ask her then and post