C-section for low-lying posterior placenta at 39 weeks

[nesiben]

Hi all, just looking for some reassurance really. I'm booked in for a c-section due to a low-lying posterior placenta. I've no measurements of distracts as my hospitals policy is just to grade it as low if there is no clinical decision to be made (I.e. no chance of vaginal delivery). I've had no bleeding and and otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy after two very early miscarriages.

Today I had my pre-op appointment with the consultant anaesthetist who said things like "you are likely to be the star of the show as this ok is going to be risky" and "'X' is what usually happens but expect your timelines to be shifted quite a bit as yours is a more complicated procedure". I was under no illusions that this was a straight forward procedure, but I came out feeling like it is all a big risk and I'm going to be in for a hellish time! No reassured in the slightest 😔

Can anyone offer some positive experiences in situations like mine? I was a little nervous about the surgery before the appointment but now I'm petrified and I've still got 4 days to go before I'm admitted...

Thanks in advance!

A c section is the safest way to deliver in your situation. The risks to the baby are minimal vs the risk to baby if you tried vaginal- baby will definitely be out before anything can happen to your placenta.

The difficulty comes with removing your placenta and you are likely to bleed more- however you'll be in surgery, where they are expecting problems, rather than in a delivery suite where you'd have to be transferred and help summoned.

Thanks @sandstormbrewing, I really appreciate the reply. I do understand that this is the best (and only) way to safely deliver my baby.

It's just that I'm usually quite a positive thinking person and since seeing the consultant I just feel flat and negative about what is round the corner. So, I was really hoping there were some others out there with positive experiences of a c-section for low-lying placenta that could help reset my frame of mind.

I was you 5 and a half years ago. I'd like to reassure you it will all be good. The Pre-op appointment was scary for me too, the seriousness hit me there. It's natural. It will be the best and most controlled environment for your baby and you. I was extremely worried and scared about my c-section, all I was thinking of bleeding on the table. In addition I worried myself all through my pregnancy in case I had a bleed which I never did thankfully. I had a section at 38 weeks. I was the first patient on the day because of the high risk. The risk is in removing the placenta. I didn't bleed. I had blood ready in case I needed it but it all went very well. Looking back I wish I would have been more relaxed and positive about it. As you are, I'm a positive person too so keep being positive. Try to get some sleep the night before and focus on meeting your baby. The doctors will be all set and ready for you. The very good sign you must focus on is that you didn't have a bleed in your pregnancy. Your baby is full termI'm now 21 weeks pregnant with my second and just been told I have a low-lying placenta again. Less worried this time, focusing on going without a bleed for now and getting to full term. Good luck to you! I will be thinking of you!

Good luck with it all, OP. Nothing to add other than to say I’ll be having these same worries - 23 weeks with a type 4 placenta praevia and heading for my first CS after two vaginal labours.

Sending you lots of positive vibes

I had a c section at 38+5 for the same reason as you. It was fine, I went for a general as I didn’t want to risk passing out during the op if things went badly but it turned out I didn’t lose too much blood, can’t remember how much exactly but not more than a “normal” c section. Recovery was fine too, not too painful, and I don’t “do” blood etc! The whole placenta previa thing during pregnancy was much worse, I did have two bleeds and was on bed rest for more than half my pregnancy which was awful and the stress of it really affected me mentally but things turned out ok in the end. Posterior placenta previa is much less likely to cause problems during a c section delivery than anterior so try to stay positive if you can

Dear @kitkatz23, @lozangeoflove and @clownsandjokers, thank you so much for your replies. I can't tell you how much they have reassured me. I'm going to try and keep focussed on the baby as you suggest and put faith in the knowledge that I'm in the best hands. Positive mental attitude from here on out! Still finding it a weird concept that this is my last weekend without a child! Ha! Thanks again. I'll update as soon as I feel up to it after Wednesday x

Thinking of you Nesiben! I hope it all went well and you are cuddling your little baby now

Hi @kitkatsz23, I sit here writing this response nursing my 1 week old baby girl 😊

By the time the morning of the surgery came round I'd worked myself up into a small state of panic. But i've always been pretty good at putting a front on so I doubt many would be been able to tell before I sat on the operating table as I was laughing and joking with the theatre staff. Everyone was really calm and excited for me to meet my baby. Anyway, once the spinal was in and I was on the table, the fear set in for real and I remember starting to cry and repeatedly tell my husband that I didn't want to be there and or be doing this! 😂 The anaesthetists (there were two - neither were the consultant I'd met the Friday before!) Were particularly amazing and kept calmly reassuring me and giving me little updates on what was happening and how long it was like to be to meet my lo. Within 15 mins my lo was out and in my husband's arms (I didn't feel I could hold her until I was out of surgery as I was still in a mild state of panic but I could've if I wanted to) and within an hour if was in post-op recovery holding my baby!

I don't want to fool you into thinking it was a super pleasant experience for me, but I think if I'd have been able to control my panic, it would've been so much nicer. The staff were amazing and did everything they could to make it the happy experience it could have been - I just couldn't see the woods for the trees!

I have to say thank you again to everyone who replied to my original post. I know I still had a panicked reaction, but I think it would have been so much worse if I'd not had your experiences to draw on and remind myself it would all be okay!

X