When did you have a c-section with placenta previa?

[Osch]

Hi everyone,

I have grade 4 placenta previa and had a heavy bleed at 27 weeks (last week) and spent 2 days on labour ward having contractions. I am now on bed rest in hospital until my baby arrives.

I know this differs for everyone and is completely unpredictable, but, for those of you who have experience of this...

1. When did you have your first bleed and how many more bleeds did you subsequently have?

And.....

1. When did you deliver your baby?

Thanks everyone in advance!

X

Hello Osch, miserable news for you but at least you are both OK. I had this with my 2nd child, heavy bleed at 32 weeks and then in hospital until they delivered at 37. although I bled a bit after the initial one, I only had 1 more bleed at about 36 weeks I think (long time ago). Now preg with DC3 and they have confirmed that I have plecenta Previa again so I'm expecting another lengthy stay in hospital - what joy!

Hello oh4goodnesssake, Thanks for your response! Sorry to hear you've got to go through it all again! Lengthy hospital stays are just soo dull, but if it means a healthy baby at the end it makes it all worth while. I hope it all goes smoothly for you!

Hi.

I had grade 4 placenta previa with my DS almost 15 years ago. I had my first big bleed at 25ish weeks followed by another one a week later which led to me being put on hospital bed rest until delivery. I had 3 more big bleeds whilst in hospital before a final one at 31+2 when i ended up with an emergency c section. He weighed 3lb 11oz and was in NICU for 25 days before he was allowed home weighing 4lb 6oz.

I am now 21+4 and regularly being checked as i have various medical complications including a bi-cornuate uterus which increases the risk of low lying placenta. I had my 20 week scan last week and was told i needed to go back in 2 weeks to recheck the lips, heart & placenta.

It has taken me almost 15 years to decide to go through pregnancy again!

Don't worry, im sure you will be fine.

Hi there Osch - sorry you're going through this. From experience I know how much praevia and the in particular the corresponding bed rest/hospital stay sucks.

My praevia was vaguely picked up at the 20 week scan and I had my first bleed at 23 weeks and then had bleeds at 25, 28 and 30 weeks, all of which triggered early labour which they blocked with drugs. After the 30 week bleed I was then kept in hospital on bedrest. After that point I had lots of smaller bleeds. There was some concern that part of one of the placentas had peeled away (I was pregnant with twins). I had a c section scheduled for 36 weeks as although my consultant was gunning to get me to 37 I was pretty tired and distressed after so long in hospital. 36 weeks was our compromise. In the end, they arrived by emergency section at just over 35 weeks after a really big bleed one night. My consultant later told me that he had been expecting it as I was fitting the profile - my bleeds were escalating in volume and frequency which is a sign.

My babies were born healthy and with no adverse side effects. In fact, the bleeds didn't affect them at all. I know this for a fact as one happened when I was strapped to a monitor and being scanned in the night (strange pains at around 33 weeks) and the babies carried on snaking around, heartbeats normal whilst blood came out of me. It doesn't seem to affect them at all. Bedrest however is no fun and hospitals are hard places to spend pregnancy in. I really felt that it was like an aeroplane in the sense that the food was really bad and time went incredibly slowly. An hour on a hospital bed feels like three hours in real life!

My top tips for surviving hospital bedrest:-

• Get comfy and as home from home as you can. Is there any chance you can have an amenity room rather than be on the ward as this really helps? I had a couple of nice pillows from home (with my own pillow cases on them), plus a nice room spray and a couple of photos. It still looked like a hospital room and totally sucked but at least it wasn't 100% impersonal and uncomfortable.
• By the same token, if the bed is uncomfortable then ask them to change it. They have different kinds of beds kicking around.
• My hospital didn't have tvs in the rooms (they kept being stolen!) but I borrowed a small one from a friend as well as a travel kettle. They had to send the hospital electrician to 'okay' them before I could use them, which took a day to arrange but then I was fine. Equally, you could watch dvds on your laptop, etc.
• Turn your day around small events. I'd break my day into manageable chunks. I'd spend two hours blowdrying my hair (also brought my hairdryer in) to glossy straightness. I did the crossword or read a book for a scheduled two hours as I found a timeframe helped it all seem less boring. I went for illicit wanders around the hospital. I wasn't supposed to leave my room but I think the midwives gave up trying to restrain me. I'd go off to the coffee shop for an hour to watch the world go buy and every morning I'd walk around the perimeter of the hospital four times (which took 40 minutes). Breaking it up into actual chunks of 2 hours or 1 hour really helped structure it and gave me a daily focus and plan, rather than just lying there killing time.
• Demand visits. I didn't have enough of these - probably one a week from a couple of sympathetic friends - but they made a big difference in filling my day. A lot of my friends didn't bother as my hospital wasn't particularly close but if I'd have asked them they'd have come. I didn't (foolishly waited for them to volunteer) so they didn't. Bugger that! Now is the time to call on your friends to come and help fill your days. Ask them to bring you something random or some decent food. My mother-in-law drove a 400 mile round trip to bring me some minestrone soup (in a thermos) and a roast chicken which I'll always love her for.
• Food. This is tricky. I lost weight in the hospital as the food was so bad. Get people to bring you salads in. I bought cereal and milk from the hospital shop every day so I had a decent breakfast. I also bought heaps of fruit and my husband came in with salads from M&S every evening. I ate a lot of smoked salmon and cured meats too to keep my protein up as these were easy to eat with salads. I craved hot foods though. You might be able to negotiate going out to dinner a few evenings or even negotiate a lunch or evening 'pass' so you can go home with a friend/family and have a hot meal. It makes a difference.

What hospital are you in?

Hi everyone,

Thanks soo much for your responses and kitstwins for the advice on surviving a loooooong hospital stay, I have managed to negotiate a few hours home both days at the weekend and will definitely start walking around the hospital otherwise I'm just going to end up sitting eating loads of chocies and getting fat! Luckily I have a private room with a tv which helps the day go a little quicker!

Thanks again everyone!
X

Hi there Osch, I had grade 4 pp, first bleed at 29 weeks, then admitted to hospital until 36+2 when had section. We were then in hospital for a further 8 days. Completely agree with kits twins about the visits & the food, I would add - crusty bread! Use mumsnet! The thread that I set up kept me going through those looooong weeks. All the best.

I had mine at 37 weeks. I hadn't had any bleeding but because i had ahistory of early andquick labours they didn't want to wait too long

I had a grade 4 (welcome to the club ). I had a bleed at 31 weeks so had steriods then. I persuaded the consultant to let me home after 5 days with no further bleeds. This was on the basis i went no further from the hospital than home (20 mins) and I had someone with me at all times.

Also then had weekly scans and bloods taken so cross matched blood was available if i was rushed in.

I had a second bleed at 36 weeks exactly and was readmitted and the CS done the following day as the Consultant decided enough was enough at that point. I only had a spinal as my anaesthaetist was lovely and said he would give it a go (i got the impression that some insist on a General anaesthaetic) DD1 weighed 5lb 7oz and didn't have to go to SCBU so i had skin to skin straight away and breastfed ok(ish!).

Good luck with it, and keep posting on MN to retain your sanity!

Osch, I've just seen this. Are you still in hospital? How are you doing? Do you have older children at home?

I had my first bleed at 23 weeks. Stayed in hospital with them muttering about me going home if the bleeding completely stopped. Kept spotting just when I thought I was clear. Then I had a scan to check for placenta percreta, and they said they thought there was a high chance I did have that, and wanted me to stay in hospital. I had an MRI a couple of weeks later which confirmed it.

No more bleeding till 33 weeks, when I had a huge bleed, like turning on the bath taps. Ds2 was born very shortly after that!

Have you got a laptop & wifi in hospital? That was what saved my sanity.

Hi Osch,

We must be due around the same time. I have got major placenta previa with this pregnancy (No 2). I have been lucky and not bled yet, but I've been scared that I'm going to since I found out at 20 wks. It's so difficult to look after myself with a boistrous toddler who I have to run after all the time. I am just waiting for it to happen. It's good to read all these positive posts. I hope all goes well for you and will revisit this thread for advice!

hello,

Sorry to butt in and I hope I dont offend or scare anyone with this question, but do anyone of you have a history of Ashermans Syndrome or suspect that you may have it?

I have been diagnosed and treated for AS (scar tissue in the uterus caused by operations on the uterus (ERPC, cesarian, laparoscopy etc) or uterine infection. I understand that women who get pregnant post AS treatment are at greater risk of developing placenta previa, accreta, increta or percreta.

I have just started TTC after finishing AS treatment and feeling really nervous about what I may be getting into.

Just wondered if any of you were given information about what caused your previa.

thanks

osch best of luck with it, hope the time flies for you!

mummyabroad how did you get tested for that?

I have had previa and CS after first PG.
I had a normal PG and birth with 2nd.

I'd love to have a third but id be 35-37 yrs old and with a previous history id be scared it would happen again.

I bled about 4 times. My first oddly was at 12.5 weeks - apparently can't be linked to previa but was my heaviest.

Then it started again around 24 weeks.

They thought my placenta had moved out of the way by 34 weeks and left me for a planned natural birth. Waters broke at 36.6 weeks and I poured with blood minutes after so he was born (healthy) by emrg CS.

I worry about Precita and areata (no idea how to spell) so it's puts me off a bit but it's interesting mummyabroad that you can be checked previous to TTC. How will I persuade my very tight Doctor?

HI sneak getting diagnosed for AS is a bit of a nightmare to be honest. There is a yahoo group full of women with AS (and a splinter UK version) and pretty much all of us have had a very hard time getting a diagnosis (you can find these groups via www.ashermans.org) Doctors just tell you its so rare, you cant possibly have it.

In order to see scar tissue you need the uterus to be full of fluid so you can see the walls in a 3D state. Therefore, you can see it via

HSG (dye inserted in uterus and xrays taken)
sHG (saline inserted in uterus and 3D scan taken
hycosy dye in uterus with 3D scan

OR ultrasound scan when pregnant.

HOWEVER its only likely to be spotted if you are looking for it, and if the person looking has seen scar tissue. There are only really two AS experts in the UK. Dr Anthony Trew working out of Hammersmith hospital (NHS and private) and Dr Lower in central london (private only) Dr Lower charges £205 for a consultation and £250 for a diagnositc scan) If you got your tests done on the NHS you could send the results to an expert either in the UK or abroad. Some (abroad) will review results for free.

Most women with AS have to travel far and wide to see an expert for diagnosis and treatment.

Women with AS have very light or non existent periods, history of miscarriage, previa and other retained placenta problems. Sometimes "retograde bleeding" (blood is unable to escape during period) causes pain and can lead to endometriosis. To be honest problems with periods are usually the first thing that alert women. If your periods havent changed since giving birth (havent become noticably lighter) the I wouldnt worry.

Interesting!

I had an investigative laparoscopy a couple of years after DC1. DC2 Was born by EMCS at 37 weeks following a heavy bleed and foetal distress during labour. On delivery, they discovered partial placenta praevia.

I've since been diagnosed with endo.

Having just looked at your link, I don't think I have AS but it has given me food for thought.

on this link there is a Youtube video showing an interview with Dr Lower talking about AS. Its a really good overview.

www.21stcenturymummy.com/2010/07/07/ashermans-syndrome-interview-with-specialist-mr-adrian-lower/

Thanks mummyabroad. I don't think I have it as my second PG was problem free - ish! Mainly, my periods are totally normal.

Previa, Group B, Under active thyroid, 2 early born babies and having too many birthday's lately tell me I should try to talk myself out of a third!

sneak tough decision - go with your instinct!

I guess there are probably lots of causes of previa. I actually feel encouraged because you all DIDNT come back and say "yes, I had AS too" which would have me shitting my pants!

I think you are all very brave ladies, it sounds like a horrible thing to happen but you all sound very strong talking about it. Hope you all enjoy those happy healthy bubs xxxx

I too had grade 4. I was v. lucky - one small bleed at about 37 weeks and delivered by elective c-section at 38 weeks 9 days.

Good luck - everyone I know who had previa had healthy babies born almost at term, but the worry is v. stressful I know.
As for AS, I did have a previous D&C but as far as I know I don't have AS. Just bad luck!