Placenta previa - should i be doing anything different?

[babybouncer]

I'm due in April with my second and I was expecting kind of the same pregnancy as I had last time, which was very straight-forward until I had to be induced as I was really overdue, but even then a natural birth at the end and all fine. This time, however, I've been having extra scans dur to a low lying placenta which the doc told me today (I'm 27 weeks) is moving the 'wrong' way and blocking the exit route meaning that I'll need a ceasarean at about 38 weeks. Not hugely pleased, but nothing I can do about it, so not particularly upset.

But, she also told me that there was about a 50:50 chance I'd have a bleed and I would have to go into hospital for at least 48 hours for monitoring if this happened.

So, my question is: is there anything I should be doing differently to avoid the chance of bleeding? Should I be looking at starting maternity leave earlier?

Of course I didn't think of these until after I'd left the hospital!

I had a bleed at 31 weeks and then 36 weeks when they delivered DD1. They actually wanted to keep me in hospital from 31 weeks, but i managed to stay at home on the proviso i had someone with me at all times. This meant i was actually 'sick' from 31 weeks and started ML at 36 weeks, which was better financially for me. I guess if your work is physical in nature you may wish to decide otherwise. I was given steroids at 31 weeks so when DD1 was born, she was small but able to breathe independently and needed no special care.

I was recommended to not do any vigorous exercise (i took that to include hoovering ) or have sex and not to go 'too far' from a hospital. Oh and i don't think hot baths are recommended either. My first bleed was sat watching TV and the second in bed, so mine weren't triggered by anything i did, but resulted from the uterus expanding and 'pinging' the blood vessels.

All the best for the rest of your pregnancy and please do ask any more Q's as you think of them

Thanks Crisp - Were you told this before you had the bleed or after?

I was told 95% move at my 20 week scan with no real 'do's and don'ts' expressed.

At 29 weeks i had some discharge and was rescanned which confirmed the placenta was covering. At that point was told then to take it easy (above advice) and to ring an ambulance if i had a bright red bleed etc.

Once i had had the bleed i was told to do nothing (almost bed rest) and had to have someone with me at all times.