Placenta praevia - what shouldn't I be doing?

[babybouncer]

I have placenta praevia (picked up quite early on) and I was given a stern warning that if I had any bleeding I must go into hospital overnight for observation. I'm now 34 weeks and booked in for a C-Section at 38 weeks. On Monday at work I discovered a tiny bit of blood when I went to the toilet, so dutifully went in to hospital and was kept overnight. All obs were normal, and the doctor said I could go home as long as I wasn't doing childcare for DS1 (so he's staying f-t at nursery) and didn't go back to work (was planning to work until 36 weeks - not now!) and went straight back if there was any more blood (and would then have to stay in until the birth).

Unfortunately, I didn't really have a chance to take this in and ask intelligent questions (really I was just so pleased to be going home!), so I'm now hanging around at home and not really sure what I should be not doing. DH and family are working hard to support me, but none of us really know what to stop me doing! Obviously I'm not picking up DS or anything else vaguely heavy and generally trying to take it easy and not having sex. But what about bending to load/unload washing machine? What about driving? What about walking to the park to feed the ducks? What about crouching/ playing on the floor with DS? What about standing in the kitchen cooking? Or is any bleeding likely to be due to factors I can't control?

Hi Babybouncer. Its hard to comment on an individual case, but I had Placenta Praevia with my little girl. Had a bleed at 25 weeks and was kept in for obs, but had no further problems. I did try and work from home as much as possible during the late stages. I think not picking up anything heavy would make sense, but walking and driving I would imagine not. If you are concerned speak to you obstetrician/midwife. If they were particularly worried you would be on bed rest or hospitalised. It all depends where the placenta is actually resting.

Good Luck!

i washed the kitchen floor and it bought on a bleed so just take it easy!

Relax as much as possible and try not to do any housework if possible bit I wouldn't worry about driving, walking (as long as it's not strenuous), cooking or playing. Listen to your body if it tells you to slow down.

I had pp too, you'll see our chats on the thread that is still going!!! We've stayed friends and our support for each other has and has been so fantastic!
I was told that despite all precautions and even lying flat and resting you could still bleed, and I and the other girls still did! I was taken in with a bleed At 34 weeks and kept in till after section just after 38 weeks and I did nothing for five weeks! However I was told to not lift heavier than a kettle and no sex either! However you might not have a bleed at all so fingers crossed. I do know a girl locally who didn't.
I know it's a real worry, but honestly the best advice I can give is try to rest as much as poss, know hard as I didn't rest properly until I was in hosp, and also always carry your notes and call an ambulance immediately if bleeding.
It was a really difficult and stressful time but I (and the other girls I'm still In touch with on the thread) have lovely baby boys! They are so worth it! Good luck and if you want to talk to any of us on the thread please join us! It's the one that says pp in hospital. Xx

I decided that I really shouldn't do any housework ...

Doctors vary widely on what they say is ok to do. The thing that causes most bleeding is your uterus stretching as the baby grows. My last bleed occurred after 10 days of lying around in hospital.

Keep a hospital bag in the boot of your car, keep your phone charged up and available, and make sure you know who you're going to call to look after ds1 at any given moment. Although if necessary he can come to hospital in the ambulance with you.

34 weeks is great, anyway, you could have him tomorrow and he'd be fine.