Please help, total anterior placenta previa.

[Sastra]

So, I've been terrifying myself reading about placenta previa (I have total coverage). At no point have I ever been lead to believe that it's potentially as serious as is it is. Now I'm frightened that either the baby or I will die, or that I'll have to have a hysterectomy.

I know everyone says that it'll move out of the way, but I wonder how things went for those for whom it didnt. To compound things the placenta's anterior, too.

Ive just moved to a new borough (25 weeks) so have had another booking in yesterday. New midwife is sending me for a scan this week. She measured me and said I was 23cm, and this is because baby is transverse which is common in low lying placenta. Has anyone else heard this about transverse and measurements?

No one at my 20 week scan really said much about this, other than get to hospital if you bleed. Now I read that nice guidelines say it might be wise to be admitted at 34 weeks even if you have no symptoms.

Any experiences would be helpful, as Ive really worked myself up about this :-(

Hello
I had a partial o/s placenta previa, potentially very serious but as it turned out was no trouble at all. I didn't bleed at all. I went into hospital at 37 weeks to keep me close in case I went into labour, and had a very calm, easy C section at 38 weeks with no complications whatsoever.

They did bang on about the hysterectomy risk a lot when I was signing the consent forms but when I asked the consultant how many he had done, he said it was about 3 in 30 years of work.

It's scary but mine turned out perfectly. Chances are yours will too.

I am the same as you OP. 25 weeks with total coverage. No one has measured me yet so I cant comment on that. Is that strange?

I have to go back in two weeks for another scan to see if its moved but as I had a bit of spotting already I am resigned to it still being too close for normal birth.

I too was never lead to believe the true seriousness of it all. It was all very "oh it will be fine" but I am really panicking about having a CS. I dont know anything about recovery times, procedures etc.

So no advice really, just wanted to say that you arent alone and I will be lurking here to see what advice you get!

Wannabe - no, I've been measures twice, once at my 25 week appointment and then a week later at my new booking in (I'm actually 26, not 25 weeks).

I don't think it's weird not to have been measured just yet.

I had no knowledge about the placenta Previa thing. But I do know a transverse baby will make you measure smaller than if it was lying the ther way. It's also about 25-28 weeks you start being measured here, but probably depends on your mw and/or your local pct.

I had PP. told me to come in at the first sign of bleeding and scheduled me for an ELCS at 39 weeks. At 38+2 my plug went with a little bit of blood (one teaspoon). Went in, they did a C section 2 hours later. I was in labour and some pain so technically it was an EMCS but there was no emergency per se. The C section was v relaxed- the surgeons were chatting, it was lovely and calm. Then when he was born, I asked for him to be cleaned at first and then given to me. Did a bit of skin to skin in theatre as they stitched me up. Surgeons v chatty and fun. Utterly relaxed environment. Taken to recovery. I had a catheter but it was fine- when you are bfing you need to drink loads of water and pee loads and u don't want to be getting up a lot post CS. So actually I found the catheter a big help. Took all the painkillers they offered. Have breastfed successfully with no issues. Only thing is that I was v v careful post surgery- took it v easy for 20 days or so, and after that I was absolutely fine. Don't worry about the hysterectomy/death stuff, as this is a surgical procedure they are required to tell you the potential risks. It would be negligent of them not to. And to compare recoveries- a friend of mine had a vaginal delivery, not complicated and a few stitches and she and I had the exact same recovery time. It just hurt in different places! Don't worry too much, enjoy your pregnancy but just be vigilant and call the Labour Ward whenever you have concerns. Good luck!

Thank you potol, that's really reassuring. When did you have your second scan after your 20 week?

With my old hospital I wasn't scheduled in til 36 weeks, so wasn't really thinking much of it. My new midwife is sending me tomorrow to get another scan, and has booked an appointment with the consultant next week - this has thrown me into a tiz!

Very reassuring to know that a transverse presentation does equal smaller measurement.

My friend had a total placenta previa and was scanned as due date approached. There was no sign of it moving so she had a planned c-section which the consultants felt was vital as baby would not be able to be birthed naturally.

She was disappointed not to be able to have the natural birth she wanted but relieved not to try - fail and have an emergency c-section, which would be the worst of both worlds.

She is currently enjoying her new baby and is blissfully happy as all went well, no complications etc

Sastra and wannabe I also had complete placenta previa at the 20 week scan - I've been booked in for another scan at 32 weeks (currently 25 weeks) to see if it has moved clear of the cervix but aside from that and being told I'd need a caesarean if it hadn't, I wasn't given any advice.

A little bit of googling later I was more informed/alarmed! When I asked her, my midwife said no need to do anything differently at the moment, just to keep my notes with me and go in if I have any bleeding. I have been taking things a bit easier in any case. Other than that just waiting to see what happens at the scan...

Will also be interested to hear others' experiences, particularly about what gestation they tend to book you in for for an ELCS.

I have a low lying placenta, although not covering the OS. I was a bit concerned as it was flagged up as needing a scan at 32-34wks and that was it - I'm on #2 & wanted a homebirth!! I think my situation is slightly different but I did find reading the NCT information about low lying placentas reassuring. I would link to it but I'm on my phone... It might give you a less alarmist, factual POV.

Second scan at 36 weeks, then sent straight through to a consultant. Didn't have an available appointment so met with a senior registrar instead and immediately booked for an ELCS.

I had placenta praevia with all three of mine, anterior with ds2, at the 20odd week scans.

It moved every single time before my 30odd week rescan.

I know it doesn't always move but you really need to stop worrying until you actually have something to worry about. If it hasn't moved at the rescan they'll talk to you about your options (I think elcs is the most common outcome). They haven't told you how serious it is because at your stage of pregnancy it really isn't anything to worry about yet. Your womb has a huge amount of growing to do and there's a very good chance the placenta will be pulled upwards with your growing womb over the next few months.

Please try not to worry, the internet is full of horror stories because those of us with positive stories don't start blogs or forum posts about it

I have been on bed rest, mainly imposed by DP but also on advice of a family friend who is a midwife. Since a small bleed last week (I think from stress) I can hardly move without DP giving off.

Really silly questions now...what do you actually feel during a CS? And after, how long are you not allowed to drive? Does the scar healing hurt?

Oh yes, & all my MW said was if you bleed, "tell the hospital your placenta is low-lying and don't let them fob you off".

I don't think there are any risks per se during pg, just as you approach your due date. If you have bleeding, get it checked out, otherwise keep your fingers crossed its moved!!

Felt nothing but excitement during the CS. First part is a bit boring so was chatting about cricket scores with the anaesthetist. Couldn't feel a thing. Then when they bring the baby out, there is a bit of tugging and pulling, but usually they warn you that the baby is about to come out. It's uncomfortable but not painful. Couldn't feel anything after as they stitched up. Was also mesmerised by the baby to notice!! Next few days took painkillers round the clock, but if it did wear off the scar area did hurt a bit. I don't drive but 6 weeks is the recommended time scale. A good tip is to put a maternity pad against your scar- it really helped. Also bought washable hospital knickers from JoJo Maman Bebe- pack of 5 is 7 quid. Made a huge difference. Now bits of the scar area are a bit numb but my son is six months old and uses my wobbly tummy for kicking practice and it doesn't hurt.

This may not be for everyone, but I watched a few CS videos on YouTube- and it really reassured me. Also DH is a medic and he talked me through what surgery is like, who would be in the room and what their roles were.

I have had friends who have had 3 day labours ending in forceps etc. My childbirth experience is so much more relaxed in comparison. I felt v much in control of the environment- I could ask questions, could see and understand everything without being blinded by pain (I was in excruciating labour for 2 hours before my pre surgery epidural so I know what labour pains are like) and felt that I enjoyed my child's arrival into the world sans pain, panic or anxiety. I thought it was v empowering and I did not feel any less maternal. And I have a scar to show him when he's older and tell him how he came out through that little incision.

Thanks potol, really good to hear a positive view of cs to silence my thoughts.

I have seen CS footage and its the cutting open that gets me. DDs birth was long and painful but after I felt such an achievement. Im worried I will feel a failure. Btw I am in no way saying anyone who has a CS is a failure. Im just expressing my own feelings.

DP is keen for me to have an epidural if I have a vaginal birth and even that makes me feel this way. I just feel like I am somehow letting this bump down in comparison to DD. Entirely irrational I know.

Glad to hear you had a calm and relaxed experience. I hope I am as lucky :)

Totally agree with Potol. Over 95% of PP move by delivery. Mine didn't, it was partial, and I had a lovely planned CS. Very calm and pain free, at 38+5.

BTW you don't see or feel any cutting. There's a screen up and both times (I've had 2 ELCS) I had no idea they'd started. And I was busy with the babies and didn't know I'd been stitched up. The scar is very narrow and well below my pubic hair line.

Thanks guys for your replies. Have any of you also had anterior placenta? I'm wondering how that effects the C-section...

Yes, last cs was anterior placenta, didn't appear to make any difference or if it did, my surgeon didn't see the need to tell me how!

Thank you for this thread!! I've had quite a bit of a scare the last days, on a brief work trip abroad when I started bleeding and ended up in various hospitals until an obstetrician could be found. Apart from cervical erosion, my placenta is completely covering the os and Google really did not put my mind at ease about the prospects. My favourite part was "Initial bleeding is not usually profuse enough to cause death"...

I've also managed to freak out my DH (it's our first pregnancy as well so we are new to the whole lark) who is in a third country at the moment... will have to pass on some of these positive stories tomorrow.

Been reading some of your posts. Hard not to worry when you google pp. I had complete pp with my first DS, anterior too which meant more blood loss during cs. I had a few small bleeds from 30 weeks on and ended up in hospital from 36 weeks just in case I had a major bleed. However, made it to 38 weeks and had a planned cs.
Placenta previa was noticed at 20 wks but told not to worry, bleed at 30wks and a scan but told not to worry it would move. I had another scan at 32 weeks and then at 36 weeks. This was when I was told it was grade 4 and completely covering os. I'm guessing for many people the placenta does move but for a few of us it doesn't.
Whilst in hospital they do tell you the worst that could happen but it never did. I think these situations are very rare.
I was super scared and nervous about the c section, but they looked after me really well. Feels a bit strange, no pain but you do feel them pulling about a bit and I had the shakes from some of the drugs. I would advise to take all the painkillers over the following days as it is a major op. Recovery went well, driving in four weeks and getting back to normal.
Missed out on natural childbirth but having my baby delivered safely was all that mattered in these circumstances.
Hope this helps. I had DS2 naturally and then I'm now expecting DS3 and have complete placenta previa again. I'm on at 23 weeks so long way to go, and it is hard not to worry.

I have this as well- currently 23 wks and have to wait till 32 weeks for scan to find out if it has moved or not

Just praying I don't start to bleed before then as I had a lot of bleeding in 1st trimester due to SCH and 2nd trimester had so far been so stress-free in comparison- until finding out about this at my scan!

Does anyone know it resting helps? Have had no advice apart from come in if you start to bleed and m/w appt not for 2 weeks...

Potol thank you for the detailed description of c section, and other posters with the various bits of info. I'm in hospital with pp waiting for mine which is in 1 wk 6 days (can you tell I'm counting down!) away and have been wondering/worrying what happens during the procedure and you've answered loads of my worries.

Sastra, I know it's hard but try not to worry because you will be well looked after now with the fact that they've spotted it early. Also, there is a good chance yours might move by the time you get to the final trimester as well.

You asked for our pp experiences - mine has been that had two small bleeds at 30 wks but had no idea why....complete pp was diagnosed and was in hospital for 6 days till it settled then consultant allowed me home but on bed rest for a week and was told I would be admitted at 36 weeks for 2 weeks monitoring before a 38 week c section.

Consultant had said I could go back to work if I wanted after my bed rest week but to 'take it easy'. Given I'm a teacher so I stand up and walk around a classroom for 7 hrs a day I knew i wasnt going to be able to 'take it easy' at work so I took my matrnity leave early from 32 weeks....a few days later I had another small bleed so ended up back in hospital and was told that I was here till delivery now, because it was bleed no 3.

My c section is 1 week 6 days away now so I'm praying my placenta holds out till then but if not, it'll be scary but i know I'm in the best place if I need an emergency c section cos of a big bleed and I'm being so well looked after by everyone here that it reassures me.

Unfortunately I don't think there is any one set answer with pp questions because it's all individual and a question of seeing how each persons body reacts to it. Fingers crossed OP yours will move and you won't bleed but if you do those scary outcomes are exceptionally rare from what the docs have told me in here.

Good luck ladies! Here's hoping our placentas behave.