Braxton Hicks and placenta Previa 27 weeks

[Emsyboo]

Hi all I hope someone has some experience or advice on this.
I am 27 weeks pregnant and have placenta previa completely covering the OS. I have been in hospital 3 times with bleeds rescanned last week and placenta hasn't moved at all.
Midwives and docs seem to think placenta will not move and not to get my hopes up they also seem to think I will not make full term.
The past 5 days I have had strong braxton hicks about 7 or 8 times a day and 3 or 4 'tightenings' each time- they are not painful though.
Does anyone know if this could be a problem I had braxton hicks with my DS 2 years ago but not this early or regularly. I am having a lot more lower back and lower abdomen pains as well but bleeds are painless so docs said it is just general pregnancy pains.

Hi emsy. I have just been through this and had to have an emergency section a week ago. I was 38 weeks. A planned section had been booked for two days later.

My advice would be to trust your instincts. If at all worried go in for a trace. I had tightening all weekend but ignored them and then bled and had an emergency section. I should have gone earlier, although it was ok on the end.

If at all worried go in. Good luck. Will be thinking of you.

Thanks for the advice and congrats on your new arrival sorry you had to go through the same.
Just feel I'm always in hospital ATM but better safe than sorry! X

I felt the same. Felt a bit like a ticking time bomb. It will be fine in the end though so try to stay positive.

Hi Emsyboo! I've been diagnosed with a total placenta previa only last week. I am 21 weeks, no bleeds so far but I do have Braxton Hicks just like you, around 7-8 times a day. As soon as they start I try to move, change position and it seems to help and also shortens them slightly.

Thanks kitkats will try just concerned they will trigger a bleed but rang midwife and they just said to keep an eye on things and come in if I bleed so just the same as always
Hope yours moves for you and you don't have any bleeds it is pants not being able to do much have you already got DCs?
X

Hi Emsy I too have placenta previa and lots of BH. I have been in hospital for monitoring once because they thought I was in early labour, but everything stopped and I was sent home.

I find if I rest and make sure I drink plenty, when I get the pains, then they fade away. If I try to carry on with my normal activities they seem to build up.

I'm 32 weeks now and haven't had any bleeds, so luckily for me it hasn't really been a worry. Do wonder if this baby will wait until full term though.

I have 4 other children as well, so it is proving a massive inconvenience, but as long as I get a healthy baby in the end I know it will be worth it. I do need to remind myself of this sometimes.

Hope all goes well for the rest of your pregnancy.

Emsyboo: I hope you are feeling a bit more relaxed today. Are you staying at home looking after DS? As dogsagoodun says I feel like a ticking bomb...no bleeds yet but kind of waiting when will it happen. I've been told it is unlikely that my placenta will move - I am still hoping though! I was planning to fly home to give birth (this is my first baby) and now my plans are all gone out of the window. I am having a scan in 5 weeks time (private) and then at 32 weeks.

NAR4:Looking after 4 children with pp must be really tough. You are doing really well getting to 32 weeks with no bleeds!

Really feel for those going through this. It is not easy at all. It really does restrict What you can do. I also have two older children. Just keep focussing on getting that healthy baby home in your arms.

Also dont be afraid to ask for help. I had lots from friends and family and it really did help. I am not normally good at asking for help but learned quickly that I had to get over this!

We can keep thus thread going as little support thread if you like? It may help a little.

dogsagoodun: Congratulations to you and your family on your new baby! I hope you are recovering well after the emergency section. It would be great to keep this thread going as a little support group.

I had placenta praevia that was completely covering the OS - started contractions at 30 weeks. They should sign you off work (if you are working) and complete bed rest. You should also be booked in for a planned c-section. You should also be given some steriod injection for the development of the baby's lungs. I had my planned c-section at 39 weeks (nearly 5 years ago).

a friend had a similar thing and didn't make it to full term. Think she had baby at 34 weeks or so. Had lots of bleeds too and to-ed and fro-ed hospital.

I think you need to make plans for a c-section (having childcare in place for DC1, make plans for mat leave or paternity leave for other half etc) and have complete bed rest.

good luck.

I had total placenta previa without any symptoms whatsoever..... ! They didn't actually know I had it until the middle of the elective c section I had chosen to have due to completely unrelated issues (birth trauma from first birth).

They assumed I would be a very easy section, no problems etc. I had had 3 scans due to a possible large baby, the last one being at 35 weeks and they never picked up on it, either that or the placenta slipped at the last minute.

I had no bleeding, no pain. I got married at 25 weeks and went to Rome on honeymoon!! Looking back now it could have been a disaster. I was still having sex till 37 weeks.

Anyway, my experience was a bit scary because they weren't expecting it but with you they will know what to do. Don't worry. My section was fine and even though I did lose some blood (3 litres, had transfusion) I found it tons better than my vaginal birth and I felt completely back to normal in two weeks.

Try not to panic.

Thanks all really appreciate the support, I have a friend who had the worst case scenario (wont go into it here) but a few friends who had the best case scenarios (placenta moves or no bleeds and planned section at 39 weeks) so have been trying remain positive.
Fairylea I am glad it all worked out I feel in a better position knowing what to expect and the hospital knows the situation but so glad you got a healthy baby and lucky you had a c section planned. I have heard a few people who haven't had bleeds and continued as normal you were lucky but goes to show it is different for everyone.

We have a consultant and extra scan Christmas eve so will discuss things then. My sister is getting married 4 hours drive away when I will be 35 + 6 not sure if I will make it and already had to cancel a family holiday due to bleeds and risk.
Think I am more fed up feel bad I can't take DS for his usual activities and walks and hadn't realised how active I am.
BH have continued but no bleeding I will try more water/drinking etc thanks NAR4 hopefully we will both last a lot longer.
Its good to see so many people posting either going through the same or have been through it. Would love to keep this going.

I have SPD (PGP) really badly as well Emsy and kitkat. Although it is obviously painfull the up side is that it acts as natural brakes, stopping me from doing much. Don't know if thats why I have not had any bleeds or if its just luck. Have a scan tomorrow to check the position of placenta, so hope the lack of bleeding is a sign it has moved.

All I can say with regard to toddler activities is thank goodness for CBeebies and stickers. Feel quilty about the amount of TV my toddler is watching, but don't have any family to help and a severe lack of willing 'friends' when asked. At least I don't have too long left now. Toddler groups are such a struggle at the moment with SPD.

Does anyone know how to change the title to include support thread. I am not a massive poster here and not sure how to do it.

Emsyboo: I will be thinking of you on Christmas eve, I hope a plan will be a bit more comforting after seeing the consultant. I am trying not to focus on the possible bad and what may come in the next few weeks just on having a healthy baby and healthy me... I find the waiting until the next scan so long!I'm also working full time,commuting 1 1/2 each way so 3 hours/day on public transport and 2 hours when I drive. It would be good to know for how long can I carry on doing it.

I don't know how to change the title to include support thread, only joined yesterday.

Goodluck today for your scan NAR4

KitKatsz23 I do not envy you on public transport pregnant let alone with this I am going to speak to the consultant about maternity leave and when I can take it but at the moment I am working from home so wouldn't be a huge problem continuing. Will also ask about my sisters wedding as don't want to pay for a room and dress if I can't make it would be gutted but driving 4 hrs to Devon at 35 +5 seems risky especially as with my first I ended up in hospital with bleeds and contractions at 36 weeks (not placenta previa).

Don't know how to change the thread but could always start again with a link on here? Obviously be better to change the name just don't know how x

Good news at my scan today. Placenta had now moved well clear and I can have a VB. Yeah!

Brilliant news NAR4!!! A Happy Active Christmas ahead! Enjoy the pregnancy now to the full, yeah!!

Emsyboo: I would be very worried to travel at 35+5 weeks. Do you know if the wedding venue is close to a hospital in Devon? Have you thought of going only to the ceremony and not staying there overnight? I'm sure with a little one it would be too much travelling for a day but this could be an option.

Yeah NAR4 that is amazing news really really happy for you (teeny bit jealous) still take it easy with the SPD but great not to worry so much about bleeds etc :)

There is a good hospital down there I got married in the same venue and got taken in before my wedding with a bad kidney infection (seems I have to be a drama queen and can'[t have things just go smoothly) We were planning on staying 2 nights as travel is 4 hours without stops so realistically 5 hours good traffic.

I think I will speak to the consultant the room is booked I just have to pay - my sister booked it and they have said they will provide a wheelchair if necessary but don't want to risk anything and finding it very uncomfortable driving or being driven get bad lower back pain and pains low down when I have my legs at 90 degrees for too long. Anyone else have this? I didn't drive with DS as didn't have a car so dunno if it is just a general pregnancy thing.

Hope you don't have to miss your sister's wedding Emsyboo but can't think of any things you could do to make the risk smaller other than maybe staying somewhere half way. each direction. to break the journey up. Def get advise from consultant.

Brilliant news nar4.Really pleased for you!
Hope everyone else is doing ok.

I am on day 10 now since section and actually feel ok today. Taking fewer pain killers and doing a bit more. Hoping will be even better by Christmas day!

Aw dogsagoodun hope you feel better for Christmas but i'm sure your bundle of joy helps :)

Had my scan today and still completely covering not moved a mm however baby is growing really well and my bloods are good and they think I should be good to go full term if all continues
Overall really happy but still need to take it easy hoping for no more bleeds that may change things and have another scan in 5 weeks so hopefully will have moved.
Consultant doesn't think it will but told me to stay positive as you never know.
Was very vague over the wedding said it is my choice but warned it could induce a bleed traveling so far and labour so if I do go take my notes.
Think we will cancel room and get a near by travelodge with insurance as the rooms at the venue are really expensive and non refundable.
He did say to be careful of the braxton hicks as this could get stronger and if it turns to irritable uterus could cause problems his advice was feet up de stress and lots of fluids.
Hope everyone is ok and not too stir crazy!
Have a wonderful Christmas x x x

Emsyboo:The main thing is that the baby is growing really well, your blood level is good and that you are feeling well! Stay positive and take care of yourself, rest as much as you can. Travelodge option sounds much better. Are you still getting frequent BH? I am drinking like crazy and my BH eased off, fluid really helps I think. I am in Ireland (where my husband is from), this is my last trip before the baby arrives unless my placenta moves.
I wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Hi kitkatz
Yeah the longer it's been sinking in the happier I am they think all going well should go full term do really pleased!
Yeah still getting the BH but water does seem to help. Doc seemed to be a bit concerned by this and told me to take it easy.
You enjoy yourself in Ireland let everyone run round after you have a lovely Christmas x x x