Placenta seperating from uterus at 12 weeks

[CrackerJackShack]

Hi,

I live in Abu Dhabi which is why I'm asking this on here, because good doctors here are hard to find. My normal OB/GYN is on holiday and I went to see another OB/GYN yesterday to do the nuchul scan. While I was there he said that the placenta was 20% detached from the uterus. I've had light bleeding every week or so throughout this pregnancy and the last time I bled the doctor I went to said that the placenta was low in the uterus.

The doc yesterday said to do no heavy lifting, no kicks or punches to the stomach (I have a 14 month old DS who loves to play), no intercourse and no stress.

Everything I'm googling says that that placenta abruption doesn't happen till 20 weeks and requires complete bed rest.

Does anyone know what's going on?

Hi there. Something similar happened to me at 14 weeks. The truth is that it can happen at anytime and I was put on complete bed rest for (in total) a week and a 1/2. I continued to spot for a further 3 weeks, but it seems to have healed and I'm due for my 20week scan tomorrow (I'm actually 21 weeks now).

It's more dangerous the later you are in the pregnancy (I believe!) as the placenta has more time to heal. There is a considerable amount of 'biological reserve' with the placenta, but you MUST rest and obey your OB/GYN. Try and rest up (as in total rest - i know - difficult with a kid, but seriously consider getting some help if you can) as much as possible.

I wish you all the best. [hug]

See the doctor said nothing about bed rest, and that worries me. :S

Yeah - actually it's pretty contentious whether or not complete bed-rest is helpful (would you believe...!). I'm a scientist and we can't help looking at the scientific literature everytime something happens.

The actual OB/GYN who looked at me basically was NOT going to sign me off work, until the MIDWIFE intervened and told me (in no uncertain terms) to stay off my feet.

Medics tend to go with the stats etc as they believe that's what science is all about. Unfortunately observational data is not the same as experimental data and so perhaps stats are sometimes misleading. Medics usually operate on the perceived risk of what could happen which are based on outcomes (i.e. percentages etc). (If you get my meaning - sorry if I've lost you).

Midwives tend to go from personal experience and so the emphasis is on preventing what MAY happen, even if statistically speaking it's unlikely to.

I kinda know how medics operate having spent 8 years in translational research... Pregnancy is one area where science fears to tread and so I will always default to what a midwife says.

I stayed in bed. Only to get up to pee etc.

Hope it all turns out OK!

I lived in Abu when I was pregnant with my first dc. I found the medical advice very random, and often incorrect, to the point that we left for good when I reached 30 weeks to have dc back in uk. Knowing about mumsnet wld have been good back then!

So, wld recommend you seek a second medical opinion, can you ask friends with kids who they wld recommend? Or get a taxi up to Dubai where the advice may be better standard. Or do you have any plans to be back in the uk for a break and have tests here (which is what I did)?

My colleague here had a placenta abruption detected before 12 weeks so I think its possible. I understand from her that its quite risky and not wanting to scare you, she did lose her baby at 22 weeks, so I would advise you get some good advice and practical support now. Good luck x

I had this too, as the baby gets bigger and the uterus moves up out of the pelvis the placenta usually finds itself a better position, am 35 wks now and have a perfectly positioned placenta!