Minor placenta previa and being admittedly 37 weeks?

[tattyteddy]

Good morning,

At my 20 week scan they said my placenta was low and but not covering. I then had a scan at 32 weeks and it had moved up but not quite enough so they booked me another scan yesterday at 34 weeks.

So yesterday when they checked it had moved up a little. I then had an appointment with the consultant - they recommended an ELCS.

They consultant was stating the ELCS to happen between 37-39 weeks. So she picked 38 weeks, however, I requested 39 weeks, give the baby 1 more week to grow. They agreed to this.

Also they want to admit me to hospital at 37 weeks, however, up to now I've had no bleeds.

I think I was a bit taken back with the stay in hospital especially as no bleeds so far. Also I've got a four year old Dc who's just started school and me and DH had worked out between us pick up/drop off from school before maternity leave started.

Now my maternity leave will start on the same day I'm being admitted into hospital!

Feeling a bit anxious that I had planned a couple of weeks of pottering at home before 39 weeks (as i had suspected ELCS at 39 weeks).

With DC who's 4 I ended up having an EMCS due to failure to progress.

Has anyone had any similar Experiences ? Should I have asked to rest at home? Should I have not asked the ELCS to be done at 39 rather than 38?

Tatty x

You need to talk to your consultant about why she has arranged it this way - there may be a very good reason.

I'm scheduled for a section at 38 due to Previa plus another vascular complication, also thankfully no bleeds yet and I'm allowed to remain home. I am happy to have it at 38 as that's full term and he's measuring well on the scans. To me the risk of going into labour outweighed the need for another week in utero (just my own situation, yours may be different! ) I can't exert myself, lift, do housework, be alone or leave the area though :)

Thanks for your reply skipton. As far as I know no other issues. They think the placenta is working well and that the baby looks fine too.

I'm wondering whether it's because I have an older child and they think i won't get complete rest, unless in hospital?

No advice (sorry!) but I'm in a similar situation. Placenta was still too close at a 32 week scan (12mm away) and so I have another scan booked for 36 weeks (this Thurs). If it's still too close (less than 20mm) then I'll see the consultant at 37 weeks and have an ELCS at 38 weeks. No advice on rest and I was told to continue as normal as I haven't had a bleed. It's strange how things differ! Not sure I'd fancy so long in hospital. It's a bit of a strange uncertain time and I'm still booked to finish work at 37.5 weeks!

I know, I just think it's strange they want me to be admitted. I'd completely understand if I'd had a bleed but otherwise I'm thinking are they being overly cautious? Obviously I'm happy to go with what they say but now I'm gonna have to see if I can bring maternity leave forward.

I've got a midwife appointment on Tuesday so may have a chat with her.

How near are you to the hospital? I was near but the ambulance took nearly an hour so I don't think it's overly cautious.

Mine was 2cm away at 32 weeks, no problems, apart from a tiny bleed at about 11 weeks which might've been something else. In fact the NHS think 2cm is OK. The uterus stretches a lot in the last few weeks and the baby can move around. My bleed at 35 weeks was huge, I had 4 units of blood, and it was 2 litres they estimated whilst at home waiting for an ambulance.

Most are fine and you probably will be too but it's quite unpredictable and I wouldn't take chances

I had a PP with an ELCS at 37+1

I was near to hospital and never any talk of having to be admitted (unless I bled which I isn't) I'd be asking why, and then possibly declining the offer if consultant was ok with that.

I'd think the reason for being admitted at 37 is because the c section is 'late' for a praevia one at 39 weeks. If you go into labour before then you need to be in hospital or very near to one. Ask your consultant though to check.

I had grade 4 PP twice. With DC2 I was admitted at 33.5 weeks due to bleeding, ELCS at 37.5 weeks.

With DC3 I was admitted at 24 weeks, 26, 31 (3 times) and 33 weeks, EMCS at 36+1

I was only ever admitted for bleeding

The standard section for an uncomplicated praevia is 38 weeks. With DC2 they wanted 38 weeks, but that was my birthday, I had to negotiate hard for 3 days earlier.

With DC3 I asked for ELCS at 37 weeks, which was agreed instantly, I just st didn't get that far.

I knew 3 others with PP who all had sections at 38 weeks.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I live about 10 mins from the hospital - so not too far. I think I'm getting why they do the elcs a bit earlier now so you don't go into natural labour. Last time with DD I had her at 42 week after being induced then emcs.

The consultant let me change to 39 weeks without any problem. I hope it's all alright! X

You'll be fine, if there's any bleeding you can get there quite quickly. You could tell them you can be there in ten mins (if you can, you'd need someone to drive you or ambulance if really bad) if you want to stay at home.

I'm going to have a chat with midwife on Tuesday at my next appointment. I think I would be absultely fine being in hospital if I didn't have DD4.

I've got loads of stuff to do in the next two weeks now to prepare for new baby!