Placenta Previa

[cath21]

I have been diagnosed with placenta previa; (partial) today when I went for my scan (23 weeks).
They are going to rescan me at 32 weeks to see if it is still the case.

Can I elect to have an caesarian even if it does correct itself cos i'd rather not take the risk?

I didn't think the NHS let you have elective c sections

Cath21-

there are 4 degrees of PP....3 & 4 to dictate that you will need a c.s as the risk of massive blood loss is too great to allow vaginal delivery.

1 & 2 allow (usually ) a vaginal delivery.....

NHS will absolutely give you a c.s for this sort of reason...ie if a vaginal delivery is not a safe option.

if it is partial at this stage. there is every chance you could have a vaginal delivery as it may have moved as the uterus grows and a c.s is not necessary.

you should wait and see what happens at the 32 week scan and take if from there..if a vaginal delivery is deemed safe and possible, the placenta cannot move back and block the cervix before you reach term, so there would be no medical need for a c.s

HTH ! x

If it does correct itself, what exactly is the risk you don't want to take? As I understand it, once a placenta has moved up it won't go back down again.

Most NHS trusts won't let you have an elective just because you want one. I think this is probably the right policy, even though I've had a c-section myself and am generally very pro them. If it's your first birth, you just don't know how it will pan out, and you might be one of those lucky women who gives birth really quickly with no pain.

I had a section because of placenta praevia. In the end the placenta was not covering the cervix but was touching it on one side. It had moved a little bit, but not much. I'm not sure whether I could have opted for a vaginal birth. The doctors took the risk of bleeding very seriously so you might be able to have a section even if the placenta is not covering the cervix. In the end I didn't have any bleeding and only lost 600ml blood which is pretty standard I understand.
Good luck, I hope you get what you want.

Sorry, that last bit was not very clear. I didn't have any bleeding BEFORE the operation and minimal during.