Placenta previa and home birth

[genghisthecat]

I'm pregnant with my second baby and was told last week (20 week scan) that my placenta is over the birth canal. As this could lead to a caesarian this is a long way from the home birth I'd love. (DD didn't make it far enough for a home birth so am also worried I'll go into labour before placenta moves) Anyone else had a home birth after being told this?

The placenta could move.

You'd need to be rescanned to see if it's shifted.

if your placenta previa is grade one or two..you could well have a vaginal delivery as the internal cervical os will not be covered by the placenta...there is a small risk of bleeding with this...

but if it is a grade 3 or 4 placenta previa, you cannot attempt a vaginal delivery, at home or hospital due to the risk of massive heammorhage , the baby will have to be delivered by c. section.

however.. as Expat has said, it can move..as the uterus expands, the placenta rises out of the way of the cervical os..........

you will have another scan in the third trimester to ascertain the positioning and if it has moved considerably you will be able to have your home birth.

it is quite commonly diagnosed at this stage of pregnancy and in a lot of cases, it has moved before delivery.

HTH!

Thanks - I wasn't worried at all about this (they said when they scanned me the placenta usually moves) but then I looked it up on the internet and one thing led to another. It's when I read 'major cause of death of mother and baby' that panic really set in, but I know this is very rare, even if it stays where it is.

don't worry! i had pp and had to stay in hospital for a bit and had a c section. i'm just glad i didn't have the internet then, cause i would have googled like mad!

80% chance of it moving clear.

Mine didn't; haemorrhaged at 34 weeks, went into labour, had a cs, home with healthy baby 2 weeks later. All the 'worst' things happened and it wasn't that bad.

Do NOT google!

(I've planned 2 homebirths and had 2 caesareans - next time I'm planning a cs...)

Thanks very much. I should know to expect the unexpected really as I wanted a home birth last time and went into labout at 35 weeks so that was out. Reassuring to hear it'll probably be ok and that if it's not it can still work out well. The local hospital were fantastic last time, so have to trust them!

Happy Christmas!