Anyone else had placenta previa? What week did you have your section?

[RubyRouge28]

Hi - I was diagnosed with complete placenta previa (it's completely covering the os) at my 20 week scan and went for a follow up scan yesterday (am now just over 36 weeks) to see if it had moved which unfortuntely it hasn't at all, so I've been told I'll definitely be having a c section.

I was just wondering when other people were booked in to have theirs done because they want me to wait until just after 39 weeks which seems to be cutting it a bit fine? I've only had one bleed at 21 weeks, but I'm terrified of having another before I have my section done. I'm in agony at the moment too because the baby is lying directly across me with his feet and head pushing on either side of my ribs. The sonographer told me it's pretty likely he'll stay in this position until the op now too bceause there's nowhere else for him to go with placenta being positioned where it is.

Does 39 weeks sound about right to you? Or does it seem quite late?

I was told to be prepared from 34 weeks and booked in for 37. Had to be moved up to 36+3 when i had two bleeds. Baby was transverse too. 39 does seem late

Sounds late to me too. I had two complete praevias - DC1 I was told they'd be aiming to get to 36 weeks as I had multiple bleeds and hospital admissions, ended up with EMCS at 34 weeks, all fine. DC2 was scheduled for 38 weeks and was pulled forward to 37 weeks as things started to get iffy. In both pregnancies I was told all along by the consultant that 38 weeks was optimal for a total praevia (if you could get that far safely which I couldn't due to bleeds) as after that the risks went up according to him. Sorry, not wanting to worry you and I imagine advice changes. I was also given the steroids to mature the lungs and told that if anything at all happened from 36 weeks they would deliver straightaway. But I spent about 16 weeks of pregnancy in hospital in total so it was a very medicalised pregnancy. Both were also transverse, but I don't think that really made any difference as the complete praevia needed a section anyway.

Thanks for your replies - think I'm going to have a chat with the midwife on Monday and see what she says.

I've read a fair bit about it over the past few months and it does seem like most consultants aim for a bit earlier which is why I thought I'd ask on here and see what others who have actually gone through it have to say. Obviously as long as baby is safe and healthy, I'd rather be booked in a little bit earlier and avoid an emergency. I've read that the bleeding can be very heavy if does happen and I'm on my own a fair bit over the next few weeks and Christmas, so kind of panicking.

Did both of your sections go ok? Some of the things the doctor went through yesterday regarding the actual op were pretty scary too!

I was very well looked after by the hospital and section went all to plan. I was kept in hospital at the first sign of spotting at almost 36 weeks and both bleeds happend overnight. I am sure you are in good hands. Hopefully you will get some reassurance from your MW

They will check me 36/37w and decide then what to do. If hasn't moved then cs about 39 as long as no extra bleeding etc

I had no bleeding and no problems, but was admitted to hospital after my 36 week scan with no warning, and told I'd be there until the baby was born. I had steroid injections in case dd had to be delivered early, but actually had a planned section at exactly 38 weeks.

My sections were both textbook in the end. Both scary as yes, they do warn you of the higher risks of haemorrhage, emergency hysterectomy etc. DC1 I had a transfusion but that was expected as I'd already had a transfusion during pregnancy due to all the bleeding and I was bleeding going into the EMCS so the blood transfusion wasn't exactly a shock! But DC was absolutely fine,didn't need any support or interventions and I was on my feet within 24 hours. 2nd section was less dramatic and also fine.

Both sections were heavily staffed, particularly my first as I was classed as very high risk. I think with a complete praevia they basically staff and prep for the worst scenario so that they can spring straight into action if it happens.

I can understand how you feel, by the end with both I was just desperate for the CS to happen while everything was still ok. Cynically - is there any change that Christmas staffing schedules are a factor in the decision to take you to 39 weeks?

Glad to hear everything went ok for you all. It sounds like some of you had a really rough time of it with bleeds and being admitted to hospital so early. I've been pretty lucky in comparison so far! Hope everything works out well for you too Blondeshavemorefun.

Calypso - It did feel like Christmas was definitely a part of the decision that was made. The nurse mentioned that they were thinking about possibly fitting in ops on the weekend after Xmas as well, so they're obviously having trouble trying to fit everything in around that time. The main thing the consultant seemed to talk about quite a bit is that 39 weeks is best for baby as it gives the lungs time to fully develop. I'm definitely going to give my midwife a call on Monday and see what she has to say about it. I do understand that they like to wait as long as possible, but like you said, the waiting for something to happen or go wrong isn't nice at all.

Where I live, if your baby is transverse, you're admitted at 37.5 weeks, with a c-section at 39 weeks (so I was admitted 10 days before giving birth). I don't know if that's a nationwide policy, or advice has changed in the last 4 years. The lady next to me had placenta previa as well as being transverse, and was delivered at 38.0 (elcs). Have you been given advice for what to do if you go into labour? If not, ask your midwife on Monday.

Hope it goes well.

Hi OP didn't want to read and run but thought I'd share my experience- I'm currently 34+2 and have known I had a low lying placenta since my 20w scan- so not actually covering my cervix at all just near it. However since 28w I have had 17 separate bleeds, 3 occasions of reduced movements, steroids and been repeatedly admitted to hospital. My consultant said he would like to book my csection for 38w but if I continued to bleed he'd push it forward to 37w (if I needed one as we were waiting for the placenta to move on its own) I had a scan two days ago at exactly 34w and the placenta is showing as 23mm away from my cervix- apparently 25mm is needed for a natural delivery so got another scan booked at 36w which is last chance saloon if you like lol! So I'm really on the cusp of no idea if I'll be a section or not- fingers crossed for not.. However back to your post! That is cutting it incredibly fine and I'd had massive reservations with waiting that long- your sweet baby is considered full term at 37w so 38w I would say is optimal if you can make it that far without bleeds? I'll be interested to hear how you get on OP sending you lots of positive vibes

SheepyFun - they didn't seem too worried about the position of the baby, just told me it's part of the previa so no mention of admitting me for that, it's funny how things vary so much depending on where you are! I was told to get to the hospital straight away if I had any pain or any bleeding at all even if it was only a speck.

MyEternalSunshine - it sounds like you've had a really rough time of it. Really hope yours moves enough so you can have a normal delivery and everything works out ok for you. I'll have a chat to my midwife tomorrow and update the post. Sending you lot's of positive vibes too

Just thought I'd update in case anyone else is going through something similar and looking for info. I spoke to the midwife this morning and she said that 39 weeks is about right now. They apparently used to do sections a week or two earlier, but changed it to make sure baby's lungs have completely developed and to avoid giving steroid injections. She also told me that I'd probably be admitted if I had any bleeding but that they'd still stick to 39 weeks unless it was an emergency situation and either the baby or me was in danger.

Have to be honest, it's not really reassured me much, still panicking over the possibility of a big bleed and an emergency situation, but suppose I'll just have to wait it out and hope everything's ok until they take me in.

Glad to hear you were a little reassured Ruby it's not an easy situation but I do have faith in the doctors who look after us so hope that gives you comfort as well. You're right it's still scary- no ones pictures a scary bleed and an emergency section as their idyllic birthing experience but we just have to get on with the hand we've been dealt! Atleast we'll end up with those sweet babies of ours good luck and keep us posted if anything happens! Feel free to PM me if you need