28+3 placenta previa likely section at 37wks

[Rarfy]

Any tips for me please?

I'm 28+3 with placenta previa. Had a scan yesterday to check placenta yesterday - well and truely covering the cervix and in the sonographers words "there's no way that will move" although she did follow it up by saying watch now i have said that it will.

I am consultant led anyway so discussed briefly with them following the appointment. At the moment they are very much saying wait until scan at 36wks to be sure but i'm guessing the sonographer knows what she's talking about.

So, any tips for things i should be doing now? With the section in mind i have just under 9wks to go.

Also any advice / tips on a plannned section is welcome too.

I'm nearly 32 weeks OP and have Placenta Previa also - so another scan at 34 weeks and it's likely a 37 week C-section plan for me also (my consultant also found a 10cm fibroid when she scanned me at 30 weeks...after as many scans as I've had she was shocked someone didn't spot this before...plus it's right at the sight the section will happen so perhaps just be grateful they spotted it now hey...!)

I don't have any advice I'm afraid - I didn't want a section either - so couldn't read and run without saying 'me too' and I hope it all goes well for you xxx

Oh @Tadda someone else in the same boat. It's crap you don't want a section.

I'm quite open to it. My consultant told me yesterday a planned section is safer than a natural birth for a first so that put my mind at ease but i know it's going to be crap being sore afterwards.

As if they have only just spotted your fibroid now, that's crazy. Glad it's been picked up though.

Is this your first? How are you planning to prepare?

I have another scan at 32 wks then 36wks. I have a complex history with an mmc, stillbirth then second trimester mmc. The consultant suspects it was my previous erpcs that have caused the placenta to end up where it is.

@Rarfy this is my 4th but all natural births before, they were convinced my placenta would move up after they spotted it at 20 week scan....but they didn't spot the fibroid either...so there you go!

My youngest is 14months so got pregnant quite quickly with this one (as soon as I stopped breast feeding) -

I don't think you can prepare for any kind of birth to be honest (my last was quite traumatic) - I'd say the only difference knowing I'm having a section this time is to rally the support in as early as possible - and to just hope that things go well and baby arrives healthy, happy and safe xx (also to try and stay calm about it all, and ask as many questions as you need to - xx)

I had this- found at 27 weeks. Hospitalised til C section at 34 weeks. Had lots of rest.

Oh wow sounds like you have had a difficult time and i guess with other children you will need all the support you can get at home. I hope the next few weeks go smoothly for you.

Oh wow that is early to be hospitalised and must have been tough. How did you find the delivery?

@tinytemper66 did you have a bleed? Is that why they induced you so early? I had an (old brown) bleed twice at 27 weeks but luckily wasn't from placenta - they didn't know where from at the time (Fibroid!!!!?!)...so annoyed they didn't find that still!

@Rarfy I hope all goes well for you too xxx

Tadda- I bled lots of times from 27 weeks which is why they kept me in. I had 2 big bleeds in 12 hrs at 34 weeks which is why I had an emergency C section.
He is now 23 and in the RAF. He was very poorly when born as despite the steroid injections his lungs were not developed enough and was in SCBU for nearly 5 weeks.

@Rarfy Try not to worry - they know a lot more about placenta previa now and have spotted ours as we have planned C-sections and they're checking us regularly -

@tinytemper66 I'm glad 23 years on he's doing so well - kind of looking to keep calm right now so sort of just looking for the positives, and how to manage in the build up to prepare for birth etc - that's why this is posted on the 'Pregnancy' forum - sorry you went through that

It was just life then. Nursing staff were great. Consultant wouldn't commit to me having a C section but the experienced
Sister on the ward told me I wouldn't be able to give birth naturally as the placenta was over the os as she put it. There was no way baby was coming out that way. She also told when before she left for the day that when she came back on shift the next day, I would have had my baby! She was right!
Good luck ladies x

Im glad things worked out well in the end @tiny. Must have been frightening whilst he was poorly but great to hear how well he has gone on to do! Thanks

Hi, I’ve just been told the same at a 28 week scan (first spotted on 20 week scan). There hasn’t been any definite talk of c-section just that they will scan again at 34 weeks... is there a point where the placenta doesn’t move? I’m 29 weeks really, the scan was the day before the new week for me.

And my second question, a lot of ladies who have the c-section seem to have at 37/38 weeks - is this because you were bleeding?

@le42 as far as i know there's still a good chance thr placenta can move at 29wks which is why they will scan you much closer to edd. I think it only has to be 2 or 3cm out of the way if i understood my consultabt yesterday.

The thing with mine is it's not just covering it a little bit. My cervix is about bang in the middle of the placenta so its not looking likely.

A csection is given at 37wks as the risk of bleeding with placenta previa increases as the pregnancy goes on so its safer to do it then. I think you are given steroids for the babys lungs beforehand. The consultant did mention all this to me yesterday but English wasn't her first language so i can't be sure i understood completely.

Thanks @rafry- I’d quite like by 34 weeks just to make a decision... I’m such a planner haha if I get it settled in my head it’s a c-section will be hard to adjust to changing!

When are you next being scanned? It seems like your hospital are very thorough... mine didn’t mention measurements though I’ll check my notes again.

I had PP with DS1 - placenta was almost 2cm away but not quite far enough away to be certain. Ended up with an emergency section at 35 weeks due to a bleed.
Take it easy and go straight in if any bleeding. Worth packing a bag ready - the stuff DH brought was quite er....random
Depending on where it is and how you are you might get put on bed rest towards the end which is very important but very boring. And it's like trying to sleep in a train station.

And do insist on a scan for vasa praevia. It is rare but often linked to placenta praevia. They don't routinely scan for it.
Good luck all

@TangelaHair what is vasa previa?

@le42 I was told the same as @Rarfy by my consultant - 37 weeks is classed a full term for baby (as in if born after 37 weeks, baby is not 'premature') and the risk of a bleed does increase as baby grows - but the decision about a C-section would have to be at 34 weeks so they can Scan and plan. (I'm the same as you regarding planning! As soon as they scanned me at 30 wks and mentioned the 'surprise fibroid' I wanted to make a plan then and there - I'm finding the waiting quite stressful)

Anyway, my scan/plan is on the 28th so just trying to take it as easy as poss (with a very hectic 1 year old!)…

No more for us after this!

OK have just read about Vasa previa - no more googling for me - trying not to stress!

Should i not google vasa previa?

Oh mine are thorough due to my history of losses including a stillbirth. No live dc yet so fortunately i am getting great treatment this time. I have a scan booked at 32 weeks and will have a final scan at 36 weeks to make the decision about csection. Like you everyone else i'd rather just know what i was having so i can get my head round it.

Getting my bag ready is my priority then! This is my list of what i need, feel free to tell me if i need anything else:

Maternity pads
Breast pads
Nighties
Massive knickers
Clean clothes
Slippers
Lactulose
Peppermint tea
Drinks / straws
Nappies
Vests
Babygrows
Blanket
Bottles
Dummies
Water wipes

I am probably missing something off that?

Hi @rarfy (I'm really regretting not packing that hospital bag!)- had a placenta bleed and been admitted- (if it's any consolation I'm being really looked after, and baby doing fine atm)
X

Hi @Rarfy, seems like a pretty thorough list! The only things I would add are phone charger, kindle or book/puzzle book (in case you are admitted for observation and need something to pass the time) and snacks (I’ve packed some cereal bars and a pack of chocolate digestives) in case you’re hungry between meals. Also a dressing gown in case you want to sit out in the day room, go to the shop etc. and wash bag with little shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste, face wipes etc.

I’ve packed most of the “me” stuff in one small holdall so I don’t have too much to carry about if I’m admitted for monitoring or induction, or moving from antenatal to labour ward. Most of the baby stuff is in a second bag for my partner to bring in when needed. Obviously you can have everything in one large bag if you prefer though.

Oh heck. Whats the plan of action @Tadda?

Are you ok? If you dont mind me asking what was the bleed like?

Thanks for the bag tips!

@rarfy woke up at 5 yesterday morning, went to the toilet and golf ball size clot with alot of bright red blood- no pain at that time but called ambulance straight away (on advice now the absolute right thing to do)-
They've done alot of checks, and is a placenta bleed but luckily on the outside of the uterus, so not affecting baby who is massively active (a great sign, but looks like maybe adding to 'pushing' my placenta a it's scraping just outside of the uterus).

Theys keeping me on obs ward until 48 no active bleeding, (also have that fibroid which starting to kick off pain so on oromorph and they're putting traces on baby)- then Monday seeing a sonographer so they can pin point exact placenta position as they're having difficulty on ultrasound down here.

They're giving injections to mature baby's lungs just in case- but aslong as baby happy and my cervix doesnt start opening, or heavy bleeding its bed rest and their going to try and get us to 37 weeks-
(They also hinted it me be stay in hospital until then, but DD1 still only 14 months and got so upset coming into hospital today- but DH being amazing so aslong as everyone ok not going to disagree with staying put- so scared about bleeding again right now- but am in the right place- just feeling a bit head wrecked!
Plus they sort of set my mind at ease by saying don't worry about bleed, we can always too you up, just make sure we're keeping everything else stable and baby ok x
(Long rant sorry! But they say it's so common with placenta preavia just rest)

(Apologies for grammar lol! My phone has issued typing on this!)

Oh @Tadda how scary. I have been thinking about you all night. It sounds like you are in great hands and i hope that the best rest is helping keep the bleeding at bay.

The good thing is you are getting the steroids now so if you cant get to 37wks will be ok to be delivered.

Must be so difficult with a little one at home. I only have a dog and am aleady worrying about dp and dog incase i end up in. Must be so stressful.

Are they saying bed rest likely witj a 14month old haha is what should keep you going until 37wks?

Evn worse having the fibroid to contend with you poor thing!

Hi @rarfy x
They've moved me up to the ward today and just had last injection for baby- I'm in a bit more pain today but apparently that's things healing themselves (?) post a bleed- I've not had another bleed since yesterday and just waiting to see what scan says tomorrow before they either send me home with a plan to keep coming back for monitoring or keep me in-
To be honest, yes I want to go home, but it's also going to scare me to death incase of another emergency- struggle to walk down the corridor right now- and as long as DH is ok doing stuff at home if rather not leave hospital still in so much pain-
Not sure what they're planning but hopefully my obstetrician will be about tomorrow- x