Placenta prévia & pressure

[payton96]

Try and put my story short, at my 20 week scan they noticed placenta was low. Was told it should move so they re scanned me a couple of days ago at 32 weeks to realise it’s now complete previa and completely covering os.
Got told the day before I was meant to fly to Barbados for Xmas so haven’t been able to fly as too risky. Told to take it easy and would most probably be a planned section.
Just looking for advice really from people that have or have had it, is there any chance of it moving now? Doctor thinks not. All a bit scary now to be moved to high risk etc I don’t really know what to ask or expect!
I got a lot of heavy pressure very low down, would this be due to the placenta being so low?

Thanks to anyone that doesn’t read and run x

Hi. Im 34+3 with placenta previa. At last scan 2 weeks ago was also completely covering oc. I had a bleed last thursday in the early hours and have been stuck in hospital since .

They're planning on keeping me in here until 37+1 when my section is planned for unless anything happens in the meantime.

Not everyone bleeds but this seeks to be standard procedure for people that do going by another thread i had on here.

I had the pressure down below. Felt like i had been kicked between the legs from about 28 weeks. Was the only way i could explain it.

I don't think there's any way to avoid a bleed but doing as little as possible might help. I wish i had taken time to get more organised. I am having to direct family on how to get things ready at home should i not be allowed out until after delivery.

I had PP with DS but undiagnosed. I was still working full time and doing relatively strenuous activities until 5 days before it was discovered (consultant did a partial sweep and I was lucky he didn't do a full one as I could have bled out). Had emergency caesarean.

I asked what they would’ve done if they'd known about the PP and was told I would’ve been off work for weeks, v close monitoring and possible hosp bed rest.

Take the advice and rest, no galivanting about. The caesarean will be planned and should hopefully be straightforward.

Sorry to ask a question rather than answer you op but did they say this was unusual at all?
I was told at my 20 week scan that my placenta was low - not touching the os and just over 15 mm away from it. They’re rescanning at 34 weeks to check it’s moved further up but I was under the impression it’s unusual for it to actually move lower?

In previous pregnancies I’ve had pressure down below (and no low placenta) - caused by SPD/ PGP so it might be partly that? Obviously I’m not an expert though!

Thank you for all your replies, even though I've done the wrong thing and googled so much I still feel like I don't know enough and still feeling hopeful it could move?
I'm grateful for the advice, I will take it as easy as possible but not always that easy since I have a one year old to look after!
When would they plan a c section or would this all depend on if I have bleeds etc?

Nothing was mentioned about it being unusual to 'move' lower as such, but all I know is it was low but not covering and now covering. All seems a bit scary to me!

And sorry to hear your still in hospital Rarfy, can I ask... was it a big bleed? Your in the best place.

It wasn't what i would call a big bleed but i haemorraged during a miscarraige and that was BIG. I was asleep and woke feeling wet. When i stood up to go to loo i felt like i was slowly weeing. It was only when i had no control over it i realised it was blood.

I bled for a while though. It started early hours last Thursday and yesterday was the first day i didnt really have any blood. The bleeding was light all that time tho so i had a maternity pad on all day and it was nowhere near covered but there was blood on it and when i went to the loo my wee was pink.

They should be planning a section for you at 37wks. They like to deliver than as the further on you get the higher risk you are of bleeding or going into labour naturally which can't happen.

I haven't heard this being the case with the ladies on my thread but i have been told my section would likely be done under general anaesthetic due to the current position of the placenta as i am very high risk for bleeding during the procedure and they have more control under general.

Someone my partner works with had it and her placenta did move at the last minute but from what the consultants have said in here, and i have seen a different one near enough every day, it is unlikely. Althought one did say the bleed could be a sign it is moving which i bloody hope it is.

I don't know how i would be coping right now if i had a child at home. Luckily just dp and dog but that is heart wrenching enough.

Hi Rarfy, thanks for getting back to me. How are you getting on?
Unfortunately for me I woke up this morning and had a bleed, I feel like I jinxed myself from worrying about it so much. I rested so much all day yesterday so I don't really understand. But I'm now on a ward and being monitored over night.
My hospital don't seem to be taking things too seriously though, not giving me much advice just saying it can be very normal!

Tbh when i first came in they said if the bleeding stopped for 24hours i would be allowed home. When it went on a little longer they said 48 hours then because it didnt stop and the previous scan showed positiong they are now saying not until baby arrives regardless as to whether bleeding stops or not.

Do you live far from the hospital? Was it a big bleed?

Are you having CTGs? I find them nicely reassuring.

I dont think you will have jinxed yourself either. I reckon with placenta previa you're lucky if you get away without a bleed from what i have seen.

Don't you think it's funny they dont scan you?

I was in & out of hospital from 20 weeks with dc1 with placenta praevia - unlikely you’ve jinxed it. Consultant told me you have to be lucky not to bleed. Mine didn’t move. Dc1 is almost 20. Spent Christmas & new year in hospital- was in from around 26 weeks...

@IPromiseIWontBeNaughty this is me! Birthday, christmas and new year inside. Great that your baby is now 20 years old though. Makes it all feel worth while.

My bleed has slowly stopped but still their when I wipe and very stringy (only way to explain it).
They also told me that would be around 39 weeks I'd have my section, which to me sounds very late considering I've already had my first bleed. And now I will constantly worry at home with a one year old since he came 2 weeks early naturally. Doesn't this sound very late?

My bleed wasn't massive but it wasn't small, it leaked over my bed and was sort of a gush. Maybe about a tea cup worth, so concerned me.

I've had ECG and baby seems fine, heart rate was high this morning but back to normal now. I do find it a big strange how they won't scan, and will just wait till my next at 36 weeks. As I think a lot can change so quick.
As I said my hospital are just so relaxed with things like it's common, when I think everybody's different and you never know what could happen

That's good that it is stopping.

I would definitely pish for a planned section at 37wks. That seems to be the common time to do it. Any later and the risk of a serious bleed increases a lot. Prior to 37 wks they should give u steroids to mature babys lungs.

It must be fairly common i have seen a few ladies in and out with it whilst ive been in and they have been discharged so thats good but definitely need a good plan in place for delivery and tbh if you are far from a hospotal im not sure i would be keen to be discharged.

No body's mentioned about any steroid injections to help baby? But I've not seen a consultant yet as I only found out about the previa on Tuesday. So have been waiting for an appointment to come through, maybe he will mention it then. I'm hoping they will consider a section earlier then as I am not comfortable with leaving it so late.

I am only 15 minutes from the hospital so not far. I guess I am still in some sort of hope that the placenta moves but I know highly unlikely!

I wonder if its dependent on bleed. I was given first steroid as soon as i landed n 2nd one next day.

I definitely would press for 37 wks maybe do a bit of researcj see what u think.

Yes maybe it's dependant on bleed. I'm just feeling very nervous about the situation.

I will speak to consultant when I get round to seeing them, as it's Xmas I think everything's a bit slow.

Thanks for speaking to me you've deffo answered questions I didn't know the answer too

Are you not seeing a dr / consultant in hospital? We have one rpund every morning.

Yes I guess I will be seeing a doctor / consultant tomorrow morning but not somebody who will be dealing with me on going? I don't think. I just assume it will be a doctor that will tell me what I already know and not the person who will be putting my delivery method and time into plan. Apparently I will be waiting up to 3 weeks for this appointment!

I should ask in the morning to be explained about everything more, as I still feel like they've not properly told me what the plan is

Hi I had my baby is August and had placenta previa. I had the pressure that you mentioned in your post and felt like something was falling out from around 28 weeks - the doctor said seemed like a prolapse but since giving birth all is absolutely fine. I worked a strenuous job on my feet but also had SPD (this was second baby - first no previa no spd) and went off work around 31 weeks as couldn’t cope anymore with pain in my pelvis. Had a a small amount of bleeding at 25 weeks which is when they mentioned the low lying placenta (they didn’t say at 20 week scan) and they said placenta would likely move but it stayed completely covering all the way until the end. Went in at 35 weeks after brown discharge and they admitted me (after a little debate) and that night had a huge bleed that was completely huge! I woke in the night feeling a bit wet and as I walked down the corridor I thought I had wet myself - when I turned the light on in the toilet it was obvious I was covered in blood. All systems go! I was rushed up to delivery and prepped for section at 4am and they monitored and then suddenly it all stopped! So returned to ward and stayed there until a planned scan a few days after when it appeared my waters had gone (I think they went when the bleeding happened) and baby had stopped growing. Had caesarean 2 days later (long story - they forgot me off theatre list the following day!) baby perfect and weighed 5lb 14oz at 37+1. Caesarean went perfect very small amount of blood loss despite complete anterior placenta previa. I do think my scar is slightly higher than others I’ve seen though. X

Definitely ask in the morning. Not sure how it works in your hospital but i am consultant led in here and the doctors that do the rounds are the ones i have seen downstairs before the bleed and during routine pregnancy appointments.

Hi @gizmo nice to see you. I am sure we have crossed paths a million times. I used to be gingerbreadmam or dboo. Glad to hear you are doing well.

When i came in the first night although it wasnt a huge bleed they booked a bed on neonatal for baby and administered steroids straight away so i thought they may have delivered mine but in hundsight it was too soon i was only 33+2 when i came in.

My placenta is also completely covering and anterior. They have talked about doing my section under general due to the position and risk of bleeding. Im glad to hear yours went relatively smoothly gives me hope. Thank you.

Thanks @Gizmo2206 for sharing your story. I am getting quit frustrated to be honest with how my hospital are dealing with things, it's almost like they don't take pp too seriously anymore and 'whatever happens' happens. My bleeding has virtually stopped and I should have been discharged this morning but I'm still sitting in the hospital waiting to speak to a consultant!

@Rarfy my partner has said I have a hospital letter at home which I'm hoping is an appointment so maybe then I will find out more

Tbh @payton96 i wouldnt leave until you have spoken to the consultant although in all fairness they do tend to all say different things.

I have had one tell me that once you have bled once tou will likely have a bigger bleed a couple of weeks later.

One say just because you have bled once doesnt mean it will happen again.

One saying that the bleeding could be a sign placenta is moving.

Others saying at this stage there is no way it will move.

The majority of them though have all said the same thing in that with me being 30mins away from the hospital at home,i am safest in here hence the stay. There were two ladies on my own thread that had the same too.