Complete placenta praevia and mixed advice!

[Abouttimemum]

Morning! Just looking for other people’s experiences and a little bit of advice.

I’m 33 weeks pregnant. At the 20 week scan I was diagnosed with a low lying placenta. I was led to believe it was marginal. No one seemed particularly bothered, I was booked in for a 32 week follow up scan, told it will probably move, to go about my life as normal but if I bleed to come to hospital straight away.

I went off not thinking much of it. At 30+4 I had my first bleed (in TK Maxx of all places) and was kept in hospital for 48 hours and then allowed home. Again with minimal advice other than to come back if there’s more bleeding. I had a second bleed a few days later at 31+2, it was much bigger this time. They kept me in hospital until my 32 week scan, with everyone saying once that had been done i could go home.

However much to my surprise that 32 week scan Showed i had complete placenta praevia. Everyone’s attitudes completely changed and I was told I’d now be staying in hospital until a c section at 38 weeks, which devastated me, mainly because I just wasn’t prepared for it.

I’m 33 weeks now and haven’t had any bleeding since that second admission almost two weeks ago. I have 5 weeks until my section. I’m exhausted and climbing the walls. I see a different consultant each day which frustrates me as they all have different views.

Yesterday’s consultant said basically this was a bit of a ‘grey area’ and that they wouldn’t discharge me because of the small risk that I could bleed suddenly and heavily at any time which could put me and my baby at risk. But that if I wanted to go home they wouldn’t stop me and I’d ‘probably be ok’. I only live about 15 minutes from the hospital. This really confused me to be honest. They put the decision in my hands rather than it being a clinical decision. Which I find a little unfair !! I’m desperate to be at home and saw a little glimmer of hope.

But I talked to my husband and parents and their views were the same:

• Even if it’s a small risk there is still a risk and it’s not worth taking
• It could put my life and the baby’s life at risk
• I would be at home by myself through the day as my hubby works, which exacerbates the delay in treatment if I do bleed
• Perhaps I haven’t had further bleeding because I’ve been in hospital resting ie forced to not do anything

So ultimately I’ve decided to stay for now but the more days I go without bleeding the harder it gets and I get zero sleep in here so I’m exhausted. Another five weeks is a long time.

I just wanted to check other people’s experiences and thoughts on this one, and reassurance that I’m not being stupid really!!

Thank you

I am with your husband and parents on this one. Stay in hospital until the birth. The risk may be low but the consequences could be catastrophic for both you and your baby.

In the great scheme of things the six weeks you will spend in hospital are nothing compared to the lifetime of regret that could result from a decision to ignore medical advice and return home.

A friend if mine had it and was kept in hospital just in case. As it happened, she collapsed in a pool of blood in the hospital and nearly died. If she'd been anywhere else, she wouldn't have made it. Luckily she and the baby survived. Stay where you are, please.

Thank you that has really helped!! My husband said that this time in a couple of months we’ll have forgotten all about this blip!

I think what’s really got to me is the fact a consultant is not saying, this is the situation so this is what we’re doing, you need to stay in. It really annoyed me!

But I agree, a tiny risk is still a risk. Thank you for the reassurance.

I had a similar experience; low lying placenta at 20 weeks and my first bleed at 27 weeks then 4 subsequent bleeds. My placenta was never completely over my cervix so I was allowed home each time although I think in 5 weeks I was actually home about 7 days in total as my bleeds were small but continuous.
At 32 weeks I had a massive bleed while already in hospital for the 5th bleed and DD was delivered immediately. I was only 15 minutes from the hospital where I lived but the consultant wasn’t confident that we would have had such a positive outcome if we hadn’t already been in hospital.
I hope i’m not scaring you as my situation was rare but it shows that “probably ok” is not the most reassuring idea.
I know it’s difficult being in hospital for so long; have you got a good supply of books, snacks and access to a tv or iPad. I developed a bit of a routine for myself (complete with afternoon nap) which helped. It seems endless at the time but when I look back now I’d do it ten times over for my DD. I was going to suggest asking for a private room but actually it was better being on the ward for me as at least there was things happening and people to chat to

I’ve had placenta praevia too and had one massive incredibly scary bleed as well as smaller ones.
You need to look at the bigger picture. Five weeks is nothing in the scheme of things and whilst annoying this seems minor compared to the worst case scenario should something go wrong. I think you need to try and adjust your thinking, get some great books, make sure dh brings you nice food, go for a walk in the hospital grounds, visit the cafe. Try and see the bigger picture.

And I’m glad your friend is ok, that sounds truly frightening!

My Dsis had this and the only thing that saved her and the baby is the fact she was already in hospital having had a minor bleed. They kept her in overnight and she hemorrhaged badly.

Try and make the most of the time!

You’re all right, this is really helpful information which is putting my mind at ease about being here. We tried a long time for this baby and it’s just not worth risking anything happening.

Ultimately I might as well get used to be exhausted!!!

Thank you all, I knew I’d get the right information and reassurance from you lovely ladies :)

I’m glad it turned out well for those who have been in a similar position. Getting bleeds is absolutely terrifying.