Placenta Praevia

[piddlestix]

Hi everyone.
I'm 17 weeks pregnant and went for an internal scan to measure my cervix length because I have had the lletz previously. (It was 29mm so not ideal but not enough to need a stitch).
During the scan they found the placenta was completely covering the cervix.
I had a low placenta with a previous pregnancy and nobody seemed worried and it moved up and out the way nicely as the pregnancy progressed. I don't remember being worried in the slightest actually!
But this time the consultant said it is completely covering the placenta and unlikely to move. She was talking to me about heavy bleeds, admissions to hospital and of course the c section. Since when I've been looking it up and seeing the risks and I'm getting so worried.
I have 2 small boys - both on the autistic spectrum - so having bed rest at home is going to be almost impossible. I cannot bear the thought of being in hospital and away from them for weeks. I'm also bleeding daily. Lightly - but have been bleeding since conception this time round! (I never bled once in my previous pregnancies). The consultant knows this and has asked me to come into hospital if it increases to the level of a heavy period. I would describe it as a light period at the moment but it is massively stressing me out. I'm constantly thinking worst case scenario! After having 2 relatively straight forward pregnancies (gestational diabetes in the second and high blood pressure at the end with both) and 2 almost perfect births in the water - I am totally spinning out about this one! My body is definitely done with making babies! We have always wanted a big and hectic family but now I feel sure my body would like to stop after this one! My husband is totally having the snip after this.
Sorry for the vent - I'm getting in a tiz and just hope someone out there has some experiences - id like to here the good and the bad to get a better idea of what I'm realistically looking at. Thanks so much in advance x

Oh any top tips on how best to look after myself?
This is a bit TMI but do you ever get that heavy pulling and aching feeling down below when you have a heavy period? I keep getting that at the moment when I've spent too much time on my feet. I wondered if it's related to the PP and if it's a bad sign?

A close relative had it and hers was also completely blocking the cervix. She had a couple of heavy bleeds then had an emergency section at 32 weeks. Her little girl is absolutely fine now but it was very scary for them.

All you can do is rest, rest, rest which I know is hard when you already have children. Call in lots of favours and make sure your partner and family really understand how serious this can be. Your partner particularly needs to really step up now. I don't think my relative's partner really listened to her or the doctors so didn't pull his weight at all during her pregnancy.

Good luck to you. It's going to be a worrying time for you but try to enjoy your pregnancy too. 😊

I had PP with DS, I think you're going to have to make some solid plans for support if it goes anything mine. I was in and out of hospital like a yoyo with bleeds sometimes for 3 or 4 days until the doc was satisfied. The last time I went in they told me if it didn't stop they'd be keeping me in til the c section. I was foolish in that I kept doing too much around the house and with other DC etc. Sorry if that sounds stressful but it wasn't a fun time. DS all fine now though!

I was hospitalized from 27 weeks until delivery at 34 weeks. I t was hard but my other son was in full time school. Lots of bleeds but as placenta was blocking the cervix I had an emergency C section.
Rest up when you can. X

Thanks everyone. I'm going to really try and rest up but it seems logistically impossible!

It is pretty much impossible I remember as I was working full time as well. Suggest you buy lots of ready meals or ready made sauces and if finances allow get a robovac and have it on twice a day (I love mine more than my children some days), allow lots of TV for the kids, it won't harm them for a few months. DH will have to step up with laundry as making the beds made me bleed once. It's really debilitating especially if like me, you're usually all go go go.

I had PP with DC 2 and then again with DC3.

With DC2 I was fine until 33.5 , then I was admitted until CS at 37.5.

With DC3 I was admitted at 24 weeks, then 26, three times at week 31 and then finally at 33 weeks. I had EMCS at 36+1

I received no advice with DC2, but with DC3 I wasn’t allowed to push a shopping trolley, lift the other DC.

I had to have a “grown up” with me all the time, couldn’t drive.....

I currently have a major placenta previa completely covering cervix discovered at 15 weeks and been told it probably won't move as it wraps posterior and anterior this is DC3 for me. I had a spotting in early pregnant and a small bleed at 15 weeks nothings since I am 27 weeks now and due to have a scan next week at 28 weeks and 32 weeks then section at 36 weeks if all goes well. Take it easy as much as you can I know how hard it can be I have a 2 year old and 6 year old but ask for help where you can I have a lot of pain under bump in my old scar sometimes as well. No heavy lifting and no sex or examinations is what the consultant told me.

Hope all goes well xx

@OctoberGirl91 you sound very similar to me. This is my 3rd and I have a 5 yr old and a 2 yr old. I'm so pleased you have managed so well so far. I have heard of others that have had minimal bleeding and no hospital admissions until 37 weeks for the c section. Let's hope we can both have pregnancies like those please! 🤞🏼- well having it move entirely out the way would be far more preferable but I think that option sounds unlikely for both of us.
I've been told no swimming and no sex. I have been worried about how much to do round the house. For now I'm trying to be as normal as possible but no strenuous work like gardening or heavy lifting.
This is a really dumb question but do we think hoovering is ok?!? I don't want to be over the top with all this but I want to do what I can to stay out of hospital!! X

Least hope it's all straight forward @piddlestix my consultant did say it's further into third trimester you get more risk of bleeding, my friend had similar issue and had her little boy at 32 weeks due to a bleed which couldn't be stopped and she was hoovering at time 🙈 so she has well and truly put me off hoovering but not to say it will happen to us or so I hope!

I have my scan Tuesday now so I'm not expecting it to have moved baby also seems to be transverse still he won't be able to get head down because placenta is blocking him.

Take it as easy as you can cx

Ha @OctoberGirl91 now that I think of it - I was hoovering when I started to feel my first labour pains with my first baby!
I'm going to delegate hoovering to the husband! 😉
Good luck with the scan x

This happened to me. I regret not taking doctors advice regarding bed rest. Baby was born at 27 weeks. Every day your pregnancy continues counts. Please take to your bed.

Think of it this way. You already have your hands full. You want to give this baby every chance and it's worth doing despite the inconvenience.

Sending you very best wishes.