Placenta Previa, please ease my anxiety

[MamaBearThius]

Hi all
So, 20 week scan yesterday, baby perfect. Sonographer casually mentioned placenta is blocking the exit, covering the os. Had no idea what he was on about, just happy baby was okay. He said it can increase the risk of needing a section, I'm having a planned section anyhow so didn't think anything of it. Had a 2 minute after appointment with a midwife who said any bleeding I must immediately come into hospital, if it's heavy then 999 ambulance. I was a bit shocked to ask any questions and she hurried me out of the door saying I'd have a scan at 30 weeks and hopefully it's not previa anymore.
I promised myself I would not Google.
So obviously I googled last night and I am now a complete mess of anxiety. Convinced myself if I have sex or a long walk I'm going to bleed out and die on the spot leaving my beautiful 3 year old daughter and husband behind.
I've had a tough start to this pregnancy with HG and it had finally eased up and I was enjoying my life again. Now I'm terrified. I can't find out if I should rest/avoid sex etc NOW or if it hasn't changed by next scan.
Please can anyone share/comfort/virtual shake me?

[MamaBearThius]

JackMummy thank you, I'm going to read your post over and over again I think.

[raindropsfallingonglass]

It’s much less of a problem in the modern world than it would have been previously. Knowing that you have a previa allows you to act quickly (by rushing in/dialling 999) and deliver safely by cs if needed. In the 50s my Nan almost died from an undiagnosed placenta previa at home. She was rushed to hospital and both her and baby were ok. So in those days it was a big issue, now not so much because you know it’s there

[MamaBearThius]

True, got to be thankful really. Plus I'm not too far from our hospital. Love your user name, I really miss our old house solely for the conservatory I would sleep in when it rained

[JackMummy12]

@MamaBearThius you are welcome, it is scary but honestly it is likely to move by the time you have the scan at 30 weeks plus. At least it won’t change your birth plans either way as you are already planned for a section.

Just take it easy, look after yourself and try not to worry. We are so fortunate to have the NHS and they will make sure you are looked after.

[raindropsfallingonglass]

I didn’t mean to minimise your fears btw - they are very real and valid. Just it’s only quite recently we’ve been able to plan in advance for placenta previa. Thanks - last time I changed it was in the middle of a big rain storm!

[MamaBearThius]

I'm feeling much better about it all thank you lovely lovely ladies. Just wish I could fast forward

[Pinksun12]

I didn’t have a warning regarding bleeds. Woke up in the middle of the night thinking I peed myself and it was a major bleed. That was in week 32. No bleeding until then.

[SapphosRock]

Hi OP

I have this condition and just come home from hospital after a 2nd bleed at 28 weeks.

Please try not to worry. As other posters have said the likelihood is the placenta will move. Apparently 9/10 do. If it doesn't move like mine then you will be extremely well cared for.

If you do bleed it will seem alarming but the doctors told me that only 1 out of 10 bleeds actually mean an early delivery is necessary - the majority of women who have placenta previa go to term or to almost full term.

You won't be offered another scan on the NHS until 32 weeks but you can always pay for a private one before to check the position of the placenta. If you bleed then you will be offered more scans.

Oh and pack your hospital bag early! If you have a bleed and need to stay in hospital it's nice to be prepared.

Good luck.

[MamaBearThius]

Thank you both. In regards to waking up to a big bleed do you just lay there phoning for an ambulance? That's the though that absolutely terrifies me that I could just bleed out waiting at home

[MamaBearThius]

Just feels crazy not to be checked until then. I think I'm supposed to have a scan at 28 weeks which is slightly better but still 2 months away! Just wait and see if I bleed, seems mad

[SapphosRock]

The later on the bleed is the heavier it will be as they happen as your uterus grows.

Great you're being checked at 28 weeks. I had to push for that by getting my GP to refer me to an obstetrician so I'm glad you've got that booked in routinely. Fingers crossed all will be well by then.

My first bleed was at 24 weeks and was like coming on a heavy period. I phoned 111 for advice and they sent the ambulance but I was easily able to walk around and get my stuff together, by the time I got to hospital it had pretty much stopped but they still kept me on for a night and gave me steroids to mature the baby's lungs.

The one I had on Friday (28 weeks) was more dramatic, had just got out the shower and had weird feeling like I'd wet myself, looked down and the bathroom floor was covered in blood. Luckily DP was home to call the ambulance but if I'd been alone I would have been able to do it.

I understand your concerns about the bleeding as it's so sudden and unpredictable. We've made a plan that if I'm home alone I'll always have my phone next to me and we'll leave the flat door on the latch (live in a flat with a front door buzzer) so the paramedics can easily get in. Might be worth making a similar plan if it hasn't resolved by later in your pregnancy.

BTW both times the ambulance arrived in a matter of minutes - it's classed as a high priority so please don't worry about bleeding out at home.

[dot91]

I had placenta previa with my older daughter 31 years ago. I didn't know until I started to bleed one day (not heavily) and I was taken into hospital where they told me my placenta was low lying and that most moved up but mine hadn't .
In those days you got kept in I was 27 weeks and a very abrupt consultant came in the next day and told me I would be in hospital until the baby was born . He then when on to say they hoped to get me to 32 weeks and that at one point I would have a bigger bleed and would be sectioned .
In my case he was right I had a bigger bleed (not gushing ) at 31 weeks and my daughter was delivered by section .
She was a sick baby , had a bleed on the brain , was ventilated and need a chest drain for a problem with her lung .
Having said all that she came home at 6 weeks and is now a healthy 31 year old woman . She has asthma which I think is possibly due to her breathing problems as a baby .
Things will have a moved a lot in 31 years since she was born .

[MamaBearThius]

Thank you. I think the 28 scan is because my daughter was a big baby, 9lb 11, and I didn't have GD. So they want to monitor this baby's growth I think. I feel a bit more in control today, I've put some clothes to one side near by so I can get dressed if it happens in the night. If my husband was at work when it happened then my 3 year old could come with me in the ambulance right? Until he could get to hospital?

[Ribenaberriesgowoo82]

I too had Hyperemisis and then was diagnosed with Placenta Previa Major at 20w scan. I felt like I had no time to enjoy my pregancy as I was either sick or worrying about bleeding out.

I had my diagnosis and they advised that as it was completely covering the OS I would need scans at 24/28/32/36 weeks. These were for placenta placement and growth scans as chances were baby's growth would be hindered. They also told me I would definitely bleed as the position was very risky and that my placenta would not move at all. Also told I would most likely need a blood transfusion at the time of my section as I would likely bleed a huge amount.

My first consultant said nothing about pelvic rest, although I had already googled and put myself on pelvic rest. My second however said to make sure I wasn't doing anything pelvis wise as the risk was too great.

Each scan showed the placenta still in its place and baby on smaller side although growing on their percentile line so not too much of a concern.

Each time I went to the toilet I was expecting blood. My stress levels were through the roof as I was just on high alert all the time. I was signed off from work because of all this from wk 29.

My section was booked for 38wk with the expectation that a bleed would bring it forward.

HOWEVER...I made it to the section date with no bleed at all. I lost just a litre of blood and no transfusion was required. My baby was on the smaller side at 6lb 2oz but is perfect and didn't need any attention at birth.

I spent my whole pregnancy worrying. I wish I could have relaxed more. The doctors have to prepare you for worst case scenario but my goodness I wish I could turn back time and just be calm in the knowledge that if I did bleed it would be okay as they know why I was bleeding and they would deal with it safely for me and baby.

I truly feel for you. Our pregnancies sound identical. Hyperemesis and Previa are soul destroying at what is meant to be an exciting time.

[Chocs44]

I had this with my first and by the 30 week scan the placenta had moved and all was fine!! Try not to stress!!

[MamaBearThius]

Ribena your post has felt like a massive hug - thank you! Pleased you and baby are okay, here's hoping I'm commenting the same in a few months time

[Ribenaberriesgowoo82]

I'm pleased that my post gave you a hug, that was my intention as I know how bloody scary it all is.

[MamaBearThius]

It's just so very shit =(
The hypermesis was hideous and landed me in hospital twice...that's finally under control and I'd started to enjoy pregnancy and now BAM.
Without trying to sound seedy, was anyone given any advice on orgasms? Midwife I spoke to on the phone said to avoid penetration but that "other things" are fine...I didn't ask further questions but I'm wondering what's okay and what's a risk?

[SapphosRock]

If my husband was at work when it happened then my 3 year old could come with me in the ambulance right? Until he could get to hospital?

Yes don't worry that will be fine.

Re orgasms I'm not sure either! I've read they're fine and also to avoid them. Me and DP have decided not to do anything to be on the safe side.

[MamaBearThius]

Seems such an odd question as I'm most definitely not interested in anything right now but we are usually quite intimate blush and would miss the closeness if avoiding anything at all for the next few months. I think I'll call again tomorrow and ask about it also I'm a care assistant and need to know if I should carry on or not

[Ribenaberriesgowoo82]

Orgasms can trigger contractions so worth avoiding if high risk like you are. I don't want to scare you but most of the stories of bleeding I read were following orgasms or intimacy.

[SapphosRock]

I imagine it would kill the moment knowing an orgasm could be dangerous.

OP I carried on working after finding out at my 20 week scan but have a desk job, if you are worried then speak to your GP. Was signed off after the bleed at 24 weeks and haven't been back since.

[MamaBearThius]

So I am high risk? No one said anything at my appointment, just if you bleed ring 999 and hopefully by your next scan it's moved. Not knowing is killing me

[JJTWhite]

Iv just been told the same low lying placenta and will need to be re-scanned at 34 weeks to check if it’s moved up, been told downward dog 5 mins a day may help it move up and a lot of the time the placenta will live up by then, in not googling 😶

[MamaBearThius]

Fingers crossed for us