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?

[CanIHaveATiaraPlease]

Try not to worry. I had praevia with dc1 -21 years ago. I had bleeding on & off from 20 weeks & so was in & out of hospital. I stayed in from 30 weeks & we managed to get to 36 weeks with steroid injections. I had canula in the whole time.

The staff were amazing. I was so well looked after. I was on bed rest the entire time with limited visitors as I was having contractions a lot.

Btw - I was told to avoid sex - It’s just not worth it.

[SapphosRock]

I think it's a good idea to get the private scan at 28 weeks so you know either way.

I'm afraid you do need a canula if you're admitted to hospital, but with mine they taped it up really well and I forgot about it, was able to have a shower etc.

I've found the hardest part of being hospitalised is the lack of sleep. Obviously it's an antenatal ward so women are going into labour throughout the night.

[CanIHaveATiaraPlease]

Sorry I should have added when I was in hospital there were 4 of us in a room - long termers - so we had me & another with praevia, pre eclampsia x2. It meant we bonded really well and we are still in touch 20 Plus years later! there is hope even if in hospital is what I’m trying to say.

[MamaBearThius]

Thank you for the lovely replies. I had 2 stays in for HG earlier on and both times got my own room which would be nice if I do get admitted with this. Hopefully it won't come to that but I'm feeling so much brighter about it all. Am taking it very very easy

[CanIHaveATiaraPlease]

[MamaBearThius]

I know people on here are always worried about being outed etc (I'm not interesting enough to anyone I don't think haha) but I don't suppose anyone was admitted or dealt with at Lincoln hospital?

[Ribenaberriesgowoo82]

No, not me.

[MamaBearThius]

It's where I had my little girl and the care was so so bad =( so scared to trust them to keep me safe with this pesky placenta business

[MamaBearThius]

Another day of not bleeding.
How are the other ladies waiting? (Sorry my tagging skills fail)

[CanIHaveATiaraPlease]

I had my dcs at one of the country’s failing hospitals. I can tell you now the care I received for praevia was exemplary. Please try not to worry.

[SapphosRock]

Glad to hear there's been no bleeding @MamaBearThius and you are taking it easy. Are you signed off work?

It will be a week tomorrow since my last bleed and I'm wondering whether I should do the school run tomorrow (20 minute round trip). There's only so much Mumsnet and Netflix I can take without going stir crazy!

[MamaBearThius]

That is good to know Tiara.
Sapphos I'm bank staff anyhow so I've just said I'm not able to work.
How far along are you? Don't risk it! What are you watching on Netflix? I just finished season 2 of YOU.

[MamaBearThius]

Are cramps related to it at all? Feel like mega period pains if I do anything slightly more strenuous than lounge around eating. Been to a carboot today and gentle waddled round, in pain tonight! Picked up a pregnancy pillow though, so quite excited to maybe actually be comfy in bed tonight!

[swingchandelier]

@MamaBearThius I don’t think you have to stay of work unless they've signed you off specifically. As I say, they told me there weren’t any restrictions and I was fine as are most people who are told they have this at this stage. Surely your work won’t let you stay off without a doctors note?

[MamaBearThius]

I'm bank staff so no contracted hours. Been advised to take it easy, impossible in a busy care home

[MamaBearThius]

@SapphosRock did you do the school run? How are you?

[MamaBearThius]

Got a midwife appointment for Thursday so going to bombard her with my questions

[SapphosRock]

Hey @MamaBearThius yes I did the school run and nothing bad happened

Good idea to bombard your midwife with questions. So far I've found doctors to much more cautious about placenta previa than midwives.

My midwife was very blasé about my first bleed and kept saying it was likely to move and I wouldn't need a c section. (I want a c section!) She said it was fine to exercise and basically carry on as normal. When I went to the GP she was horrified and said I definitely should not be doing exercise, driving or anything strenuous at all. So there's been conflicting advice.

My midwife actually came to visit me in hospital after bleed number 2 and took it a bit more seriously then.

[MamaBearThius]

Pleased you're okay! How far along are you? Weird as it sounds it's really helpful knowing there's someone else with it! Although of course I'd prefer neither of us to have it!

[SapphosRock]

I know it's nice to talk about it! As it's constantly on my mind and imagine yours as well. I am 29 weeks now. Next scan isn't for another 3 weeks so in limbo until then wondering if placenta has moved or not.

Last scan showed it was still complete placenta previa but only by 1cm so it may be getting better.

Silver lining is being signed off work and spending quality time with DD

[Ribenaberriesgowoo82]

@MamaBearThius & @SapphosRock, I honestly urge you both to of course be cautious but don't let this diagnosis take over your every thought and cast a cloud.

It's my biggest regret. I wish I could have just spent a little less time obsessing and a little more time just enjoying my pregnancy.

I know it's easier said than done and I promise I truly understand your anxiety. Placenta previa is utterly so stressful.

[SapphosRock]

Thanks @Ribenaberriesgowoo82 that's good advice.

I just know I'd blame myself if the baby was born early because. Luckily I don't like exercise so taking it easy hasn't been too bad!

Was just glad my DP was around for both bleeds and a feeling bit nervous to go out and about in case it happens randomly when I'm on my own.

[MamaBearThius]

Thanks @Ribenaberriesgowoo82 I'm trying to be chill about it but the same as @SapphosRock not going out on my own as I'm worried it'll happen when out. Luckily my husband works 4 days on 4 days off so I'm just hibernating with my little girl for 4 days at a time. I had hoped to be exercising by this point but it's not the end of the world. Bedroom things however
How far along are they wanting you to get to @SapphosRock?

[Quartz2208]

Op most do move up honestly 3 of us were pregnant at similar times all 3 had it at the 20 week and 2 had move up by the time rescanned.

I was the one that wasn’t but I never had a bleed and it was a straightforward c section at 38 weeks (I lost more blood at my vbac). She will be 11 next month.

Please stop being so anxious. It is likely to resolve (honestly most do) and because you know any bleeding just go straight in

[MamaBearThius]

Thanks @Quartz2208, that's comforting. I'm sure everything is also magnified by hormones! I haven't really been thinking very rationally or logically lately everything is all or nothing, bit drama-ie.