C section with low lying placenta

[Everest1]

Hi
Has anyone had a section with a low lying placenta? Would you share your story? I've heard the scar is higher than normal
Thanks x

Would be interested to hear... I am due mine in 2 weeks, they have told me they will aim for the bottom/normal place but may have to cut at the top if not xx

I had complete placenta previa (low lying placenta) with my two year old.
I had a planned c-section at 38 weeks. My scar is little bit higher than others but still within my bikini line. Originally a vertical scar was discussed but after a final scan before my section (to check the position of my placenta) they decided it was safe to go for the horizontal cut.
I had multiple complications as my placenta was as not only in the wrong place but was also burrowed too deep. It was a scary time but all is ok now! Good luck x

Sorry I should add, I am more than happy to discuss my complications due to my low lying placenta but I would hate to worry you or any pregnant lady. Everything that could have went wrong did go wrong in my experience! x

@ilikepalmtrees can you tell us more about your recovery and what actions were taken in surgery? I have complete previa but no sign of accreta (burrowing). Would like to hear more about your surgery and recovery xx

I had a partial low lying (so not complete) and my c section scar is in the normal place

From memory (it was 11 years ago now) I had to have blood matched so blood tests once a week from 35 to 38 weeks (she was 38+1).

Actual day got there 7:30 - a few forms to fill in etc and a last check of heartbeat and that she was head down.

Then off for epidural and needed 2 ivs in (one in case I needed blood other fluids etc). Into theatre blood pressure cuff on and born at 10:07am. She was 9 on the Apgar. Put on my chest for a minute or two to say hello. Then off with her dad when I got sewn up

Hi @Mummyspider27 of course I can. My placenta previa was first spotted at my 20 week scan. I was given another scan at 36 weeks to check if the placenta had moved but it hadn't so I was booked in for my section. No burrowing was spotted then.
I had a scan on the morning of my section and the team were happy that a horizontal cut rather than a vertical cut could be used. Because of my placenta there were a few extra specialist members of the surgical team in theatre. During the c-section it was realised that my placenta was higher than they originally thought. This made it difficult to get baby out (turns out I should have had a vertical cut)
Baby was eventually out and taken straight to NICU. The team remained calm, I didn't really know what was going on.
Upon trying to remove my placenta it was realised that it was burrowed too deep. I haemorrhaged. My husband was told to leave the room and I was put to sleep. I was aware from previous discussions that if I bled-out I would require a hysterectomy to save my life.
For the next hour and 20 mins I continued to bleed. My husband was kept up to date but was made aware I was in danger. I lost 6 litres of blood and required blood transfusions. Because my son was very poorly (at the time they didn't know if he would survive) the surgeons battled to save my womb. As a last resort they inserted a balloon into my womb and inflated it in the hope the pressure would stop the bleeding. It worked thank god! I was later told that if I had other children I would have had the hysterectomy straight away.
I spent 4 days in Intensive Care in a different hospital to the one I gave birth in (I was taken in an ambulance once I was stable).
I don't remember much of that stay but my family came to see me with photos of my son. On day 2 I was extubated and was awake and could talk. I wanted to breast feed and machines were bought to me so I could express my milk (the medications I were given were altered for this to be done safely) On day 4 after I had my tubes and balloon removed I was again taken by ambulance to the hospital where my son was being treated. I met my son at 4 days old, a nurse took me down in a wheelchair. I stayed on the maternity ward for a week whilst I recovered. I had blood thinning injections for a month or so after.
Recovery for me was painful. Because I was 'opened up' for a fair while I ended up with lots of air bubbles in my blood. My arms and legs hurt for weeks. My tummy was very tender for a months afterwards too.
I was very lucky with my scar as it healed quickly and I only have a little bit of numbness. My son survived and came home at 2 months old! He's amazing!

I was due to have a scan after 2 years (April) to look at my scarring and to see if I will be able to have another baby in the future. This scan has been delayed due to Covid-19. I was informed back then that the scarring from my previous section/ballon surgery could hinder my chances of falling pregnant again. My chances of this happening to me again are high. Unbelievably I would do it all again for another baby! I must be mad haha.

I hope my story doesn't worry you. I hope the information helps. I was told by so many people that placenta previa is common but nobody really told me how dangerous it can be. I was very naive! Good luck for the future and be sure to come back and let us know how it goes x

I have had full placenta praevia (grade4) twice. I had normal c section both times.

The second time I had EMCS a week before my planned section as I was having an abruption, my placenta was massive, and whether they went for vertical or horizontal cut they would be going through placenta, so went horizontal. I did not have acreta, having been involved in a study comparing the best way to detect acreta.

Thank you guys! Mine is 13mm away from my cervix and needs to be at least 20mm. I have my next scan in 3 weeks😬 x

First placenta previa was an emergency cs because I started bleeding at 34 weeks and went into labour. It was all pretty calm though, only an emergency in the sense of “it needs to happen now”. They cut through the scar from my previous cs so it’s low down. Baby spent a week in SCBU, and is now a grumpy 15yo.

Second placenta previa was also placenta percreta so I have a vertical scar. That took longer to recover from. But I knew that was going to happen beforehand.

Oh you’ve got a good chance then. Think of it like a balloon - a dot that’s really close to the opening can move along way away when you inflate the balloon. And the lower third of the uterus expands the most at the end of pregnancy.