Labour induced due to previous placental abruption?

[Popi70]

Hi there,

When in previous pregnancy I suffered a placenta abruption (pa) at 25 weeks and lost both my twin boys, the doctor said that for next pregnancy I would be induced early at 36 weeks. All blood tests I did could not explain the pa.

This time I am expecting only one baby and at 26 weeks all scans, doppler tests and cervix measure have shown that the pregnancy is progressing very well and that I have less than 1% chances for pre-term labour. So, I am not certain anymore whether induction is the best way forward.

Most women seem to be induced either because they are way past their due date, they have a medical condition or the baby is in distress. However, I don't fit in any of these categories - so far. I also plan to discuss this again with dr and mw, but before then...

Has anyone been in/know of a similar situation?

Really sorry to hear about your boys.

I had a pa at 41 weeks, and my DD2 is disabled as a consequence.

If I have another pregnancy I am intending to ask for an elective caesarian around 37/38 weeks.

If you've had a pa your risk of another is slightly elevated, I've read it's 10%.

How would you feel about a c-section?

I'd be a bit concerned that labour might be very slow at 36 weeks as your body would most likely not be ready to give birth.

However, I'm not a dr!

bumping for you

I am so sorry for your loss.

I had a placental abruption with DS1, who was born by a crash c-section and thankfully is healthy.

I discussed the apruption with the consultant when I was pregnant with DS2 and they were very reluctant to allow me to go for a VBAC and I was booked in for an elective section at 38 weeks, however, due to an illness near the end of my pregancy DS2 was born at 37 weeks (I had steriods to mature his lungs for two days), they did check me out for an induction, but my cervix was not viable. He was 7lb2oz and apart from some very slight grunting well and we left hospital 2 days later.

Popsi, there might be more people around tomorrow?

Will keep bumping for you.

sorry, i mean popi not popsi

I've been decluttering this weekend big time and had no time to check mn till now. So, thank you very much for telling me your stories and bumping up my message. C-section was not something I had thought before but after your suggestions...hmmmm...I don't know. I am starting thinking about it more seriously now. If an unsuccessful induction can end up in emergency c-section anyway, maybe it's a better way forward. You have definitely given me some more ideas to think about, which is good
pop(s)i

bump bump

final bumpety bump ...

surely someone else out there has had an abruption and can offer this lady some advice?

I know they're fairly unusual, but they're hardly unheard of...

Tiny Bear and Big Bear,thank you for bumping up my message. I will try to post to other forums too.

In the meantime, is there anyone out there who gave birth or is pregnant at the moment after suffering a placental abruption in a previous pregnancy?

popi

I'm so sorry about your babies.

I had an abruption with dd, part way through labour. I hadn't dilated at all, was in a lot of pain, etc etc and then my placenta abrupted and I had a emergency section.

With ds, we did think about a VBAC, but given my past history and how traumatic it all was, and with ds wiggling around with his bum facing down right til the last minute, my mw and I decided that a planned section at 38 weeks would just take the worry out of the final weeks. Which I would otherwise have spent fretting, and during labour, worrying about what may or may not happen.

Elective sections really divide opinion on here, but planning it all, whether section or induction, made me relax a little more, and not fear what could happen, because it felt more managed. Sorry - this is a long post, but Hope It Helped!

moodlum, this is exactly the sort of experiences I am looking to gather. For me as well it is very important to make a plan with mw and obs to minimize any risk

Hi Popi,
My niece had partial pa at 31 wks last year, and sadly our little lady was born sleeping so I know exactly where you are coming from. I am so sorry for your loss.

My niece is now 30 wks with next baby and has been admitted to hosp today to stay for 2 wks to be monitored, and for peace of mind really. They are planning on inducing at 38wks, but my niece has mixed feelings about induction, as I do.

I know it may seem very frightening, but you have to remember that a section is a major operation, not to be taken lightly. You are under absolutely no obligation to be induced at any time, and after a certain point, you can asked to be monitored daily at the hosp. You have done very well to progress this far this time, and as you said, everything is fine. If the risk is 10% of it happening again, that's a whopping 90% it doesn't.

Who have you got for non medical support? Is dp supportive of your concerns about induction? It's a worrying time for you, but labour doesn't have to be terrifying, after what you went through last time, you need a relaxing, calm labour, which will lead to a trouble free birth.
I am a birth Doula, and I know that a relaxed mother will help in all aspects of your labour and birth. You need to feel confident in the choices that you make, and they have to be right for you, and your family and situation.

36wks is very early to be induced. If they are adamant, you could possibly ask that they wait until 38wks?

HTH, Please try not to get too worked up about it, It's your baby, your choice. Don't let anyone pressure you into anything.
Sending big hugs. x

liagen,thank so much for your reply.

Just came back from my weekly meeting with mw and her view was also that the date of the induction appears a bit arbitrary and early, needs to be reviewed in the light of my present circumstances and like you she also thought that an induction at 37/38 weeks was probably a better way forward. She seemed to imply that it would not be wise to let me get to 40/41 weeks.

DP shares my feelings but his worries are slightly different than mine. After all, I worry about the baby and he worries about the baby and...me. Having said that though this has been such an enjoyable pregnancy so far.

Sorry if too many details but someone may read this thread in the future who will be in similar dilemma/situation.

liagen, please use this thread to let me know how your niece is progressing and what she ended up doing. I hope everything goes well for her

Hi Popi, I'm pleased to hear that you have an understanding mw. If they have valid concerns about you going over your dates, then obviously, you need to do whatever you feel happy with.
It's a shame about partners at times like this, as they often get forgotten, all focus being on mum, rightly so, but sometimes we need to remember that those were his little boys too, and he must be scared stiff for both you and your new baby.It's hard for people to have the time to just ask him what he's feeling, is he ok etc.
Make time for the 2 of you and have a (very) small glass of wine and relax with each other. Before you know it, you'll have that gorgeous little bundle in your arms, and you can start on the road to recovery. I truly believe your angels will watch over you.

Take care of yourself. I will keep this thread on watch, If you have any concerns, please feel free to ask me. I will keep you posted on my niece.

lots of love to you. xx

Hi Popi,

So sorry to hear about your boys, but glad you have found this pregnancy so enjoyable. I had a pa with DD at term and luckily she was born healthy by emergency section.

I am 20 weeks now with second pregnancy and have decided to have an elective section to take the worry out of the final weeks. After the emergency section I was out of it for hours afterwards I think maybe becasue i had lost so much blood. Anyway, this time I would just like to know that with the planned section the baby will be as safe as possible and also hopefully I will be able to enjoy the first few hours with the baby this time around, particularly as I think this will be our last baby.

Sorry for rambling!

mistythistle,glad about your DD. drs did say that girls fair better than boys in situation like this. At which week have you planned your c-section?

liahgen, that is very sweet of you. thanks!!!!

Popi,

I dont need to decide until consultant appointment at 34 weeks, but I think they are normally done 7-10 days before due date here, although am going to ask how much difference that will make to baby's weight at birth as would like baby to be as big as possible, so if it makes much difference would like the elective section as close to term as possible.

Although some people have said to me that babies dont get much bigger in the last few weeks, so I dont know!