Placenta previa

[ViMa1820]

Just finished at 20week scan and told placenta is covering cervix by 9mm and classed as previa.

Am feeling really emotional, scared and worried. I'm a mum of two small girls and had fairly easy natural births with them.
Not bothered at thought of c section but terrified of heavy bleeding and dying during operation.

Anyone with similar experiences give some reassurance or share their story? 🥺

Hi OP,

I was told my placenta was completely covering my cervix at my 20 week scan. I was told it was unlikely to move but they would check at 32 weeks. 32 weeks came and it had moved a little but not enough and was still covering. Due to still covering the cervix they schedule a section for 37 weeks as Dr said it was risky to continue any further than that. She offered a final scan at 36 weeks and amazingly it had moved right out the way.
I went on to have a really quick natural labour (2nd baby).
I also had only one relatively small bleed in my whole pregnancy. I think they need to take placentas covering the cervix extremely seriously but a lot of the time it is a precaution and it will move.
Any bleeding though phone midwives straight away, tell them you have placenta previa and get yourself straight to hospital.

@ViMa1820 , hope you are feeling ok. I got this same news almost exactly 1 year ago- although mine was complete previa and I was told there was no chance of it moving. I already had a 3 year old and like you was terrified of what would happen. I had a bad bleed at 34 weeks and then a planned section at 36 weeks when I lost 4l of blood. But to be honest the worrying about what could happen was the worst bit by far. You still have a good chance of yours moving, but even if it doesn't you will get the top consultants and the best care.

Yes I had this and it did move. I was so scared- then grateful- I came home and donated to a charity to help women in developing countries with rhe same condition where its not always spotted in time

So glad it turned put OK for you @GraciousB

Try not to worry, I had a total cover, no bleed until the morning of the planned c section at 38 weeks (probably because I was so stressed about the thought of it) and no blood transfusion needed at all, it really is different for everyone, the c section itself was also much easier than I'd feared

I had placenta previa with my first. Had a planned C-section for 38 weeks. They told me at the hospital any sign of bleeding prior to the C section date to call them immediately. at 36 weeks I was getting ready to go to work and I noticed fresh blood on my liner and I rang an ambulance at 6:30 in the morning and I had an emergency section and my daughter was delivered just after 8 o’clock that morning as it was too risky with the blood. I left all my belongings at home went straight to the hospital no baby bag no book no nothing and I had to call my husband as he was at work to come straight back to the hospital

The funny thing of it all was I had a planned steroid injection into my leg that same Day at the hospital only it was in the afternoon. For preparation of a C-section. The midwife that was ringing looking for me what is a midwife that was attending other mothers on the ward. She couldn’t believe it

I had this with my second and the placenta didn't move. I had 4 bleeding episodes from 28 weeks to 35 weeks and was admitted to hospital for 1-2 days each time so they could monitor me and the baby. It was a very scary time and in the end my baby was born at 37 weeks by planned c section, as they didn't want me to go any further due to the repeated bleeding. The c section was uneventful fortunately, even though I shared your fears.

Looking back on it, we were in safe hands and whilst it's scary for us, the doctors have seen it before and they know what to do. In most cases the placenta moves by the end of pregnancy anyway. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy! I know it's easier said than done but try not to let this put a cloud over the next few months as the statistics are very much in your favour.

Hi, I am in a similar position. I was diagnosed with complete posterior placenta previa at 20 week scan. I went on to have a small bleed at 22+4, I came to triage and they checked my cervix to make sure I wasn’t in labour and then sent me home as things had already started to tail off bleeding wise. I now have old blood- brown discharge frequently probably most days.

Im currently writing this from my first inpatient stay at 25+6 and I can’t sleep. Staying in hospital was my worst nightmare but now it’s happened I’ve actually managed to be quite calm and pragmatic about it. I’d say this was only still a small bleed but worse than the first. I had an internal exam again, a HUGE cannula and have had the first of 2 steroid injections in the bum which really hurt. They want me to be bleed free for 24/48 hrs before discharge.

Lying here trying to come to terms with the reality that this might be my life for the next 10 weeks or until they schedule my c section. All agree my placenta is now unlikely to move so likely section as close to 36 weeks as they can get me. It’s hard to stare down the barrel of 10 weeks of hospital visits and possible permanent hospitalisation but I keep telling myself I’d go to hell and back for the little boy I’m carrying so I will deal with whatever comes my way because I have to.

Best piece of advice so far is have a hospital bag for yourself packed and ready to go at a moments notice. I included toiletries, plenty of books, comfy clothes and an extra long charger. You’ll think it’s overkill until you need it!

good luck to all facing the same diagnosis,
i hope your placenta behave!!! Would love extra advice, chats etc to keep my spirits up xx

I had placenta previa marginalis and vasa previa. No episodes, no admissions before delivering at 36w, baby fine. Delivery was a scheduled section, very calm. Be ready to respond if something happens but you can also have an uneventful pregnancy so no need to worry.