Positive placenta previa c-section stories please

[Worriedaboutpp]

I am 34 weeks pregnant with placenta previa and did what I've been told NOT to do... I googled it. I've scared myself stupid! I'm expecting a c-section in 2 weeks because of it.

So placenta is over cervix, at front, baby is lying across and placenta being cut through quickly has been casually mentioned. I've been told to get to hospital quickly for any possible labour symptoms. Might need vertical incision as it's all in a weird place.

Soooo.... what I want is I know there are so many who have this! Please can I have positive stories only. Thank you!

Following as I’m 27 weeks with placenta previa, hoping it moves by my next scan🤞🏼

I was wondering how they navigate around a low lying placenta during a c section because a friend told me they can’t do a section with an anterior placenta? Not sure how true that is though!

I had an anterior low lying placenta and had a c section. I had a major bleed at 35 weeks so it was an emergency c section done very quickly but they made the cut in the usual place and it healed really well. Just remember the doctors deal with this stuff all the time so they will have a plan for every possible scenario.

I'm following too - 36 weeks pregnant with placenta previa. It isn't shifting so due to have a c-section in two weeks too!

Thank you! This is great to hear. I've seen 2 different consultants who've told me 2 totally different things. Fingers crossed I don't have any more big bleeds.

I had complete placenta previa, baby was born at 34+2 by emcs after worsening bleeds. Definitely don’t go far from the hospital. I had a normal C-section cut and excellent healing, I only lost 500-600ml of blood during the surgery which they were happy with. My baby was quite sick due to being early but came home after 4 weeks in NICU/SCBU, and if your baby gets to 36 weeks that’s way better.

I had placenta previa with my first. She was also ‘unstable’ and kept spinning around. I was in for a week before c section and they scanned me on the table before c section to check positioning. Both me and baby with fine, no major blood lost and all good!

I had this and when I had my c section the incision was j shaped internally so they could get baby but my visible scar is normal. I did have to have a c section with my next baby because of the incision type but I didn’t mind that

Thank you so much for these stories everyone! It's so reassuring to read other experiences. I am so much calmer already.

They definitely can do a c-section with an anterior placenta. In fact a friend is having an elective with one and no medical reason. Good luck and hope it moves (apparently they usually do).

I had this a couple of years ago mine was completely covering my cervix and I had a major bleed at about 34 weeks, but it stabilized and I was allowed home for a while before baby was born via planned section at 36 weeks. They had to cut through my placenta as it was pretty much everywhere.... I did lose 4 l of blood and needed a transfusion - they said the placenta was stuck so I think I had some accreta too. It was a horizontal cut and healed fine. It was a difficult experience (but I have a lovely toddler now!), but I did get the best consultants and pretty much everyone at my section so they were ready when it started to go wrong, me and DD weren't in danger. Its a rubbish thing to happen, but just trust your consultant they've seen it before!

Placenta previa which led to placental abruption at 33 weeks. Emergency C section, we were both totally fine, baby spent a couple of weeks in NICU while they grew a little ans sorted breathing and feeding. I had warning bleeds so was already in hospital (don’t ignore anything like this if you get it, they’d rather be cautious).

They deal with it so often now, try not to goggle as it makes it horribly stressful. Rest and relax. Xxx

I had placenta previa with DS2. C Section at 38 weeks. I was very uncomfortable towards the end as Ds2 was pushed under my ribs - the surgeon had to pull him down. I had no bleeding before the Section. I lost a fair amount of blood during the Section- just avoided a transfusion by a very small margin. Was quite anemic after but had iron supplements and was fine about 6 weeks later. It is serious and you have to go in if you get the slightest hint of blood but also there are plenty of mums and babies who have no problems. All the best

Complete previa no chance of moving, high chance of bleed. Never bled at all and minimal loss during section. I was an anxious mess for half of my pregnancy and wish I could have chilled out a bit more. They were most surprised I didn't bleed. If you take anything from this, it is please don't panic!!

Ahhh thank you! I am an anxious mess too and I know that's so silly as it won't help matters. I'm stopping work earlier than planned (week 34 as I've not been sleeping with worry and want to put my feet up a bit). I am so pleased I started this thread. I knew there must be lots of nice stories out there. This is my 3rd child. I was discharged 4 hours after having my second child. So think I was just expecting that again. But like loads have said, they have the best care for these situations. Every response I read, even with the tricky bits/ scbu / blood loss is helping put it in perspective and I'm very grateful.

It is just a really stressful time so being an anxious mess is reasonable! I made myself feel more in control by doing certain things. I had my hospital bag packed super early. I bought a waterproof mattress cover- which protected my mattress when I did get a bleed (they seem to happen at night). I also arranged with neighbours who I could leave my oldest daughter with at short notice. When I was alone I also always left my backdoor unlocked, incase an ambulance needed to get in (it became a massive irrational fear of mine). And I always knew where my nearest hospital was wherever we went. Little things like that helped keep my anxieties under control. Keep focussed that it will all be over soon and it will most likely be much easier/better than you fear!

So happy to have found this thread. I have grade 4 previa, anterior placenta and breech baby and am terrified of bleeding out at my csection booked for 37w. The 1 in 10 risk of hysterectomy has made me entirely freak out and I am feeling so anxious.

Coming back to this thread two weeks after baby was delivered by planned c-section. I had placenta previa and had small bleeds at 30 and 32 weeks followed by a major bleed at 33 weeks (when they thought she might have to come that day but thankfully it all slowed down). The section was originally booked for 38+6, the hospital then wanted to move it to 37 weeks due the the risk of bleeding later on and we eventually settled on 38+3.
I was an anxious mess in the lead up to it - on the worse days I was convinced that I would either need a hysterectomy or die, on better days I was really worried about how hard recovery might be compared to my previous vaginal birth.
The procedure itself was amazing, very relaxed, I was kept informed of everything. The start time was slightly delayed due to them not having enough units of my blood type on standby. They got it all sorted fairly quickly but I didn't need any blood at all in the end (I lost 300-400ml whereas I lost 1 litre during my vaginal delivery).
I had my daughter at 11:24am and was home just after lunch time the following day. Feeding is going well, my postpartum bleeding is lighter than last time (the midwife suggested that the surgeon may have 'cleared me out' well 🤣), and I had one blood thinning injection in hospital but didn't need to carry on with them at home (I had assumed it was a given after a section but apparently it depends on your clotting score).
The first few days were tricky physically but two weeks on I can walk around 5k quite comfortably and do most things that I need to at home. I just can't drive yet or pick my toddler up.
Hopefully this makes anyone reading this feel a bit more relaxed about their placenta previa and c-section. I was so anxious for the last 10 weeks of pregnancy, particularly following the major bleed but it all worked out well in the end 🙏

@GraciousB did you have any subsequent pregnancies following your previa / accreta birth?

X

@Englishgirl9 , no I haven't, and am not planning on anymore- I have 2 little girls and am done! The consultants narrowly managed to avoid a hysterectomy during my section, and informed me I should be ok to have more pregnancies. But the stress of the placenta previa pregnancy/birth has meant that neither myself or my husband will even consider it. I don't think I could handle 3 kids anyway. Hope all goes well for you.

@redteapot congratulations!

@GraciousB Thank you

Congratulations @redteapot your post really helped me.

I had my csection last week at 37w+1 and it went okay. I was so ridiculously nervous and cried with fear throughout - but baby boy got here safe. I lost 1.5L and had the startings of accreta although it all came away without needing a hysterectomy or transfusion etc. The pain has been unreal for 4-5 days but is starting to get better now. I have 10 days of blood thinning injections and wearing the compression socks.

I really wanted another child but I don't know that I can risk it with the increased likelihood of previa and accreta. So that has weighed in me a lot since.

Congratulations! That's great that your little one got here safely and fingers crossed your recovery speeds up. It's still so new try not to think about the future, enjoy your little boy! Definitely have a follow up with your consultant about the chances of it happening again, my consultant was positive about me having more. My little one is 18 months old and I feel less scared of another pregnancy than I did straight after birth, so you may change your mind. Its actually my husband who is still terrified, I think he has found it harder to get over.

Mine has just had her 24th birthday. She was my second child and I went on to have a VBAC 5 years later and another VB 2 years after that.