36 weeks placenta previa and csection advice

[Bethpaigeox]

Had a scan at 20 weeks, where I was diagnosed with a low lying placenta, told would rescan at 32 weeks, was then told at 32 weeks it hadn't moved at all and it was unlikely to, they also said probability would be a csection so they tagged a consultant onto my next appointment which will be tomorrow at 36 weeks. I've done some reading online, actually come to terms with having a csection now as it's what will be safer for both myself and baby. (Had a scan in-between at 34 weeks due to lack of movement all was fine but placenta still blocking as she said)

My question comes from do the nhs do csections for placenta previa earlier I.e 37-38 weeks as I've been reading mixed things online. I'm terrified of the thought that she will say tomorrow I've got to wait till 39 weeks as the pains I've had the last couple of days, vs how big they're saying he is already they're saying he's around 6lb14 at the moment, I don't think he will go that far before trying to make his way out naturally? Can I try and reason with the consultant? Also my pulse rate has been high throughout the 2nd/3rd trimester at 120bpm. Usually when I'm not pregnant it's around 60bpm. And I've been having palpitations but I do suffer with ectopic beats anyway but these seem to have gotten worse in the last trimester.

If anyone who's had an elective csection from placenta previa could give me guidance, and advice please.

Please reply xx

Bumping for you but I was told it depends on how bad it is and if you have lots of bleeding.

What pains?

@Newsenmum I've had no bleeding so far (touch wood I don't get any) Lots of cramps in uterus and back recently, also had to go to triage quite a lot recently due to reduced movement, and once when he decided to have a full on disco for three hours straight which is not like him at all and they weren't happy with his movement to begin with but repeated ctg and let me go home to monitor.

@Newsenmum it started the other evening when I got into bed it was like period cramps for 10 mins straight enough pain to make me physically sick. Then eased, started again this morning not as intense but started in back and radiated to front. I don't think there braxtons as my stomach isn't going hard like it does with braxtons and I've had those quite a lot throughout pregnancy.

Hey!
I’ve just (today) been downgraded from a potential placenta previa, but I was told if it was closer than 2cm at my scan yesterday I’d be booked in for a c-section at 36 weeks as there’s a higher risk of bleeding the further along you go.

if yours is still covering at your next scan I think they’ll book you in sooner rather than later.

@38FTM glad yours has moved that's such good news! I'm not holding out much hope for mine as hadn't moved at 34 weeks, but we will see, however if it has to be csection I was kind of hoping it'd be between 37-38 weeks as I really don't want to run the risk of going into natural labour due to it being so dangerous if the placentas still in the way and I'd rather have a planned csection than an emergency one. X

I had complete placenta previa and an emcs at 34 weeks. The longer the baby stays in the better, so really you do want to aim for 38-39 weeks. Even a few weeks early can make a difference, if the baby is ready and comes naturally that’s fair enough but with placenta previa the baby is not ready on it’s own timeline, your pregnancy might have been one that naturally went to 42 weeks and your baby might struggle at 37-38 weeks.

@Garman I totally understand that but there's a lot of guidance out there saying baby should be born 36-38 weeks with placenta previa to not risk going into natural labour due to the risks being high, which is why I'm anxious if they book me in later if I do go into natural labour it's really dangerous with PP.

there are national guidelines on when/how to deliver women with abnormally positioned placentas (once it's confirmed that the placenta is still in the way). Every pregnancy is different and needs to be considered on its own merits, but broadly speaking delivery is usually earlier than the 'average' elective section. There's not a single obstetrician on earth who wants to be dealing with a surprise bleeding previa - they take avoiding that scenario very seriously!

@Greybeardy thank you! This helps to know, I've only got to wait till tomorrow, hopefully she will take it all into consideration x

If you went into natural labour and weren’t already on bed rest in the hospital you would have an emcs asap. Usually with placenta previa towards the end or if there have been bleeds you’re told not to go more than a certain distance from the hospital, if you aren’t admitted already.

Oh wow have you told triage about the cramps?

@Newsenmum I told them the last time I went in, but as they come and go they don't seem too concerned x

@Garman ahhh okay, hopefully tomorrow they will go through all this with me then, they haven't really said a lot at the scans, just to rest as much as possible x

I was 37+4. Was a voluntary admission at 36 weeks for monitoring as it was a day by day decision to balance extending the pregnancy and balancing the risk of labour. However I had a complete previa, I don't know if yours is complete or partial. Mine was a big weight trending baby maybe like yours, mine was 8lbs 2 at 37+4. Probably made it an easier decision. I would not be happy about having potential contractions with a complete previa but don't know the risks of a partial.

@TryingNotCrying24 she hasn't really said at the appointments just at the last one she said it was blocking the cervix and that it would be highly unlikely to move so I guess we will see tomorrow xx

Good luck tomorrow!

@TryingNotCrying24 thank you I'll post an update tomorrow! X

Update:

It's definitely placenta previa, consultant wants me to have steroid injections mon and Tues, and due to the previa and the fact baby is now roughly 7lb5 he wants a safe delivery at 37 weeks which is next week, however theres no dates currently so I've got to wait over the next couple days to receive a phone call with a date for next week x

That all sounds like a great plan. Baby is nice and big which is reassuring for delivering a little early.