First bleed with placenta previa

[Popchipdip]

I’m currently 24w6d and had a bleed this morning. At my 20 week scan I was told to go straight to the MAU with any bleeding, which I did.

The doctor done an internal examination and said the neck of the womb is closed and the bleeding had stopped but has asked me to stay in for observations for at least 24hrs.

I’ve been waiting for a bed on the ward for hours now.

I’m wondering what other people’s experience was in hospital when they’ve had to stay in for obs following a bleed. What happened? Did they tell you what caused the bleeding? Follwing having a bleed were you told to go on bed rest or stay within a certain distance of hospital?

Hope you get a bed soon @Popchipdip . I remember how worried and stressed I was going through the same during my last pregnancy.

For the first couple of bleeds I had with placenta previa (from 20 weeks) I was checked out in hospital and stayed briefly (I think less than 24 hours) for observation, then sent home on bed rest (allowed to walk around a little at home - eg to get a cup of tea - but overwise laid up on the sofa or in bed). I was just told that the cause of bleeding was placenta previa (complete placenta previa in my case). I lived very close to the hospital (10 mins drive) so they may have taken that into consideration in deciding not to admit me at that point.

I haemorrhaged quite badly at home at about 23 weeks (in bed in the middle of the night, so hadn't been moving around at all), rushed to hospital (by which time the bleeding had stopped) and at that point they decided to admit me. The aim was to keep the pregnancy going for as long as possible. I managed to get to 26w5d before I had another big bleed and they decided they had to deliver the baby. After my DD was born, we had a tough few months in the NICU before bringing her home. Despite her rocky start, she's now a thriving 4 year old who's into everything.

Fantastic that you're almost at 25w already. I know that lots of placenta previa cases can resolve by themselves, and even if not, bed rest helps many women get much further along into the third trimester than I did. Hoping you get more answers from the medical team soon. Lots of good wishes.

Thank you for your response @Waffleswithcheese! I’m glad to hear your daughter is doing very well now. It must have been a huge shock to you having to have her so early on.

I have just been taken to my bed now so it’s just a waiting game until the doctor comes to see me! I’ve never been in hospital overnight and I’m here on my own so feeling a little anxious

I got told I had placenta previa at the 20 week scan and to call the hospital if I started bleeding. At about 26/27 weeks I had a bit of bleeding, but I think I caused it. I was pacing quickly up some stairs. When I next went to the toilet I saw a bit of blood on my underwear, not much though. I called Mau and they said to put a pad on and see if any more blood appears. If it did go to them. I didn’t have any more bleeding after that point though.

I had another scan at 31 weeks which showed it had moved up enough to be out of the way.

I’ve been admitted a few times due to bleeding caused by my placenta. They did obs, listen to the heartbeat a few times a day and monitor blood loss by collecting all my tissues and pads. I wasn’t allowed to leave until id had 24 hours with no bleeding each time.
They didn’t do any further investigation beyond checking my cervix was closed, swabs to check for infection and blood tests because they knew it was my placenta. I don’t think they like to interfere too much. I was referred for additional scans after my second or third admission to check the blood loss wasn’t restricting baby’s growth and that my placenta was working ok.
Each time I was advised to take a week off work to rest after discharge and advised no heavy lifting, no strenuous activity, no long walks, no sex. I was eventually signed off completely around 28 weeks because I was spotting constantly and having heavy bleeds at least once a week. I’m 34 weeks now and the bleeding has finally stopped over the past couple of weeks. I live around 30 mins from the hospital so I’ve been told if I do bleed again now I will be admitted until delivery.

Like you, I’d never been in overnight before so I was very anxious and worried about my baby but everyone was lovely. If someone can bring you in an eye mask and some ear plugs I’d say they’re essential for your stay! Hope you’re allowed home soon and everything is ok with the rest of your pregnancy.

Thanks for sharing your experiences @Blue2020 and @PurplePastaBake!

Luckily I have had no more bleeding but it’s good to know what the plan was for you going forward @PurplePastaBake. Hopefully you make it a few more weeks without a bleed as the thought of being in hospital until baby comes isn’t great!

I packed my eye mask and headphones this morning but will make sure to have an emergency bag packed in case of any future visits as I forgot pyjamas and toiletries. Unfortunately my partner isn’t with me either as his dad is very unwell in a different hospital a couple hours away and he is with him

Definitely get a bag packed, and some easy to grab snacks and drinks too incase you’re admitted again. Hopefully as you’ve had no further bleeding it’s just a one off and you won’t need to stay in too long or have any further admissions. Hope you manage to get some sleep tonight - that’s probably what I found hardest. The wards are just so noisy and just as you drift off they’ll want to take your blood pressure again or someone will get hooked up for monitoring and you’ll be wide awake.

Hope your partners Dad gets well soon, too.