Low lying placenta bleed at 35 weeks

[Kel33]

Looking for some positive stories as I drive myself mad in hospital.
I was told of Low-lying placenta (not covering just close) at 20 week scan. Hadn't moved at 32 weeks scan so was due another scan at 36 weeks which is Tuesday. On Wednesday night (35+1) I was stood in the kitchen and had a big, heavy bleed. Rang triage who said to ring for ambulance. Luckily ambulance got there super quick and I was taken into hospital. Due to amount of blood loss etc they prepared to do C-section that night but luckily the bleeding slowed/stopped. Baby was fine throughout luckily.
The plan keeps changing but they basically (at the moment) want to keep me in hospital until they deliver baby on Wednesday when he will be 36+1 day. They don't want me to leave as I live almost an hour away (on a good traffic day - rural living) and because iv had one big bleed it could mean more likely to have another.
I am so worried about literally everything, miss my 4 year old who's at home with his dad, worried baby will be ok at 36+1, worried that if they do let me home the bleed could happen again as there was seemingly no trigger etc!
Sorry for rant I'm just very overwhelmed

OP, everything will be fine, you are in the right place. Of course it’s hard being away from your 4 year old though, have they been able to come and visit? 36 weekers do really really well, have you had a chance to talk to anyone about how that might look? Chance of a NICU admission is a little higher than full term babies but a lot of the time at 36 weeks babies don’t need that. Especially if a good size. Can take a bit more time to establish breastfeeding and they’re a wee bit higher risk for some mild breathing difficulty and for jaundice, other really mild things.
Have you got some things you can distract yourself with? Mindless TV shows, colouring/knitting/crosswords, lots of visitors?
all the best, you and baby will be fine :)

I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. The four year old and dad will be fine at home. You are in the best place now, and they can manage the risk better with you in hospital e.g. steroid injections for the baby's lungs, rather than dealing with an emergency delivery. Hopefully you will have no more bleeds and everything can go to plan. I was in for 10 days with complete previa before mine was born, although I never had a bleed. Are you on bed rest? If not, can I give you some unmasked for advice? When I was in, I'd get up every day, have a shower and put on normal clothes, eat my breakfast outside of the bed, go down to the hospital shop and buy the paper, do the crosswords, have visitors in, etc. Basically it helped my mental health no end to not behave like someone sick. Some of the other women in the ward who were in for similar placenta reasons, for transverse lies, etc. stayed in pyjamas and in bed all day and I could see that it affected their mentality and attitude. It's a small thing but it helped me loads and made me feel less helpless. Like I just needed to keep myself going and be in the best shape for the baby being born and a bit in control of my day.

Thanks for your reply! It's very reassuring to read. I am going to speak to the midwives today about what having a 36week old would look like logistically etc and that might give me some reassurance!

Did you deliver at term or did they bring you earlier? Thank you for your advice. They haven't said bed rest just to be in hospital in case another bleed.. I am normally a very busy person so it's tough being in a cubicle but interestingly what you have advised has worked today - I got up, showered, dressed out of PJ's and I'm about to go stretch my legs! Iv been paddling around the hospital and my son has been to visit and is coming again today. I feel much better for not lounging in PJ's like you said 😊 although showering with a big cannula in both hands was not fun! Thanks again

I had my section at 37+4. I was admitted at 36 and it was a day by day assessment, knowing that if I had any sort of a bleed they'd do it as an emergency. I was very lucky to get that far. I'm glad you got up and about and were feeling a bit better today. It is stressful, so expect to feel very stressed, even if it all goes really well. I left the hospital roaring crying - I'm sure people thought something bad had happened - but it was the relief of everything having gone right. So take care of yourself if you can and take the time to enjoy a few hobbies or binge TV shows, to try to take your mind off it. Good luck!

Your 4 year old will be fine and try not to worry about having a 36 week old, they are a little bit smaller, but 37 weeks is considered full term. I had praevia with DC3 who was delivered at 34+5 weeks after 2 months bed rest in hospital following a big bleed at 26 weeks and then further bleeds. I was away from my toddler and 4 year old, they soon forgot all about it once I was home again. No NICU stay required, baby got the hang of breastfeeding fine (I had steroids pre- delivery). Try to rest and relax, it is far better to have a calm planned CS now than risk another bleed by overdoing it at home and end up with an EMCS.

Thank you for sharing your experience - it's been very reassuring. Your right about better to be calm. My partner even said today "even if they let you home on bed rest you won't do it, you can't stop yourself" and he's right I wouldn't rest as much at home! Thanks again

Just checking in to see how you are doing ahead of tomorrow, I am glad I could help you feel a bit more reassured about everything.

Hello! Still in hospital. Scan showed placenta still too low and theres signs of the bleed and a clot on there that they are now worried might come away. They are planning to go ahead with C-section on Friday if we get that far without a other bleed etc I had a blood transfusion last night as iron etc wasn't coming up! Just fed up really, been here 6 days and got another 3 to go before Section! Sorry for word vomit just a bit fed up - thank you for checking in that's kind x

It is tough being stuck in there longer I remember my CS was delayed by a few days as labour ward was too busy and I was stable. I balled my eyes out as it meant I would not be home to spend Christmas with my kids.

They are probably thinking Friday to give your iron levels a chance to come up. There is a risk of haemorrhage during or after the CS so they will want to make sure you are in the best situation beforehand. It gives baby a few more days inside too.

Yes you are right. They said as much -that aslong as we are both stable and here it gives him extra time in the oven too. That must have been hard being in over Christmas. It's my little boys last week of reception before the summer and I just keep crying over missing it. Think hormones are also at work here 😅

I feel for you. Same happened to me last time, and it was right over Christmas and new year. I just had to sit there on a boiling ward. Delivered by CS at 36weeks, all absolutely fine. Good luck.

Thanks for sharing your experience. It's reassuring to know your little was ok and the section went well!
It's tough but just keep reminding myself I'm in the best place for baby and me to be safe!