Wife bleeding and in hospital - any advice...

[EmmasHusband]

Emma, my wife is currently in hospital for the 3rd time in 2 weeks because of bleeding. She is 37 weeks tomorrow (25th) and the doctors have mentioned inducing Emma. Can you give me information on being induced so I can pass it on to Emma? Emma has been a keen user of Mumsnet for 3 years and has asked me to post.

Scans have ruled out a low lying placenta and when Emma has an internal examination the doctors cannot see anything for the blood. Each time Emma has had bleeding there has been more blood than the previous time. She is still bleeding lightly now after 36 hours. The previous 2 bleeds were like her waters breaking she told me. Emma takes it easy and the bleeding has happened in the night or first thing in the morning. Emma also has a bit of a sore stomach and it feels tender to touch.

Emma is spending her second night in hospital tonight (her 4th altogether). The doctors have mentioned a corrosive ?something? I cant remember what the something was but I am sure you will know and I will feel silly when you remind me. They are not sure though. Our little boys head is not engaged yet and he is fine, great results on the monitor and great movement.

Any information on all the pros and cons of it all will be appreciated, we both live in the real world and like to be informed about what may happen.

Thanks in advance, Kevin.

Don't know anything that can help, but just wanted to say good luck and let us know what happens!

Just to reassure you that 37 weeks is considered full term so there shouldn't be any probs with the baby if it is induced soon.
Good luck, and hope all goes well.

Thanks spagblogb

I'm no medic - just want to wish you luck.

As miranda says - 37 weeks is a safe time to deliver - don't worry.

The corrosion thing you mention might be erosion of the cervix. Common and safe cause of pregnancy bleding i think just when the cervix with its increased blood supply gett=]'[ing a bit knocked

i was admitted 3 times in my last pregnancy with bleeding - i will come back later with more detail as the little sod i was carrying is trying to jump on my laptop

Personally I would be led by the professionals,but please, please remember they are fallible and do not hesitate to question anything that doesn't sit well with either of you.

Good luck.

Hopefully mears or pupuce will be along with their sensible advice soon.

At least Emma is in the best place at the moment.
It must be very worrying for you.

Sending you both lots of love.

xx

I don't know what your wife's medical problem is - I had bleeding with placenta praevia and know how scary it can be to have heavy and sudden bleeding and be stuck in hospital though - I was in for five very long weeks before my son was born. Did they suggest a cervical erosion as the cause? I think that can be quite common. In the end my son was born by c-section at 37 weeks, weight 8lbs8oz and was robustly and chubbily healthy so please don't worry about that aspect. At 37 weeks the chances of his having to go into special care or anything is very tiny - as others have said, it is considered term. Good luck to her.

erosion of the cervix, that was it.

Then any blood loss is from your wife, and not from the womb so your baby won't be in any trouble. He won't even know it's happening, tucked away in his cosy watery world!

i just wanted to say that i had my DD at 37 weeks and she is a perfectly normal lovely toddler now

Hope everything works out for you all

++++++++++++

Positive vibes

Sorry no advice haven't had experience of inductions

Hope everything is ok and Emma and baby are well

Hope all goes well with the induction (I'm sure someone will be along to describe what this is like as I have no experience). If it is not a low-lying placenta (in which case they would be performing a c-section) it sounds to me like Emma has a placental abruption which is when the placenta detaches from the wall of uterus and causes bleeding, tenderness etc - they nearly always induce in these circumstances.
Glad baby is hale and hearty though - you could be meeting him sooner rather than later!

Hi Emmas husband, my friend had a very similar history of repeated bleeding during her third trimester. Her scans also ruled out a low lying placenta. Her ob/gyn (she went private in the end for continuity of care because of these problems) at 36 weeks during another bleed said "I just don't like this, I'm going to caesar you NOW", which he did, only to find that she DID have a placenta praevia (lowlying placenta) completely covering her cervix. So his decision was the right one, and the scans, somehow, were wrong. She and baby were of course absolutely fine, but if she had gone into labour she could have haemorraged badly and the story may have been different.

So my only advice is to question, question, question whether they are absolutely certain of the position of the placenta, and also perhaps suggest whether a caesar at this stage may not be a good idea. At 37 weeks she and baby will be absolutely fine if caesared now.

BEST of luck to you both (or all three)!

The midwifes and doctors have mentioned a placental abruption as a possible cause. I think Emma is just fed up as well with it all. If the birth stops the bleeding then I hope they decide to induce. Everyone posting is reminding me of what has been said so far at the hospital.

Just to add, that even with a low placenta, the blood loss won't harm your baby - but yes, you would definitely need a c-section (mine was wonderful btw). Scary story PPH!

ps the mis-scanning was at chelsea & westminster fwiw

If it is a placental abruption they should be caesaring immediately and not inducing IMHO, it isn't worth the risk of going through labour. What if the placenta detaches completely? There is a very high risk of haemorrage. I don't want to scare you but I think you should be questioning them VERY closely on why they aren't caesaring her and getting him out. Now.
Placental abruption is what happened to sophie wessex and we all know that that wasn't a happy story.

If you are in any way unsure about the advice you've been given by the staff on the ward, or have any worries at all, ask to speak to the consultant. Even if he/her isn't at the hospital there will be one on call for you to speak to.

If I heard even a whisper about placenta abruption I would personally demand a section immediately - not a bloomin induction. Placental abruption is SERIOUS. So is Placenta praevia. At 37 weeks, I would say that a section has to be the safest option.

Hi Kevin hope Emma is feeling better now and it won't be long before she has your beautiful baby boy to take her mind off it all. My son was born at 36 weeks and was fine. Good luck and try not to worry, you'll spend the rest of his life doing that

bump

Hi, no medical experience although I suffered a lot of heavy bleeding through my 2nd pregancy but had a lovely healthy boy. My first baby was born at 35 weeks and was ok. Just wanted to wish you and Emma the best of luck.

I have just called Emma after all the advice on here.

We have both agreed we are not happy to date with the lack of information from the hospital. The bleeding continues still. Emma told me an examination last week ruled out erosion of the cervix.

I am going to be at the hospital early tomorrow so I am there when the consultant comes around. We are both unhappy at the thought of Emma being discharged tomorrow and left guessing again. I am not keen on her going in to labour after hearing about the placenta abruption.

Again this evening the doctor mentioned a 'partial' placenta abruption. A friend of a friend mentioned to us last week something about acid causing bleeding, does anyone know what he was talking about? Can anyone suggest what other causes there are for bleeding, Emma asked me to ask that specific question.

Thanks everyone, all the advice is making us much stronger.