Can i have sex or not with a low lying placenta???

[nobodysfool]

I am nearly 24 weeks and was told early on that i have a total previa.
I had 5 massive bleeds with huge clots where i was rushed off to hospital but thankfully the baby was fine on each occasion.The last big bleed was seven weeks ago.
I have been told by one consultant and a midwife that i should NOT have sex but have been told by another consultant and a nurse it is fine to have sex-unless i am actively bleeding.
Nobody seems to be able to agree.
Do you have any ideas or views?
Many thanks.

I'm sorry to hear about your placenta nobodysfool and I'm glad that it seems to have settled down these last few weeks. I hope it continues to be OK and that your baby is born healthy and as close to full-term as possible.

I had grade IV placenta praevia too and was in hospital from 27 weeks onwards after several big bleeds.

My personal feeling is that, in your position, I'd avoid having sex. I honestly don't know how dangerous it may or may not be (I was in hospital from when I discovered that my placenta was problematic, so no chance of any hanky-panky anyway!). However, placenta praevia can be a dangerous and life-threatening condition for you and for your baby. Given that, if there is even a tiny chance that sex might provoke bleeding, then I'd avoid it.

Mind you, I should say that I had the fear of God put up me by a doctor at the hospital who basically sat me and dh down and went through the worst-case scenario in great detail because I kept trying to discharge myself from hospital. So, in your position, I would also try never to be too far from the hospital, I'd have a hospital bag packed just in case, and I'd have my notes with me at all times. All of which makes me sound like a right nervous ninny, I know.

I hope all goes well for you.

I wouldn't. have just left hospital after three weeks admission and a resulting crash section at 35weeks 5days because of a grade 4 pp. Really didn't like being there and in hindsight would have done nothing at all and sat on the sofa at home to avoid the admission.

i have had a low lying placent with all 3 of my pregs, although never had bleeds as a result.

i have never been told not to have sex and have seen 3 consultants, 2 gp's, 6/7 obstetritians and numerous mw's in 2 hospitals during this time.

i would imagine the bleeds changes things though.

Thanks Ellbell-Sorry to hear you had such a rough time of it.That is my dread beibg admitted to hospital long term.If this was my first dc i could cope better but i would miss my ds so much i think it would make me ill.I just wish the health profs could agree on something.

Twinklytoes-Oh dear sounds horrible.Is everything ok now?

Pinktulips- Not sure if bleeds do change the advice given.Just wish they could agree.

I had bleeds throughout both of my pregnancies - with queried pp with ds. I was advised no sex , I'm afraid - personally, I don't think I'd risk it, sorry.

The problem, if I understand it correctly, is not only that sex could trigger bleeding, but that the hormones (or something [very unscientific emoticon]) in semen can trigger contractions (which is why sex can be used to start labour). Obviously with Grade IV PP these contractions, even if they are not as strong as 'proper' labour contractions, may be enough to make the placenta start to come away... and then you're into a worst-case scenario type situation!

TBH, giving up sex for a few months is such a small thing to do for peace of mind and just to feel you are doing all you can to ensure that your baby (a) survives and (b) is born as close to full-term as possible, avoiding all the dangers of prematurity.

Again, sorry if that sounds like scaremongering.

Hospital admission was pretty grim, nobodysfool, but at least it was my first child. I was treated very well, too, on the ward (at the Royal Berks in Reading). Sometimes you just have to go with it... there's nothing you can do, so it's just a case of saying 'This is what I have to do for a few weeks/months in order for my baby to be safe'... and gritting your teeth! I amused myself by writing really REALLY long 'to-do' lists for dh!

Now that you're past 24 weeks have they said anything about giving you steroids for the baby's lungs, in case s/he needs to be born early? I had weekly dexamethosone (sp?) from 27-34 weeks 'just in case'. It's not very nice (side effects: I glowed red and didn't sleep for 24 hours!) but they do say that it makes a huge difference if your baby is born early. They may not want to bother with this, though, unless you have another episode of bleeding.

Also, are they keeping an eye on how your baby is growing? I lost what I thought were large clots, and it turns out that what had actually come out was a lump of placenta (sorry... gross, I know). Consequently, dd was quite small for her dates (theoretically she was 36 weeks and 4lb 12oz) but no-one realised that there was a bit of placenta missing till they got it out and inspected it after the c-section.

Lots to think about, and sorry if I am coming across as the placenta praevia doom-and-gloom-monger! I should add that my 'PP' dd is now 8 and an average size, very bright, very beautiful... no harm done whatsoever!

I had a low lying placenta that luckily moved by 34 weeks. I was told not to lift anything heavy, have sex or get too stressed(?) by my consultant.

Thanks for your replies.
They haven't mentioned steroids yet and the placenta is still intact and healthy.
The baby is growing well and my mw has even said he/she is quite a large baby already and seems blissfully aware of any problems.
I will do whatever i need to do to keep this baby healthy and happy, just missing the closeness with my dh.He has been brilliant as he has said we will do whatever needs to be done or not as the case may be .
Glad everything turned out well for you.
Men really don't know how easy they have it do they???

nobodyfool - all is well now, ds was born a healthly 7lb5oz! but had to spend a week in scbu. I think I've recovered well from csection despite losing too much blood and the doctor finding an anterior placenta rather than the posterior placenta that my scan notes showed! they had to cut through it to get ds out but he was out in 8 minutes flat - I was watching the clock.

I'd echo Ellbell view. Also if you are still working, look at getting signed off if you are in a high risk job - has your risk assessment been reviewed since diagnosis? I was signed off from 26weeks because I work in care.

your chance of bleeding with a garade IV pp are very high. just don't risk it. like tt said you need to have your risk assemsent revieved as this is high risk when you get past 28weeks. I am in education and my consultant absolutely refused to let me back in the place after the summer holidays.

I don't work so ther is no worry there.
I have got another scan booked at 28 weeks and an appt with my consultant so maybe they will discuss my risk reviewed then?