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Pregnancy

Major placenta previa

129 replies

rek21 · 25/02/2009 21:53

Well, I've been burying my head in the sand about this so far, but I think now is the time to ask for the collected mumsnet wisdom.

At my 20 week scan the baby's placenta was centrally positioned at the bottom of the womb completely covering the os. A repeat scan at 24 weeks showed no change of position although the sonographer felt that there was no sign of the placenta growing into the scar from my previous c-section (DD, 16 months was breech). I have another scan lined up at 29 weeks followed by a consultant's appointment.

I'd really like to hear from anyone with experience of this severity of the condition, either first hand or otherwise. Is there any chance of the placenta moving? I have found it hard to pin medical types down on this - the best chance I have been given is 50/50. Has anyone had major placenta previa and not had a bleed? If so when did you have a c-section? Do any other symptoms accompany bleeding? I have this fear that it will happen in the middle of the night and I won't even realise!

Really, I'd be grateful for any experience. I have read the RCOG guidance on the net but I would really like a more personal perspective.

Many thanks.

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Bex7119 · 04/08/2009 14:44

My daughter was born in 2007 by cesarean due to low lying placenta.It was not a good pregnancy due to the fact that none of the scanners etc would commit to answering whether i could give birth naturally or not.Its tricky as all the way through you are told that the placenta may move.I was told mine had and was eventually given an induction date as my baby was late.During a last minute scan i was told oops you will need a c section as placenta was still too close for comfort.No one available to do surgery as it was easter weekend,not allowed home in case of bad blood loss altogether crap experience.Now pregnant again and hope all goes well this time,

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Cazzaben · 20/05/2009 00:16

Ah bless you Rek!!!!!!!! Fantastic!! I'm so so pleased for you... I'm so glad that DD1 is still in a good routine too. It must feel so exhilerating being at home now. Its been such a tough few months for you and you are another one who has come out the other side!!! Yippeeee.

Nannynorfolk its good to hear from you too. Glad everything is going well for Kerry and your son... and your beautiful little Harry!!!
Such life changing experiences you have had...

Rek you seem like a completely different person now!! I am so happy it was a good end to a very traumatic pregnancy for you and your family xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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MumNorfolk · 18/05/2009 23:53

My dear Rek! That's wonderful! Many congratulations to you and all your family. I'm so glad that the transition to home has been smooth. You can now get on with life - and what a great one it will now be! (Has she got a name yet?) I have been checking the thread in case there was more news from you so I shall sleep now!!

Our little family is doing OK too. Little Harry lost rather too much weight the first week (down to 5lb 9oz) but he was jaundiced & sleepy so not feeding as much as he should. K & A then found they (reluctantly!) had to wake him (A to do nappy-change & K to breastfeed) for a few days but he's a lot better now & has got the regular feeding idea, although he doesn't seem to know day from night either. Nappies are all too big aren't they? Last Saturday (10th day) he had regained the weight plus a few grams. Now 6lb 2oz but still a bit yellow so will go to clinic on Thursday for final signing off. Seems so tiny to me (Andy was 9lb 4oz & my ds2, Tom, was 10lb 4oz while my dgs1, Eden, was 8lb 5oz) so I feel he is fragile yet. But neither he nor your DD2 should be here yet so they're doing well.

Kerry is getting on well & we went out for our first walk in the park on Saturday so life starts to look normal. Andy is on 2nd week's leave to be with his wife & son and K's mum goes in every day to help. As Andy goes back to his placement, Kerry's parents go on holiday for 3 weeks so I might make myself useful then. Can't wait! But have to split my time between Harry & Eden & home & work! Ooops! Spreading a little thin. Who cares?

Enjoy every minute Rek. It soon goes. Listen to the old lady!

Lots of love, Glynis xx

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rek21 · 18/05/2009 21:21

Hello everyone,

We're home! We came home on Weds and I have been loving being at home so much that I hadn't left the house until today. DD1 has been a dream, DH did so well at keeping her routines the same that its like I've just slotted back into her life! She is really pleased with her sister and we have been giving her loads of time and cuddles. DD2 is also doing brilliantly, she has had her nasal feeding tube removed and she is breastfeeding on demand, putting on little bits of weight but enough to keep her going in the right direction. She has her day and night confused, but given that she was in NICU/SCBU for a week where day and night are the same, that's not very surprising.

Just wanted to let you all know that things are going well & hope that you are all well too, rek x

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kitstwins · 16/05/2009 22:10

Rek you really went through the mill didn't you? I'm so pleased you posted your story - I think it's SO important to acknowledge what you've been through as it really helps come to terms with and make a kind of peace with it afterwards. That can take time though so don't feel bad or surprised if you have to go back to the story or feel the need to talk about it more. Often I think we feel guilty for 'dwelling' on what we've gone through, especially when we've been safely delivered of our baby/babies. It can feel almost indulgent to look beyond the happy result and remember what we went through. However, I KNOW that trauma has to be acknowledged and processed and you went through a very traumatic experience; not just the birth itself but the lead up to it. Even one bleed is scary enough but to have weeks of it with the hospital stay combined and the stress of that is something that most people just can't understand.

I'm so glad you've come through this and I hope you're home with your lovely baby soon.

Well done. I so admire you for getting through all of that.
Kx

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DontlookatmeImshy · 14/05/2009 14:57

Congratulations to Rek and NannyNorfolk.

Sounds very scary Rek! Glad to hear you're home now.
Hope everyone makes a great recovery and babyrek is home soon.

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MumNorfolk · 13/05/2009 20:01

Oh my dear Rek! What you have been through! God bless you and keep you - you've been through one or three of life's storms in one go, it seems! The only way is up now.

So pleased you are well enough to tell your own story, horrific as it was, and just hope you are on the mend now. That baby was a great weight so let's trust she will be in perfect health along with her loving Mummy very soon. Three cheers for the medical profession! (Hurry up, Cazzaben - the nation needs you!)

It has made me terribly aware (as if I wasn't already) as to what girls endure in the name of making a family. Don't suppose we can ever be sure how things will turn out but, generation after generation, our blinking hormones insist we take those chances - and it usually pays off! If we knew the risks without the persuasion of our maternal instincts, we probably wouldn't chance it & the species would be gone in one life-time. (HEAVY!!) Let's just be glad we take the gamble and I for one am thrilled beyond words to have another precious little boy. Thank you all.

Lots of love, NannaNorfolk xx

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fruitful · 13/05/2009 12:00

Good grief! Well, you got your money's worth from all those NI contributions, anyway!

I'm so glad you and babyrek are ok. Its brilliant that she is on a ward with you, and that you can stay in with her while you get feeding going.

Congratulations.

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Cazzaben · 12/05/2009 22:47

Oh Rek wow!!! I'm so pleased that your through it all safe and sound. I can't believe you lost so much blood!!!!!!! That must have been very very scary. Your so strong and brave. WELL DONE!!!!!!
I hope babyrek will be able to come home soon. You've all been through sooo much.
Maybe look on it as a good thing so you can spend a little time with DD1
in your own home.

I think your experience is the scariest I've ever heard. You should feel so proud of what you've been through. You already sound so strong now with your latest post.

I'm so so pleased for you Rek...

Enjoy your life with babyrek and DH and DD...
You have achieved something very very amazing...
Lots of love to you and your wonderful family xxxxxxxx

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twinklytoes · 12/05/2009 20:54

great to hear from you Rek. hope you are now enjoying some cuddles with you beautiful dd. roll on to your return to home!

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MrsMoc · 12/05/2009 20:51

Congratulations Rex, your story does sound so scary, im just glad for you that you its got a happy ending.

I had to read on lol after the 2nd line. Things do seem to be looking up for me, im still out of hospital and the Dr's are pleased with my scans. I know I have a lot ahead of me, and hope I can be as brave you have been.

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earthpixie · 12/05/2009 19:03

Rek, congratulations on the birth of your beautiful daughter. I've only read your last post - bloody hell! Thank God for modern medical care.

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rek21 · 12/05/2009 18:59

Hello everyone! Thanks gizmo for updating the thread (looking forward to seeing you soon!). Well done Kerry and nannynorfolk, I hope that you are all enjoying life with the new little one.

Well, for the sake of completeness I feel I should let you all know how it happened - but I suggest mrsmoc doesn't read this!

I had another medium sized bleed on the night of Monday 4th may and as promised my consultant organized for me to have a c-section the following day. The section started well, dd was born at 2.46pm on tuesday 5th. At the time she seemed well and dh went off with her to the ward, but she was observered to be grunting when she breathed and so she was moved to special care where her oxygen levels were considered too low, so she was moved to nicu for cpap (help with breathing). She was born at 7lbs so a good size but a combination of the section and her slight prematurity (36+2) meant that her lungs weren't as strong as they might otherwise have been. It was basically unlucky though as many babies would have been fine.

Meanwhile I was still being operated on, the placenta was removed and they were pleased that I wasn't losing too much blood. They gave me a couple of units and stiched me up without too much concern. However as they lifted me off the table they realized that I had lost much more than they had thought, it was all covering the table instead of running down into the pots where they collect and measure it. At this stage I was freezing cold and disoriented and knew that something was very difedent from the section that I had with dd1. They took me into recovery but I continued to bleed so they decided to take me back into theatre and made me sign the consent form for a hysterectomy. As they were wheeling me back in they gave me a third unit of plasma which set of a massive allergic reaction, I had a rash over every inch, eyelids and all, which is the last thing I saw or felt before the general anaesthtic kicked in. They gave me vrious antihystemine type things to control the reaction, then proceded with the operation which fortunatey did not end up with a hysterectomy, but in them basically sewing my uterus into the contracted position. In the meantime they had to intubate me and I continued to lose blood. I eventually ended up losing 6.5 litres. When I was stabilized they packed me off to intensive care, wheeee I woke up next morning.

There was then a couple of awful days where dd was in nicu and I was in a high dependency unit, with dh (who is officially a hero) rushing between us before we finally got me to a ward near scbu where dd was moved. Since yesterday lunchtime she has been out with me on the ward. Unfortunately she lost over a lb with the breathing difficulties so we now have to get her gaining weight and feeding well before we can go home. She is completely gorgeous though! I am much better, have been discharged myself but obviously will be here with babyrek until she is sorted.

Thanks again and again to everyone for their kind wishes and support, I will post again when we are finally home for 'closure' but I hope you and all your families are well and thriving and love to you all, rek and babyrek x x

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fruitful · 11/05/2009 14:29

Rek, congratulations!

Did you have to have a GA? Stick your birth story up when you have the energy, its very cathartic. The premature baby threads can be supportive too. Let me know if you want that carseat support cushion.

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Cazzaben · 10/05/2009 22:13

Mrsmoc... I am wondering if you still look here maybe you could start a thread of your own? I have just read a thread with you on and I feel like you need to get a lot off your chest???

Maybe you should title it MM placenta preavia??? Just so I know its you.

I hope your ok I'm thinking of you lots xxxxxxx

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MumNorfolk · 10/05/2009 22:08

Thank you for yr kind thoughts, Twinklytoes. Sorry I didn't say so in my previous. Yes,
"NannyNorfolk" makes sense! I like it.

Just seeing if there's any news on Rek & Baby Rek's progress. Will have to be patient & trust everything's alright.

Love to all, Glynis xx

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MumNorfolk · 09/05/2009 23:38

Hi all. Just got home after this busy week & wondered if there was any news of Rek. Well, that's great, my dear. Do hope you are OK and yr DD2 is gaining in strength. So pleased yr mate was able to let us know. Thanks Gizmo! You're a great pal, esp if you are going to be feeding her up!
Thanks to Cazzaben & Kitstwins for yr kind words & congrats. Baby Harry (named after my father) was born Wednesday, as "Grandad" told you. After visiting him with Kerry's Mum, I stayed in Luton that night (had a meal & a glass of vino with Andy)& drove 110 miles back here first thing Thursday to work in dress shop then went down to Newmarket after work to be with the other family! All day with grandson Eden on Friday & back to Luton at teatime to find Kerry & Harry were home!! How good is that?! He's lovely (of course, I'm bound to say that) but seriously, he & Mum are fine and we've spent today receiving friends & messages. My DS2 (Tom) & Rachal & Eden came this afternoon so the 2 little cousins could meet. What a great family! Tom brought his camcorder so we have record of my 2 sons & THEIR 2 sons all together. I thought my heart would burst with love & pride. Marvellous!
Kerry lost about 2 pts blood in the cs but that's not deemed to be significant so is taking iron tabs and was visited by midwife today who will come twice more in the next week - it all seems pretty casual!
Rek, still thinking of you and trust you & the Babe will be soon be A1 and back home. Lots of love, dear. Cheers all you other girls.
Bye for now, (one happy bunny) Glynis xx

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gizmo · 08/05/2009 22:46

Right then, home cooking and sympathy it is (provided REK can stomach any more of it - the food in the hospital ain't great so we've done a couple of food parcels). If I see Rek before she gets online I'll pass on your thoughts, guys, but I'm sure she'll be back soon.

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twinklytoes · 08/05/2009 22:15

congratulations Rek and family. Thanks gizmo for the update too.

congratulations too NannyNorfolk (you'll have to change your name now!) - well done to Kerry.

wishing all speedy recoveries and look forward to hearing from you when you get home.

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kitstwins · 08/05/2009 22:04

Great news that Rek's baby came safely, but it sounds like a bit of a shocker experience - I would imagine she's feeling very bashed and it will certainly take her a while to find her feet - a long stay in hospital followed by a shIt caesarean can be nothing short of a bodyshock and can feel like the final insult after all you've already been through (my caesarean was hideous and it really knocked me for six).

Personally I'd steer clear of babygros and flowers and maybe take her some home-cooked food into hospital if you could (a thermos of really good soup or something simple but wholesome). I'd have sawn off my foot for a healthy, non-hospital meal by the end and it would have helped me feel a bit better when wellbeing felt a bit thin on the ground. Equally, maybe make some dishes for her freezer (lasagne, shepherd's pie, etc., etc.) along with some cake or something - all of this builds you up when you feel totally demolished and also removes some of the pressure of going home and having to recover, care for a newborn and run a house.

These are some of the things that I really would have welcomed. That and someone just being really sympathetic - acknowledging the rubbish experience and the horrible c section. My best friend came in to see me (on my birthday!) and pretty much her first words were "you poor thing" which really helped - allowed me to momentarily acknowledge what had happened to me.

You sound a lovely friend. Please send Rek my best. She has been fantastically brave through all of this.

K

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Cazzaben · 08/05/2009 17:32

AH!!! Congratulations REK!!!Thanks for letting us know Gizmo To be honest I would say to everyone to give her plenty of time for her family. She will feel a bit vunerable for a while and she will need lots of people helping her by cooking and stuff. I found that when I got home if someone took my baby for a few hours I was able to concerntrate on getting back into a routine with My eldest. I know when I got home I felt very strange after being away for so long, I also appreciated some time alone in my house. Being in a situation like Rek was in its hard to get anytime to yourself even to sing a song or think or anything!!!Obviously you know her best though...

Please send my love to her... Her ordeal is almost over... Bless her. Tell her she is amazing and has done something so wonderful!!I actually have tears as im writing...!!! I feel like I know her myself!! (i'm so emotional)

I can't wait to hear from her i'll keep praying for her and wish her a very speedy recovery. xxxxx

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gizmo · 08/05/2009 14:47

Hello folks, I?m a friend of REK in RL, and thought I?d update you that her little girl was born on Tuesday afternoon after an em CS.

It hasn?t been a great start, tbh ? REK has had a spell in intensive care and her DD has been in the NICU, but I gather they are both making progress now and I hope REK will be able to drop in some time in the next week and update you all.

In the meantime, I?d appreciate your thoughts and experiences about nice gifts for someone with a little ?un in NICU ? I?ve been there myself, but I (mercifully) was feeling pretty healthy, compared to someone who has just been through an em. CS. So what would you all find helpful in that situation?

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kitstwins · 07/05/2009 14:48

Lovely news and congratulations to Kerry and NorfolkMum (and NorfolkDad). Really pleased it all went well.

Rek, hope all is well with you and you're hanging in there.

MrsMoc I had a slight separation of one of my placentas which they think exacerbated the frequency of my bleeds. I remember my consultant trying to see if he could locate it on the scan but Twin 1's head was rammed so far down he couldn't get a clear picture. It's good news they think the separation has healed over - hopefully things will stabilise for you.

Cazzaben your post really struck a chord with me - the bit about you going and standing out in your garden afterwards. I remember walking to the car from the hospital with my husband carrying the babies in their carseats and I just BREATHED in the air. It felt such a release as even though I'd sneaked out for walks and breaks during my spell in hospital, I knew that this time I was finally free and didn't have to go back it. And understanding that; that I was free to go home and didn't have to go back to that room, was hugely liberating. For a while afterwards life felt a bit strange. Newborn twins aside, I did feel a bit of a stranger to everything and it took a while to adjust my head from 'patient' to 'normal person'. The knowledge that I was 'allowed' to be at home again and my life belonged back to me (babies permitting....!!) was both liberating and strange. Almost headrush at the freedom.

I'm full of admiration for those of you going through this. I think you're all being so brave.

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Cazzaben · 06/05/2009 23:35

Ah!!! wonderful news Richard!! Congratulations to you all. After everything Kerry and Glynis (all of you) have been through the time has come now for you to enjoy baby Harry.
Good weight he was too!!
Send my love to everyone (feels like I have known them personally)... LOL

Thanks for posting!

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MumNorfolk · 06/05/2009 21:22

Hello all the Glynis is with Kerry at the moment but has asked me to post a thread. So I must be Norfolkdad I suppose LOL.
The baby was born just before 4pm and weight 6lb 9oz (I think!). I was told on the phone so Glynis will give accurate weights measures and times (who said typical man?!!) The name of the baby Harry William, ok so you've guessed. Yes, it was a boy .
Glynis will be back at home later so she will probably dive straighton here to let you know the full facts ladies. I hope all is going well for each and every one of you. All the best Richard

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