Major placenta previa

[rek21]

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.

Hello girls! I'm hooked on all yr chat and it's only 24 hours since I found you all! I just took the time to read the whole story from when poor Rek first sought help. What a great bunch of girls you are - helping complete strangers at such a stressful time. I really value the input from Kit & Cazza & Fruitful - well, ALL of you!
Rek's due date must be very close to Kerry's (25th May?) so I'm especially interested in how it goes for you, Rek my dear. Kerry has had no further bleeds since early Tuesday morning and is sitting tight, so to speak. No news is great, as far as I can tell. She doesn't have her laptop in there so she's a tad incommunicado I'm afraid, so must be bored rigid already. Just phoned her Dad who tells me it's now sunk in that when she eventually goes home, it will be as two people(!) She left her home as an anxious wife and career girl and will return as a mother! Oooer! It is hoped that she can hang on another 3 weeks but, hey! que sera sera and all that. I would love her to read yr chat as there are lots of really important points raised, tips shared and informative medical issues. I am deriving great comfort from it and would hope Kez and any other pp mum would, too. Lots of love to Rek (hope you get yr hot X bun tomorrow, love!) and my thanks to everyone else who contributes. Happy Easter! Glynis xxxx

Congratulations Rek to making it to 32 weeks... (well im hoping you have)... I've been thinking about you lots today, I hope your Easter was ok and bearable.
I remember last year we we're all given Easter Eggs courtesy of the NHS. Did they do it for you this year???

Hi Glynis I hope your all coping well under the circumstances, how is Kerry?? I too hope she had a good Easter.

My sis-in-law has been told she has a low-lying placenta so we're all keeping our fingers crossed that it will move.

Keep us informed of your progress Rek im always thinking of you, sending you love and praying that you will have the strength to come through this awful time... I send my love to your DH and DD too (and of course the family and friends pulling out the stops for you all!!!)
Same for you too Glynis... Give Kerry my love and I'm praying for you all too...

Speak soon xxxxx

How kind, how thoughtful! Dear Cazzaben - fancy thinking about Rek & Kerry (& me) in the middle of the night! Must admit I too logged on to see if there was news from Rek or any word from the rest of you, so I'm delighted you are there. Kerry is fine, thank you. Was just bored but was let out for Sunday lunch so there can't be any immediate possibility of action. My DS1 (expectant father Andy) was born on Holy Saturday so I kept thinking that his baby might come this weekend too. So glad the little one has waited a bit longer. I guess every day counts. Baby's lungs will be developing and extra ounces will be put on so it all helps.
PLEASE keep in touch - I just HAVE to know now how Rek goes on and will be eternally more grateful than you can know for the input of all girls in this thread.
Must turn in now as I have B&B guests and need to do breakfasts on time! Ho Hum!
Thank you again and here's my love & blessings. Glynis xx

I hope you're off having a nice easter!

Cazzaben - what great news about your course. You will be a real asset to the profession, I know. I'm envious - thought about it myself at one time but hadn't the necessary support when the boys were young so waited till they were grown & I was in my 40s to take CELTA (teaching English to people whose first language is something else.)Not as "giving" as midwifery - well done & sincere best wishes for that, Caz. I trust you and fruitful, gigglechick, kit twinklytoes and other mums are enjoying Easter and that Rek and Kerry will have an alternative Bank Holiday with their new Babes later in the year - June & July are a bit light on Bank Holidays! No Bank holidays here, I'm afraid. I have just said goodbye to the last of my B&B guests so now have loads of beds to change & must see if the Dyson is willing to fire up today. (He's often moody & refuses to run. Men!)

Here's the news - Kerry is positioned at far end of ward, away from nurses' station, so that's encouraging. Still haven't been able to see her so having to imagine the ward, etc. at Luton & Dunstable Hosp. Got her a parcel of paperbacks and a nailcare treatment selection which she could take her time over. Went out on a nightie hunt the other day, without success. Our local town is useless - the pits. She's very little & some are too long for her (but she doesn't want them too short!) some don't button at the front and some are just too PINK!! Not her colour! I will have to go further afield into the rural wastes of Dereham, I guess! Kerry is officially 34 weeks today so we're getting there. She had similar experiences to some of you - woke up at 2 am last Monday thinking she'd wet herself, was taken into hospital and 24 hours later, it happened again. The Babe had only turned from being breech last week & I wonder if that's a factor in the placenta starting to bleed. I expect you'll tell me not, that it's solely to do with position & movement of placenta. Just a coincidence then.
Rek - how about drawing a picture (all the family members? a day at the zoo she might anticipate?) for yr DD or sending her a postcard, by post rather than in her father's hand, to make her feel special. Little ones love to get their own mail and I have found with my stepdaughter's 2 year old (who we don't often see)a simple picture to remind them of our last get-together goes down well and she can scribble colours over it. I put some questions on it for her Mummy to read, like "Where did Glynis find the snail shell?" "Did Grandad wear a blue shirt?" "Can you count the steps up the slide?" and put in a few phrases as reminders of a family day "Isabella ate half of Daddy's cake!" "Dolly climbed 1,2,3 up the steps & - wheeee! - down the slide." It'll give you something to do (and other days to look forward to as well!)
You can probably tell that using this facility is therapeutic for me - I can just waffle on & it doesn't matter if anyone reads it or skips it. It is a way of clearing out my concerns on another "alone day". Really must start the laundry now!! Have a good day all! Love Glynis xxxx

Hope all is going well for Rek and Kerry and great news from MumNorfolk that Kerry has got to 34 weeks. That's fantastic and also good that she's not right by the nurses station - they're obviously not treating her as a total timebomb, which is reassuring. 34 weeks and the steroids will make such a difference if the baby does come early. My twins arrived at 35 weeks and, because of the steroids I'd had, avoided Special Care, which everyone was very surprised about. The consultant said that their lungs were very well formed for 35 weeks and that the steroids had done the trick.

AS for the bleeding, it could have been triggered by the baby turning from breech (all the extra movement could have niggled the uterus slightly, which in turn could have caused the cervix to move and the placenta to bleed). In all likelihood though the bleed just happened because it happened. I had days where I lay on a bed and then bled in the night, and other days where I was far more mobile (walks around the hospital, up and down the stairs, etc.) and nothing happened. I think that was what was so frustrating and frightening about it all; that there was no warning of when the bleeds would come. That they literally came from nowhere.

Because of this I really think I lived in a state of fear the whole time I was in hospital, although I'm not sure I knew how heavy a weight that fear was until I finally left with my babies. It was such a precious pregnancy to me (IVF and no guarantee it would ever work again) and yet here I was, with these horrendous bleeds and with dire warnings from my consultant that I was fitting a 'profile' for a catastrophic bleed. The fear that it would happen and that I could do nothing about it made me very frightened. Even walking around the hospital I used to calculate how quickly someone could get me into theatre. On my last weekend in hospital before my final big bleed, my husband and I walked to a local sports stadium that was just across Wormwood Scrubs. As a testament to how BORED I was we sat there in the cold and watched some chaps doing hockey training and the whole time I was worried in case I bled. The hospital was literally a three minute walk away but I sat there worrying that if I DID bleed my husband would have to carry me and how long would it take, etc. Only now I realise how all pervading the fear was and how defined by it I was. How it was all about balancing the dreadful boredom and loneliness and the HATRED of where you are with the knowledge that you NEED to be where you are. It's very difficult and very tough as all you want to be doing is enjoying your pregnancy normally, as everyone else seems to be able to do.

I hope it helps that Rek and Kelly know that there are people out there who understand where they are right now and are keeping everything crossed that things settle down. In the end it will come well. One day very soon they'll be sat at home with their babies/baby in a nice chair and someone will have bought them a cup of tea and they'll realise that they're home . That hospital with its noises and medical smells and long nights is over for them. They'll always remember it but it will be over. They'll have got through it.

Happy EAster from me.
Kx

Thank you "Kitstwins". I really appreciate the time you've taken for us. Kerry had problems a couple of years ago including polyps & repair work following a botched appendectomy as a teenager. She still had trouble conceiving so went via the assisted conception route as she was then approaching 36. This may well be their only chance too as it took 2 attempts and took most of their savings. She is the main wage-earner as Andy is just coming to the end of a 4-yr degree in occupational therapy, studying part-time while working in a local hospital.
I am very reassured by you relating your experiences and by your informed words ref the breech/turning & the first bleed. In spite of my mature years and education, this is all very new to me - don't think I know anyone who has had a C or pp, been hospitalised before the event or had a very early birth. Therefore happy to receive any advice & encouragement. Kerry always sounds cheerful enough on the phone but I hadn't thought about the uncertainty of it all & how continually frightened she must be, in all probability. Hope little Rek is OK - no news is hopefully good news.
All my thanks again & I hope you & yours are enjoying Easter & haven't pigged out on the chocs! Nice to know all our combined thoughts are with Rek & Kerry, isn't it? I trust it helps them! Glynis xx

evening rek and all. hope that you've hit the 32weeks safe and well. was thinking about you too today.

kits - you've just summarised how I was feeling back in september as if it was yesterday.

mumnorfolk - my ds was breech up until the bleed that saw me in hospital at 33wks. when scanned once bleed had subsided he was head down. I did have a bleed at 26wks too. on the nightie front, I had my best friend and mum out looking for something that wasn't too granny like. they struggled too. Mum ended up getting some lovely pjs from asda, they were a 3piece, so you could look nice and covered up but easy for breast feeding after the event. you could try online though? blooming marvellous maybe?

size 8 nighty and pjs on sale at blooming marvellous

Just to let you all know its very normal to have a breech baby with PP. As the placenta sits so low there is no room for baby to drop iykwim? I remember my DS2 being in a breech position quite a bit and when they move it may well set off some bleeding. Especially after 34/35 weeks as there is less room for them!!!

I was fortunate to make it to 38 weeks. He was born 8lb 8oz.
My friend who I met in hospital had her baby via IVF. She started to bleed and dilate at 22 weeks. She was advised at 24 weeks that she would not be able to move off her bed for 6 weeks. She had to lie in a sort of upright position with her legs higher than her pelvis. She had bed sores from not moving and completely lost all control of her bladder and legs (she had a catheter in for the whole 6 weeks). She had to learn to walk again with a zimoframe. She managed to get to 31 weeks and had a bleed and they did an emergency section on 17th April. The day after mine... we always said it was because she didnt want to be on her own for the duration!!!!(a running joke still now) The doctors thought it was quite funny!!! Her due date was 23rd June.
Her baby Charlie is a little miracle and he is now sitting up and is doing amazingly well.

I wanted to share this story with you as this is obviously an extreme case but it goes to show that happy endings come out of the awful times we have all shared.
x

Hi there everyone, thanks for all the messages - glynis your idea about the letter was great, I will definately do that.

To start with the good news I got to 33 weeks on Sunday and was told that with a bit of luck the baby should now be able to dodge nicu and go straight to special care, a huge relief as nicu frightened me a lot. I too left the hospital a couple of times for a couple of hours each this weekend, I hoped to do it with the doc's approval but this was refused so I had to self discharge. It was worth it for lovely time spent with dh, dd and parents and mums home cooking. Today my dd saw me kiss my dad 'hello' and immediately gave me a kiss, very unusual for her, so I have been on cloud 9 since then. The baby doll I gave her for Easter seems to have gone down well although I have to hope that she doesn't carry her baby sister round by the neck in quite the same way!

On the not-so-good front I had a medium-sized bleed on fri night so had my 5th trip to delivery in 3 weeks ending up with a drip, hours of monitoring, nil by mouth etc, although it was clear that the bleed wasn't bad enough to merit delivery, it was all 'just incase'.

I totally agree with kitstwins that the worst bit it the not knowing, it started to really get to me at the end of last week and I got a bit miserable, but the trips out have buoyed me up a lot.

I have a scan tomorrow where I'm hopingto get an update on estimated weight, I will let you all know the outcome, although the consultant assures me that there is no need to worry on that front.

I hope Kerry is doing well and long may itcontinue! Love to everyone and as always thanks for thinking of me.

Hi all.
Well done Rek. Hope you are still well & keeping happy. We look forward to your next bulletin re weigh of Baby, etc. Thinking of you a lot & sending all good wishes. Thanks Twinkly for info on PJs & nighties - will be chasing those routes. And thanks Cazza & Kit for all your input, info & anedotes yet again. Makes good reading.

News from this end is that Kerry was let out on Sunday to have lunch at her Mum's and then on Tuesday, as she hadn't had further bleeding for 6 days, was given 3 choices: stay put, go home a few hours a day (& back in each evening - just as her hubbie comes home!) or go home until the inevitable next bleed. She would then not be allowed home again until the Babe is here. They live close enough to the hospital to get back in minutes, although are told it would have to be by ambulance, so you can guess she took the 3rd choice! So she is now home under strict instructions to be careful and has her C section booked for 11th May if nothing happens before that. We are still aware it could kick off anytime, as you guys know, but at least there's a little respite, albeit temporarily. And I'm pleased to hear that my boy sounds less stressed now his little "wifelet" is with him, even if it's only for a few days. They had a week's holiday booked in Newquay over the next bank holiday which, of course, isn't happening now so if anyone wants the use of a 6 berth (I think) mobile home 1st-8th May for £150, let me know! Not you this time, Rek, but your turn will come, love.

Keep in touch girls, meanwhile take big care, especially Rek. Speak soon. Lots of love, Glynis xx

How amazing!!! I'm so pleased that Kerry has the chance to be home!!!
That has made my day!

I'm actually in the middle of setting up my house for my ds's 1st birthday... It really does bring back lots of memories from this time last year... I'm almost in tears thinking about how he is a miracle baby and was always meant to be here... (not just because of PP)

I hope Kerry will be able to rest peacefully at home and not worry too much.

Rek I hope you are doing ok too I feel it will be any day for you... How much is your babies predicted weight?? Im also glad you managed to get out for a few hours too... Its not nice having to self discharge though
How is your DH and DD??? I trust they are coping ok. I mis-judged your dates and said 32 weeks even better to be 33 weeks though

Love and thoughts as always
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi there, just a quick update, fantastic news from the scan, baby rek's estimated weight is 2.4 kgs or 5lbs 3oz! They say they could be out by up to a lb, which admittedly they were with dd who was estimated 8lbs + but ended up 7lbs 6. But anyway baby is easily over 4lbs which is a massive relief because I was so terrified that she would be a tiny little scrap all full of tubes etc. I woke up yesterday after scan feeling like a different person, I don't think I even realized quite how frightened I was.

Anyway they have now booked me a section for13th of May so if (big if) I get there baby rek and baby Kerry will be very close in age! However I feel just like cazza I'm pretty sure it won't be long, I had tightenings all night Monday because baby rek was irritating my womb by moving! Eventually something is going to kick off. Getting to 34 weeks on Sunday would be good!

Hope everyone is well, happy birthday to cazza's lovely special ds. I'm so pleased for Kerry that she has been allowed home and really hope she gets to stay there.

Lots of love, rek x

great news rek, roll on sunday

ds was born weighing in at 7lbs5oz at 35wks5days. scan at 33wks put him at 5lbs so I think the 4 meals a day in hosp for 2weeks with the added chocolate and cream cakes did him the world of good!!

Hi girls, Trust you all had a good weekend and hope Rek is still hangong in there. Kerry has held on another week so she's 35 wks now! Several of you have made it clear in your messages that whatever happens now, we should have a fair sized babe who ahs every chance - Twinklytoes' ds being 7lb 5oz before 35 wks, Cazzaben's 38 wk ds at 8lb 8oz! Kerry is still hoping to get to her planned C at 38 weeks on 11th May and let's hope Baby Rek can wait till 13th May too!
Speak soon, Love Glynis xx

Hi everyone, as I suspected, things are coming to a head, I'm having contractions on and off and had a big bleed yesterday. Consultant says that at next significant bleed he wants to deliver the baby, so I'm expecting that will be in the next few days. Good news is that baby rek is 34+1 today and hopefully will have put on a bit more weight in the week since the scan.

I'll let you know what happens, I'm thinking positive thoughts! Lots of love, rek.

Rek - you know there are a lot of us sending our love and good wishes. Thank you for your magnanimous words on Kerry being allowed home. I was a little reluctant to publicise that in case you were inclined to say "Why not me?" but you're obviously intelligent and adult so bless you for saying that. xx

Hope when the time comes it all goes well and that you will keep strong. Saying this now in case events overtake you; maybe the next time we hear from you, you'll be holding that Babe!! God bless & - the rest of you, can we all say a prayer for Rek and baby Rek? G xxxx

How's it going now?

Oh, this is Fruitful btw. Might change back now the kids are back at school ...

Hello, still here, still preggers! 34+3, my pp buddy on the ward here had her baby today (she was 36+2) and all is well. Very odd feeling knowing that it's probably going to happen any minute but just not knowing when. Going slightly bonkers ....particularly when someone asks my due date! Anybody got a functional crystal ball?

Rek, just before I had ds2, I'd been given a cs date (34+2!) and I had a chart blu-tacked to my bedside cupboard. I was ticking each day off on it. .

You do feel a bit like a ticking bomb, don't you?

Hi Rek... Sorry I've not been on for a while I do hope you are still coping well.

SOunds like your gonna be a mummy again quite soon!!! You've done amazingly well to get this far.
How is your DD?? ANd DH?? Still always thinking of you and sending you lots of love and good thoughts!! Brilliant news about your PP ward buddy. Glad it went well and its probably giving you a lot of strength too.

Hi mumnorfolk... How is Kerry and the family doing??
xxxxxxxxxx

Hi all. Just got back from a 2-day visit, first to Luton to see Kerry & Andy(ds1), then to Newmarket to see Tom (ds2), Rachal & baby Eden. Kerry is fine, thank you, Cazz. Nearly another week added - now 35+5. She's at home & being sensible. We took the dogs for a walk on a meadow by the river yesterday which I guess was good for the circulation, and then went for a carvery (£3.50!)which was good for the soul. She seems to be content the planned c-section will happen (11th May) but I find it difficult not to regard her as fragile, as if a bubble might burst, almost literally, at any moment. Little Eden is nearing 10 months old and a real joy, even though his birth last July seemed traumatic at the time, taking him over 3 days to arrive. Rachal narrowly avoided a c-section & forceps were used in the end. But it just goes to show how soon the memory of the worst bits fades and the pleasure of a new baby takes over. Take care Rek, keep us posted. Thinking of you a lot. Great girls, all of you! Lots of love "Nanna-in-waiting" Glynis xx

Hello pp friends, I need your help again. First of all the good news - I am still pregnant at 35+1. I for one am completely astonished by this! Since last Sunday (8 days ago) when I started going in to labour I have had on and off contractions, but no bleeding - culminating this weekend in 36 hours of agonizing contractions which I could only cope with by lying on my side on the bed and taking a lot of paracetamol and codeine. The only current theory as to why this is happening is that I am having some internal bleeding which is irritating the uterus causing contractions but not yet starting off full blown labour. Lying down is thought to help because it takes weight/pressure off placenta. I can't walk further than a few yards now and have to be wheeled to concourse (when I'm able to sit up). I can't pick up dd or let her climb on me much, in fact I can't see her at all when I'm stuck in bed.

So my problem now is that the less worries I have about the baby (because she is getting older) the less able I am to stick much more of this. I desperately want it all to be over but I feel horribly guilty that I keep wishing the baby was born at what is still really early, when you think about it. I'm going nuts. Any encouragement/wise words gratefully received. I'm thinking about asking to have my planned section moved forward to 36+3 (by a week). Am I bonkers?

Hope you are all well, particularly Kerry, rek x x