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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Just had a big bleed at 27 weeks...

36 replies

happymango · 27/03/2009 13:42

Been in hospital for 48 hours - but all seems fine at the moment.

Would be interested to hear about anybody with a similar experiences. In particular - has anybody had a bleed at a similar stage and not gone on to have any more? At the hospital I was given the impression that it's quite likely (or at least possible) that it will happen again.

I'm expecting twins and one has a very low lying placenta which they think is the cause of the bleed - and doesn't seem that uncommon.

Any advice/input comments would be greatly appreciated.

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mersmam · 27/03/2009 15:15

Haven't been in your situation but my friend has. She was expecting twins and was in a similar situation as you at about 6 months pg. She was then fine for the next two months and went on to have two healthy babies who are now three!
Hope all goes well for you too.

kitstwins · 27/03/2009 15:31

I had placenta praevia with my twin pregnancy. Like you, one of my twin placentas was low-lying. Initially partially across the cervix and then it moved slightly away but still within 'risk range i.e. within 2cm. My first bleed was at 23 weeks and my second at 25. The one at 25 weeks was quite heavy and triggered labour, which they blocked with drugs. After that I was told to take things very easy and was put on 'pelvic rest' (no exercise, no sex, no orgasms, no lifting, nothing strenuous - nothing that could cause over-exertion and/or irritate my uterus/cervix).

I'm afraid I wasn't particularly lucky as I went on to bleed further at 28 weeks and from 30 weeks was kept in hospital on bedrest whilst I bled on and off. However, I was quite unusual and unlucky as I know of people whose bleeding has either been a one-off or who have had total/major placenta praevia with no episodes of bleeding. I was just unlucky as I said. However, my twins were born at 35 weeks after another bleed and were totally healthy. They are now destructive two and a half year olds. They also avoided special care as I'd had steroids at my early labour scare to help develop their lungs. It might reassure you to know that these bleeds tend to affect you more than they do the babies - I was hooked up to monitors and being scanned during the course of one of mine and whilst I was flapping about in panic they were happily poking one another and burbling about and seemed unaware of my panic.

Once you've had a bleed you should probably be prepared for another. I don't think it hurts to have that mindset as although it's not nice to have the shadow of that hanging over you it does help to be prepared. I had a small 'bleed bag' packed, which I kept at home in case I needed to head off to hospital at short notice. It had enough for a couple of days hospital stay and included nightdress, flip flops, cardigan, small collection of mini toiletries, good book, etc. I also made sure I took my hospital notes with me when I was out and about and always had a charged mobile phone.

I'm sure you'll get lots of replies from people who've had one-off episodes of bleeding and I'd take heart from them as there is no guarantee that you will get more bleeding. The only issue is that once you've bled once then it IS more likely to happen again. Equally, the more episodes of bleeding you have the more likely they are to increase in incidence and volume - certainly this was the case with me, although this is rare.

I hope this helps and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. Hopefully this bleed was a one off and things will now settle down - it does happen that way and there's no reason why it shouldn't happen that way for you.

happymango · 27/03/2009 15:35

It's great to hear some positive stories. I was given steroids this time around - so at least the babies are getting a head start.

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happymango · 27/03/2009 21:40

Also interested to know if there's anything you did (or didn't do) that you think might have brought the bleed on.

The doctors kept asking me about sex and seemed to think that was the most likely cause. However, I assured them that there hasn't been much of that going on lately...

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happymango · 30/03/2009 14:14

If anybody has got any suggestions on how to avoid bleeds - then I'd love to hear it. At the moment I'm feeling a bit housebound - even feeling nervous to stand up and walk around. Don't want to get too paranoid! Is there such a thing as taking it too easy?

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themildmanneredjanitor · 30/03/2009 14:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

happymango · 30/03/2009 14:23

It's amazing how many people seem to suffer from bleeding - it just doesn't seem that unusual.

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DawnAS · 30/03/2009 14:29

My Mum had 5 children, with two of them she bled every 6 weeks through the PGs, all were late arrivals and all between 7-9lbs, perfectly healthy.

My sister had Total Placenta Previa where the cervix was completely covered with the placenta. She had her first bleed at 23 weeks. Not sure if she suffered anymore, but at the time they didn't even pick up on the Placenta Previa, not until she was 34 weeks PG!!! Amazing really... But anyway, because of that they didn't let her go full term because of the risks so gave her a C-section at 38 weeks - babs is now a gorgeous 4 year old girl!!

Unfortunately had no experience myself though, but I have to say that Kitstwins response must have made you feel so much better as it was sooo informative!! I'd be feeling much better after that response if it was me!!

happymango · 30/03/2009 14:37

Thanks DawnAS. You're right Kitstwins really eased my mind too. Once I'm beyond the 30 week mark I'm sure I'll relax a bit more - but I'm really nervous about it happening again.

It is reassuring to hear about positive outcomes - and I'm sure bleeding during pregnancy is just one of those things that happens to some people for no apparent reason.

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cazzaben · 31/03/2009 23:49

I have heard lots of times of 'unexplained' bleeds... No one really knows why it happens...

Obviously the main cause is Placenta Praevia.
I had my first bleed at 29 weeks. I then spent the rest of my pregnancy in hospital...
although this was bad I now have a beautiful boy who will be 1 on 16th April...

There were 2 other ladies who I spent 7 of the 11 weeks with who both had Prem babies...
They're babies are also nearly 1 and doing fantastic!!!

I would agree though to be prepared for another bleed as it is more likely you will have another one... There is a post on here from a lady called rek21 (not sure if you can search for her or not) She is in hospital at the moment due to PP. She's had a few bleeds. Maybe you could search for her and have a chat about it together... Thought it might be helpful if you go through it with someone else... I know it certainly helped me get through it!!!

Good Luck though and take care
xxxxx

cazzaben · 31/03/2009 23:52

Oh and I should've put on here too that there is nothing you can do to prevent these bleeds... Taking it easy obviously helps...
All I did was sneeze!!! LOL
Do you know if you have Minor Grades Praevia or Major?? xxxx

kitstwins · 01/04/2009 11:13

Hi there. Glad my post was helpful and I just wanted to add that unfortunately there isn't anything you can do to stop the bleeds happening. They are entirely random and out of your control, which is why it tends to be so scary when it happens - one minute you're boiling the kettle for a cup of tea and then two seconds later you've got blood coming out of you.

The only thing you CAN do to help is take things very easy as there is some evidence that increased activity can irritate the uterus and, in turn, cause bleeding. Basically, anything that would irritate either the uterus or cervix (so sex, orgasms, exercise, strenuous activity, lifting, etc., etc. - anything FUN in fact....). There's no hard and fast rule and someone with placenta praevia could leap about and do star jumps and not have a bleed, but it's best not to take any risks.

It's also worth bearing in mind that the majority of bleeds happen at night (certainly most of mine occurred in the night which made for some VERY interesting 2am dashes about the house!!) so again it's worth having a plan of action set out and being prepared for this. There's every chance you won't need it but it would be nice for your peace of mind to go to bed every evening and know that if you did have a bleed everything is in place and there won't be any rush or panic. You can just grab your stuff and head off to hospital. Have your 'bleed bag' packed and ready, have your mobile phone charged and by your bed and make sure your car is full of petrol. If you don't have a car, put the number of a local cab firm in your mobile. Equally, if you haven't already, put the number of the labour ward in your mobile too so that if you do have a bleed you can ring them when you're on your way.

Bleeding is more common with twins (as is placenta praevia) but the plus is that you'll be very well looked after from now onwards.

Best of luck and hope everything settles down.
Kx

cazzaben · 01/04/2009 17:07

Oh and I would also say to call an ambulance if you start to bleed (thats what I was advised to do and that's what I did...)
With taxi's you may never know when they could turn up!!!
xxxxxxxx

cazzaben · 01/04/2009 17:14

I never did actually say that I had an anterior Major Placenta Praevia ... Baby Born 16th April 08 (although you may well have gathered!) im also starting my midwifery degree in September so I've done lots of research into PP.
If you have any further questions feel free to ask...
Take Care
xxxx

happymango · 02/04/2009 14:10

Hi Cazzaben - were you in hospital until the end of the pregnancy because of the bleed - or were there other things going on too?

Also interested about bleeds taking place at night. That was the same for me - I woke up with it. It doesn't really make sense though - you'd think that if somehow you'd damaged or torn the placenta - then it would bleed when it happened, which is most likely during the day when you're moving around most. Or do you think that the placenta is a lot more active at night when you're asleep, so there's more blood available to flow into it and into the baby? Not expecting you to have all the answers to this one - but it's interesting.

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cazzaben · 02/04/2009 14:23

I was in because of the bleed I had yes.... I was told that I wouldn't be allowed home as my husband works nights... I couldn't find anyone to be with me every night for the rest of my pregnancy so had to stay in... My consultant did say that he wanted me to stay in anyway and it was very likely that I would have another bleed...
I never did have another big one though... I had a little bit here and there but no gushing like the first one... It was a big bleed the first time though...

Your right though funny how the bleeds happen at night. I always thought this was due to the movement of the baby more at night. I know everytime I would sit down or get into bed to rest my baby would wake up!!!

NorbertDentressangle · 02/04/2009 14:29

I had a massive one-off bleed at around 22-23 weeks.

I went in to hospital for half a day for them to check me out but they never really established what caused it. I had a low-lying placenta but they never claimed it was due to that.

As mine happened when it did (ie. before 24 weeks) they said there wasn't really anything they could do and just to take things easy.

I had no more bleeds and went on to have DS at 39 weeks -no problems, placenta had moved by then too.

happymango · 02/04/2009 16:22

Thanks NorbertD. They keep telling me that my placenta will move too. I'm kind of hoping that it doesn't as I'm not that opposed to a c section third time around! Also the weight of my tummy seems to be pushing things down iykwim - I can't imagine anything moving up at this stage!

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cazzaben · 02/04/2009 22:32

Hi happymango did you have a c-section for any of your other 2 births?? Might give you some indication as to whether or not it might move or not...

happymango · 03/04/2009 13:15

No - natural birth both times - but as this is twins it's been quite different from the beginning.

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Cazzaben · 03/04/2009 19:53

Well I hope that you dont end up having a section... Its impossible to even hold your baby for about 3 days.. I know lots of people say its easy but really it isn't... I would ask anyone on here...

Also I noticed that you said after 30 weeks you would relax more but You are more likely to bleed after this than at any other time...

chipmonkey · 03/04/2009 20:33

I have had 4 CS's and always got to hold my baby very shortly after the birth.
Also after 30 weeks, even if baby has to be delivered they are less likely to suffer health problems than if delivered earlier.

SazzlesA · 03/04/2009 20:46

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Message withdrawn

mrspooh · 03/04/2009 21:30

i bled from 8 weeks onwards and after being in/out drs and hosp with a series of bleeds at 4 months, i had to stop work. I bled again at 18 and 33 weeks. at the 18 wk bleed i had an internal from a consultant who found i had polyps just outside the cervix. i bled again the day before ds was born and was taken in to be checked. the dr did a sweep and let me home. ds arrived safely the next day.

Cazzaben · 03/04/2009 22:02

All I was trying to say was chipmonkey that why would someone want to have a section over a natural delivery????? If Mango had never had a section then why look forward to one.... Thats all I was saying.... I couldn't hold my baby (or see him due to having a general anesthetic) for at least 8 hrs.... Even then I struggled to hold him afterwards because of the 2 drains I had either side of my scar and the drip and the oxygen mask I wore for 16 hrs after.......... It was the worst time of my life, I would have loved to give birth naturally and be able to get up (i know this doesn't always happen with natural deliveries either)

Also with Placenta Preavia after 30 weeks you have more chance of bleeding to death. As the placenta grows the more blood is pumped through it....Its far more risky. I didnt mean for the baby... If the baby was delivered at 30 weeks it might survive but it will have lots of health problems....

I know the

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