Friend has placenta praevia

[MadameCheese]

I don't know what to say to her, she has the "major" form. I've looked it up on the net as I'm fairly ignorant. Anyone have any thoughts? Thank you

what do you need to know?

She will have to be very very careful her whole pregnancy. Likely to spend at least some time in hospital. And will need a caesarean.

Major rsk is bleedng. baby's growth can be slowed.

There's no sex and no orgasms either.

how worrying for her. It normally means a caesarean and a long stay in hospital.

She explained that both she and the baby are at risk due to bleeding, that the baby is likely to be premature. She mentioned a c-section and possible hysterectomy. The blurb I read seemed rather more positive as this seems to be the worst case scenario. It's rubbish as I am also pregnant although not as far along

My placenta is currently covering my cervix, although I am only 20 weeks. However, I am extremely likely to deliver between 24 and 28 weeks (due to my waters breaking at 14+5, not the low placenta) so there isn't likely to be time for the uterus to grow enough for the placenta to move. My placenta is also anterior, which complicates things further.

However, other than a tiny bit of bleeding, I have had no problems so far and the consultant doesn't seem in the slightest bit worried. If I do need a c-section, the risk of bleeding excessively is higher as the placenta will be in the same area as the incision. Certainly no-one had mentioned hysterectomy to me.

In my case, it is really the least of my worries, but I can understand how it would panick a first time Mum, or one without any other complications. It does sound like your friend is panicked and it must be awful for her.

I had grade 4 PP with DS2, bled a few times before 16 weeks, had repeated scans, eventually had big bleed at close to 26 weeks when I was admitted to hospital until DS's delivery by em CS at 31+3 weeks.

It was a worrying time, but all was well in the end.

In some ways unfortunately, the worst case scenario (growth probs with baby, major haemorraghe, hysterectomy, v premature baby etc) will always be discussed to have people fully informed, but can be really scarey.

Hope your friend will be ok and that you and her will have good pregnancies.

I had grade 3 (out of 4) pp. I never bled and had no restrictions. I swam, did yoga etc till 36 weeks when I visited the consultant and he told me to stop! At that point he told me I had to call the maternity ward at the slightest twinge because of the danger of going into labour.
I went into hospital at 37 weeks (which I hated but you get used to it). I could take walks, go to the cafe etc and they didn't give me any wristbands or a canula, so I didn't feel like a 'patient'. I deliberately got dressed and did my makeup every day! They would come and do my blood pressure and a foetal monitor every day just to check I wasn't about to go into labour, and also to give me something do to I think!

I had my son by C section at 38 + 2.
My placenta was posterior (I think that means behind the baby) so the section itself was very straightforward, no excessive bleeding etc.

I think mine was a 'good' one. I was in hospital with someone who had been bleeding and had to stay in for over a month. But she has a lovely son to show for it.

And as for slow growth my son was 8lb 3 at 38 weeks!!!

Tell your friend to try not to worry about the hysterectomy thing, it's one of the standard CS risks. It's just that they mention it every third sentence so you won't sue if they have to do it. My consultant said he'd done two in 30 years.

I was pissed off I wouldn't get the brown rice and candle birth I wanted but I'm over that. I did listen to the Hypnobirthing for Caesarean Section CD, I remember the part about coming to terms with having a C section and I think that helped. Maybe you could buy your friend that?

Hello, I had major placenta previa. How far on is your friend? There is a good chance of the placenta moving if she is only 20 weeks, but if she is further on she might have to resign herself to the fact that she will end up with a c-section.

The risk of bleeding/hospital stay is about 1/4. Placentas can bleed unbelievably heavily so there is a real risk of serious blood loss, with the obvious health risk to the mother. The other serious consequence of heavy bleeding is early delivery of the baby, which is why if you bleed at all they tend to keep you in hospital to ensure that a) you are never far from a blood transfusion and b) the baby is not far from a neo-natal intensive care unit.

The risk of hysterectomy is associated with placenta accreta (which is very occasionally linked with placenta previa) which means that the placenta has grown into the lining of the womb, more likely if your friend has had a previous section. Overall though accreta is very rare so it is unlikely she will face this.

The most common outcome of major placenta previa is a short hospital stay (1 week/10 days) from about 36 weeks, no bleeding and a straightforward section, healthy baby, hunky dory!

Having said that...
I had my first bleed at 29 weeks and then was in hospital until dd2 was delivered by ceasarean at 36 weeks. It was monumentally boring and I missed my dd1 and dh dreadfully. I had regular bleeding, was prepped for sugery 2 or 3 times a week, but happily made it through to a decent gestation. It was discovered during the section that I had placenta accreta and I suffered serious blood loss (7 litres) had to have a massive transfusion and a second surgery but didn't have a hysterectomy although it was a close run thing. I woke up in intensive care and was seiously incapacitated for 3/4 days. DD2 had serious breathing dificulties (despite being 36 weeks) and ended up on nicu/scbu for a week, was tubefed for the first 2 weeks or so. However, we are both absolutely fine now!

I say this just because I never believed that I would have any of the serious complications because they are statistically very unlikely. Nevertheless it does happen to some people so whilst your friend shouldn't worry herself she should at least be aware of the possibilities.

BTW my consultants told me that they no longer think that there is a risk of the baby growing more slowly, the real risk to the baby is premature delivery.

Many thanks everyone for your kind and frank replies, they're very much appreciated. I think it is pretty natural to hear and remember the negatives of what you are told in a consultation. She is really struggling and doesn't want to see anyone at the moment
midori really hope all goes well for you.
PacificD thank you!
Pussycat she is 20 weeks.

Maybe you could show her this thread? It's a long time till her next scan, I virtually forgot about it until then. It did influence my choice to go on maternity leave a bit earlier, and I'm glad I did as I got everything done before I went in.

Hi I had a full previa but had absolutely no complications.

I was told at my 20 week scan but didn't really notice what they were saying, had so much on at the time that didn't even think about it.

Went back at later scan think around 32 weeks or something and still full previa, began reading and got very worried about it. I can't remember exactly but I was going for scans every couple of weeks and the previa was not moving.

I was scheduled in for section at 37 weeks but had a scan scheduled for same day as the pre-op and unbelievably the previa had moved completely.

I had absolutely no bleeding after about 12 weeks and had a big boy just under 10lb and a vaginal delivery - although having experienced a section and a forceps I would gladly take a section any day of the week.

I would say that I worried a lot more than my midwifes. I read everything there was to read about it and frightened myself completely. The MW's played it down completely and I ended up feeling stupid for getting worried about it. In the end I suppose they were right.

Thanks Shaz but she doesn't even want to talk about the pregnancy or the baby
notalways that's such a positive story, thank you

I had it with no complications too.
Had to have elective c-section.
It's a shame that your friend seems to have been scared so much by whatever she's been told.
Nobody mentioned anything like hysterectomy etc to me at the time. I'm glad the staff I dealt with were quite laid back. The 20 week scan was just a sort of "oh, we'll have to keep an eye on that and hopefully it'll move - it often does", and later scans/appointments were still pretty calm.