Complete Placenta Previa

[amberdcm]

(x-posted from my DDC)

Originally they thought the previa was just marginal or maybe partial (meaning close to/on the edge of the cervix or just partially covering it, and these are the previas that account for the 90-95% that migrate). But, a vaginal u/s noted that it was indeed complete (which can be REALLY bad).

My thought yesterday, when I was discussing the results with the midwife who consulted with me after the U/S, was that if you couldn't even originally tell, well that's a good thing, right? Because it must mean that the placenta is closer to a marginal/partial previa, and isn't clearly and over-apparently smothering the cervix. More like just hanging out closer to the edge (which gives a much greater percentage of shifting off the cervix as the uterus grows).

All she kept saying was, "a complete previa is a complete previa, we don't differentiate" which, No freakin' Duh, I get, but give me some kind of hope here. I don't know, I'm just freaky and sad, and scared because I realize how utterly dangerous the condition can be if you fall into that 5 %. My homebirth midwife said she'll consult with the OB/GYN practice that performed the ultrasound and get a better idea of what is going on.

Mostly, the idea of going back to a hospital makes me cry on cue. My fear of not only having a c-section, but mostly losing total control of the process after, has my doubled in knots. I know they'll take the baby from me. Tell me I can't hold her. Put her under the lights to warm her. Everything that I deem right & needed will be thrown out the window for the good of the institution. I just don't know how to navigate all the fear I'm feeling. I realize I have to stop being hyperbolic about it and keep it positive, but 2 months seems so long to hang in the unknown, just hoping it shifts before the next check in. Waaaaah! I'm real scared.

Has anyone had a complete previa that has migrated as the uterus grew?

On an important aside, our beautiful GIRL is complete and perfect and we now have one of each. We couldn't be more blessed.

[MeepyCat]

The language they use to talk about previa makes me *crazy* for precisely this reason - not all complete previas are the same. I had the same kind of complete previa as you, and not a great resolution. On the one hand, my placenta was migrating off the cervix. On the other, I had a hemorrhagic bleed before it could get all the way off the cervix and wound up with an emergent (although not actually emergency) c-section at 32w 4d.

However, had the baby been full-term, the hospital I gave birth at would have given her to me and my husband to hold right away (they, in fact, let DH hold her and me kiss her before they took her to the NICU, and then, in accordance with my request, wheeled my bed into the NICU as soon as I was cleared to leave the recovery area). DD would have accompanied me to recovery, and we would have initiated breast feeding there. That particular hospital is very mainstream for my area, but the area is coastal and that does seem to make a difference.

I think you have - or can have - more control.

What I did with my midwives, when things started to go south with my previa (well before the big bleed) was to put a foot in each camp. I wanted the previa to resolve, and I wanted a natural delivery, but if that turned out to be impossible, I was going to make my own decisions about where to have a surgical delivery and I was going to ask for their help in communicating my wishes about it. You can research hospitals, and find the ones with the best policies. You can ask them what surgical delivery is like at the hospital they practice at and with and how much sway your wishes will have after the baby is born. You can have a doula to advocate for you and what you want.

You can also insist on repeat ultrasounds to check placental position. You can, if you want, demand an ultrasound the evening before scheduled surgery and cancel the surgery if the placenta is clear.

I know this is terrifying and I'm sorry you're going through it. I hope your next scan shows the placenta well clear and you can have a natural delivery.

[Eresh]

I'm so sorry that this is happening to you and especially that you're left in this limbo. I've not had your experience, but I thought maybe you'd like this blog entry I read a few days ago. Having a c-section does not necessarily mean giving up control of your birth. Good luck!

http://dou-la-la.blogspot.com/2010/0...-not-even.html

[Cheshire]

I'm sorry you're going through this stressful event.

Let me put a different spin on it for you - you have been given the gift of knowledge and you can be proactive in your decisions. Hope for the best, that it will move, but also start to let go of the idea of your "perfect" birth and reframe your reference to include, as the pp said, finding the right place to have a surgical delivery if that is what you need.

I had a marginal previa and expected a c-section until week 37 when I was cleared for a vaginal birth. What the doc/MW/ultrasound techs didn't go back and look for (after being told it was a possibility) and what they didn't find was that I also had a velamentous cord insertion and possible vasa previa (increased risk with marginal previas). My second son's cord tore at the end of my vaginal delivery and he lost the majority of his blood in just a few heartbeats. It was hell and though he fought his little body couldn't do it and we removed him from life support twelve hours after his birth.

I should never have had a vaginal delivery and what I wouldn't give to go back and have a c-section. Surgery and recovery would win with me over the pain and grief I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

If you are cleared for a vaginal delivery later because your placenta grows away from the cervix make them look to be sure you don't have vasa previa, tell them to humor you and check and also to check the placental cord insertion.

Knowledge is a good thing for you right now. Grieve your possible loss of the birth you wanted and take charge for the birth you may end up getting. Ask a lot of questions, visit a number of hospitals, get the doc to be your advocate as well. You can do this and the more proactive you are the better you'll feel about it.

Best wishes!

[RedOakMomma]

Not all c-sections births are the way they used to be. I've been spending a lot of time reading the birth story threads in the Birth Story forum and in Jan/Feb DDCs, and there have been several c-sections that felt very in-control and epowering to the moms.

I know c-sections are scary, but do you think you could regain some of your calm if you looked into your options in that area, and planned (a just-in-case) c-section birth that respected your needs?

[lunarlady]

I know not all hospitals are the same, but a friend of mine had a c-section and they gave the baby to the father to hold while the stiched her up, then they checked the baby right there in the same room, just a few feet from her head, and wheeled them to recovery together. So I know that it is possible to have that bonding right after birth, even though it may not be your ideal. They wouldn't let her hold and breastfeed the baby until she was in recovery, but they also didn't do any bottles, and the baby never left the room she was in.

I'd suggest doing some research into the local hospitals. Ask them very specific and detailed questions about what a c-section with them is like. Find a staff that will support you as best they can. Maybe it will all be for naught as your placenta will move, but otherwise, you will be prepared and hopefully have the best birth possible under the circumstances.

[amberdcm]

I just want to thank everyone for their support. It's helping to ground me and bring me back to center. I feel much more in control of my destiny just knowing that there are ways to advocate for your needs during and after a c-section. That is a definitely a fab link, Eresh. I plan to spend a ton of time reading up and following the links to other sites. Thanks for giving me a push to start investigating, MeepyCat. I'm going to get a foot in each camp (and drag my hbmw along with me). Really, to all you ladies, thanks for responding. I felt like my head was going to spin off with fear and sadness. And, to Cheshire, thank you SO MUCH for sharing your story. Yours more than any other is helping to pull me back into place. I'm so sorry you lost your son. Your story gave me so much to think about, and I appreciate you sharing it. Hugs to you all and thanks!

[3*is*magic]

I am so sorry you are dealing with this.

As someone who has had three c-sections in two different hospitals (one that would probably be considered a c-section "factory"), I can tell you with confidence that a section does not have to be the worst case scenario experience that is often described on MDC. All three of my children's births (yes, BIRTHS) were beautiful. My babies were never taken from me. I was never restrained. I was not foggy or drugged up. I nursed as soon as *I* wanted to. We went to recovery together. I held them in my arms as I was wheeled to my room.

Do people have horrible c-section experiences? Of course. But the vast majority of c-section horror stories I read on MDC are from women who have never had a section. I completely understand that a c-section is something to be avoided; it can also be a life-saving procedure for mama and baby, and, just like a vaginal birth, a joyous experience. I encourage you to seek an OB who will help you have just that.

[Sachi Ivy]

Thank you all for this thread. I'm going through exactly the same thing as amberdcm (previa, plus three massive fibroids and a lot of "IF's") and feeling really confused as to how to handle my emotional response to a possible c-section.
It's really overwhelming to desire a natural birth and then have to accept the possibility (or inevitability) of a c-section/hospital setting. Thank you for helping to alleviate my fears and giving me some gumption to demand some rights!

[Kailey's mom]

Well I had a cesearean because I had placenta previa, pre-eclampsia, and my dd stopped growing (IUGR).. anyway I just wanted to tell you that our birth AND hospital experience was great. Dh, along with my family held my dd while I was being stitched up, then I held her. The ONLY reason she was taken is because due to prematurity, she needed to be in the NICU, she was having a hard time *labored breathing, couldn't hold her temp, very low blood sugar etc etc etc. Even with her in the NICU, they made it a point to bring her into my room for feeding when I was still unable to be out of bed, and when I was able to walk the 2 rooms down to the NICU, they encouraged as much skin on skin contact as possible. It was wonderful. Oh, and if you do end up having to get a cesearean, DO NOT FORGET TO BRING THE CAMERA INTO THE OR. The anestesiologist, or your DH *if he doesn't get woozy* can take pics of the birth

[MacKinnon]

I just wanted to share that my best friend had complete placenta previa that did migrate/clear completly. I had partial placenta previa with ds that cleared as well. Best luck!

[Cheshire]

Amberdcm, I'm glad my post helped. I hope you find the information you need to have the best birth given your situation.

There are times when a surgical birth is necessary and life saving. It's hard to think about needing one when you don't want one.

Best wishes and keep us posted on how it all goes.