Placenta Previa at 17 weeks... WWYD?

[aikigypsy]

So, I just went for my second level ultrasound, at about 17 weeks. The doctor said that I have placenta previa, and need to go on "pelvic rest," meaning no sex, for the next 12 weeks or so, until they check the placenta's position again in the next ultrasound.

I am not looking forward to this, and I'm not sure I see the sense in it. I've had no bleeding or serious cramping, and a brief google search showed me that the placenta can be all over the place at this stage of the game, and that most just naturally shift higher in the uterus as things get bigger.

My brief google also showed that some women are put on pelvic rest for this in the 2nd trimester, others are told no heavy lifting and/or pelvic rest, and other doctors say they can go on as usual.

I am going to phone my midwife in the morning and see what they have to say (the ultrasound was at a different hospital), but in the meantime I wondered if anyone here had any experience with an early diagnosis of placenta previa. To me, I can see why it would be a bigger problem in later pregnancy, but I feel like early-mid 2nd trimester is a different ballgame.

[Eresh]

I don't know anything about pelvic rest at this point though it seems like an over-reaction unless you have a history of early dilation. I'd be interested in hearing what your MW says about that. I do know that you have a very good chance of your placenta moving by the time you're full term. I mean, you're not even half way there yet. I would view a placenta previa diagnosis as completely meaningless at 17 weeks and I wouldn't bother doing u/s monitoring of it until 30 weeks at least.

[Kindermama]

Is it completely covering your cervix? Mine was partially covering and I was just told to refrain from sex. It moved up and out of the way by 34 weeks (as in I had only had the 20 week US until the very end so it may have moved sooner!)

[MeepyCat]

I was diagnosed with placenta previa at 18 weeks (the placenta covered the cervix, but was not centered on it) and my midwives didn't feel it was necessary to restrict my activity at all. At an appointment around 24 weeks, I discussed the issue with a midwife and was told that, if I wasn't experiencing any bleeding, it was probably a partial previa and would probably go away. I was, and remain, comfortable with those statements, but if I had it to do over again, I would probably have stopped jogging at that point.

Over the course of my pregnancy, I dealt with a variety of HCPs, who displayed a very wide range in terms of how cautious they were about treating previas. There is a lot of room for doctors to disagree here. It appeared to me at the time that doctors are conservative about previas in relationship to how recently they have dealt with an emergency involving one.

I would say, pay attention to your body's signals, and don't try to tough things out if you're tired or achey. And talk to your midwives.

[Suka]

On my 20 week ultrasound i was told that I had placenta previa, i also had bleeding at 18 weeks as well. She only told me to refrain from sex and that they would check it again at 24 weeks(baby was moving around too much for tech to get a look at her heat)

[kristin1924]

Originally Posted by aikigypsy

So, I just went for my second level ultrasound, at about 17 weeks. The doctor said that I have placenta previa, and need to go on "pelvic rest," meaning no sex, for the next 12 weeks or so, until they check the placenta's position again in the next ultrasound.

I am not looking forward to this, and I'm not sure I see the sense in it. I've had no bleeding or serious cramping, and a brief google search showed me that the placenta can be all over the place at this stage of the game, and that most just naturally shift higher in the uterus as things get bigger.

My brief google also showed that some women are put on pelvic rest for this in the 2nd trimester, others are told no heavy lifting and/or pelvic rest, and other doctors say they can go on as usual.

I am going to phone my midwife in the morning and see what they have to say (the ultrasound was at a different hospital), but in the meantime I wondered if anyone here had any experience with an early diagnosis of placenta previa. To me, I can see why it would be a bigger problem in later pregnancy, but I feel like early-mid 2nd trimester is a different ballgame.

I had this same diagnosis at week 16. I was cleared at week 25. My midwife told me that they gave me the U/S too early in the pregnancy. That it should have been done at week 20, when most likely my placenta would have been more "up". Anyway, the diagnosis at 16 weeks freaked me out. I couldn't lift anthing either, no sex, just taking it easy. It was hard, but I did it. I am sure your placenta will move up on its own in the next 4 weeks.

[alexisfaye]

I would totally ask for another ultrasound in like 4 weeks. It's ridiculous to put you on "pelvic rest" for 12 weeks without checking again. I don't know about you, but that would not have positive impacts on my mood/relationship...

[beachlover]

I think it depnds on whether it was a complete placenta previa or just a marginal or low lying placenta. The latter almost always move, where as a complete previa centered over the cervix does not because it's not really the placenta that moves it's the uterus that grows up and away making it seem like it moves.

You are very early still and many people wouldn't have even had the u/s for another 3 weeks, so I think you have to go with your gut, as long as the previa is just marginal or low lying and you have no bleeding or history of PTL/dialation, then I'd probably not worry too much at this point.

I was told at 16 weeks in one of my pregnancies that it was low lying and by 29 weeks when they rechecked it was way up top.

Good Luck.

[aikigypsy]

Well, I checked in with my midwife's office and supposedly it's complete placenta previa and they reiterated the ban on sex/pelvic rest. I am very grumpy about it today. I have gotten used to having sex, and have been particularly in the mood since this pregnancy got going.

I have another checkup appointment in a bit less than 3 weeks, and at that point I think I'll ask for another ultrasound ASAP. I feel like we can weather 4 weeks without sex (and yeah, I know there are other things you can do, but I'm still not happy about it), but 11 weeks, for reasons that aren't 100% solid... no, no thank you.

[Burnindinner]

I was diagnosed with a previa at 20 weeks after a bleeding episode. It was covering the cervix 3 cm. I had another bleed this weekend at 32 weeks and was admitted to the hospital for 24 hours to monitor me and baby. Now the placenta has moved 4 cm and is 1 cm from the cervix, so I guess it's more of a "marginal" or "low lying" instead of complete as before.

I agree different HCP's approach a previa differently. However, my CNM was very serious about the pelvic rest because you really don't want to run into the cervix, not just "don't dilate". They had me on sort of modified bed rest, no running any more, no lifting, don't carry the kid, try to lay down to rest every afternoon.

We're still waiting to see where it is ultimately going to end up and whether we can birth at home or need to be at the hospital.

[sweet_tart_vt]

even if they are giving you a diagnosis of complete previa, you are stll only 17 weeks. A lot can happen in the 3 weeks time when you are usually offered the 20 wk anatomy scan. I would not hesitiate to ask for another u/s in about 4 weeks. Things can move a lot still, and you're aren't even quite 1/2 way thru yet. They will often wait and do a check again at 28wks. The restrictions seem a bit premature without another check.

Hope things move up for you soon!

[Funny Face]

That would make me grumpy too!

I'd want a scan sooner than later too.