At what point is placenta previa a concern?

[minkajane]

I know that a lot of women have partial or complete previas that move out of the way later in pregnancy. I had some light spotting at around 8 weeks and had an U/S a few days later and the RE showed me that I have a partial previa. He said that it would move up as my uterus grew and not to be surprised if I had more spotting. I am almost 12 weeks and yesterday I had more spotting than I have been having. I've had a couple more incidences, usually not more than a drop or two. This time, it was more like a splash. I hope that makes sense. Like the others, it was a one-time thing and wasn't continuous bleeding.

I know it's still REALLY early, but at what point should I be concerned? I know I'll need a C/S if it stays, but I really hope that doesn't happen!

[babyjelly]

I've never personally dealt with a previa, but it is my understanding that it doesn't actually become a cause for concern pertaining to delivery until well into the third trimester. Obviously, if the bleeding becomes continual, that could be indicative of a problem, but I beleive that spotting or an occasional "splash" is considered 'normal' as it moves out of the way (although I don't think its being normal would make it any less scary ).
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[WifeofAnt]

I'm pretty sure yours will move. Even if you were told you had a partial previa at 18 or 20 weeks its still more likely to move than remain a previa.

[lillymonster]

probably like 36-37 weeks, I would think or until you give birth. I had it at 20 weeks and OB didn't do another u/s to check until I was like 37 weeks. By then it was out of the way

[Earthy Mama]

They usually don't mention previa until the 20 week anatomy scan. I had marginal at 20 w and then again at 28 w. They are going to check once more at 36 w before they talk section.

[karen1968]

When I was diagnosed with previa at 19w, everything I read assured me it would move out of the way - less than 5% of those diagnosed at or before 20w are still previa at term.

Unfortunately, I was one of the unlucky ones, and placenta hadn't budged between 19w and 32w. I have three weeks from today (I'll be 35w5d) to get mine to move But I'd think the fact that you have the occasional spot is a good indication that yours is not staying put :-) I'll keep my for you!

[babyjelly]

It occured to me after I posted that even if it does move, as it probably will, that it may still be a "concern" at delivery...only because it would be in the lower uterine segment, and the lower in the uterus a placenta is implanted, the more likely a PP bleed is. I personally don't think it's something to worry about, rather something to be aware of as you enter your birthing time, iykwim. Heck, I have a lower lying anterior placenta and a history of PPH, and it is not something my MW or I are actually worried about.
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[sewingsparklz]

Hi! I was diagnosed with partial previa at my 20 week ultrasound with my last pregnancy. They were very light about it and said it would probably clear up by itself. I had another ultrasound at 32 weeks and it did resolve. And it was not an issue at all during delivery. Never heard it mentioned again.

I think the fact that it is partial now is a good thing. It's so early; you have tons of time for it to grow up and out of the way!

[Lyss]

I've had 2 prior c-sections and complete -> partial previa at last u/s at 13 weeks. I'm 17 weeks now, and just had spotting yesterday.

My OB said that statistically, the placenta is less likely to move if it is on top of a c-section scar, and even less likely after multiple c-sections. I have my anatomy scan with someone that does high-risk, and if it's still previa at 20 weeks, I'm just giving up and scheduling the repeat C.

[MeepyCat]

I had previa with my last pregnancy, and delivered at 32w4d because of it. With this experience, here's when I would worry about previa:

1. Complete previa at or after 20 weeks,
2. Partial previa persisting after 30 weeks.

Many, many cases of complete previa result in unstable hemorrhage and delivery before term. They schedule c-sections for previa at 36 or 37 weeks, but that should have a giant asterisk - "*If you make it that far."

ETA: But partial previa at 12 weeks? Wouldn't worry me. Def. get the bleeding checked out though, don't just sit home with it. This is what ultrasounds are for.

[minkajane]

Originally Posted by MeepyCat

Def. get the bleeding checked out though, don't just sit home with it. This is what ultrasounds are for.

I've had two, that's how we know it's a partial previa. My RE said it's nothing to worry about and to be expected as the baby and placenta move and that we shouldn't be concerned unless I start bleeding heavily, to the point where I saturate a pad. This one splash was the heaviest it's ever been and even that didn't need more than a pantyliner. So I'm not really worried, I was just curious as to what point you know you definitely need a C/S.

[MeepyCat]

Originally Posted by minkajane

I was just curious as to what point you know you definitely need a C/S.

That's a different question, and it's harder to answer.

I knew I needed a c/s when the surgeon told me they were prepping the OR. Until then, I was hoping the problem would go away. I don't know what I thought was going to happen that night (they were going to hang me upside down to keep the blood from falling out? I dunno), but I wasn't expecting a c-section.

I think, at twenty weeks, you should start thinking seriously about it, and at 30 you should start planning, and if you do schedule surgery, I am all in favor of having one last ultrasound at the last minute to see if the placenta has miraculously cleared out of the way after all.