Feeling defeated C-section Previa

[livinzoo]

I can't quit crying I'm so upset
At 19 weeks I had a complete previa
At 27 weeks the placenta had moved 7mm (not even a cm) away from the cervix opening.
Now at 32 weeks it is still siting at 7mm.

They said they will do another scan at 36 weeks to see if it has moved enough. And if it hasn't they will schedule a c-section for 39 weeks. I asked why if they were waiting till 39 weeks that they couldn't give the placenta a bit more time before they ultrasound it again. So they reluctantly said they would do the ultrasound at 37 weeks.

I also have an anterior placenta. So if they c-section they have to cut through the placenta. Isn't this more of a risk than attempting a vaginal delivery with a placenta sitting about 1 cm away from the cervix?

So is there anything I can do to help encourage this placenta to move? I'm a very independent person and have issues with the thought of anyone doing anything to my spine. If I need something I just do it, I hate asking for help. I would rather be in pain than have to even ask someone to help me. So as you can see I really would not be a good c-section patient. So I really want to avoid this if at all possible.

Any help would be appreciated.

[lguse]

I have no advice, but I'm so sorry to hear that you're having to deal with this. Hopefully you'll get some nice btdt stories. :huuuug:

[MeepyCat]

There's nothing you can do to get your placenta to move. Sorry. There's a ton of homeopathic remedies out there, but given the odds that the placenta will move on its own, I think the only thing these remedies can be proven to do is cost you money.

But! Your placenta is anterior, which means that it's more likely to shift than if it were posterior. And it's already clear of the cervix. And you have some time. These are all good signs, and reasons to be optimistic.

I have to tell you that pregnancy is the time to get over an aversion to asking for help, if you possibly can. One of the funny things that kids often do to us is cause us to develop needs that we have to seek assistance with. However, it is possible to have a surgical delivery in which you participate. This is a concern that I would strongly advise you to mention to your doctor - you hate feeling helpless, and you are worried that you will feel especially helpless on the operating table. What can you do to be a participant in your care in this situation? What would be a good idea for you to know, how can you best express your desires, and what should you expect?

[Mosaic]

My understanding is that the placenta is where it is: it grows where the embryo implanted into the uterine wall and doesn't really "move." As the uterus gets larger, it could get farther away from the cervix; as it was explained to me, early in pregnancy, EVERYONE's placenta is near the cervix because the uterus is small and there's not a lot of room in there. As the uterus grows, the space between the placenta and the cervix could fill up with fluid and baby, but the placenta itself doesn't move around in there like the baby does.

My understanding is that if the placenta isn't covering the cervix and you don't have any bleeding, many doctors will at least try a vaginal birth. Could you get a second opinion anywhere?

[nova22]

I had to have an emergency c-section when I was pregnant with #5 and planning for homebirth #2. I had never had so much as an IV during labor so it was completely against everything I had ever wanted. I'm not gonna lie, it was tough, and the recovery was much worse than it was for a vaginal birth (although a lot of that was due to the fact that I was never able to rest properly, I had to go 45 minutes one-way to get to the NICU and visit my baby at least once a day for a month and I was up every 2 hours to pump). For me the whole thing was very difficult to process but it did make it a little easier because I knew my c-section was actually medically necessary, as it would be for a complete placenta previa.

My understanding is that they would NOT have to cut through the placenta; the incision would be higher than that.

I really am sorry that you're dealing with this. It's hard to have an ideal birth in mind and then have this thrown at you. I will tell you, though, that I also have a really hard time asking for help, but I learned to force myself as much as I hated it. People asked me what I needed and I had to swallow my pride and tell them. It is VERY HARD. I think asking for help was harder than the physical recovery.

[JudiAU]

Hugs.

Just wanted to tell you my complete previa + anterior placenta did move on its own by the end.

[Banana731]

I think you should be optimistic too, there is time yet for your uterus to strech a little more and move it up some and it's already off the cervix.

A second opinion and and some visualization couldn't hurt.

[FoxintheSnow]

I know it's not the birth you were hoping for, but try to look at it like 'thank goodness there is this life saving surgery that will save me and my baby'. Maybe it will help.