Placenta Previa

[HappyMomma2008]

At 22 weeks an ultrasound determined I have complete placenta previa. I realize there is a 50/50 chance that this will resolve itself as pregnancy progresses (would be more like a 90% chance if placenta wasn't completely covering my cervix), but I'm a little freaked out. Beyond and more important than the fact that my plans for a natural waterbirth may be replaced by a necessary c-section, I am freaked out about the possibility of a needing to "take" baby before he is ready. It also doesn't help that I have an almost 3 year old who is very attached and dependent upon me. The idea of bedrest, possibly long hospitalization(s), and a baby in the nicu is more than I can handle. I'm trying not to overreact, but I am a planner and the vast possibilities of the coming weeks and months leave me simultaneously overwhelmed and paralized. I'm not sure what I'm asking for here since no one can know or predict the course of events to occur, but any thoughts are most appreciated. 

[tracymom1]

I was in your shoes with my first. I will spare you the details since, as it turned out, the placenta previa was not the underlying cause for all of my complications. But know that my complete previa resolved by the time I was 28 weeks. I ended up with a scheduled section at 35 weeks because of other stuff - but my early babe did not need to spend one single minute in the NICU. He was not even 5#, but he was healthy, breathing, able to nurse and room in with me. A miracle indeed!! So just because a baby is early does not mean there will be problems.

Also, I will say is this - taking life day by day is soooooo hard, but it is the only choice you have. There is no way to predict what is going to happen in the coming weeks or months, and the very best thing you can do for you, your baby, and your family is to enjoy each day and take it easy. I know, I know - easier said than done. I was there. I remember the panic and worry, but as the next few days go by, just try to focus on all the good things about this pregnancy. Spend some time visualizing the placenta moving up, up, up and away from the cervix. Treat yourself kindly and rest as much as you can. Hopefully once the shock wears off, you will find that peace that you need to be able to relax a little.

I worked in Ob for years, and we only had to section a couple of patients because of a previa that was stubborn and did not get out of the way. Even with it being a complete previa, your chances are very good that it will move. There's lots of time, yet!

Deep breaths, mama, deep breaths...

[HappyMomma2008]

Tracymom1, thank you so much for your response. I read it last night before going to bed and slept better than I have in days. I will keep the good thoughts coming!

We're both due in June. Warm wishes to you for a healthy pregnancy and delivery!

[MeepyCat]

I was in these shoes too.  My placenta previa didn't resolve, and I had an emergency c/s at 32w4d.  I will not lie to you, mama, it was hard, and parts of it were awful.  When my daughter was born, my son was 2.5, and yes, he was very dependent and attached.  This was really hard on him too.

Being a planner can really help a lot.  I know that it all seems overwhelming now, but there are things you can line up and questions you can ask that will make things easier if the worst case scenario of hospital bed rest and early delivery does come to pass.  And there is a strong chance that the problem will go away.  This is just contingency planning.  You might still get your water birth. 

I would strongly suggest that you line up help now.  Look for people who can take your underfoot baby out for an afternoon now and then, so that he'll be comfortable with them if he winds up in their care for larger chunks of time.  Ideally, you want at least one person who could come over at a moments notice.  Also, consider looking around for a cleaning service.  If you do go on bed rest, they're nice to have.

Talk to your OB about what would happen if you had an emergency c-section.  Would it happen at the same hospital you're already planning to deliver at, or at a different one?  Can you tour the OB department and talk to a neonatalogist, just in case?  Ask these questions about the closest hospital to your home that has both a Level III NICU and an OB department, as well, if that's not where you were planning to go anyway - if you wind up calling an ambulance (which isn't likely, but could happen), that's the hospital they'll take you to.

The rest of my advice sounds flippant:  don't watch anything on TLC, stop wearing red panties.  This is a waiting game.  The trick is to stay sane while you're waiting.

[HappyMomma2008]

MeepyCat, thank YOU for your response as well. Your advice is just what I need to hear, along with the advice from tracymom1 above. I am working on planning for the worst and hoping for the best. The waiting game is not fun, but at least I have the opportunity not to be completely surprised by all of this.

Thanks!

[tracymom1]

HappyMomma, sounds like you are in the right frame of mind. Just take each day as it comes, knowing that in the end you WILL have a healthy baby. Lots of positive thoughts and blessings for you, mama!!

[JudiAU]

Complete previa completely resolved. Take it easy, know that it is very common and that many midwives think the rate of placenta previa resolving it is actually closer to 75% and may be higher. The frequency of the diagnoses hasn't caugh up with the research.

[HappyMomma2008]

Hi. I thought I would come back and tell the end of my story (I am the original poster on this thread) in the hopes it might help others. 

Unfortunately, my previa remained an issue throughout pregnancy, but I did deliver a beautiful healthy baby boy at 37.5 weeks. There's the spoiler..... all turned out well. :)

At 32.5 weeks I started bleeding and was hospitalized for 4 days. It was not a bad bleed, but was enough to serve as a real wake up call. I received some great advice from a nurse in the hospital.... "you can do everything right and be the best bedrest patient ever and still bleed again." Somehow I got lucky (and I truly think it was luck) and did not bleed again, but the perinatologist overseeing my care determined at 36.5 weeks that my placenta was less than .5cm from my cervix and located anterior. For that reason, a c-section was scheduled for 37.5 weeks. (Note: When I was hospitalized at 32.5 weeks I was given steroids to promote litttle one's lung development. I think this really helped.) Our son was born weighing 8 pounds and didn't have to spend a minute in the NICU. I did lose more blood during delivery than they would have liked, but was able to avoid transfusions and a hysterectomy (possible complications of previa and accreta, the latter of which I did not have). 

Thus, I defied the odds in that my placenta did not shift up as is so common, but I did have a healthy child. The 5 weeks 2 days I was on bedrest (not that anyone is counting) were tough but mostly because of my 3.5 year old. I had lots of help between family and babysitters, but she really wanted me to do everything and had trouble understanding that mommy's doctors were making her rest. I also think that my recovery has been a little slower because I was so inactive in the weeks and months before delivery. (The blood loss didn't help either, I'm sure.)

I know that each case of previa is unique and many others have their own stories..... some of which end of with a healthy child and, very sadly, some that do not. My heart breaks for these families.

If you are recently diagnosed with previa, try not to freak out. Chances are very good that the situation will resolve. However, we are fortunate these days to be able to prepare for what can be a tough ride toward the end of pregnancy and a possible early deliver. Be optimistic, yet realistic, and prepare for what might come.

Healthy well wishes to you and yours.

[Seuriu]

Wow that is a lot to go through, way to go mama!!! I would hate to be on bedrest. I'm happy things turned out well for you and I hope you are recovering from your c-section smoothly :)

[APToddlerMama]

Thank you for the update!  I am 16 weeks and in a similar boat although too early to call it previa...just low lying placenta at this point but I'm happy to hear your outcome! 

[sammypants]

Thank you for your story!  I'm glad that everything turned out alright.  At 20 weeks, I've just been diagnosed with a complete previa.  I'm not freaked out yet, but like you did, I'm contending with the possibility of bedrest, bleeding, and surgery.  Your update is really reassuring to me.  Thank you again and congratulations!