Anybody else diagnosed with placenta previa? « Back to Group Discussions

[TenzinsMama]

At our u/s yesterday, just short of 28 weeks, it was confirmed that I still have complete placenta previa.  It looks like it's not going to move much, and even if it does, it won't be enough out of the way given the time left in pregnancy.  So, my homebirth with midwives is out the window, and now that I'm considered high risk I need to see an OB and will have a medically necessary scheduled c-section, no later than 38 weeks.  I can't begin to describe how sad and disappointed I am.  I had such a beautiful home birth with my DS, and now this experience will be so completely different.  Just wondering if anyone else has placenta previa, how the coping is going, etc... And if anyone else has any comments on what to expect with a c-section, or knows of a link I can go to on mothering.com where there is specific talk about this kind of stuff... I'm worried, because I've had a few issues with things during this pregnancy, and it seems like the more things happen, the more I'm feeling less connected to the baby and feeling less positive about what is to come. 

[Veritaserum]

((hugs)) I had bleeding and contractions due to partial previa earlier this pregnancy. Mine moved, but I was going to get this if I needed to have a scheduled c-section:

http://www.hypnobabies.com/store/shop.php?pid=15&sid=4cid=4&start=0

I'm sorry your plans have changed like this. It's not fair. :-( I hope you are able to find peace.

[LionessMom]

i dont have placenta previa. however, my good friend had it with her last pregnancy. she had to have a csec too. she was referred to ICAN. they have support there and great info on csec, nursing after, care of, healing from (both physically and emotionally) and there are places on mdc to talk about it. <<hugs>> i am sure that you can find a way to make this a better experience than you think it will be. you can hire a doula to help during a csec. and i would def hire one for postpartum. my friend just had her second medically neccessary csec for pre e (less than a year after her placenta previa one) and she had a hard time recovering. her mom came to help, but i bet a post partum doula would have helped more. 

[Monkey's Mum]

I don't have any advice or experience but I didn't want to read and not respond. Hugs and best wishes to you. It really sucks that you won't be getting the birth you wanted but remember that you still get a baby. To me the product is more important than the process in this case:) Hugs again and I hope you can find the resources and support you need.

[swelldoula]

I'm sorry you are dealing with this mama.  I can't imagine how disappointed you feel about missing out on the home birth you want. I do know it is really hard when your birth doesn't go as planned in the moment, so maybe having some time to process and accept what is happening will be helpful to you. I second the recommendation that you check out ICAN's website  and here is a link to Mothering's cesarean forum. I haven't been on there at all myself, but I'm sure there are plenty of mamas who can give some good advice and help you on your path. 

It's in cases like these- like a complete previa- that I am really thankful we have the medical technology to keep mothers and babies healthy when they really need it. I know c-sections get a lot of bashing in the natural birth community, but what a blessing it is to have the option when there was a time that there was none. 

[mforeback]

Ask about "gentle C-sections". Those have been gaining popularity, and are better for mom and baby. Also, write up a "post birth plan" of how you want things handled. Have a support person there who can help advocate your wishes, and make sure all medical staff have read the plan before the surgery. That might help.

Wishing the best for you and baby!

[mforeback]

Here's a link to a news story on gentle c-sections. Don't know if it'll help, but anyway...

http://www.9news.com/moms/article/255875/499/Gentle-Caesarean-sections-Bonding-with-baby

[mudhugger]

I didn't have pp, but I did end up having a c-section with DS after finding out he was breech at my 37 week home visit... the sadness I felt was overwhelming.  It's hard mama, and my heart goes out to you.  I was also really afraid of the impact it would have on my relationship with the baby... everyone's different, but it turned out better than I could have imagined.  The c-section part was hard for me emotionally, and so was coping with the hospital culture, but I had music playing during the surgery, and practiced my hypnobirthing, the staff were awsome, and I was completely able to breastfeed immediately, and co-sleep (took some "fibbing" to the nurses), and bond with my son.  I think the fear transformed itself into a mama-bear protectiveness that made our bond really intense.   Some things I did that helped-- talked with the nursing staff at the birthing center and made myself likeable.  Hooked up with my local La Leche League -- they were great supports in the hospital.  Asked my midwife if she would come by to do a well-baby check when we got home-- she did and, for me, that brought everything back around.  Even if I hadn't done any of these things, I still think everything would have been fine.  The hospital is such a quick experience, and we had everything set-up for when we got home.  The house was clean, friends had cooked...we just settled right in.  My son is perfect and brilliant :) and we have an amazing, attached relationship.  I hope this helps you.  A c-section, does not have to be horrible.   Definitely try connecting with ICAN, and feel free to pm me if you want to talk about anything.

[TenzinsMama]

Just coming on here quickly to say that I really, really appreciate the words of support and encouragement, as well as the links.  I've only just checked out the one on gentle cesareans, because I'm so exhausted right now.  But I'll look into the others tomorrow.  It's been a hard day.  I've been reading about complications like bleeding, pre-term labor, and the like... The not knowing what's going to happen and the timing of things is driving me crazy... I saw my doctor today, who specializes in pregnancy and post-partum, and she and I both agree that I've got some depression happening--and not just because of confirmation of pp, but because of the other issues I'm experiencing during this pregnancy-- but certainly the complete placenta previa confirmation was the straw... My midwives had it narrowed down to 3 different women OBs who they thought would be really good for me, and they said it would depend on who's less busy to take me on. Waiting to hear on who it will be, and having to wait first for another u/s at 32 weeks and then a consult with the OB at 34 weeks, is so hard... My anxiety levels have increased exponentially.  I haven't been sleeping or eating well the last 3 days... Thankfully, my doctor today said she will speed things up and contact the one she thinks would be best, and then together we can all work on making sure that I do okay in the weeks to come and then the postpartum period.  I've had anxiety and depression in the past, and I'm at higher risk for depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period (I struggled a bit mid-pregnancy with my DS, but was able to work through it relatively quickly with support, and then the birth was so empowering that I didn't have to worry about any PPD).  Ugh, right now the complications together with hormones are wreaking havoc with me! 

[Monkey's Mum]

Oh TenzinsMama I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time. You have so many things to contend with that keep piling up so no wonder your stress level is high. hugs and happy peaceful thoughts to you:)

I am very familiar with depression and anxiety so I understand a bit. I'm doing better right now as the weather is awesome so I'm getting out lots (a BIG help for me) and I think the fish oil and vit b complex I am taking is helping too. I know though that once you are on that spiral down it is hard to pop back up especially if you are not eating and sleeping well. Are there any support groups in your area? Feel free to PM me if you want to chat, or just vent here). I hope you  manage to get some sleep tonight. I have resorted to taking 1/2 a  Gravol or some Benedryl to help me get to sleep when I was having insomnia this pregnancy. I don't know if you are comfortable with that but it helped me get some perspective after being able to sleep a whole night.