Complete previa

[KatSG]

I got the worst news from my midwife yesterday. My ultrasound on Monday showed I have a complete plecenta previa. She says it's unlikely that it will move up away from my cervix. The only way to deliver is by scheduled c-section. I'm completely devastated. I couldn't even go to work today and instead tortured myself with episodes of TLC's Baby Story (very stupid).

I can't believe this is happening. I had a great birth last time. Nothing went as planned, but it was still fabulous and I was so looking forward to going into that experience with something I didn't have last time: experience and confidence.

My midwife told me that she once had a client use visualization to move a partial previa. You know that's what I'm going to be doing for the next 2 months until my next ultrasound. But I'm also looking at trying to find a way to accept that this is going to happen to me. No labor. Scheduled c-section. Drugs, stitches, recovery pain. Long stay in the hospital, away from my dd.

For now I'm going to just cry a lot and visualize. And, of course, this is doing nothing for my already sky-high anxiety level given all the other crap I have on my plate right now.

Any words of wisdom from mamas who've been there would be really welcomed right now.

[applejuice]

YOu have six months to prepare for this...I have known of women who had partial or marginal previas all through the pregnancy only to have it move in the last months...usually the previa is from previous surgeries if it stays there and is stuck - have you had surgery on or near the cervix or a fibroid?...the placenta moves all over the uterus sometimes during pregnancy.

I think she is risking you out early. A 2nd opinion would be good at this time, preferably from someone out of town with a different attitude.

Keep thinking good thoughts and take care of yourself...

[nydiagonz]

I know this news is heartbreaking and disturbing but the positive side is that your situation may fix itself AND there is a way to save your baby. Just remember that and hopefully it will calm your nerves. A not-so-perfect pregancy or birth experience is worth it if you get to take home a healthy baby (in my humble opinion.) Take care of yourself.

[KatSG]

Originally Posted by applejuice

YOu have six months to prepare for this...I have known of women who had partial or marginal previas all through the pregnancy only to have it move in the last months...usually the previa is from previous surgeries if it stays there and is stuck - have you had surgery on or near the cervix or a fibroid?...the placenta moves all over the uterus sometimes during pregnancy.

I think she is risking you out early. A 2nd opinion would be good at this time, preferably from someone out of town with a different attitude.

Keep thinking good thoughts and take care of yourself...

No, I don't fit any of the common risk categories. The only thing I can think of is that my last placenta was shockingly huge, according to the nurse and the OB (when delivered they all went, "WHOA.")

Why do you say "out of town." If you're thinking it's a case of a conservative culture, that's not Portland , and I don't think that's my mw, though I am still getting to know her.

[KatSG]

Originally Posted by nydiagonz

I know this news is heartbreaking and disturbing but the positive side is that your situation may fix itself AND there is a way to save your baby. Just remember that and hopefully it will calm your nerves. A not-so-perfect pregancy or birth experience is worth it if you get to take home a healthy baby (in my humble opinion.) Take care of yourself.

Thanks. I'm grateful that I will have access to the right care, should it come to that. Right now I'm in deep grieving and shock and hoping that I can do something to help correct this by my next ultrasound so I can stay with my mw and have the birth I want. I'll work on acceptance later, if it comes to that.

[NYCVeg]

I'm so sorry! I can only imagine how difficult it is to be faced with this when you've had a great birth in the past. I've been reading Dr. Sears Birth Book lately, and something he wrote really struck a chord with me--when you do everything possible to ensure a natural, intervention-free birth (including selecting to your care-givers wisely), and then you do end up needing an intervention or c-section, at least you know that the intervention was really medically necessary--not something that was forced upon you. For mamas with real problems, a c-section can be a blessing, allowing you to have a healthy baby that you could not otherwise have. As the other posters said, it's still very early and your situation may change--if it doesn't change, you will of course mourn the birth you couldn't have, but perhaps the silver lining is the birth you will be able to have? You'll be in our thoughts...

[lilmissimpatient@c]

Kat, I'm so sorry about the news. I know you were hoping for a vaginal birth, and even still, that's not out of the question. Since you don't fit any of the common causes, maybe things will switch around in there. Six months is a really long way to go (not that you need to be reminded of that ) Stay focused on the positives, Mama. You may have previa, but you also have a beautiful babe in there just thriving off of you. Keep those spirits up, and don't worry until we're at the finish line - it's not good for you, or for that gorgeous baby.

Take care of you, Mama. I'm thinking about you

[KatSG]

So I did some really deep Google searching last night (it's amazing what you kind find in the dark corners of the Internet when you really want to find something!). I found lots of stories of women who had complete previa diagnosed at 20 weeks (I'm only 12 weeks) and it moved. I'm going to operate under this theory for now: 12 week ultrasounds are not at all routine and it's likely that there are more women who have this at this stage and it goes unrecorded. Apparently placentas prefer to be high because the blood supply is better in the upper part of the uterus so I'm going to visualize my placenta migrating to greener pasteurs! I've got a whole plan for visualization and yoga, and I think I'm going to throw some accupuncture in there while I'm at it, and get this placenta in a place where it will do us all the most good. I talked to my uterus all through my last labor and we have a deep understanding of each other now so I think I can form the same bond with my placenta so we can help each other out.

[Guinevere]

Hey there, Kat! Good to "see" you around here again! How's the house renovation coming these days? Oh, I finally found out how pg I am, and it turns out my due date is the day after yours!

Anyway, I just read your last post and I think you're *right* on with the best course of action. I've never had a previa, but I have been diagnosed or "threatened" with other unsavory things in the beginning of pg that did NOT turn out the way the medical community said they would, and I myself place a great deal of stock in the power of positive visualization! I simply can't imagine, in the absence of any risk factors, that your complete previa doesn't still have plenty of time to move, and I definitely wouldn't be resigning myself to a c/s just yet!

Of course it's true that the best birth is a safe birth, and if the only way to accomplish that is via c/s, then so be it, but I'd have a really hard time accepting that pronouncement at this stage, too. Don't give up hope! I'm certainly rooting for you (and your placenta, lol!)

Guin

[Throkmorton]

I am sorry you are going through this. Remember, positive thoughts! Visualization might just help, and if not, you did your best.
It isn't what you want, I know, but a planned C-sec is fat easier to recover from than an emergency c-sec from what i know. They actually let the moms who have planned sections go home a day earlier than the emergency moms here.
I had a partial previa at 20 weeks with DS, but it moved up without issue soon after. I'm rooting for you!

[lilsishomemade]

Hi Kat!! I just pm'd you I didn't mention this: you need to find peace with your body. When my mw told me this, I was very calm. I have a lot of confidence in my body, and have a lot of faith that this will resolve. Yet, if it doesn't and a c/section becomes necessary, well, you can feel good about knowing that placenta previa is one of those instances where a c/s IS necessary, and that this technique was used correctly for you. That's the attitude I'm taking!! It is hard when you've already visualized the whole birth (I had!!). Now, I'm being flexible and being positive.

[merrick]

I'm sorry you got such bad news. I hope it resolves itself and you can have the birth you want.

[flowmom]

Hi Kat,

What shocking news! Hearing that I "have" to have a c-section would be devastating for me, so I can only imagine how you're feeling.

Originally Posted by KatSG

I found lots of stories of women who had complete previa diagnosed at 20 weeks (I'm only 12 weeks) and it moved. I'm going to operate under this theory for now: 12 week ultrasounds are not at all routine and it's likely that there are more women who have this at this stage and it goes unrecorded.

This is my understanding as well. I have read many times that placentas move up later in pregnancy, though I suppose there are no guarantees. Actually, this kind of thing is one of the risks of ultrasounds (premature diagnosis of placenta previa) - ignorance is bliss when it comes to things that eventually resolve themselves (which I truly hope will be the case for you). I am concerned that your midwife did not discuss this possibility with you, and offer you the hope of having a natural childbirth - this would be a red flag for me.

If you really want to get the other side of the story and are serious about avoiding a c-section, I highly recommend checking out the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) and joining the ICAN email support group. They can help you evaluate what your risks are - not from a liability/risk management perspective, but from a health and safety perspective. Some women who I respect very much are leaders in that organization.

I'm sending you lots of "up" vibes!

[flowmom]

Kat,

From reading a bit more, it sounds like the placenta doesn't actually move up - it's the growth of the lower part of the uterus that pushes the placenta upward relative to the cervix. Although some sites say that complete placenta previa at 20 weeks rarely resolves, there is a lot of uterine growth between 12 weeks and 20 weeks. If your placenta is only marginal by 20 weeks, you have a 90% chance of not having any placental problems at term!

http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic559.htm
http://www.lvpa.com/articles/placenta.html
http://www.obfocus.com/high-risk/placentaprevia.htm

HTH!

[ThatLinGirl]

Kat,

I'm "due" one day after you - I showed previa (not sure how complete, sorry) at my 12w u/s also. Both the tech and my midwife said they don't even worry about it this early, because there is still SO much growth yet to be done. The only reason they mentioned it was that I asked.

Hopefully both our placentas move!

[KatSG]

Thanks, everyone, for your posts and your PMs. Today, I'm totally fine with all of this. I've put in a call to my mw to see what it is in her that's making her so nervous. I know it's not me--she said specifically that she has "never seen a complete resolve." She's been practicing a long time, so this statement just doesn't make sense. Right now I've totally put off any grieving for a lost birth experience, since that's obviously premature, and I'm wondering why I always get cursed with freaky health care providers. :

[luckylady]

Right now I've totally put off any grieving for a lost birth experience, since that's obviously premature, and I'm wondering why I always get cursed with freaky health care providers.

You have SUCH a good attitude Kat. Keep sending love and positive thoughts to MOVE that placenta - it is way too early to make a decision about a C-section.

[Peppamint]

Wishing you the best... lots of time for things to change, including caregivers if it comes to that. Sounds like you're doing your research- that's what matters!

[newmainer]

Just a post to ditto what others have said...

I'll be sending you good thoughts and following any developments!! Sounds like you are really in a good space with what you need to do.

[susannella]

Kat-

I love your proactive attitude. I think you could move MY placenta if you wanted to!