Kinda Bad News on the US

[Mindi22]

Hi everyone.

We had our 20 week US yesterday, and I have placenta previa. Not partial, but a part of the placenta is completely covering the cervix. They said it is possible for it to migrate, but unlikely since it is a complete previa.

I'm trying not to do too much more internet research because what I saw last night and this morning freaked me out. I am trying to be positive, but I'm feeling frustrated and discouraged. I tried to find out what possible effects from the 2 D&C's that I've had existed, but no one mentioned this one. Every site that talks about placenta previa, however, mentions that D&C's increase risks... (as does maternal age over 35, so that's 3 strikes against me, I guess).

I'm feeling sad right now, and I don't know what this does to all of my natural childbirth plans. I know that unless it moves in the next few weeks, I immediately get put into the high risk category and will likely lose the possibility of birthing with a midwife (even a nurse midwife). :

[momma earthical]

I'm not in your (or any!) ddc but I wanted to offer I hope that things work out for you and that you are able to have a wonderful birth experience whatever it turns out to be.

[Dea]

I'm sorry. I wish I had something helpful to say.
How was your baby though? Does he/she have a cute profile?

[sunkist33]

I am in the same boat as you (and there is one other on the board who also has it)~ I have a complete previa at my 18 week ultrasound & will go for another ultrasound at 28 weeks (I'm 22 weeks currently) & I feel the same way as you~ I will be totally bummed if I have to have a C-section (I really wanted a natural water birth @ the birthing center!) and I'm *praying* that it migrates but I think the chances are slim since it's a complete previa : (
I never had a D&C, but have read that that can increase the chance of it. I have a huge fibroid, though, which I think may have contributed in my case. But sometimes it just happens with no known cause, so who knows? My midwife put me on pelvic bed rest (no sex/ internals, no lifting, etc.) and said to take it easy because of the increased risk of bleeding.
Lots of ((Hugs)) and hope yours moves up! Will you have another ultrasound at 28 weeks? Keep me posted (and I will, vice versa) and let me know if you learn anythig new,
Stacy

[cocoschmoco]

aaah, no fun at all! I have partial/marginal, and my midwife said that I'll have another ultrasound between 28-32 weeks, and if it still hasn't moved up enough, she said we can wait and check again at 36 weeks before making any decisions. So maybe you can ask about them waiting longer to check?

I was really bummed when I was told (esp. bc the doctor at the u/s just said it was low-lying, not actual previa, and I didn't find out until my midwife's appt this week - gar.). But I guess if it does end in a c-section, at least it's for a legit medical reason - that's how I'm looking at it....

[applecore]

I just wanted to say that I'm sorry that you're seeing the possiblility for your birth to go differently that what you wanted. But try to think about how lucky it is that c-sections are there for this kind of thing. As much as they have been abused in recent years, a complete previa is one case that they are really great! The same condition could easily have been the cause of the loss of mom and/or baby in the days before those types of interventions were available. Of course you will grieve for the loss of your expected outcome if you do have a c-section, but atleast you won't have to go through what many women experience with feeling like they received an unnecessary intervention. I'm sure this is really tough for you, and I hope that whatever the outcome, you end up being at peace with it.

[ScarletBegonias]

awwwww mama! i'm sorry you're dealing with this! it's frustrating when something personal and precious as birth is somewhat taken out of your hands due to reasons beyond anybody's control. there are always risks associated with *any* surgical procedure, no matter how "quick" or "routine" it is. some risks may be known, others aren't. most of us make the best decision we can with the information we have at that time. we can't forsee what we'll know *later*. such is life.

i have not had any experience with your specific circumstances, so i don't have btdt advice to lend. what i can say is please keep researching (only when you are ready for it). arming yourself with knowledge can help you to reason rationally with your own mind when it gets away from you in the form of fear and worry.

[flapjack]

[Mindi22]

Thanks everyone for your encouragement. I'm trying to focus on the positive here, and that is while previa can be dangerous, it's not usually life threatening these days (for mom or baby). This is what medical care is for after all, and I'm glad it's there. I'm still sad about likely being moved into a high risk pregnancy category, but I need to take one day at a time, I guess. A MW friend of mine told me that homeopathy has some success with this, so I'm going to contact a homeopath and see if that's the case. I'm willing to try anything, truthfully.

I'm also a bit concerned about what sounds like inevitable pelvic if not bed rest, and lifting limitations, etc. Owning my own office makes bedrest for me quite scary - I will have to close my office, and from what I've read, it's not like I will get a lot of warning if I start bleeding - it can happen very quickly.

But I'm feeling a little better today. I actually got some good sleep last night, which I believe helped a lot.

Sunkist33 - I'm sorry to hear that I have company. Let's hope the situation improves for both of us, eh?

[HairyArmpits]

Hugs, mama... glad you're feeling a little better today.
FWIW, I had a midwife attended high-risk pregnancy/birth, (of course it was in a hospital though,) ...are you sure this is no longer an option for you?

[smokeylo]

You might ask on the regular preg. board about Moms who have had or have complete previa to see if the placenta migrated, and what their experience was of their "high risk" status.

Visualization might help! Move, placenta, move!!

[the elyse]

i'm pretty sure my CNM that i used with dd was in a practice with OBs so she assisted the c-sections..at least you could have the close care you still want! hope it moves so it won't be an issue!

and i agree with other posters...as much as c-sections suck...they definatly have their place. good luck!!

[Mindi22]

I'm going to try to get an answer from my Midwives today, but does anyone know anything about flying with a complete previa? I'm scheduled to attend a conference this week, it's a short flight, but now I wonder if that shouldn't happen....