[CrazyCatLady]

I am 27 years old and 26 weeks into my fourth pregnancy. I've had three vaginal births (two of those were unmedicated). My pregnancies have all been pretty normal.

Today I got informed during a OB check up, that I am being sent to see a specialist because I have placenta previa. I really know nothing about this, so I wanted to ask some questions here before my appointment with the specialist. Isn't it too soon to be worried about previa? If not now, when would it be time to start being concerned about it? Is there anything specific I should ask the specialist when I go? They also keep making a big deal about the baby being transverse...but it seems WAY too soon to even be thinking about that doesn't it?

I know how serious previa can be. But I also know these doctors can tend to overreact (towards the end of my last pregnancy they tried to bully me into an emergency c-sec because of breech positioning, I vaginally birthed him a week later when he was head down). I'm just here gathering any info I can to prepare myself for my appointment so I can be fully prepared.

Thanks

 

[kamikazismom]

When I was pregnant I received prenatal care from my midwife and an OB. Around 24 weeks an ultrasound showed I had a placenta previa and the OB started talking to me about needing a c-section. (I was planning a home birth.) I told my midwife about it and she said it was way too early to be worried about such a thing b/c as your uterus grows it pulls the placenta up with it. Sure enough, she was right. The placenta moved up and I had my baby at home with no problems. Good luck!

 

[rabbitmomma]

I got told the same thing by my midwife when I went for a scan at 25 weeks and they found my placenta was low, that it was way too early to start to panic about it and most women who have low placenta early on will have it move up. She suggested I get another scan between 32 and 34 weeks but until then not to worry.

 

[ZombieMama]

At my 20w u/s with my last baby, the u/s tech told me I had a placenta previa and I'd need a c-section.

I told my mw at my next appointment, and she laughed. She set me up for another u/s at around 36w, and everything was fine. I had a beautiful water birth with my midwife at the birthing center at 41w- no problems!

Maybe ask for another u/s closer to your edd? At 26w it really could be nothing.

Good luck!

 

[phathui5]

How did they find out that you had a low-lying placenta? Have you had bleeding or was it just ultrasound?

At this point, your placenta has a lot of time to move.

 

[AlexisT]

Did they give you more details on the position?

If it is low lying, it will probably be pulled up as the uterus grows. If it lies directly over the cervix, it's probably stuck there.

 

[jeminijad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexisT

Did they give you more details on the position?

If it is low lying, it will probably be pulled up as the uterus grows. If it lies directly over the cervix, it's probably stuck there.

yes, this is what I would want to know. If it is completely covered the cervix, pretty much centered there, you are probably looking at a very legit c-section. If it is just low lying, it can shift upward as the uterus grows.

 

[CrazyCatLady]

I don't know yet exactly what the concern is, but I'm glad you explained this. It's the kind of information I am wanting to know before I go and see the specialist. The doctor explained it during the appointment, but between her accent and my not understanding much about previa or placentas in general...I didn't absorb much of what she was saying. It's why I wanted to be better prepared for the next appointment. I know this is so far all being based off of ultrasounds that were done at 19 weeks and earlier though so I am not too concerned yet. I will update after I see the specialist. Thanks again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeminijad

yes, this is what I would want to know. If it is completely covered the cervix, pretty much centered there, you are probably looking at a very legit c-section. If it is just low lying, it can shift upward as the uterus grows.

 

[ZombieMama]

Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[llwr]

I had a previa at 17 weeks with my second. It was totally gone by my 30 week u/s -- by then the placenta started about 1/2 way between my pelvic bone and bellybutton. I think it was totally covering the cervix at 17, although not centered over it. Really, I was the one who was worried about it, not the OB who did the u/s or my midwife who I saw the rest of the time.

Especially if it's based off 19 weeks you have plenty of time for it to shift upward. Why didn't they tell you about it till 26 though? Pelvic rest (nothing in the vagina) is standard for a previa.

 

[cat13]

I don't have any personal experience with Placenta Previa, but I recently read a great blog account of one woman's experience with it. She explains the different types of previa, has great diagrams & pics, and it ended up moving towards the end of her pregnancy allowing her a great vaginal birth. It's a 4 part post on Dou-la-la's blog. Here's part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4.

 

[CrazyCatLady]

Well I saw my referral letter for the specialist. I go on Tuesday. The referral says: 27 yo F, G8, P3, 26+weeks, bicorniate uterus, low lying placenta in 3/204 c/o abd, cramps, 0 vaginal bleeding.

So I'm not really sure what the stuff about my uterus or placenta means? If anyone has a clue, feel free to share with me. Hopefully I'll get some answers on Tuesday.