Pregnancy complication

Hey all!
At my 20 week appointment my ultrasound showed I had partial placenta previa. Has anyone else had this and if so, what was the outcome? I keep reading about it and see that most women are on reduced activities including NO sex (poor husband!) But, my doc said no restrictions.

I'm trying not to worry about it too much, but it's difficult. Can anyone relate?

-RFT

I wouldn't worry! Two of my friends were told the same thing early on and it corrected itself. 🙂

I haven't had placenta previa. Did have gestational diabetes twice. I know you're worried sick about little one, but the important thing is to relax and just focus on taking it easy. The doctor will be watching you like a hawk, as I'm sure will your man be. You are over half way there, and have me remembering the magic of feeling baby move and kick. I'm sure you've quickened by now. ( having a moment here, all verklempt )..
But yes, stay calm, arm yourself with information, any questions/concerns pester your OB/GYN with frequency. After all, they're getting paid the big bank to see you through.
Reeeeelaaaaax. Meditate, listen to soft tunes, whatever calms you. 🙂

I've had some training for dealing with Placenta Previa at term. It's good that your doc is aware of it so it won't be a emergency situation dealing with it at term.

Posted by LovelyScorp
were you planning on a c-section or natural? Have you discussed this specifically with your doctor?

if you are having a c-section it will not be that big of a deal. It could prevent you from having the baby naturally.

so many doctors jump to c-section these days. placenta previa would make a good reason for a c-section. Usually towards the end of the pregnancy the placenta moves back in place, in some rare cases in doesn't. However, you need to make sure this isn't a reason to convince you to get a c-section.

Well, it's my first, so natural with plenty of drugs, LOL!
I do not want to have a c-section if it's not completely 100% nessasary. For one reason, I can't afford it and for the other, it's just done too much and I don't want to be cut open.

I sure hope it moves and I don't start bleeding in the meantime. My biggest concern is that they will have to take the baby early and/or the placenta will start to detach which is BAD.

Thanks for the info!

Posted by VirgoHero
I've had some training for dealing with Placenta Previa at term. It's good that your doc is aware of it so it won't be a emergency situation dealing with it at term.

I'm just wondering about my activity level. All that I read and hear from other moms is that they were put on some sort of limited activity...at the least pelvic rest. But, doc says no need. It's hard to trust these people, but I know I should...

For my second child, I had partial placenta previa, discovered at about 14 weeks along. They monitored it pretty closely as the placenta grew, trying to gauge whether or not it would cover the opening (not good, obviously.) I won't go into the dangers of the problem; I'm sure your doctor has.

Onto the outcome: intermittent bleeding throughout (scary) and would have to be on bed rest for a couple days after an episode. Same sort of restrictions as you would expect, I suppose. As far as the no sex... I was never told that (until the end; we'll get to that). At about 31 weeks, I started bleeding very badly and was rushed to the hospital. They were afraid I was going into preterm labor or the placenta was starting to detach (worst nightmare).. I/it wasn't, but I was kept overnight in the hospital and sent home on STRICT bed rest for the duration of my pregnancy. Literally, bathroom privileges only. I could get up out of bed, and go lie on the couch all day. NOW it was NO SEX, hormones might trigger labor! I had a daughter who was turning 2, and a mostly useless husband who made himself scarce... without my Mom, I don't know what I'd have done, seriously! After about 2 days of this, I was miserable. After 2 weeks, I was PAST insane. I do not recommend it - there is only so much one can do from a bed/couch... though I guess it would be easier than it was in 1992.. at least now we have the 'Net and DXP to occupy us! lol

I was told ANY other bleeding ESP if very bad.. would mean they'd have to take the baby early. At 34 weeks, it happened... I rushed to the hospital, where they kept clucking over me and weighing the blue pads they kept putting under me.. and getting terribly worried at the amount of blood I was losing. It turned out I was in ACTIVE labor (couldn't feel the contractions! Really couldn't! Story for another time!) and the placenta was detaching at one edge. It wasn't over the opening, so regular birth would be possible... but it turned out she was breech and wouldn't turn. They finally talked me into an emergency C-Section and she was born at 1:33 A.M... I'd lost half of my blood by the end, but refused a transfusion. She was perfect and shockingly healthy at 6 weeks early and only 4.5 lbs. My two boys born since were both born regular (VBAC), and the youngest was an 8 lb SURPRISE HOME BIRTH.

Even with FULL placenta previa, they will just let you get as close to term as they dare, and take the baby C-Section before you go into labor and cause the placenta to detach WHILE it's blocking the opening or trying to come out ahead of the baby. Granted, bed rest is a bitch kitty, but PARTIAL placenta previa isn't necessarily a huge panic-worthy deal (depends on the severity, how much it covers)... they'll just watch it closely and if it covers too much of the opening or you start bleeding half to death, you'll get a C-Section - which ALSO isn't the end of the world OR mean you'll always have C-Sections. ^_^

Jesus Nefer!! You just described exactly what I'm scared about 🙂 It sounds like all ended well, but what a journey.
I do appreciate your response though as I want to hear it all! Thanks...

That's why I told you, to reassure you, NOT scare you.. mine pretty much WAS worst-case scenario for PARTIAL placenta previa (esp since it never actually covered the opening!)-- but everything turned out fine. That's why they'll monitor it, and you'll probably get several ultrasounds throughout (more than most women do with uncomplicated pregnancies)... Plus, mine was 18 years ago... medical advancements in the last two decades should reassure you that even if YOURS ends up worst-case, you'll have a speedy and relatively safe C-Section and things should be just fine ^_^

But I cross my fingers for you to have a normal, uncomplicated birth... the C-Section wasn't the end of the world, I was awake for it, and the pencil-line thin scar is practically invisible, and I regret nothing... but truthfully I preferred my regular births.

Oh, okay. I'm sorry.. I guess I should have not answered at all or only said, "Yes I can relate, because I also had partial placenta previa once. But I don't want to scare or worry you, so good luck!" I guess I mistakenly chose to tell her the details because if *I* were on here asking this question, I'd WANT to know exactly what happened with someone who had what I had, AND ended up with the problems/complications I'm actually worried about deep down. Personally, I'd like to KNOW what to expect, should things start going a little bit sideways. But you're right.. perhaps she did not want the truth or the details. It was presumptuous of me to assume she wanted someone with (scary) experience to really answer it and not just let her figure it out on her own.

Sorry, ramfish ^_^

Nope Nefer...no worries. I did want to know it all! The truth can be scary at times. I appreciate your story and just hope mine doesn't turn out the same 🙂