Hi B.,
My name is Jenny, I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old boys. When I was pregnant with my second one, I was diagnosed with partial placenta previa when I was 24 weeks pregnant. I vividly remember my reaction when my Obstetrician called me on a Saturday afternoon. It sounded very urgent until he told me the bad news. I was told to be in a complete bedrest, only to get up to go to the bathroom and to minimize walking. I was able to go down the stairs about only twice to eat my lunch and dinner with my family. My first thought was who will take care of my 17 month old son. Luckily, my parents were in town and I had requested them to stay with us to take care of my son. At first, it was a difficult decision since I was always the main caretaker for my first born son, it hurt me a lot to ask my parents since I am asking several months from their retirement days to stay with us. They were happy to help and accepted my request because they know the impact on what this condition to the unborn baby. Secondly, my husband is the bread winner and he has to take care of all my household responsibilities except cooking. Of course, he took care of our son when he came home from work. My bed rest days began and did a lot of research on how and what causes this condition and what the impact can this do to your baby. If you were to deliver early at the second trimester, your baby is still developing and if he/she is born early, the tremendous impact on this early delivery will change your lives permanently. There's a great chance that your baby will be physically disabled, deformed and might have a tremendous serious health risks for the rest of his/her life. Remember that the organs are still developing at this stage of your pregnancy. I know you're worried about your son but I think you have to focus on your unborn baby and your health. If you're not careful, this will affect your lives tremendously. If your baby is delivered early, the emotional, physical and financial aspect can impact your for the rest of your lives. Remember that this condition is just temporary. The baby might move and the placenta will turn to its original place. I was supposed to be bed ridden until my doctor requested for another ultrasound which was scheduled 8 weeks after my second ultrasound. That was the longest 8 weeks of our lives since I had this condition during the summer. I wanted to got outside to take my son out for a walk but I couldn't. The day of my third ultrasound, believe it or not, I was cleared from this condition. According to my doctor, my placenta has moved back to its original place and the baby's head is in line with my birth canal. That was the best news I ever heard. We were all relieved. I really followed my doctors orders. This might happen to you also and just remember that this condition is temporary not permanent.
In regards to how I handled my son at the time, I talked to him and told him that Mommy is sick and has to stay in bed. I told him that he was welcome to visit me when he misses me. We watched cartoons, Barney movies while I was on bed a lot, we took naps together which was wonderful but I have to emphasize that there is a one rule, no jumping on me and on the bed. After our precious moments, he goes back to playing and spending time with his grandparents. Don't worry about your husband because you have to take care of your self and your baby and that you have to reassure him that this is temporary. You have to take care of your unborn child.
I do have to warn you that because you are laying down at all times, your muscles will weaken and will cause you to experience some cramps. I have to tell you that one morning, around 2 or 3 in the morning. I woke up with the most painful cramps on my side. It felt like something inside me was poking every inch of my abdominal sidewalls. It was so painful. I called and woke up my doctor and just advised me to take Extra Strenght Tylenol and get a Heating Pad. That sharp pain kept coming back. Thank God for the Heating Pad.
I really wish you and your baby the best of luck. I do hope that you will get out of this during pregnancy because there are cases that they have this condition until delivery. I hope that I helped a little bit to address your concerns but just think of you and your baby as of now. Your unborn baby depends on you. Now, my second son is a joyous and playful 3 year old. One day, I will tell him what I endured during my pregnancy when I was carrying him.
Jenny