Need Advice - San Leandro, CA

Hi V.,

I also had a partial placenta previa, it did not move and I ended up having a c-section. I did have bleeding and was in the hospital for 5 weeks prior to my daughter being born. It was horrible being away from my son (he is 9). Being honest. But, my daughter was born at 36 weeks, healthy! She did not need to go up to the NICU. Stay as quiet as you can and if you do start bleeding go to the hosiptal. Alta Bates was able to stablize me for an additional 5 weeks and it was worth every day.

J.

I went through this with my second child and I found out around 18 weeks. My ob scheduled a c section 3 weeks early, and we did an amnio 3 days before to check his lungs which were fine. The placenta did not move, and I had bleeding quite a few times. It all worked out fine. The c section wasn't that bad for me. If you do experience any bleeding try not to panic- I know its hard as I have been there! Call your doc right away, no matter what time it is. They had me go to the hospital to check the baby- that too was okay. Scary, but okay. I got to know all of the docs in our office and the nurses in L/D so when it came time to do the c section, it was much less scary because the people were so familiar. I even had one nurse who had been on duty just about every time I had gone in, and she rearranged her schedule so she could be there for me during the c section! Do exactly what your doc says. She put me on bedrest for 12 weeks- and it was frustrating and hard, but in the end well worth it. The c section may be necessary to protect you and the baby if the placenta doesn't move out of the way. best of luck to you!

I wanted to add a little more to my response....

I was diagnosed with placenta previa for both of my pregnancies. The first pp diagnosis resolved itself at 24 weeks. The second one resolved itself at 30 weeks. You still may be able to deliver vaginally!

And you should also know that having previa resolve itself won't necessarily guarentee you a vaginal delivery. I ended up with a c-section with my first child after 20 hours of labor and pushing. It may have been a disappointing out come, but in the end, I had a healthy baby boy--so really, no matter how the delivery goes, as long as you are in good hands, things will be fine.

Goood luck.

Hi V.,
I am a RN who used to work labor and delivery. The patients that had placenta previa needed a C-section but leading up to delivery the most important thing to watch for is bleeding. It is not common for the placenta to move. You should not do anything strenuous, ie vacuuming. mopping, lifting heavy objects. But please just watch for bleeding. I have personally had a c-section and it is not bad and my recovery was super easy. If you have to have a c-section (which you most likely will) make sure you get out of bed and walk ASAP, your recovery will be much easier and faster. I also recommend checking out WebMD.com for any other questions. Good Luck and if you have any other questions you can e-mail me.
jenn

I've had 5 children and worked in OB/GYN for a number of years before being an exclusive mom. I had PPP with all 4 pregnancies (twins being the last) and it moved on all of them.
The best you can do for your baby is be aware of the dangers, but don't be stressed-out & worried. Things will happen as they happen and you have no control over it, but you can control yourself.
Watch for the warning signs, don't go roller coaster riding :-), and have a great pregnancy. Enjoy the time with your 7 year old as you can.
Don't focus on the horror stories you'll get, just be smart about the facts, but realize, you control your attitude, your fears, your happiness, your out-look. Staying positive does not mean you ignore it, it just means you choose to not freak out over it.
Bless you & Congratulations to your family.

D.

With both of my pregnancies my placenta sat low later than usual, but it moved up in time and had no problems delivering vaginally. Just give it time, your dr. will check to see if it moves and most likely they do. Don't worry about it now, there's still time. They scared me about it too and it was for nothing. good luck

I know acupuncture is very helpful for placenta previa, in fact, it helps the placenta to move up into a normal position. If you are in Mtn View, see Dr Henry Lee on Castro St. He is wonderful and takes insurance. His tel no is: ###-###-####. Good luck and I wish you the best in your pregnancy.

I'm not sure if this will help or not but I had a "low-lying placenta" early in my pregnancy and the doctor was concerned so I actually had multiple ultrasounds. Eventually, my placenta moved up enough that I was able to deliver completely naturally and did not need a c-section. The doctor had told me that if the placenta did not move away from the opening of the uterus however, that a c-section would be necessary. I'm sure everything will be fine... Good Luck.

Hi. I actually had full placenta previa, up until the very end when it ended up moving and I had the option of having a normal delivery (I ended up having a c-section because of other issues). I worked up until I was 34 weeks, but took it easy at night and all was fine. The placenta usually moves as your baby grows. Just continue to take it easy and have regular check ins with your doctor. I bet it will move as well!

Hi V.,
I did not have placenta previa in any form, but I did deliver at 29 weeks, one day. What I can tell you is that 28 weeks is a huge milestone in terms of development and survival rates. With the type of medical care we have at most of the hospitals in the Bay Area, the survival rates at 28 weeks were around 98% or 99% six years ago when I had my son. Every day your baby stays in past 28 weeks helps, so just take it day to day. The next big milestone, where the chance of several issues decreases is 32 weeks. Clearly I didn't make it that far with my son, but you would never know now. He's a happy, healthy kid. When he was in the NICU, they had 24 and 25 weekers in there. A 28 or 29 weeker was totally routine for them (though not for the parents, of course!). I know that you might well carry to term, but if you have any questions about preemies, please feel free to email me.

I, too, had placenta previa, and had multiple ultrasounds throughout pregnancy to track the movement. At my last u/s, although it was hard for them to see the boundary of the placenta, it had moved just enough out of the way for me to get the green light on vaginal birth. I did not take it especially easy, but did not have any other symptoms (no bleeding, in particular). (And, of course, when we moved into a new place when I was 34 weeks, I did NOT help with the boxes!)

I think the advice you've already been given -- don't worry too much about what you can't control -- is great. Just remember that your baby will come in its special way, and try to enjoy your waiting time! Good luck!

There was concern about this w/ my first daughter; after consulting w/ doula and a mid-wife I went on a high protein diet (110 grams a day- which I did w/out eating red meat). This helped alot.

A.

V.,
I had ppp, too, and was scheduled for a c-section at 38 weeks. It moved about a week or two before that. I went into labor around 41 weeks and ended up with a c-section anyway (wouldn't fully dilate and it was 24 hours after my water broke). Try not to worry about it - it'll work out either way.
Good luck,
C.