Partial Placenta Previa

Updated on April 09, 2010
E.M. asks from Ames, IA
13 answers

We had our 20 week ultrasound yesterday. Thankfully our baby is perfectly healthy. but they found a partial previa that they said they need to monitor to see if the uterus growing will fix the problem. i was just curious if anyone else had been told this and how it had turned out for them. i had a natural birth with my son and i am nervous about having to have a c-section with this baby. i go back in 8 weeks and it seems like time will pass so slowly and that is a lot of time to worry. Though what matters most is the baby's health they were unable to tell us what the gender of the baby was. so waiting another 8 weeks will be tough. i know it is a blessing to even be able to find out as not that long ago it was not possible to know before birth. Most if my frustration about not knowing the gender is directed at the ultrasound tech . once she saw we would have to come back in 8 weeks she just stopped trying to find out the baby's gender. The gender mystery is just a frustration but i really need some first hand stories from Mamas that have dealt with the previa problem. Thank you!

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T.L.

answers from Milwaukee on

This happened to me with my first two pregancies and by the repeat ultrasound around 28 weeks, the placenta had moved out of the way for both. The doctor told me that is what usually happens so hopefully it will work that way for you also. Good luck!

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M.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I just had my son in January and I was also diagnosed with previa at my 18 week ultrasound. It stayed that way thru 35 weeks but finally moved. I was getting very worried about a c-section too as this was my third and both. of the others were natural. Try not too worry - it will work out!

K.W.

answers from Milwaukee on

hi i was also told early that i had "the start of placenta previa and had another ultrasound they told me that i would most likely need a c section i did not want one ether and a week before my last ultrasound to see if i still needed a c section i started hemoraging and had to have an emergency c section please be careful i asked my dr too if it would heal itself once you are told you have it even if it slight that case you need to have an ultrasound right before you deliver to be safe

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J.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

I had the same thing at my 20-week ultrasound. I worried a bit about it, but not much because it was nothing I did to cause it, and there was nothing I could do to fix it. I figured if it was still a problem when the time came, the doctors know what they are doing...and although a C-section was not ideal, I would obviously do it to have a healthy baby. As it turns out, as my uterus grew my placenta moved out of the way and was not a problem. I had a pretty uneventful vaginal birth and my daughter is perfect! I wish you the best of luck and hope that the previa isn't a problem for you either. Try not to think about it too much!

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C.W.

answers from Washington DC on

wow this is exactly what happened to me. level 2 @ 18 weeks found mine. Watch for any spotting and call your ob right away if you see any.
Really it is not considered a true placenta previa until 30 weeks. you have loads of time for it to move.
Mine did not, but my first was a c-section and i made myself crazy trying to avoid my second. Helathy term baby was born in July.
Do not let them go in early for a partial unless you are bleeding post 35 weels

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G.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

My story is similar to some of the others. First child, no complications during pregnancy with a fast, drug free delivery. Second child, marginal previa at 19 week ultrasound. Had another ultrasound at 25 weeks and the placenta had moved way out of the way. Birth was even faster and also drug free. Good luck! Hope everything turns out fine!

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B.R.

answers from Milwaukee on

I had it with both of the boys. I really does correct itself with most pregnancies. Because I had previous surgery for endometriosis, the scarring prevented mine from correcting. Both boys were c-section.

It is very difficult not to worry, but know that only the first one resulted in a little bleeding and a quick trip to the hospital. Now he is 14 years old and over 6' tall. The other was early as well, but only because he was 9 1/2 lbs and for some reason didn't want to wait to come out.

Partial previa should move for you--but if it doesn't, know that either way, you wind up with the same result--a beautiful baby in your arms.

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J.V.

answers from Wausau on

It sounds like you've gotten a lot of reassurance, but I'll give you my story too. My first pregnancy after my 20 week ultrasound my midwife called and said my placenta was lower than they'd like. She didn't give me any restrictions, but I had to have another ultrasound at 30 weeks. She also said the pictures of the baby's spine did not turn out well. 30 weeks the placenta had moved up and they got good pictures. I delivered a healthy 9 1/2 lb 22 inch boy with no pain meds or complications.
My second pregnancy we found out we were having a girl, and I had the same midwife for delivery. She did not call me this time, just waited until my next appointment to ask that I have a second ultrasound at 30 weeks again because the placenta was low. At the 30 week ultrasound it had moved up. I delivered my healthy 8 l/2 lb 20 inch girl with no pain meds or complications.
I hope things go smoothly and wish you the best of luck!

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M.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

I was in the same boat as far as the partial placenta previa. At my follow up ultrasound at 28 weeks, the placenta still looked low when the tech started the exam. She said that we could wait another 4 weeks and rescan or asked if she could do a vaginal scan right away and maybe come up with a better answer. Of course I said yes, and as soon as she did the internal scan she was able to clearly see that I had 3 cm of clearance which is enough to deliver vaginally. And, the margin could increase even more as the uterus grows. So, I wouldn't get too alarmed yet about the diagnosis, time will tell. Good luck!

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M.L.

answers from Portland on

I had this happen in my first pregnancy and was also quite alarmed (mostly, b/c a crappy Dr. over reacted!), b/c of my commitment to natural birth. As my uterus stretched it took the placenta with it and we were fine. Start filling yourself with positive affirmations now. Visualize it happening. Stressing is no good and *if* it were to develop into true placenta previa - then you can count your blessings for knowing, b/c historically - this was fatal for mom and baby.

I don't know much about it, but there is a pee test that predicts gender. It's a mail order sort of thing and I know 4 people that have used it and gotton accurate results. I guess it boasts very high accuracy. I want to guess it's like $50. Anyhow if you are interested and can't find the info - I can ask friends about it. just message me.

Congratulations and peaceful days to you!

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A.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

I know you've gotten lots of answers, but wanted to give you some more reassurance. I had placenta previa at my 20-week ultrasound. After SEVERAL ultrasounds from weeks 32-39, I had my healthy baby boy last Friday vaginally. The doctor told me that about 80% of placenta previa at 20 weeks goes away by 32 weeks. Best of luck! As you stated, remember that all that matters is that you have a healthy baby, no matter how she/he enters the world :)

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K.B.

answers from Houston on

I had issues with placenta previa early in two of my 3 pregnancies. In both cases as the uterus stretched the placenta moved up and I was able to have vaginal deliveries without any complications both times.

Best of luck to you and your family,
K.

A.G.

answers from Pocatello on

I had placenta previa really early on with my first pregnancy like at 10 weeks I had lots of bleeding and was on bed rest for a while. but it finally moved on it's own and was up where is should be when i went into labor. I ended up with a c-section anyways but it had nothing to do with that. So try not worry too much it will probably move up on it's own.

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