Placenta Previa - Riverhead, NY

I had placenta previa (complete as well) Mine never moved. I had to have a c-section (this was my 2nd c-section) My situation was......I had some bleeding at around 27 weeks. It stopped in a day. My Dr. said if it happens again than they had to take her out. At abuot 36 weeks I had an issue again and out came my baby girl. It is a scary thing that is going on but most cases everything is fine what ever the situation. The Dr's and the web just put info out there for you, not to scare you. I wouldn't get so worked up at least not yet. You have a way to go so things can change for the better. Take it easy and you should be fine either way.
K.

Hi,

I also had placenta previa, I started to bleed at about 20 weeks and that is what is was. I bled through out my pregnancy, not very common. Mine cleared up by about 30 weeks. I had a regular birth and had no troubles. Although, they said at first I would need the c-section. Best of luck, it is a hard time. but, it will be over and no worries. Take care.

I don't know if this helps, I had placenta previa at week 12, it was gone by week 26 and I was able to deliver vaginally. My MD said that many times the placenta moves as the baby grows which is what mine did. Hope it works out well for you.

Hello,

I was also just diagnosed with complete placenta previa and I was told by my doctors that I can only walk and that I can no longer spin, yoga or travel. They also gave me the worst case scenarios and scared me to dealth. So for now I guess we wait and hope for the best. I have to go for another sonogram on Aug 11th and we will see if it moved at all. I feel your pain but I think as long as we listen to out doctors we should be ok.

Yes it can shift and it did for my sister and she had a normal vaginal birth. I don't know the complete details as it was not me, but I do know this much.

Evanna,
I had placenta previa with my 4th child and it migrated up so I was able to have a vaginal birth. I had had 3 c-sections previously so I was really lucky, plus I had the most wonderful and experienced doctor ever. Everyone is different though. If you are not a hundred percent cofident in your doctor then I would go for a second or third opinion.
My 5th (and last) pregnancy was the hard one, I dialated to 6 cm at 20 weeks gestation, had to have a cerclage put in, and was on complete bedrest for the remainder of my pregnancy. Trust me that was hard emotionally plus with a toddler and 3 older kids it made it much worse.
Be careful what you read, not everything on the web is correct.
Hugs,
T.

Hi I was told with my second child that that was a risk for me and I had several sonograms during. The great thing is as our body expands it can shift. I don't know if it will for you but mine "grew" far enough away over the months for a safe vaginal delivery. Don't panic, just listen to your doctors! Gos Bless!!!! A.

Hi! My 4-mo old was born early because of my placenta previa and possible placenta accreta (where the placenta "bleeds" into the uterine lining. I was diagnosed with the pp at my 20 wk sono, and with complete pp around 30 wks. Yes, the placenta can migrate...mine migrated down. Nothing can predict pp or whether or not it will shift, so please take your MDs advice of partial bedrest. I'm not saying this to frighten you...my ob was very positive about my pp...it was the accreta and my anemia that caused the problems, not the pp, which is actually quite common. Good luck and take it easy.

Hello Evanna,
I did not have placenta previa, so I cannot give you any advice on that front, but my birth plan did go completely off course. So I wanted to mention to you that if things don't go according to the birth plan you hope for, to allow yourself to grieve your loss. A lot of people will tell you that all that matters is that you have a healthy baby. Of course that is all that "matters" in the end - we all want to have a healthy baby! However, I found that people say this without really thinking, and that you have to allow yourself time to come around to it. It doesn't happen right away, and I felt guilty for being upset that I didn't have the birth that I wanted. As moms, we have enough mommy guilt about the most ridiculous things, so we shouldn't have to add this one to the list.
After switching to a midwife at 26 weeks because the doctor (who had been great until then) wasn't too supportive of my wanting a completely naturally delivery. After going into labor and progressing nicely, I ended up having to have a section. Just know that having a midwife helps SO much - they only want you to have a c-section if it is absolutely necessary.
From the posts you got, it looks like your placenta might move, and you have a good chance of having the delivery you are hoping for. I wish you all the best!
~Karissa

Hi Evanna,
I had partial placenta previa that they warned me I might have to have a c-sec for. I had wanted a vaginal birth and was devestated but prepared for what it meant. Don't you know a few months later it moved and I was cleared for a regular birth. I had done all that mental preparing! Anyway, yes they can move. I think they tell you early so that you can have time to plan and mentally prepare and know what's going on with your body. (I ended up having to have the c-sec 'cause my daughter was just too big!)

Congrats, stay in the know and just be prepared for anything!

~Kristal

Hello, I also had placenta previa with my now 5 1/2 month old son. It was also scary because I have never heard about it. I found out when I was about 5 mnths pregnant,and I had to go see a specialist every week and I was also told I was not able to have sex because it can cause bleeding. I also wasn't getting checked vaginally because that too can cause bleeding. They said I would need a c-section which scared me.
I am assuming my placenta shifted because they said I can try to deliver vaginally, if I wanted to. I was in alot of pain through out my pregnancy because I had alot of pressure. To make a long story short I wounded up having to have a c-section because my son's head never dropped and they were still kinda worried about me and the placenta previa being that his head didn't drop...and I went in to have my c-section
the very next day after seeing the doctor because I was having contractions which is another thing they worry about because that too can cause bleeding(having to push)when having placenta previa. So yes I guess in a way it does shift.

I am a working mother of 2 beautiful boys ages 17 yrs old(Adrick) & 5 1/2 months(Aydian), who is enjoying doing it all over again.

i also had placenta previa twice, and both times it self corrected

Worst case you have the c section, best case a Hospital birth,

your plans for a home birth are out of the question, but atleast your baby will be healthy.

M

I had a complete placenta previa diagnosed at around 18 weeks. I definitely don't want to scare you but my doctors did not insist on partial bedrest. I was told to take it easy but go about my life as pretty much normal - just no running, working out etc. At 28 weeks I started with a bleed and ended up with a major hemmorage and a c-section to deliver my 2lb 15oz son who was 3 months premature. We are very lucky - due to the great neonatal care available now we have a beautiful completely healthy 20 month old son. In fact Liam is in the 90th percentile for height and no one would ever think he was a preemie - he has already caught up to his peers and is smart and loving. I am telling you my story because a placenta previa is a very serious diagnosis and I wish I had been given more restrictions. On a positive note - when they did an ultrasound when my bleeding started at 28 weeks my placenta had moved and was only a partial previa at this point. Had I gone full term they think that it would have moved completely and I could have had a natural birth. Nothing can change the past for me but I can tell you to really take it easy, don't push it, don't pick up anything, don't work out or have sex and you very well could end up with a completely normal full term delivery in fact a very high percentage of patients with a complete previa do in fact have normal deliveries and if yours moves completely I would not rule out that water birth and midwife. I was working with a midwife who thought I might be able to have a natural birth. I would also suggest that you look into the hospital you plan to deliver in and make sure they can handle a preemie. My son could not stay with me at the hospital and was transferred to Saint Joseph's Hospital in Patterson where he was in the neonatal intensive care unit for 9 weeks - we were told this was the "best" in the area by several doctors and nurses and from my experience they were all correct - they were amazing. Good luck and please don't let this response get you down - if you do everything right and really do rest chances are you will either have a completely normal delivery or in the worst case have a full term baby via c-section.

Hi Evanna,
I was diagnosed with a complete placenta previa with my first child (I'm pregnant again, so you can tell I have a happy ending lol). Your 18-20 week appt is when they diagnose it anything earlier isn't accurate because early on, due to the size of your uterus (being small) every woman basically has one, or a low lying one. At 18-20 weeks it should have migrated, which really means it moves as the uterus grows, but doesn't "actually" move. For most women it ends up top of your uterus. Some of us, I have NO idea why (there are some lame statistics for why, but not one single one of them were true for me), it doesn't grow up with the uterus, it stays put. I was lucky and not lucky. I had some mild bleeding at 15 weeks before I ever had it diagnosed. It went away in a day and I never had a single day of bleeding after. My daughter grew perfectly well, no nutritional issues (as they can worry about because the placenta isn't located for optimal nutrition). I ended up with a partial placenta previa. It moved but not enough. So, I had a c-section. My section was without any issues. I didn't loose any extra blood, my placenta detached fine, I healed well. I, personally, think bedrest is a little overly conservative. Have you had any bleeding issues? My doctor put me on pelvic rest: no lifting, no sex (no orgasms), no exercise. He told me to put my feet up as much as possible and get a lot of fluids. I did all those things, and never had a day of trouble. So, fear not! You have every reason to hope for the best! I joined the yahoo chat group for placenta previa, and I read MANY encouraging stories. Now a days, they can totally deal with this, and they'll watch you and your baby very closely to make sure everything is okay. I was really scared at first too. All the internet stories terrified me. Just try to stay calm and not worry too much. If you have ANY contractions, call your doc asap. That is what they do not want to happen. But, in the meantime, just be gentle on your body and enjoy your pregnancy! Hang in there... :)

I don't have any advice about a placenta previa, but I do want to say that even if the placenta does stay in the same place and you have to have a c-section, it is not the end of the world. Yes, you may have to give up the idea of the birth you planned, but in the end, no matter how you give birth, you will still have your wonderful, healthy baby that you will love for the rest of your life. The delivery is just one day in your child's life. I say this because I had always thought I would have the perfect vaginal delivery. Well, due to circumstances beyond my control (the cord was around my son's neck and I'm very petite so his heart rate would drop when he moved down in the birth canal) I had a c-section after 2 1/2 hours of pushing. So honestly, if I had known there would be all these problems, I would have much preferred to have a scheduled c-section where I could enter into the hospital well-rested and without going through the entire labor process before the c-section. It was very hard for me to accept afterward and I was really upset about it for 2-3 weeks. But eventually after all the hormones wore off and I started to recover, I realized that it was all for the best and that the doctors did their jobs and safely delivered my beautiful, healthy son, who is the best gift I have ever received. Yes, it was not the birth I planned but the outcome was still the same and I feel so blessed whenever I look at him! So please prepare your mind for the idea that this may happen and just remember that no matter what , you will still have your baby after it is all over. Just be sure to get some extra help from friends and family in the weeks after you come home. Also if you are planning on breastfeeding, make sure the hospital staff knows before you go in for the c-section so they don't feed the baby formula while you are in the recovery room, like they did to my son.

Hi, Certainly everyone is very different. My situation has never posed any danger. My due date was yesterday - nothing happening yet. At near the same timing as you, I was told I had a partial previa (either it will self correct, which many do - read 90% do - or need C section - not what I wanted). Indeed, it self corrected and I am a go for vaginal at this time (you never know what actually happens in the moment). We hope to be home as long as possible w/ our Doula (and our Dr. really doesn't want us at the hospital until really, really necessary). I have had a super pregnancy though - no staining, bedrest or actually any side effect of pregnancy. Thus, I can't say it's a similar situation - but the diagnosis today isn't firm for tomorrow. Just think positive for now & rest as necessary- there is nothing else you can do - it's your body and you need to see how it will respond. You could try acupuncture and herbs & vitamins (if you're open to it - I believe in it and have seen it work for others). Key for me - don't freak over every story we hear....if we did, many wouldn't even get pregnant. Go by what feels right to you/your health. Good Luck!

evanna,

i too had placenta previa (but only partial) and it scared me and my husband too. we had to cancel our "last" vacation because of it.

in my case it did shift and i was able to have a vaginal birth. i too was on partial bedrest (when i wasn't working), my feet had to be up as much as possible.

the only thing i remember my doctor telling me is to stay close to home (if traveling). don't read too much information on the internet or in books because it does scare you... and it's not necessarily the same as your situation. don't stress too much about it, you'll make yourself sick over it.

i'm praying for you that it does shift.... and if it doesn't, the doctors will take care of you for sure. nothing to be scared about.

nikki

It really stinks that your doctor scared you. my doctors were very reassuring when I was told I had pp at my second sono. I had partial pp until almost the end of my second pregnancy and then it just moved out of the way and I had a very successful vaginal birth. My prayers are with you that it migrates up and you are all set.

I had placenta previa with my last two pregnancies. With the first previa, I was NOT put on bed rest and I hemmoraged. I lost 50% of my blood in 20 minutes. With the last, I hemmoraged to months early and had to deliver the baby. Two months early is a good start in the NICU but it was a hellish bumpy road. My best advice is to stop stressing over it and take it VERY easy (all the things I did not do-I thought that hemmoraging happened to others and not me). Put all of your energy into delivering a healthy baby FULL term with both of you alive. In other words, don't sweat the small stuff. How you deliver and where you deliver is insignificant when you compare it to life and death and when you see a baby fight for its life. The things you are concerned about will not matter at all-trust me if you are in either of those situations. Enjoy your pregnancy and be positive and happy. THink good thoughts about your pregnancy and a full term baby. This might help to turn it around. PLACENTA PREVIA IS REAL AND DEADLY SERIOUS.

Hi Evanna, when I gave birth to my daughter (39 years ago) we did not have the benefit of sonograms. I was 3 weeks late and when I finally went into labor I was told the placenta was ahead of the baby (a complete surprise) the Doctor pushed the placenta out of the way and I delivered naturally. Now with prior knowlege I am sure they can prepare for this. My best wishes for a happy and healthy baby, Grandma Mary

Hi,
I was diagnosed with a partial previa at 20 weeks and was told it couldn't be definatley diagnosed until the 26 week ultrasound because it may shift. I am not sure if a complete is the same, but I would think it was! I was also told to refrain from anything down there! (u know what I mean) Mine did shift, so i hope yours does too! Good luck!

Hi Evanna,
I had placenta previa with my second pregnancy, although I was not placed on bedrest. They discovered it early on and I was told that it can self correct. As my pregnancy progressed, it was self-correcting. At 36 and 37 weeks along there was still a chance I was going to have to deliver via c-section (something I did not want at all and was freaking out about!). I went into labor at 37 1/2 weeks and by then the placenta previa had completley corrected! I delivered vaginally and have a very healthy, active, wonderful little boy, now just shy of 16 months. I wish you the best of luck!
A little about me: celebrating 7 years of marriage this fall and have two amazing boys, ages 3 1/2 and 15 months.

hi evanna,

it is very common for placenta to attach low in the uterus in the earlier months of pregnancy so there is lots of hope that it will move, and they usually do. keep yourself positive. talk to your baby. do some visualization if that helps you. but perhaps the best thing you can do is put it out of your mind (easier said than done, i know). the hormones released in stress have countless adverse effects that i won't being to enumerate them. enjoying your pregnancy is just about the best thing you can do for you and your baby.

My experience started at about 15 weeks, I started bleeding heavily and passing large clots... VERY scary. However, it showed to be the placenta, and mine moved by my 20 week ultrasound and the bleeding stopped. I had a vaginal delivery. So, it's easier said than done, but I would try not to worry about it until closer to delivery. I think it's too early to be sure that it will not move.
Hang in there and try to relax. :)

My sister had placenta previa with her first child. She was on bedrest for the bulk of her pregnancy, but in the end, the placenta did move and she was able to deliver vaginally (though I don't believe she was told this much before 38 weeks or so). I wouldn't worry about what you were hoping for in the delivery at this point. It's way too early and all that ultimately matters is that you and your baby are healthy.
M.

Hi Evanna,
My sis-in-law was diagnosed with placenta previa from her first sono at 9 weeks...But I am happy to tell you that her placenta moved and although she did end up having a c-section, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy in April...so try not to stress out..I know easier said than done...my sis-in-law was stressed from her first appointment...and my feeling is your pregnancy is something you should be able to enjoy...not something that is stressful....so just try to relax and focus on your placenta moving...Keep us posted!!
Meg :)

I also had placent previa with my last child and the sono was done at 19 weeks also. I was so scared but my obgyn told me it can move ,and like you it was completly covering what they call 100% and all my children were vag. so i was really upset ,but within 5 weeks it completly moved and i was able to give birth vag. So give it time it will most likly move.Good luck.