Anyone Have Any past Experience with Placenta Previa?

Hi T.,

I had placenta previa with my first child. I'd like to stay positive here and say that if you listen to Dr.'s orders and don't try and over do it there's a nice possibility that you will make it to your 36th week which is when they usually do a c-section for women with placenta previa. I was put on bed rest at week 27 after having some bleeding and contractions. I was in the hospital and watched for about a week. During that time they took steps to help me in case I ended up having the baby super early like giving me steroid shots to help grow the baby's lungs. I was sent home and placed on strict bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. I ended up having my daughter at week 33 (on my birthday!). After having severe bleeding I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and put under for my emergency c-section. Although very traumatic, my daughter was born 3 lbs 7 oz and had fully functioning lungs. She stayed in the NICU for about 2 weeks before she could come home. She is now almost 5 and is in great health.

I'm sending you positive energy that your little one stays in for as long as it can. If you have any other Q's or concerns I'd be happy to talk to you about them.

Best Wishes!
C.

It's amazing, but almost 50% of pregnancies are at least partial placenta previa sometime in the mid-pregnancy time (28-22 weeks). I had partial previa with my second and it wasn't until week 36 that things shifted (by 10 cm!) and I had a very speedy and normal HOME birth. I know how hard it is to relax, but DO NOT focus on this TEMPORARY condition. Instead, do lots of visualization, send an email to all your closest friends & family asking them to pray for the placenta to move up. I did, and it worked! Pay very close attention to your body, you know when something is "off/different." If your OB was very concerned, you would have been given a list of what to do (or not do), etc. but it'll make you feel better to be extra cautious of lifting anything heavy (your kids) and to get extra "feet up" time throughout the day. Put your faith in your body, that it will work with your mind/brain (your most powerful muscle), and concentrate firmly on exactly the outcome you desire. Visualization is such a powerful tool in a pregnant woman's possession--use it. And whatever you do, do NOT listen to anyone's horror stories because they will not be "educational", they'll only induce unnecessary fears. Good luck!

Hi T.,

I had marginal placenta previa (just the tip is in the birthing canal- upside down water drop) and found out around the same time as you. They told me everything will be fine and I may be able to birth vaginally still. Well at my 29 week checkup, they said the placenta hadn't moved and still just to let them know if there was any spotting. I know this is different than yours, since it's complete and you are already on bedrest, but I wanted to let you know my results, so that you know how important resting is.

I was 34 weeks pregnant, had stopped working, and was about to put the nursery together with my mother, when the surprise of my life happened!! I got out of the shower and felt "warm" on my leg, looked down to see blood. I grabbed my phone and sat down in the kitchen. It was repeatedly gushing while I was on the phone with 911. They told me not to get up for anything. I had no pain in my stomach/baby and she kicked every once and a while. After about 1 hr at the hospital, Lily Ray was born by emergency c-section, with localized anesthetics. She was in the NICU @ Elliot for only 2 weeks. Luckily she was born at 6 lbs!! She would have been a big girl full term! She is perfectly healthy now and just celebrated her 1st birthday.

That was quite a roller coaster ride. Had I not listened to my body and quit working, put myself on partial bed rest, then this could have been a different story. I know this isn't a totally happy story for your current situation, but I wanted you know that you're not alone and it can have a happy ending.

Best wishes and rest!! -S.

My sister in law had placenta previa with her last pregnancy, She found out around the same time as you, or maybe a little later. The bed restthat was challenging, and she had to have some one with her, but it proved to be worth it because shortly before her due date she had an ultra sound and it showed that the placenta moved. She ended up having a natural birth with the help of pitocin. She did have some bleeding during labor, and went to the hospital, because she was going to have a homebirth as originally planned, but was able to push her out on her own in the hospital. Goodluck with your pregnancy, I hope you can be inspired to stay positive and that good things will come of it. I am currently 10 days past my due date with my first baby and am trying to find some inner patience and solace that all will be well. Take care, E.

T.,
Relax, it is still possible for the placenta to move farther up the side of the womb. Don't worry until the day before the delivery. It will get better. I have had 3 vaginals 2 sections and one of the vaginals was a V-back. so hope I can help. Talk to your OB if your concerned...

My good friend just delivered at 36 1/2 weeks with a complete previa. She was so worried the whole time, but never had any bleeding until the last day. She started to bleed and went in. The baby was fine, the did a c section later that day. Try and not worry if you can, she was a complete previa and all ended up great with a healthy little boy only 3 1/2 weeks early. Take it easy! I hope all goes well for you!

Hello,
Been there!!! I went down on bed rest at around 16 weeks and was that way for 8 weeks. It seemed like forever, BUT I was scheduled for delivery around Sept. 2nd (???) and delivered on August 24th!! I was also told I could deliver premature, but as you can see almost went all the way. I know it can be very scary and every thought goes through your head, but all will work out well and having great doctors help!!! My doctors were awesome! Good Luck and my thoughts are with you!! Also, I know someone who had placenta previa with 2 of her 3 pregnancies and both of those worked out well too!!
Take care!!!

Both my sister and sister in law had this. My sister's got worse, so that she had to be on complete bedrest, and the gave her steroids to help my niece's lungs develop and she had a healthy, 9lb baby girl via a planned C section at 34 weeks! My Sister in Law did not have to go on bed rest, and also had a healthy baby girl at 39 weeks via planned C section.
So, of the two people I know who had it,both babies were ok. HTH

Hi T.,
I had plecenta previa with my second pregnancy. I was put on full bed rest and a nurse came to the house to help with my daughter, make us meals, clean & do laundry. At my 8 month ultrasound the plecenta had moved anterior and I was taken off bed rest. I spent all that time in bed and now I had to do it all and I was hugely pregnant. LOL I delivered him vagenally and there were no further complications.
I hope this helps. Speedy delivery and healthy baby!
D. C

Hi T.. My 20 month old was born 8 weeks premature due to complete placenta previa. I started hemmoraging at 32 weeks. In retrospect, I had been "different" all day. Cramping, VERY crabby, just not feeling "right". Take it very easy and slow and pay close attention to your body. I know it is hard if you have little ones but try not to lift anything, even if it is just a laundry basket. Don't be afraid to call your OB if you have questions or feel like you need to see her. My son was lucky and was born at 5lbs 13.4oz. He was a big preemie and I think that helped him. Problems in the beginning, but now just a very healthy and normal almost 2yr old. Good luck and I know it's hard but try not to stress too much. The best you can do is take it as easy as possible.

T.-
Instead of concentrating on the worries/fears, look at the joys. Focus your energies toward sending love to your growing baby, sending nourishing healing thoughts towards your placenta, while your hands are on your belly. It may sound a little odd, I know. My first pregnancy, I had many little scares throughout the 9 months, this is what I did to keep myself from being in a constant state of panic. I had always known that the mind is a powerful thing, this experience proved it. Every thought you have, determines your reality. If nothing else, just keep focusing on the love you have for your life, your children and husband. Email me anytime if you need some inspiration. ____@____.com
Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on your progress.
J.

Hello T.,
I had complete placenta previa with my second pregnancy. I found out at 15 weeks. I had issues with hemoraging on and off from about 20 weeks on and was on total bed rest. It was scary and sad, because I had a 1 year old that didn't understand why I couldn't play as usual, but everything turned out fine. I had lots of ultrasounds and doctors visits and I had a c-section at 36 weeks. I also had another baby after that and everything was fine with his pregnancy. It is a challenge, but with close monitoring I wouldn't expect a bad outcome. Get lots of movies to watch, books to read and friends to come over for lunch if you end up on bed rest.
good luck!
K.

I had complete previa which near the end of my pregnancy became marginal. It is very scary, and I know that even with all the reassurance in the world you will still be nervous. With all of the incredible technology that we have access to you and your baby will be taken care of. Just think when our parents were having us something like this might not have been known until a mom went into labor. Isn't it wonderful that we can know and be prepared? It's only temporary, and in a short time you will have your beautiful baby. Above all else pamper yourself and rely on those close to you, it's what they're there for.