Placenta Previa - Tampa,FL

Updated on July 27, 2008
L.J. asks from Tampa, FL
14 answers

Yesterday, I had my 20 week ultrasound scan. Everything is perfect with the baby!!!! I was told though that I had a low lying placenta and would have another ultrasound at 28 weeks to check the position of the placenta. I didn't know anything about the condition and the doctor really didn't give me too much information. I came home and looked up "low lying placenta" on the internet only to wind up horribly concerned as a result of the information I uncovered. Has anyone else had this condition and, if so, what was the outcome?
Thanks in advance for all information anyone has on the topic.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Tampa on

Hi L.,

I had Placenta previa with my firstborn -- I had off and on bleeding for few months which actually scared me to death. My doctor was either more practical or too harsh -- she told me that more likely than not, you may loose it so be prepared. I was a software consultant, that means traveling every week from Florida to California -- changing flight with carry on and laptop, and she told me "No need to bed rest -- it won't really help". And my son was born fine .. so don't worry too much. I know few other moms now who had placenta previa and their kids are fine. Only thing is just to be careful and don't do things (like a lot of exercise..) if you have not been doing it already.

Take Care and good luck.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.A.

answers from Tampa on

I had the same thing and my placenta moved as my pregnancy progressed. They didn't seem too concerned about it either. I found out because I started bleeding at 16 weeks (scary), but it was because it was low lying. Hopefully yours will correct itself as well. Good luck with your pregnancy! Try not to scare yourself with stuff you read on the internet :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.D.

answers from Lakeland on

Hi, L.. I, too, had the same thing happen at my 20-week ultrasound when I was pregnant with my daughter. My doctor told me he wasn't terribly concerned, that oftentimes this situation will fix itself. He would check again at 20 weeks, if the situation was still the same, it just meant I may not be able to give birth naturally, but have a C-section.
When I went back at 28 weeks, he was right, everything was fine. My daughter was born healthy and happy and everything is great.
Sometimes the internet gives us a little bit too much information. If you're still concerned, maybe you might want to just call and talk to your OB's nurse and ask her any questions you may have just to give yourself some reassurance.
Best of luck to you!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.C.

answers from Tampa on

I had total placenta previa (placenta laying at complete bottom) for most of my second pregnancy. I was on a modified bed rest. I could not do house chores, walk too long or far, get on/off the floor, or do much to care for my then 2 year old. My mother-in-law and mother had to come stay with us to help. Then, toward the end of the pregnancy the placenta started to move up. The doctors were planning a c-section at 36/37 weeks, but when my placenta finally moved all the way up, this was not necessary. I was then able to wait until the baby and my body were ready. I had my second son five days before his due date.
Placenta previa is unpredictable. Be sure to ask lots of questions with your doctor and take it easy if you can.
Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.H.

answers from Tampa on

Hi L.. I had the same diagnosis at my 20 wk ultrasound. A low lying placenta is different from previa in that it is not as severe. Most times the placenta will move up on its own as your uterus grows. I go in for my follow up ultrasound in 3 wks (30 wks for me). My OB was not concerned at all. If the placenta does not move and remains low lying then you will have a c-section vs. natural delivery.

Hope this has been helpful. Feel free to contact me.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.W.

answers from Fort Myers on

I have 3 children, 8, 6, and 4. I had concerns from my doctor with all 3 of my pregnancies with the low lying placenta. I did have additional ultrasounds as well to keep an eye on it and it all turned out fine. As long as your doctor is on top of it and aware of it you shouldn't worry about it. There really isnt anything you can do to help or hinder the situation, your body will take care of it. Try not to stress about it and enjoy your pregnancy and your 2 year old before you have a world with 2.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.O.

answers from Tampa on

I too am due to have a girl on dec. 1..Crazy...Well, I don't have the same thing as you but I do have a two vessel umbilical cord, won't go into details, but again the doctor didn't tell me anything just rushed me off, I looked it up on the internet and it too made me very scared. Just try to calm down because you will get a flood of responses from other moms about this that will make you feel alot better. I received almost 20 responses when I asked for advice....Mamasource is a good thing. Hang in there and try not to worry too much, I'm not anymore....You're probably being closely monitored here on out through ultrasound, or should be, and let them do their jobs and everything will be fine. :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.C.

answers from Lakeland on

Hi L.,

DOn't give it much concern. I had that with my 1st child, he is now 16, and the second ultrasound is to be sure it has pulled up in the uterus. I had my second at 33 weeks and all was fine. This is a condition that is very bad if they don't catch it. They have found that yours is low lying and it should pull up as the pregnancy progresses. If not, it will be ok and they can work around that and everything should be fine. AS long as the baby is healthy, that is the main thing:-)
Congrats on #2!!!

Roz

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Tampa on

L., I had the same situation with my 2nd child (she's now 7 months). At 20 weeks, my placenta was placed low on my uterus. But after my second ultrasound at 30 weeks, the placenta moved up and everything was fine. This was the same situation with my sister-in-law and her placenta moved up and she's due tomorrow! My doctor gave me a good explanation of it...it's like having your uterus as a balloon that grows with the baby. Just imagine you marked a spot on the bottom of it. As the uterus (balloon) expands, so does the marked spot (it moves with the expansion). Hope I explained it ok. But do take it easy during your pregnancy. I was told to not stressed myself out and to take it easy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.W.

answers from Tampa on

Hi L.,

I went through the whole low-lying placenta thing with both of my pregnancies. With my first child, I was just told to take it easy & as my pregnancy progressed, the placenta moved up & all was fine. With my second, I had a scare with major bleeding (like a period), but it turned out to just be the low-lying placenta again. Again, as the pregnancy progressed there were no other problems & it "cured" itself. Yes, there is always a chance that you could have problems, but the majority of women who have a low-lying placenta have no issues whatsoever in the long run. Your doctor will continue to do sonograms to keep an eye on things & you'll probably see it move up before too long & your worries will all be gone.

Jan ;)

www.janskidtoys.net

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.M.

answers from Tampa on

Hi,

No worries! I had the same concern when I was told about the placenta. They made me carry around a card that had my previa on it, my blood type and my prgnancy due date just incase. I had no trouble what so ever with my baby or my pregnancy. Hope all goes just as smoothly for you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Denver on

Good Morning L., I have a daughter who was born in March 1996 and I had a placenta previa during this pregnancy. First of all I would like to say that at that time I had no idea what I was going to go through and I did not look on the internet to find out. Please do not let the things you read scare you or cause you to worry, you must keep your strength up so that you can stay healthy so that your wonderful baby can also. I did have quite a few problems with my pregancy, HOWEVER, I encourage you not to read this and worry but to take your concerns from what you read online and what other people may say about "their" experiences to the doctor and ask questions. I cannot recall exactly when I was diagnosed but it was aprox around the same time you are. I began bleeding alot and had to be hospitalized several times for observation. I went into early labor a few times but they were able to stop it. I believe the first time I started having the real bad bleeding eposides was in Jan and my daughter was due the end of April. I was put on bed rest and had to stop working in Jan and went to the doctor reguarly when I was not in the hospital. Basically from what I recall the placenta in my case was coming out first and so gradually parts of it were tearing off during the pregnancy and that is why I was bleeding so much. There were times that I thought I was having the baby and that she had delivered because there was so much blood. I am not tryin to scare you, I just want you to be prepared just in case so that you will not panic. Also so that you can see how bad mine was but the result was a wonderful baby. The point is that you can carry a baby with this condition, mine was one of the worse and still turned out fine. My daughter was born March 2nd, at aprox. 31 weeks and she is a beautiful, healthy child now at 12. She was in the hospital in the NICU for sometime on a breathing machine however came home very small but fine. L. my advice to you is to take your worries and turn them into questions not fear and you will be fine. Rememeber your case may not be as bad and if mine can be that bad and turn out so good then we can believe that you will be fine, and the baby will be healthy. I hope that I have provided information that will give you hope and encouragment. A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Lakeland on

Yes and infortunately I was mot informed. I had a bad outcome but you can be careful and avoid the worst now that you know.
Don't reach above your head. Don't do strenuous exercise but do get mold exercise like walking. Don't put your legs above shoulder level. And above all don't let the worry stress you out!!!
Just be gentle with you & keep in touch w/ your Dr.

S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.E.

answers from Sarasota on

Yes, I had this when I was pregnant with my son. At 7 months I stated spotting and was put in the hospital over night. A week later I was spotting again and was put on bed rest at home. At 37 weeks I was getting ready for a Dr.'s Appt. and I had like a gallon of blood just gush out of me. We rushed to the hospital and since my sons blood pressure was so low I had an emergency c-section and my son was born 3 weeks early. It is a scary thing. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions