Placenta Previa - Success Stories?

nola 1017 · January 2014

Hi! I was diagnosed with a placenta previa at 12 weeks and had a repeat U/S yesterday at 15 weeks confirming it was still there. I've searched but most posts seem to involve people who had a previa discovered later in the pregnancy. Has anyone here had a previa discovered early that resolved prior to giving birth? My OB keeps mentioning how I will have to have an early C/S to avoid me going into labor on my own, and Dr. Google brings up horror stories of micro-preemies and hemorrhages. Thanks in advance! (And congrats to everyone in third tri!)

mamajames · January 2014

My placenta was completely covering my cervix at 20 weeks. By 29 weeks it was moved far enough away a c-section was no longer a concern. I know every Dr. is different, however, my Dr. would have continued to check my placenta up to 36 weeks as this is my 6 the pregnancy and if it hadn't moved enough we would plan a section between 37-38 weeks. He told me if this was my 2nd or 3rd he would go to 39 weeks. He also advised me that less then 1% off placenta previa cases end up requiring a c-section. You have plenty of time for your placenta to move. Its not a bad idea to be prepared for the possibility of needing the c- section but it isn't something I would stress over. My SIL had previa similar to yours and hers resolved by 25 weeks. I loked at Dr. Google too, biggest mistake ever! Best of luck to you.

Jbruce7612 · January 2014

My SIL was told at 17 weeks she had placenta previa and was told if it did not correct itself then she was to hve a c/s, but it corrected itself when she was abt 30 weeks and gave birth abt 2 weeks ago on her own and every thing went great! GL!

gateship · January 2014

I had a low lying placenta discovered at 20 weeks, they talked about the possibility of needing a c-section if it didn't move, but by 28 weeks it had moved up and away from my cervix with plenty of room to spare. I would say that, of course, follow your doc's advice but don't get too stressed about it now there is lots of time for things to change. If you are only at 15 weeks now there is PLENTY of time for things to move- I think my doctor gave me until 30 weeks before we needed to seriously talk about a c-section. Even then she was all for waiting until 38-39 weeks to see how things went.

If you need to research things (I am one of those people who needs to do research on everything) try to do a little positive research (google horror stories are just plan scary! so try not to freak yourself out too much that won't help things at all) on your options if you do need a c-section (like can you have skin to skin with your LO, who is allowed in the room with you, etc). The Birthing Without Fear website has some great stories about successful, happy, good experiences with c-sections due to medical reasons. Good luck and know that you are not alone!

Firechik · January 2014

I had bleeding and was diagnosed at 15 weeks. It stayed there till 34 weeks then finally resolved itself.

bunniekrissy · January 2014

I had one at 15 weeks in my first pregnancy and it had moved up by 20. My doctor assured me it was very likely it would move out of the way. That can depend on how much of the cervix is covered though.

halfthetree · January 2014

Mine was complete in early pregnancy, partial covering the os at 20, 4 mms from the OS at 26 weeks, and 2.8cms away by 33 weeks, which cleared me for a vaginal birth, as well as a home birth!
Don't stress, take it easy and think positive thoughts! It's very likely that it will move up and out of the way as your uterus grows. You have so much further to grow, I wouldn't even worry to be honest.

nola 1017 · January 2014

Thank you all so much! Exactly what I needed (and wanted) to hear. I've read it's more than likely that it will move up but at every appointment, my OB has been such a "doom and gloom" guy that I wanted to hear from actual people versus some nameless statistics. Thank you!

halfthetree · January 2014

I can't believe your OB is already mentioning CS, that is ridiculous. I would be finding another OB for sure, I can't imagine what he is like during labor lol

Jodash24 · February 2014

After a bleed I got diagnosed 17 weeks, by 20 week scan my placenta was in the correct place?! Not sure if it was misdiagnosed?

megs68 · February 2014

I had placenta preview with all three pregnancies at the 20 week u/s. All had moved up by the follow up check. My doctor said there is a huge percentage of low lying placentas early on because your uterus is still small. As it grows, it almost always moves up. He wasn't at all concerned.