Placenta Previa- Experience with this?

jwasko

Okay. I am a third time mom. I am 26 weeks pregnant and was diagnosed with partial previa at 20 weeks. I have to get ultrasounds every two weeks because of preterm labor history. Over the last 6 weeks the ultrasound tech said it hasn’t moved at all. My doctor said the chances of it moving in the next 6 weeks are pretty low. I am so depressed because I have had vaginal natural labor and deliveries for both my daughters and was really hoping to try again with this one. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Csection... its just not what I am used to and not what I expected.  

Doc says they will go in and get baby at 36 weeks because of previa and my history. That means premie baby which means NICU stay while I am stuck in bed recovering from CSection. I worry I won’t have bonding time! It makes me so sad. Does anyone have an experience similar to this? Either where their placenta moved late...or how they dealt with premie baby while stuck in bed recovering? Thanks!  

atreestump86

My best friend had it with her first. She made it to 35 weeks before she had a major bleed and had to have a c-section immediately. Because of a history of scoliosis she had to be completely sedated as she couldn't get an epidural. She was really sad she couldn't witness his birth. Her son was in the nicu for a week with normal early baby boy breathing issues, but she had a great experience at her hospital and got to be with him a lot and received a lot of support to be with him despite not being super mobile right away. He is 15 months old now and they are completely bonded and adore each other, and they still enjoy breastfeeding. Sorry you probably won't be able to experience the birth you desire but praying for a safe and healthy delivery either way for your LO and you!

Dumbgurl04

My cousin had it just last year.  She was all scheduled for her c-section when the week before her placenta actually moved and she was able to deliver vaginal.  She probably had about the same outcome of it moving as you did, so there is some hope.  

kmalls

Dumb question, but why is it a sure thing that your baby will need a NICU stay? Also if you’re delivering at 36 weeks, why are they concerned that the placenta won’t move over the next 6? Wouldn’t that make you 32 weeks?

For what it’s worth, I’ve had two c-sections and the recoveries are surprisingly fast. I was able to visit my son in the elevated care unit within the first few hours post-op via wheelchair (and they wheeled me down there as often as I requested) and I was up and walking there the next day. It may not be the “stuck in bed” situation you’re fearing! 

Lastly, I’ve found that OBs can be rather alarmist. Yes, they need to prepare you for the worst case scenario, but I feel like they often neglect to give you hope for the best. There’s still plenty of time for it to move, and even if it doesn’t, a c-section isn’t the end of the world. And a delivery at 36 weeks isn’t terrible — not ideal, but not scary early. You got this! 

danjoly

I had a partial prévia with my previous pregnancy and it moved around 3rd tri. Also, not all 36 weeks baby get NICU time. They wil’ Probably have a team in the OR to access her but if she’s breathing fine and keeping her blood sugar up she should be able to stay with you. I ended up with a csection with my son and was on my feet walking a couple of hours later. Planned csection rarely have comp’ications That will get you bed ridden for a long time or not capable of bonding with your baby. If you don’t have other choice,
look into « gentle csection » that might be a good compromise for you.

jwasko

I had my first daughter at 35 and 5 and my hospital says they require any baby born before 37 weeks must spend a mandatory 12 hours in the NICU for observation. Even though my first had pretty good APGARS and was almost 6pounds. I did talk them into leaving her on my chest for 1 hour after her birth to bond and feed before they took her last time.

I just assume it’s still the same. I guess I haven’t asked for sure yet to make sure it hasn’t changed...so maybe I can talk my way out of it...lol. 

My doctor said that if it hasn’t budged by 32 weeks there is a less than 0.5%chance it does by 36. They will schedule csection at that point. That’s why I said I only had 6 more weeks. I guess there is a Small chance it moves after that and I will be getting weekly ultrasounds at that point...