XP from 2nd Tri: Doctor being too laid back about placenta previa?

babypuplove · March 2010

So, I posted over the weekend (on 2nd tri) about being diagnosed with placenta previa at my big u/s two weeks ago. My Dr. didn't even want to really talk about it, and just said it's no big deal, and to make a follow up appt for 28-32 weeks to see if it's corrected itself. I saw my SIL on Saturday, and she's a L&D nurse. She was surprised I wasn't put on any restrictions such as pelvic rest, no heavy lifting, etc.A few people on this board (and SIL) suggested that maybe I only had partial previa, and that's why the dr. was being so laid-back about it.I called and talked to her this morning, and she said I in fact have complete placenta previa. She said that their office likes to not panic about it until bleeding occurs and there is a need to panic. I told her that I carry DD in the Ergo, and she said "Oh, you shouldn't do that. You should really limit how much you carry her in general." I asked about sex, and she said it was fine until I started bleeding.I'm pretty upset that I was given no information, and was actually told not to google anything to prevent freaking myself out. If I didn't call her this morning, I would still be carrying DD in the Ergo. DH and I are wondering if we should consult with another doctor to get a second opinion and see if they take it more seriously. The practice we go to has two doctors, and I'm seeing the other one at my next appt in 2 weeks, so maybe I should wait and see if he views it in a more serious way than the other dr. I don't know. I'm torn, especially since I'm almost 6 months, and they were the ones who delivered DD. I really don't want to switch, but this is making me uncomfortable and pretty nervous. WWYD?

DCtoLowcountry · March 2010

I can understand that you'd be concerned. It's a good idea in any case to see the other doctors in your practice. From my experience (complete placenta previa by 20 weeks, partial by 25, resolved completely by 30 weeks) and what I understand most cases do resolve and it's a wait-and-see issue. If you're not spotting, all's the better.

Ultimately though you should do what makes you feel the most comfortable. For further thought, would you want to switch practices if you were to have another regular delivery, or a c/s delivery if it doesn't resolve?

Baby4OT · March 2010

This is coming from someone who has switched practices during both of my pregnancies (I liked the practice I switched to during my pg with DD1, but then 3/4 doctors had moved on when I got pg with DD2 and I hated the new ones).

If you've had other concerns prior to this, move on, definitely.

Is this the first time you've had concerns with this particular doctor? Or the practice in general? If so, I'd wait til your next appt, talk to the other doctor about everything - your concerns about placenta previa and what you can or can't do and also being upset that you weren't given very much info that could have put you or your baby at risk. See how he or she reacts. If you get all the info you need from doctor 2, are you comfortable with doctor 1 for other OB visits and L&D? If not, move on. If you are comfortable with everything else, stay and go into every appt prepared with any questions that might come up. And I'd go ahead and google, responsibly. Don't read every horror story about placenta previa (there are horror stories about everything pg-related, so I'm sure you'll find them if you look), but look up enough to know what to do to keep yourself and your baby healthy. And if you see anything troubling, go ahead and call your OBs and ask about it. If they tell you that you shouldn't have googled, tell them that you needed more info and they weren't giving it to you so you had to get it from somewhere!

babypuplove · March 2010

We haven't had any major concerns with them before, but I was annoyed about a few minor things last pregnancy (I wanted to deliver without drugs, and they both basically said it wouldn't happen; they tried to talk me into inducing early because the baby was going to be huge, I didn't let them, and she turned out to be 6lbs10oz). I think I will most likely wait and see what the other doctor says in two weeks. If it doesn't resolve itself I realize I'll need a c-section, and that won't be a reason to switch. They can't help it if it doesn't resolve, but they could at least be up front about the possible outcomes. I really don't like how the one doctor didn't even want to bring it up. The u/s tech had told me it was placenta previa, and I had to ask the OB about it. It just seems like she'd rather I not be informed, which I don't like.

AgrippaRidesAgain · March 2010

I think communication issues are definitely a reason to switch, even if you didn't have the concerns from last pregnancy. I switched OBs at 32 weeks when I was PG with DS, and I really wish that I had done it earlier. The switch went fine, but I had had reservations about my first OB for a while and didn't act on it until I hit a last straw. I loved my new OB and would have had a much better PG if I had switched back at oh, 24 weeks when I found out that the OB didn't bother to tell me about problems in my 21 week big u/s. She then didn't bother to tell me about failing my GD test--TWICE--which was the final straw. Should have left when I was angry about the first thing...

MrsTiara · March 2010

I'd maybe wait until your next appt and speak with the other dr. first, but you could start researching other practices now. I switched in the late 20s last time for the opposite reason, my dr. would only tell me worst case scenarios for a bunch of things that turned out to be nothing. I switched to a midwifery clinic and couldn't have been happier (unless I had done it MUCH earlier). You must have good communication with your dr. in order to have a good birth experience and anything less than that is worth looking for someone else.

membrn · March 2010

babypuplove:
The u/s tech had told me it was placenta previa, and I had to ask the OB about it. It just seems like she'd rather I not be informed, which I don't like.

That bugs me from a nursing standpoint (not a L&D nurse tho!) - there is some kind of communication mishap happening here that the tech brought it up and the doc didn't. Either the tech spoke out of line, or the doc is...well, I'm not sure! Especially since when you called to specify, they said it was complete.

I'd maybe schedule an appointment at another practice for a week (or when you want) or so after the one you already have at your current doc. Continue to see this other doc in two weeks, and if you're not satisfied with the visit, at least you have a quicker in at another OB practice. You'll already be ahead of the game. Good luck and tap into the resource of your SIL!

NowDNAtoo · March 2010

I'm kind of surprised the u/s tech told you about the placenta previa. They usually aren't supposed to comment on any problems and have to have the pictures reviewed by the radiologist who is an actual dr. not the tech and then a report is written up and sent to your OB.

I can understand your OBs position on not wanting to alarm you about the placenta previa, especially when a large majority of the cases resolve on their own over time during the pg. Really most of the restrictions are typically pelvic rest, not lifting heavy weights and sometimes bed rest if it looks really bad. It sounds like you might not be an extreme case and are taking the wait and see approach with it resolving on its own. I might have been a little bothered your OB didn't mention it or tell you to take it a little easier, but overall I think I would speak to your OB at the next appt. and see what this one has to say.

Noodle716 · March 2010

I too switched to a midwife at 32 weeks!!!! I was so afraid and DH and I went back and forth for several weeks. I loved my OB but realized that I was not going to achieve the natural birth I wanted if I stayed with the practice. They kept telling me I was measuring 2 weeks ahead and wanted to induce me at 37 weeks. I delievered a perfectly healthy 8lb 11oz baby on her due date--with NO DRUGS! The midwives were beyond informative at every appointment. The other thing that happened that made me happy to have switched was that at my first appointment with the midwives, they noticed that I had failed my first GD test! I was NEVER told that and never took the second test. I was so furious but glad I switched. I did call the previous practice to ask why I was never told and they said it was to not cause alarm and that my numbers were "high normal" and not failing in 'their book'. Regardless I would have liked to have been told. Some OB's are great for a pap smear but not for prenatal purposes...IMO!

I too would go to your next Dr. appt and really reevaluate how you feel - if you have any reservations I would switch. You don't owe the practice anything and this is your baby who should have the best possible start in life. You don't want that to be smothered by a practice who for 1, doesn't support natural birth and 2, doesn't keep the mother informed so she can keep her baby safe, sound and healthy until the birth day!

I am a doula and could say a million more things about how your Dr. has treated this situation and the situation with your first baby but I won't. I can't (actually I partially can) believe that they told you that you would not have a natural birth. Some OB's just don't have that mind set anymore. It is sad. The things they say and DON'T say are just so alarming to me! "a big baby" is always a good one to use to scare a mom...the chances of them REALLY knowing the size of the baby are sooooooooooo slim! Ughhhh...trust your instincts and do your reasearch. It sounds like you would prefer an OB with more of a midwifery aproach or possibly a midwife - especially if you wanted a natural birth for the first baby.

Are you attempting a natural birth with this baby, assuming the PP corrects itself? If so and you decide to stay with the practice I would strongly consider hiring a doula...I don't live in northern VA any longer but know many that are still in the area. Besides being a wonderful supporter of natural birth, they are a wealth of knowledge and are great to toss back and forth research when things such as this arrise in pregnancies! It is just like having your own personal L&D nurse - although we are not nurses - non intrusive and just wonderful to have at your side. My DH and I would have paid double for ours and he was hesitant (I had to beg him for one) to have her in the first place. Now... I am one so I of course support them as does he! - I digress... sorry I just get really upset when I read things like this. GL to you and hopefully the PP will resolve but still be strong in your deisres for the birth that you want!

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XP from 2nd Tri: Doctor being too laid back about placenta previa?

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