Hi there ;-)

I was looking for some posts on placenta previa as I am 33 weeks today and still have major PP. I've had two bleeds (27+5 and 31+2) and been given the steroids. I was told by my midwife today that I'll probably be hospitalised from 36 weeks if no more bleeding in the mean time. Is this what was said to you, although I know that things didn't turn out that way for you. I hope you're ok ;-) I have another scan on Thursday at 33+6 when the MW said they'll discuss everything with me and DH. But til then i feel really in the dark and sad ;-( It's my first baby and although I'm fine with the idea of the cesarean (was discovered at 21 week scan so had some time!) I just feel really worried about what 'might 'happen....Is it more likely that I'll have a major bleed in the weeks to come??

I hope everything is fine with you now xjen

Hi,

Sorry to hear you have PP and that you haven't been given much info.  Not good.  Firstly I think you have done well to get this far with only the 2 bleeds.  By 33 wks I had been in 4 times (4th time they kept me in).  I had my 4th bleed at about 30+4 wks and Mitch came along just 3 1/2 weeks later.  My bleeds were very minor.  I did have a couple of bigger bleeds once I was in hospital which were (excuse me, while I was straining on the loo.....embarrasing).  None of my bleeds were accompanied with any pain so I was grateful for that.  Once I realised I wasn't being sent home, I embraced the single room and waitress service on offer (lol).  Plus at Lincoln they had a good patient line so got TV & Radio and Internet.

As for the C-Section, I don't want to sugar coat it as I don't feel that helps anyone.  I can honestly say, looking back on the experience it wasn't bad at all.  The spinal was more uncomfortable than painful and it was more the unknown that scared me.  I honestly didn't feel a thing and actually bled less than some women without PP!  It didn't last long at all.  I did feel sick while I was in the recovery room but that soon went.  You will have a catheta (as you won't know you need the loo).  That was the best thing about it.  You could't feel anything, so sitting in bed didn't get uncomfortable because you are all numb........however, you get given morphine which when wears off can make you itch and MY GOD did I itch.......make sure you have something you can reach your legs with to scratch. LOL.

Right chick, my battery (or rather my DH battery is going to run out very soon).  Not sure if I have helped in any way.  Please please feel free to email any other questions you have and I will try to answer them.  I have just read your message again and would say each PP is different, you could have more major bleeds as baby gets bigger (mitch was transverse but then tried to get breech which I think is when he kicked me and then I bled.  You could however go on and have none.  On my 2nd visit there was a lady who had PP who I met again once Mitch had been born and we were still in hospital, she went on to be full term so you could be one of those.

Well, Mitch has woken up all tearful so best go.

Take care

xx

Hi

Welcome to the board and congratulations on your pregnancy.

Bed rest is often prescribed for placenta previa and althought this used to be done in hospital from the time of diagnosis in the third trimester now they tend to try to keep you as an out patient unless there are complications so it does sound like you are getting the normal treatment on that.

There is no way of saying if you will have another bleed but they generally advise you to cut down on activity/rest to try to prevent it.

I had a c-section although it wasn't for placenta previa. I had hoped for a natural birth but when it came down to it had to have an emergency c-section at 33 weeks. I had no problems with my section; the staff were brilliant. I experienced no real problems after (appart from a lump which they thought may have been a blood clot but it dissappeared as quickly as it arrived). I will say that I did feel a bit cheated out of my ideal birth but realise that the safe birth of my LO was far more important. I really wouldn't worry about the c-section at all.

It seems they have you under observation so I would try to relax and enjoy your pregnancy - I know its easier said than done! But just think in a little while you will finally get to meet your baby and then you don't get much relaxation time (well I certainly don't!!lol!)

Take care, rest plenty and let us know how things go.

love