Intro - Complete Previa

[fyoubumpmay]

Hi girls! I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant with my second little girl (the first was born in August of last year). I was diagnosed with complete placenta previa at my A/S on Tuesday, then had a major bleed the very next day. I was in the hospital from Wednesday until late this afternoon, but was finally released and put on bed rest. I'm extremely nervous, because from what I've read, it seems most people have their first bleeds later in the second trimester or in the early third, so I'm hoping that this was an anomaly and that I can keep this baby in for as long as possible.

In any event, just wanted to intro and see if there were any other ladies out there currently dealing with the same issues. Thoughts and prayers go out to you and every other high risk mama.

Xoxo.

[mrswheelo]

I don't have PP, but I'll be thinking of you and hooe you're able to take it easy at home!

[Deleted]

I had a complete previa. I, too, was diagnosed at my a/s. I know how scary it can be, but hang in there! I had my baby back in February and he is a healthy little stinker! Just do your best to relax and get some rest! You will be okay! If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer. I feel like I have a pretty good knowledge base after all the questions I asked my OB!

[fyoubumpmay]

May 19, 2015 21:34:32 GMT -5 @rebmit32 said:

I had a complete previa. I, too, was diagnosed at my a/s. I know how scary it can be, but hang in there! I had my baby back in February and he is a healthy little stinker! Just do your best to relax and get some rest! You will be okay! If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer. I feel like I have a pretty good knowledge base after all the questions I asked my OB!

Oh boy, you probably shouldn't have opened yourself up to questions, because I've got a bunch .

Did you bleed during your pregnancy, and if so, when was your first bleed, and how many bleeds did you have thereafter? At what week did you end up delivering? Did you get steroid shots in preparation for the possibility of preterm birth? Did your baby have to spend any time in the NICU?

Told you you were going to regret that . I know all experiences are going to differ and there's no way to predict where on the spectrum I'll fall, but it always makes me feel better to hear successful stories .

Thanks in advance!

[Deleted]

fyoubumpmay, No worries! So, I was actually really lucky and didn't bleed until 36 weeks. I had brown spotting around 30ish weeks, but it wasn't of a concern since it was old blood.

At 34 weeks, I started having contractions and went into the hospital. They monitored me for about 8 hours as usually contractions lead to bleeding. However, my OB came in, was like so, do you want to go home and obviously I did. So he let me go. He said that there was nothing that I could do that was going to cause the bleeding so that I should just go about my life. He also told me that typically they won't have you deliver until you've had 3 separate bleeds. That is apparently when they start to get concerned.

In any case, at 36 weeks 1 day I went to bed and woke up shortly after with a large gush of blood. I went to the hospital and again was monitored. By the time I actually got there the bleeding had stopped. However, all of a sudden the baby's heart rated dropped. My OB came in and was like....welllll you could wait (I was scheduled to have a c-section at 37 weeks), but you could end up with an emergency situation and right now it's just urgent. So, I ended up delivering that day. Luckily my baby needed 0 time in the NICU.

As far as steroid shots go, one of the OBs at the practice I go to recommended I have them at 36 weeks even though current guidelines say there is no reason to have them if you will be delivering after 34 weeks. So, the OB who delivered me was confused why I had one round of the steroid.

Long story short, do not stress! Just because you've had one bleed doesn't mean you'll have anymore. Are they talking about having you deliver at 37 weeks? Also, placenta's can move..so you never know, you may end up having your placenta move enough that it's not even an issue.

Hang in there though! I know how scary it is to always be on the lookout for a bleed. I'll be thinking about you and please, please let me know if you have any other questions!

[fyoubumpmay]

May 21, 2015 19:57:35 GMT -5 @rebmit32 said:

fyoubumpmay, No worries! So, I was actually really lucky and didn't bleed until 36 weeks. I had brown spotting around 30ish weeks, but it wasn't of a concern since it was old blood.

At 34 weeks, I started having contractions and went into the hospital. They monitored me for about 8 hours as usually contractions lead to bleeding. However, my OB came in, was like so, do you want to go home and obviously I did. So he let me go. He said that there was nothing that I could do that was going to cause the bleeding so that I should just go about my life. He also told me that typically they won't have you deliver until you've had 3 separate bleeds. That is apparently when they start to get concerned.

In any case, at 36 weeks 1 day I went to bed and woke up shortly after with a large gush of blood. I went to the hospital and again was monitored. By the time I actually got there the bleeding had stopped. However, all of a sudden the baby's heart rated dropped. My OB came in and was like....welllll you could wait (I was scheduled to have a c-section at 37 weeks), but you could end up with an emergency situation and right now it's just urgent. So, I ended up delivering that day. Luckily my baby needed 0 time in the NICU.

As far as steroid shots go, one of the OBs at the practice I go to recommended I have them at 36 weeks even though current guidelines say there is no reason to have them if you will be delivering after 34 weeks. So, the OB who delivered me was confused why I had one round of the steroid.

Long story short, do not stress! Just because you've had one bleed doesn't mean you'll have anymore. Are they talking about having you deliver at 37 weeks? Also, placenta's can move..so you never know, you may end up having your placenta move enough that it's not even an issue.

Hang in there though! I know how scary it is to always be on the lookout for a bleed. I'll be thinking about you and please, please let me know if you have any other questions!

Thank you so much for all of your answers! I ended up back in the hospital with my second bleed yesterday, though it was much, much smaller in amount and duration than the first. They're monitoring me for the weekend and began the first round of steroids yesterday (I'll get the other half of the round today). I'll most likely be released back home on bedrest tomorrow, should the situation not worsen prior.

The doctor is still holding out hope that it'll move. I have a complete previa at the moment, but the placenta on the whole is shifted more to one side than the other, which is promising. I'm hoping it does before I have any more major bleeding episodes, because I'm only 23 weeks 2 days at this point, and every bleed makes me that much more paranoid about the possibility of preterm birth.

So keep your fingers crossed for me! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the support .

[Deleted]

fyoubumpmay Oh my goodness you poor thing!! I'm glad they are giving you steroid shots as a precautionary measure. I did a TON of research on those because I was on the fence about getting them. Just know that you will probably end up with another round of steroids at some point. The steroids are only helpful if you deliver within one week of the last round of shots. And, holy crap, we do not want you delivering at 24 weeks.

And yes, there is PLENTY of time for that stubborn placenta of yours to move. Do you know if it's anterior or posterior? I know as far as c-sections go, posterior make for an easier procedure. (Not that you would know the difference, but the OB would.)

Just try to relax and keep your mind occupied. Stress does horrible things to a pregnant body. And,, take solace in the fact that there is nothing you can do to cause or prevent a bleed. It's unfortunately so random.

You're in my prayers! Let me know if you have any more questions!

[fyoubumpmay]

May 23, 2015 8:50:46 GMT -5 @rebmit32 said:

fyoubumpmay Oh my goodness you poor thing!! I'm glad they are giving you steroid shots as a precautionary measure. I did a TON of research on those because I was on the fence about getting them. Just know that you will probably end up with another round of steroids at some point. The steroids are only helpful if you deliver within one week of the last round of shots. And, holy crap, we do not want you delivering at 24 weeks.

And yes, there is PLENTY of time for that stubborn placenta of yours to move. Do you know if it's anterior or posterior? I know as far as c-sections go, posterior make for an easier procedure. (Not that you would know the difference, but the OB would.)

Just try to relax and keep your mind occupied. Stress does horrible things to a pregnant body. And,, take solace in the fact that there is nothing you can do to cause or prevent a bleed. It's unfortunately so random.

You're in my prayers! Let me know if you have any more questions!

Yeah, they already told me that I'll be coming back in at 25 weeks for another round of steroid shots, since it's not until 24 weeks that they're technically proven to be effective.

You know, I feel awfully silly admitting this, but I actually don't know if it's anterior or posterior. I had an anterior placenta last time I was pregnant, but my husband seems to recall the tech at my anatomy scan saying this one was posterior. I think I must have blacked out amidst all of their talk of previa and the likelihood of "torrential" bleeding . That's a good question to ask the MFM when I see him today though, so thanks for the reminder!

They're also scheduling me for an MRI at 28 weeks, due to suspected accreta. Really hoping I'm not going to have to climb that mountain as well.

I feel so stupid. I was so frustrated by my last pregnancy, because I had Hyperemesis and was hospitalized multiple times to replenish the fluids I had lost from all of the vomiting. I actually have it again this pregnancy and managed to lose 11 lbs during the month of February. I really thought I had it so bad, and looking back on it, I'd kill for that to be the least of my worries now.

Oh to be naive again...

[Deleted]

fyoubumpmay Holy crap! And I thought my body hated pregnancy! I am so sorry for all of your troubles! Obviously, it sounds like your Dr's are on top of their game and you're in excellent hands! Keep me posted though..I will be thinking of you! FX for no accreta.

Have your Dr's talked to you about the possibility of bleeding during a C/S?

[crimsonandclover]

How scary with the bleeds! I hope the baby stays in for quite a while longer. How are things going now?

[fyoubumpmay]

@rebmit32, thanks! Yes, we've discussed all of the possibilities extensively. My OB said that they'll be prepared for bleeding associated with previa and accreta too, whether or not there's definitive evidence of it at the MRI.

crimsonandclover, things are going okay! I've been bleeding ever since I left the hospital 8 days ago, but it's a brown spotting, so I'm told it's nothing to be concerned about. In the meantime, I'm just trying to stay off my feet as much as possible so that I can keep this baby cooking .

paradebegone, thank you so much! My daughter already had quite a personality at one day old, haha. Crazy to think that she'll be a big sister in just a few short months!

Thank you everyone for your support and well wishes! It truly means the world.

[fyoubumpmay]

Oh, and my placenta is posterior. Not great news, insofar as it means that there's a slimmer chance of migration, but excellent news, as it decreases my chances of having accreta!

[Deleted]

I have been thinking of you!! Hang in there! I had brown spotting too and it was nbd!

[Deleted]

fyoubumpmay How ya doing girl? I'm thinking about you!!!!

[fyoubumpmay]

Jun 14, 2015 21:25:20 GMT -5 @rebmit32 said:

fyoubumpmay How ya doing girl? I'm thinking about you!!!!

Hi! Thanks so much for thinking of me!

I'm doing well! Still on bed rest, but no bleeds in 4 weeks, which is a huge relief. We'll be scheduling an MRI for next week or the week after to check for accreta; otherwise, I'm just taking it one week at a time and trying to keep this baby cooking for as long as possible!

[Deleted]

Jun 19, 2015 16:25:52 GMT -5 fyoubumpmay said:

Jun 14, 2015 21:25:20 GMT -5 @rebmit32 said:

fyoubumpmay How ya doing girl? I'm thinking about you!!!!

Hi! Thanks so much for thinking of me!

I'm doing well! Still on bed rest, but no bleeds in 4 weeks, which is a huge relief. We'll be scheduling an MRI for next week or the week after to check for accreta; otherwise, I'm just taking it one week at a time and trying to keep this baby cooking for as long as possible!

Yay!! So glad to hear it! You're doing great!! How far along are you?

[fyoubumpmay]

Jun 19, 2015 16:41:58 GMT -5 @rebmit32 said:

Jun 19, 2015 16:25:52 GMT -5 fyoubumpmay said:

Hi! Thanks so much for thinking of me!

I'm doing well! Still on bed rest, but no bleeds in 4 weeks, which is a huge relief. We'll be scheduling an MRI for next week or the week after to check for accreta; otherwise, I'm just taking it one week at a time and trying to keep this baby cooking for as long as possible!

Yay!! So glad to hear it! You're doing great!! How far along are you?

Thanks!! I'm 27 weeks 1 day. Still so much further to go, but it still seems like I'm so much further along than it did when I had my first bleed at 21+6. Honestly, after that and then a subsequent bleed a week later, I really questioned where I'd be at 27+1.

[Deleted]

fyoubumpmay thats great! I know it's gotta seem like time is going so slow on bed rest, but you'll be to 36 weeks in no time!!!! Keep me posted!!

[fyoubumpmay]

Jun 19, 2015 17:14:04 GMT -5 @rebmit32 said:

fyoubumpmay thats great! I know it's gotta seem like time is going so slow on bed rest, but you'll be to 36 weeks in no time!!!! Keep me posted!!

I will! Thank you so much for thinking of me! It truly means the world. 

[fyoubumpmay]

Jun 19, 2015 17:14:04 GMT -5 @rebmit32 said:

fyoubumpmay thats great! I know it's gotta seem like time is going so slow on bed rest, but you'll be to 36 weeks in no time!!!! Keep me posted!!

Back in the hospital with another bleed and consistent contractions. They have me on magnesium, which thankfully seems to be slowing them. They were coming every minute and a half at one point. Yeesh.

[Deleted]

Jun 23, 2015 1:20:26 GMT -5 fyoubumpmay said:

Jun 19, 2015 17:14:04 GMT -5 @rebmit32 said:

fyoubumpmay thats great! I know it's gotta seem like time is going so slow on bed rest, but you'll be to 36 weeks in no time!!!! Keep me posted!!

Back in the hospital with another bleed and consistent contractions. They have me on magnesium, which thankfully seems to be slowing them. They were coming every minute and a half at one point. Yeesh.

Dang girl!! Hang in there! I will be thinking of you!! Have they talked about a plan yet? Are you gonna be stuck in the hospital now?

[fyoubumpmay]

jnetx, thank you!

@rebmit32, thank you for the continued well wishes! As of right now, the plan is very much up in the air. They had me on magnesium sulfate up until this morning when I just couldn't take it anymore. So they've taken me off and we're seeing how I do. I'm only having one major contraction about once an hour, but my uterus is really irritable at all other times. They said that once the bleeding and contractions stop, they can transfer me to the antepartum unit for further observation, but at this point, I don't know when those two things are going to happen. I passed a clot a little while ago, which was followed by some more red blood, but luckily, we're back to brown again now. So it's a waiting game.

As far as a long term plan, I can't seem to get my OBGYN to give me a firm end goal. Any time I bring it up, she sort of steers me towards immediate goals in the near future. When I asked her this time, she was just like, "Let's just focus on getting to 28 weeks (which I'll be tomorrow), and then we can set our sights on 30." I'm not sure if she doesn't think that I'm going to make it much longer, so she doesn't want to give me false hope, or if she just has no idea at this point what the prognosis is. But it's making me really wonder where I stand.

[Deleted]

fyoubumpmay Dang! What a bummer! I wish they would give you more answers. Feeling clueless is the worst! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. At least you're in the right place. Is this your third bleed?

[fyoubumpmay]

Jun 24, 2015 14:27:54 GMT -5 @rebmit32 said:

fyoubumpmay Dang! What a bummer! I wish they would give you more answers. Feeling clueless is the worst! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. At least you're in the right place. Is this your third bleed?

It is. My husband asked my OB if they were planning to keep me for the duration since this is my third and since I'm experiencing threatened preterm labor, but she said that she didn't want to make me stay in the hospital for "6 weeks." So maybe that was a clue as to how long she expects this to go? (I'll be 28 weeks tomorrow, so 6 weeks would put me around 34). 

She actually just came in and said that she's hopeful I'll be able to go home by Friday or Saturday, and she'd like to have me start on Procardia at that time. 

Does anyone have any experience with that? 

[Deleted]

Jun 24, 2015 14:33:45 GMT -5 fyoubumpmay said:

Jun 24, 2015 14:27:54 GMT -5 @rebmit32 said:

fyoubumpmay Dang! What a bummer! I wish they would give you more answers. Feeling clueless is the worst! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. At least you're in the right place. Is this your third bleed?

It is. My husband asked my OB if they were planning to keep me for the duration since this is my third and since I'm experiencing threatened preterm labor, but she said that she didn't want to make me stay in the hospital for "6 weeks." So maybe that was a clue as to how long she expects this to go? (I'll be 28 weeks tomorrow, so 6 weeks would put me around 34). 

She actually just came in and said that she's hopeful I'll be able to go home by Friday or Saturday, and she'd like to have me start on Procardia at that time. 

Does anyone have any experience with that? 

I don't have any experience with it, but I hope it helps and that you can go home.

Not to scare you, but my OB told me if I would have had bleeds earlier that they would have had me deliver after my third bleed.

I know it would suck, but if you do deliver I'm sure the baby would be fine. My cousin had a 28 week micro preemie and she is a happy and healthy 4 year old!

[fyoubumpmay]

Jun 24, 2015 14:38:06 GMT -5 @rebmit32 said:

Jun 24, 2015 14:33:45 GMT -5 fyoubumpmay said:

It is. My husband asked my OB if they were planning to keep me for the duration since this is my third and since I'm experiencing threatened preterm labor, but she said that she didn't want to make me stay in the hospital for "6 weeks." So maybe that was a clue as to how long she expects this to go? (I'll be 28 weeks tomorrow, so 6 weeks would put me around 34). 

She actually just came in and said that she's hopeful I'll be able to go home by Friday or Saturday, and she'd like to have me start on Procardia at that time. 

Does anyone have any experience with that? 

I don't have any experience with it, but I hope it helps and that you can go home.

Not to scare you, but my OB told me if I would have had bleeds earlier that they would have had me deliver after my third bleed.

I know it would suck, but if you do deliver I'm sure the baby would be fine. My cousin had a 28 week micro preemie and she is a happy and healthy 4 year old!

Yeah, she was being rather frank and said that when I had my first bleed at 21 weeks 6 days, she seriously questioned whether I'd still be pregnant at the 28 week goal she set for me. And now that I'm here, she just wants me to continue to be positive and have faith, but after our most recent conversation, I got the feeling that she'd be surprised if I lasted another 4 weeks.

[Deleted]

fyoubumpmay YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!! Positive thinking is huge!!!!