Hi, I am 32 years old and pregnant with my first child. We went in for a routine u/s on Feb 17. (21 weeks) The u/s tech told us we were having a GIRL! and that the placenta was partially covering my cervix. Our Dr. then told us NO SEX, no lifting, and that they would do another u/s at some future unspecified date. He also said that most of the time by 28 weeks the placenta will move up, that my uterus is still below my belly button, so he is hopeful that it will move. 

 

I got home from our appt, and immediately got on line to see what more I could find out. Thank God I found this web site! 

 

I am currently waiting and Praying that all will 'fix' itself with time. (2/21/99) 

 

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Update (3/20/99) 

 

I went for a second opinion with another dr. who did another u/s and thinks that 

the placenta looks like it has moved some and thinks that it will be out of 

the way in a couple of weeks. My next apt is on 4/2, and I am waiting until 

then to get too hopeful. In the meantime I am praying lots! I will keep you 

all posted and be sure to update as soon as I know anything. 

 

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Update (8/30) 

 

Sorry it has been soo long since I have updated you all. I went for my apt on 4/2 only to be told that we would be waiting until 5/28 to have another ultra sound. UGH!! more waiting! 

 

On 5/28 we received the wonderful news that the placenta was completely out of the way. We were informed at that time however that our baby was now breech (and approximately already 8+ lbs!). So... we were to give her two more weeks to turn around then go back for yet another ultra sound. Well two weeks later she was still breech so we scheduled my c-section for June 19th. 

 

Well I now have a beautiful baby girl.. Her name is Darian Hilina'i. She weighed 6lbs 3ozs (so much for my big baby :)). She is now 2 months old and very healthy, she has doubled her weight at 12lbs 12 ozs. I love being a mother and appreciate the woder of her every day! Thank God for my miracle! 

 

Good Luck to all of you! 

 

Erin 

due date: 19 August 1999 

 

I had a scan yesterday at 17 weeks because I'm large for dates with my 4th baby. It was to rule out twins. No twins, just a bouncing baby boy (my 3rd) and what you would call a complete placenta praevia. (In New Zealand I have what is called a grade 4 p.p. which completely covers the cervical os.) I'm a midwife so I thought I knew a little bit about P.P.s and said "that's not a concern is it because once the lower segment forms it will just 'move' up" I have had marginal p.p.s with my previous babies and that's what happened. The Radiologist said that is less likely in the case of a grade 4, so rescan at 32 weeks, Bye. So I've been swanning around quite oblivious and now I'm more concerned, what do I avoid, does anyone care? The referral protocol in N.Z. is if it's still p.p. at 32 weeks then I get referred for specialist care. The unspoken thing is of course you will probably bleed before then so the referral will be negated and it'll be straight to secondary care. 

 

What should I do? (3/10/99) 

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Update (6/4/99) 

 

Just an update on my story, though there is really no update. I've had no bleeding, hurray, and I'm nearly 29 weeks. The baby remains in a transverse position which is very unusual and usually points to an obstruction, such as a placenta praevia. I look like I'm carrying a watermelon, I also have a separated symphysis pubis so even if I wanted to do too much physical stuff I couldn't. It is 2-3 weeks until my scan and then we will see what the verdict is. 

 

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Update (7/2/99) 

 

I had my followup scan and the radiologist said that the placenta was clear of the os. Big cheers but when I started to grill him about position etc he clammed up. He was happy that it appeared clear of the os but I, as both a midwife and the holder of this particular placenta, wanted much more info. My husband was with me and we both payed very close attention to where he said "you can see here it starts to fade away" but lying flat on my back with my abdomen exposed I was not as 'empowered' as I liked to have been and didn't push for the hard answers. 

 

I had an antenatal appointment today and both the midwife and I were unhappy with the report as it basically said the placenta is clear of the os. No mention of position etc. Given that my son is oblique facing the right of my cervix and babies having a preference for facing their placentas and the whoosh tones on the placenta were very low in my abdomen we are alittle sceptical. If he remains oblique at my next visit in two weeks I'll be rescanned so I still haven't left the club! I'm just in transit. 

 

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Update (8/1) 

 

Here's the final update to my story which took an unexpected twist. 

My placenta moved clear of the os and I thought hurray, normal delivery, normal labour etc. 

 

A bit more than a week after my scan I caught a nasty viral flu and was in bed for a week. Just as I was recovering from it I started itching and noticed my urine resembled overbrewed tea. I contacted my midwife and said "something's not right, I think it's cholestasis." She hadn't heard of it but agreed to refer me to the obstetrician at my local hospital for review. 

 

I went to see him on Friday and he took bloods and said he'd contact me when the results were in and either admit me or give me a prescription for the itching. 

He rang that afternoon and called me back in. My liver function tests were abnormal. I wasn't admitted but told to have another set of bloods done on Monday and come in to see the specialist on duty that day. He gave me a 

prescription for antihistamines which didn't work. 

 

On Monday as soon as my blood results were back the new specialist had me admitted to the high level hospital in Auckland as my liver function tests were even higher. 

 

I was admitted and had a BPP and a liver and gall bladder scan. I was having blood tests twice a day and then my blood pressure started rising. On Thursday I had a definite diagnosis of cholestasis of pregnancy where bile salts were building up in my blood and my liver was failing AND GPH! The miracle drug which is supposed to combat the bile salts didn't work so on Friday they started an induction. At midday they broke my waters and immediately the fetal heart started dipping but it came back up so no one was panicking. I wasn't dilating so they hooked me up to a syntocinon drip and tried to get either me or the baby to declare ourselves. I had some really good contractions and brought up my breakfast but did nothing dilation wise. At around 11 pm the baby's heart rate was dipping and staying down too long. The obstetrician did an examination no more dilation and he felt cord. So I was rushed to theatre head down, bottom up for an emergency caesarean under G.A. 

 

My baby was 35 weeks and it looked like he might spend a day or two in NICU under observation. Unfortunately his lungs had not developed properly so he was in NICU for two weeks and had to have surfactant, CPAP, antibiotics and only started oral feeds the day before he came home. He recovered very quickly and removed CPAP, nasal prongs for oxygen, IV luers, NG tubes, in fact anything they put in his body. He decided he didn't need anything and generally he was right. 

 

Tobias is now at home and we're coping well. He was a big boy at 5lbs 4oz and is doing well. 

 

So even if you escape the placenta previa club it looks like it's not a good idea to breathe too easily!! 

 

Hello my name is Hillary and I am 22 years old and in my 25th week. This is our first child and we are very excited. I was diagnosed with PP just last week. My doctor told me that there was nothing to worry about, that most cases do 

move upwards. He never told me of the bad things that can happen, or what not to do. I have gotten most of my info here. 

 

I have not had any bleeding of any kind, I do have a light brown discharge. Is this normal??? I am also carrying low and have occasional pains in my lower abdomen. We are remaining optimistic, and are not that worried about the possibility of a cesarean. My doctor told me to carry on as normal. I am still working 40 hours and swim laps 3 times a week. I am a little scared that I might be doing something wrong, but I have not had any problems yet. 

 

If anyone has any info for me please let me know. (3/25/99) 

 

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Update (5/21/99) 

 

I had another u/s last week at 31 weeks and my placenta has not moved at all. 

Still totally covering my cervix. I have not bled yet and we are optomistic that 

we can go the whole pregnancy without a bleed. My doctor wants to take him <hee hee its a boy> three weeks early unless other complications occur. He still wants to do yet another u/s in a couple of weeks to see if we have had any other progress. 

 

I am still working 40 hours and mild exercise. The dr told me that the chance of bleeding increasing around 32-37 weeks, he also said that in the past 7 years he has only had one c-section due to previa, I guess I'll be #2. Not something that we really wanted to look forward to. 

 

To everyone else, good luck and let's have healthy babies. 

 

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Update (8/30) 

 

Thank god everything has went well!!!! On July 24 at 7:54am I delivered a helthy 7lb 2oz baby boy named Cameron. I had not had any more bleeding yet my plecenta was still a complete. My doctor decided to take him three weeks early. So we headed into the hospitol at 5am and I was admitted into the O.R. they thought they were going to have to do a historectomy due to a possible hemerageing when they pulled that darn placenta out. But no problems, everything went as scheduled. He is a very healthy alert baby. With the ocasional colic. The doctor has said that the chances that I would have a pp again is high but we will take all things in stride. 

 

This is my 5th pregnancy, two of which ended in miscarriage/blighted ovum. I have a three year old girl and a two year old boy. My previous pregnancies were for the most part wonderful. I exercised regularly with my first child and never 

had a single problem. I did have a severe 4th degree tear and bilateral cervical laceration from the delivery, however. I didn't exercise regularly when pregnant with my son due majority to being so busy with my infant daughter (5 months old when we got pregnant again) and running a home daycare. To sum up that pregnancy, it was found in my 3rd trimester that my amniotic fluid was very low and the baby wasn't growing properly. I went into the doctor's office at 36 weeks because I had not felt the baby move in quite some time, she did a biophysical profile and the baby did not pass all the tests. I was put in the hospital to be induced that day. He was delivered the following day and seemed to be fine initially weighing 5 lbs. 9 oz and 18 in long. However was not able to suck and did develop breathing difficulty. He was transferred to a nearby NICU where he stayed for 10 days before finally pulling through with flying colors and coming home. He's a healthy 2 yr old now. So, after deciding we would not want to try for a third child with the problems our son encountered and having a boy and a girl, we changed our minds when our son was about 15 months old. We decided we would try when we were sure about where we would be and what my husband was going to do with his career (we are military). Well, we didn't get a chance to wait, I found out I was pregnant again in September 1998. So, everything was going well, I had some minor spotting early on but that was just chalked up to hormones. At my 20 week ultrasound the Radiologist was unsure as to whether my placenta was low-lying or I had a lobe of soft tissue around my os, or if I had a contraction that would not go away. Well, the  doctor said not to worry (not so easy for me, I was a medical technician with training in Labor and Delivery and OB/GYN) we would do a repeat U/S at 28 weeks or so. The repeat U/S at about 30 weeks showed that the placenta was indeed covering my os...complete previa with the same diagnosis again at 33 weeks...no change. So then I got worried. I got on this site to get more info and was surprised to find that my doctor (not my regular OB since she was on maternity leave) did not really restrict my activity or anything. I tried to limit myself, however with two young children and a husband who travels frequently with the military it was really difficult to do. We have no family near by and very few friends in the area that we can ask for help. Anyway, when my regular doctor returned she told me to try to be on moderate bed rest, which became even more difficult since my husband had to have knee surgery on the 19th of April and would be on crutches for 6 weeks! With preparations for the baby needing to be done as well as housework, caring for the kids, and taking care of my crippled husband, I have yet to actually "rest" We have an amniocentesis scheduled for next week and if the baby's lungs have matured, my c-section will be done that Friday. I go for Non-Stress tests twice weekly and AFI (amniotic fluid index via U/S) once a week. So far I have been lucky especially with all the activity that I have been doing...haven't had ANY bleeding. So, with 11 days and counting, I want to say good luck to anyone who has to endure this serious complication of pregnancy. We're praying that our baby boy is born healthy with no complications. I was happy to find this site for all the information it has to offer, however I must say that in reading some of the stories these past few days, I have become more nervous and worried about the outcome of it all. My placenta was totally posterior but has moved a little (about 3 to 4 cm) anterior making the possibility of heavy bleeding during the delivery much more serious. Reading that so many women develop sudden bleeding without warning is scary as I have not had any bleeding as of yet (I'm 35 weeks tomorrow) and don't know what we would do if it did happen to us. With my husband hobbling around on crutches, it makes it really difficult for him to take care of the kids on his own. I have to say that they have been real troopers about all of this though. Poor things are desperate for some fun! Again, good luck to anyone who develops this condition! I'll try to update my story in a few weeks with some good news! (4/4/99) 

 

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Update (7/21) 

 

To tell you how my Previa turned out...I went in to see my OB doc at about 35 

weeks to do an amniocentesis for lung maturity. The amnio was a breeze (except for when the baby tried to kick the needle!!), but I started having contractions (not painful) every 2 to 4 minutes. She gave me a shot of turbutaline to stop them and I stayed at the hospital until the results of the test came back. Well, the lungs were still not mature enough for him to be delivered safely. So, she had me come back in one week to do another amniocentesis (she was going to just do my section one week later, but she was concerned since my last baby had problems with immature lungs when he was born at 36 weeks). Anyway, the second amnio was even easier, but I started having contractions again and this time she decided that if they didn't stop on their own by that afternoon, she would do the c-section regardless of what the results were. I was 36 weeks plus 2 days. The contractions kept coming and they took me in for the surgery at about 3:30pm. I was concerned about the spinal..I didn't have epidurals with either of my first two vaginal deliveries and I was worried about having a needle in my back. Well, the spinal was no biggy at all. I was numb up to my neck!!! Weird feeling. I was actually very relaxed during the whole procedure. Braden Trey was born at 4:00pm and came out crying a little. Then he stopped crying and wasn't breathing at all. They got him breathing and took him to the nursery right away to check him out. It turns out that the results of the amnio were borderline..he could have gone either way. Well, he ended up being intubated and transferred right away to a neo-natal intensive care unit at a nearby medical center. His lungs weren't quite ready. The doctor also said that because he wasn't delivered vaginally, his lungs didn't have the opportunity to have the fluid 'squeezed' from them which made it even more difficult for him to breathe. At any rate, he was big for being early..7 lb 10 1/2 oz. and he did just fine only having to spend a week in the NICU. He's very healthy now except for being a little colicky. As for my cesarean experience. I was a poster child for c-sections going home after only 24hours in the hospital!! I was up the very next morning sitting up in bed, walking around and pumping colostrum since my baby was in another hospital. I didn't have any excessive bleeding during the surgery and my blood count went up right away. There are a lot of risks involved with Previa...bleeding during the pregnancy, hemorrhage, emergency c-section...but I was lucky and never had any of them. My doc told me she had to cut a little high on my uterus because of the placement of my placenta, and that IF I decided ever to have another child (and she knows that I don't plan on ever being pregnant again LOL) I would have to have another cesarean. I was feeling great within 2 weeks. The only pain I really had was some nerve pain in the first week. It's a burning sensation that comes on kind of suddenly and sharply (caused by the nerves trying to regenerate). The scar is very low and healing very well. I have heard many horror stories from women who have had c-sections..but I have to say that I believe if you go into it with a 

positive attitude...your experience will be positive. I went in with every intention of getting up right away and recovering very quickly and I did. I wish anyone with previa all the best with their delivery!! 

 

I sure hope your experience is a positive one with a happy outcome! 

 

due date: August 20, 1999 

 

Hi everyone! I just came across this site and I'm already hooked. I'm in my 20th week of pregnancy and just got diagnosed with marginal previa. I had an ultrasound at 16 weeks and it indicated the placenta was low-lying but then this week I started bleeding very heavily. My husband took me to emergency where another ultrasound was done and it indicated I had advanced to marginal previa. I've had another perfectly 'normal' pregnancy so I really know nothing about any stage of previa. I'm still spotting and to be honest, I am very scared for my baby. I would appreciate any and all information about placenta previa, especially marginal previa. I love to hear all the success stories. It's very reassuring! 

 

On a personal note, I live in Ontario, Canada in a small rural community. Thanks in advance for all the great information!! (5/4/99) 

 

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Update (7/21) 

 

I'm pleased to announce that everything is back to normal! I went for an ultrasound 2 weeks ago and the placenta was back up, the baby was head-down and we found out we're having a GIRL!! My husband and I both cried with relief when the technician told us that everything was normal again. What an awful 4 months! It was also great to be told we could resume 'normal' activity again LOL!! We've certainly missed the intimacy that we were used to. I'm sure you can all relate heehee!! 

 

Anyway, I hope the rest of you have the same positive outcome I've had. Good luck to you all. 

 

MaryJane 

due date: August 10, 1999 

I was told my placenta was low at my 20 week sonogram, but told nothing more, and so didn't worry (I read that up to 80% of placentas are low at that time, and most move up). Anyway, I had a sonogram yesterday at 32 weeks, and the placenta is still low (I think complete placenta previa - I don't know for sure - I only saw the person who did the sonogram - I will call my doctor today). Anyway, the baby is also lying transverse, as he has been the whole time. So I was surprise the placenta was still low, and even more surprised to read online how serious this can be, since my doctor said nothing about it at 20 weeks, other than it's low and we'll get it checked again later. I had been doing my full activities ever since! Thankfully, no bleeding ever. What if I never bleed? Will I be allowed to go to term? It seems some doctors treat this so seriously, and others think almost nothing of it. What is your experience? I am not due for another 2 months - I can't imagine going on bedrest and/or having a preemie! Eeek! BTW: I have a tilted uterus for anyone that cares (I notice that some people seem to think there is a link). Also, I have another child - age 10 on July 1 - and my pregnancy and labor with her (at age 23) was absolutely uneventful and smooth sailing. I would like to hear from anybody who has a complete previa with no bleeding, and learn how you are being treated by your doctor. Thanks. (6/19/99) 

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Update (6/20/99) 

I called my doctor this morning to get the "official" results (and explanation) of the sonogram I had yesterday, at 32 weeks. As I suspected she would, my doctor told me I have complete placenta previa. (A sonogram at 20 weeks showed the placenta was low, which was why I had the follow-up sonogram). I have not had any bleeding yet. My doctor said to just take it easy - I/they don't need to do anything unless I bleed. If I don't bleed, she said she would let me go to 39 weeks and then deliver the baby (c-section of course). Other notes: The baby is transverse (has been the whole time). And the placenta is posterior, which the doctor said would make quick delivery of the placenta critical. Oh, and the baby is a boy! Theodore Carson Van Winkle (Teddy!). So that's all the news for now... 

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Update (6/21/99) 

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Update (6/26/99)

I wrote previously that my placenta was posterior - I goofed - it is ANTERIOR, which means it is in front of the baby (the baby is behind it) and so when they do my c-section, they actually have to cut through the placenta to get to the baby. Potential for a lot of blood loss, I guess - Dr. said they had to be quick, quick, quick to get the baby out and cut his cord to limit his blood loss. Anybody else out there who has ever had a c-section w/anterior placenta? I'd like to hear from you!

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Update (7/2/99)

34 weeks today. I had my 4th shot of steroid today to mature the baby's lungs. (A shot last week on Monday and Tuesday, and a shot this week on Monday and Tuesday). Still no bleeding and no contractions so I am feeling fine. I asked doctor if anybody with complete PP goes all the way to term without bleeding, and she said very rarely - and she seems to expect that I will, eventually, bleed. Doctor is very inconsistent in her advice - says one thing one time, and another thing the next time. Originally she said if I had bleeding call the doctors office - if it is light, no big deal, no need to go to hospital unless it is a hemmorhage - in which case they try to stop the bleeding and keep me there in the hospital on bedrest. If it is light, she originally said, just go on modified bed rest at home. Doctor now says if I have any bleeding at all just go straight to the hospital and they will do a c-section then and there. I have another sonogram at 36 weeks (on July 13th). Originally doctor said that would be followed with an amnio to determine lung maturity. Now she says because my placenta is anterior, they won't do the amnio because they'd have to put the needle through the placenta to get to the fluid, and that wouldn't be good (bleeding,etc.) So if at 36 weeks my sonogram is still showing complete previa and I have not yet had a bleed, I am not sure what I will be told to do then - bedrest until term? Who knows!

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Update (7/10/99)

I will be 36 weeks on Tuesday 7/13. Still complete previa, anterior placenta, no bleeding to date.

I went to my doctor yesterday, Friday 7/9, and she said that assuming I have no bleeds in the next few weeks, they'd be scheduling my c-section for 38.5-39 weeks.

I have been very reassured by those of you who have written to me with same condition (complete previa, no bleeding - some even w/anterior placenta) that it IS possible to go all the way to the scheduled c-section date w/o any bleeds. I have been very fortunate - have not even been put on bed rest!

So anyway, no bleeds and c-section at 38.5 or 39 weeks - that's my plan! :-)

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Update (7/21)

Holy Cow!

I have been complete placenta previa (no bleeds) since 20 week sonogram. Complete previa was reconfirmed at 32 week sonogram. I was told that after that date it would definitely not move. In addition, baby was lying transverse pretty much my entire pregnancy.

Took the steroids to mature baby's lungs. Was told to expect c-section anywhere between 36-38.5 weeks.

Today, I am 36 weeks 1 day, and I went for a final sonogram "to confirm everything"...and....tah dah...no previa whatsoever! Doctor can't believe it (only 2nd time a complete previa patient in their practice has resolved itself after 32 weeks). Sonographer couldn't believe it (she actually asked me before the exam, "Why is your doctor having you do this now? What are we looking for? We already saw the placenta at 32 weeks - it's not going to move now.")

Well, it DID move. Baby is now head down (no longer transverse) and the placenta is merely low-lying, no previa whatsoever! Can you believe it?

I wondered why the sonogram, too - and am VERY glad the doctor ordered it! Imagine - I would have had a c-section (with a longitudinal cut, no less)for no reason!

So, ladies, it can happen! Vaginal birth, here I come!

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Update (7/21)

So...

The complete placenta previa is apparently gone, but now Theodore Carson Van Winkle has given me the umbilical hernia from hell. 

I thought I had a hernia at around 20 weeks, but the pain went away in a day, and I didn't think anymore of it. 

Yesterday, the same pain came back. I told the doctor about it at my appointment - she pressed it and made me CRY! But she just said, "Oh, it's just the baby. Go home, rest, lie down." I DON'T THINK SO! 

I went home and waited for the pain to go away like before, but it has since gotten much worse: There's a small bulge around my belly button, and the whole area has been turning color (kinda like a bruise).

So today, I called her back and she said the same thing ("I don't think it's a hernia. I saw you yesterday. Why don't you rest and use a heating pad?"), and I said I DON'T THINK SO! (I didn't sleep all night and can barely walk!), and so she said "OK, maybe something IS wrong," (YES!) and she sent me to see a surgeon this morning who took one look and said, "Definitely a hernia! And some fat is caught in it, that's why the pain."

Sooo....

I am home, resting, taking Percoset (la-la-land pain drug).

And I am now back on for a c-section -- next week I think - I will find out what day for sure, either this evening or tomorrow morning when my doctor calls. (No labor w/a hernia. No kidding! I coulda told them that!). And the surgeon will come in and fix the hernia after the c-section. 

The "funny" thing is, actually, it turns out - though my OB/GYN never told me - according to the nurse I spoke to today, the OB/GYN was still planning on a c-section all along anyhow, because she doesn't trust my most recent sonogram (apparently the only other woman they've seen in their practice whose complete previa resolved itself after 32 weeks was allowed to go into labor, and the placenta wasn't completely out of the way after all - lot of bleeding - and they don't want that to happen with me).

So Teddy's birth is imminent. Good thing. I can't imagine going another 3 weeks. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if he simply didn't break out of my belly button (like ALIEN).

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Update (8/30)

After 41 weeks, he's here! (Finally...with a little help via induction!)

I was diagnosed with complete placenta previa at 32 weeks. The baby was lying transverse, the placenta was anterior. Both the doctor and radiologist said the placenta would not move, and we prepared for an early c-section delivery. But - lo and behold - at 36 weels a sonogram showed the placenta was completely out of the way - low-lying still, but out of the way.

There were a few more minor complications: A painful hernia at 36 or 37 weeks. And then no sign of labor coming anytime soon even at 41 weeks. And then on Thursday, August 19 they did a biophysical profile and the baby scored only a 4 out of 8 (for lack of movement) so I was ordered in that day (a week after my due date) to be induced.

So, after all this, all is well! Theodore Carson Van Winkle (aka "Teddy") arrived on Friday morning, August 20th (after a LOOOONG and sometimes worrisome pregnancy and a VERY easy labor) at 5:28 a.m., weighing a whopping 9 lbs. 1 oz. and measuring 21.75 inches long. With wavy blond hair and blue eyes, he is absolutely the cutest kid I have ever seen!

We came home from the hospital today and are both doing very well.

Hooray! :-)

Hi all. This is my story. I'm 23 years old. At 20 weeks, I have my routine ultrasound. The tech found that I had a "marginal placenta previa" Told me just to "take it easy". Nothing more than that. And to make an apoointment to have another ultrasound in four (4) weeks. I heard NOTHING from my ob. Then at 20 weeks I started cramping BADLY. I called the ob - he said to go right to the hospital and he would meet me there. The cramping stopped on there own - THANK GOD. But my ob did an internal exam to see if i was dialating, I wasn't but there was a very small amount of like a bloody dicharge from the exam. He then ordered the hospital to perform another ultrasound - not a Level II. Just a "normal" one. The tech told me that I didn't have any form of placenta previa. She didn't know what the ob's office was talking about and how they got their information. And by the way she told me I'm having a little boy. I thought I have received some GREAT NEWS. Boy was I ever WRONG! I went to the 4th week follow up ultrasound at 24 weeks. The tech said that she was really sorry to tell me this but that I don't have "marginal placenta previa" anymore. I have complete placenta previa and she really didn't think that it will move. She also added that it is anterior. I haven't had spotting or bleeding yet. I guess that is good news. I didn't hear anything from the ob though. I finally called them after 1 week + waiting for them to call. He just said to take it easy and NOT TO WORRY. NOTHING MORE than that. I mean it is SO HARD NOT TO WORRY. I'd like to hear from anyone who has had this before. This is my first and I really don't know anything more about placenta previa than what I have found on the web.(7/2/99)

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Update (7/21)

I had SEVERE pain on my cervix this morning (7/12). Called the ob. He rushed me in. Turns out to be nothing. My little boy is now breech and kicking my cervix. He did a sono. I still have complete previa. It doesn't appear that it is "moving".

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Update (7/21)

Well, the doctor says I do have Complete Placenta Previa. Duh - the sono tech told me that. Well, he said that there is really nothing either of us can do except take it easy. He told me I need to up my protein -- so that my blood will make more blood cells. I also now have to take a perscription iron supplement to build up blood cells. He said there is a small chance that it may move up. He said possible but unlikely. I asked him if I should not take my birthing class. He said I should take it just in case. Also, I will be having serial sonos to check on the placement of the placenta. He said that with a planned C-Section I will have a transverse (side to side) cut. And he should be completely done in 35 minutes TOPS. If I start bleeding alot and they have to do an emergency C-Section I'll have to be put to sleep and I will have that old fashioned cut but he can get to Robbie in like 30 seconds. He also said that if it does not move that I will have Robbie by planned C-Section at 36 to 37 weeks. It all depends on his lung development. He said that at about 33 - 34 weeks i will have an amnio if he has a window. What he is talking about a window is my placenta is on the front and he doesnt want to go through it. If he doesnt have a window or the lungs arent developing enough -- i will have to go on steriod shots. 

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Update (7/22)

I had my 7th sonogram at my ob's office. Guess what? They said I dont have placenta previa anymore. I just have a low lying placenta and it is still on the move. WOO HOO. They also told me that my little boy is developing faster that what they originally thought. They changed my due date to 10/16.

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Update (7/23)

More good news. My ob called FIRST THING this morning to tell me that I no longer have complete previa. I just have a low lying one - NOT EVEN MARGINAL. He said I still have to be careful. Meaning no lifting and I'm on vaginal rest. But I will be okay to travel by car. He doesnt think that I will have a bleed. And he thinks that I will go full term.

I'll tell you all something. I thought that my placenta wouldn't move up. But it has - not as much as its should be but at least it has moved off the cervix. I know how it is to be on that emotional roller coaster. It sure wasnt fun. But what we really have to do is think positively and try to relax. I know I was a nervous WRECK. When the ob sono tech said I didnt have previa anymore - I started balling. I hope it goes this well for everyone. Please keep in touch.

My ob originally told me NOTHING about my previa situation. Until I learned what I know from Club Previa. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. I am WILLING to help anyone because I have been there.