I am 22 weeks now. At my regular 20 weeks ultrasound, I was diagnosed with complete PP. The nurse called me a couple of days after the sonogram and informed me I was on "pelvic rest " (i.e., no sex, exercise, lifting) 3 days before I was to move!! Great timing. Two hours later, after having consulted with one of my 6 doctors (shouldn't she have done this prior to scaring the hell out of me?), she told me that pelvic rest was not necessary but that I was to have a 2nd ultrasound between 28-32 weeks. Nothing further. I didn't know what she was talking about at the time so I didn't ask any questions. I've already rescheduled an out-of-town baby shower just in case, but other than that, I haven't changed much in my lifestyle. I didn't lift TOO much while moving, but some things only I could do. 

I've had a terrible pregnancy thus far, what with all the common symptoms - and lots of them - but no bleeding. I kind of hoped I would get a break as time went on, but apparently not. I still have at least 6 weeks before I know if the placenta has moved or not, so is there anything I can do to relieve my anxiety until that time? My husband does not think we are in any danger, so talking with him is useless. But I'm anxious and going kind of nuts, not knowing what's okay and what's not. He won't have sex with me, either, even though the doctor said it's okay, and that doesn't help my stress. What do I do? (6/26/99)

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Update (7/21)

I returned for my 2nd ultrasound this morning (26 weeks today,6 months) only to find that the placenta is still completely covering the cervix. I was shocked but not really upset. Maybe I suspected on some level? I still have not had any kind of bleed and my cervix is totally closed, which as I understand is good, since I can't bleed unless the cervix is open at least a little. 

They will schedule another u/s in 10 weeks, so it's all wondering from here on. If I don't bleed, my OB said I will go to 38.5-39 weeks before doing a c-section. I'm glad for that at least. They have no opinion on whether I will bleed or not - no one has said it is inevitable, so I am hopeful. They also did not put me only any more limited activity, which thrilled me. I can't limit much more!

The baby is in great shape. He weighs 2 pounds and his heartbeat is 145 right now. He sounds and looks perfect, so that's all that matters. I'm also kind of excited about being able to choose the date I deliver and the doctor who will perform the operation. (My practice has 6, but I really only like 1).

That's my story... good luck to all you PP moms out there!!

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Update (8/30)

At 30 weeks now. I have another sonogram in 2 weeks to check on the placenta, but I think my OB has it is her mind already that it's not going anywhere, since her nurse called yesterday morning to schedule my c-section. We scheduled it for October 14 at 12:00 (38 weeks 1 day). I was glad we could do this early, since I could choose the date I preferred. Still no bleeding and Doc seems to think I may get away without any, though of course one never knows. Baby is getting pretty big (I'm only at 25 pounds and slowing down and I am HUGE) and he is laying transverse. It's pretty uncomfortable. But as long as he's okay... I'll survive. Only 8 weeks anyway. 

My OB will not administer steroid shots - I'm not sure why - so I'm not expecting that. Maybe it'll change if I have a bleed before 34 weeks, when they are not effective anymore. Everything seems pretty cut-and-dried - a totally normal pregnancy save the planned c-section 2 weeks early, which is FINE with me - I'm soooo ready to have this baby!! I think I'll be disappointed if it gets cancelled at the last minute. I'm very prepared for the section and not at ALL for labor & delivery. Is that strange? 

Well, that's my update... hope everyone is doing well!!

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Update (10/4)

A day or 2 after my last update at 30 weeks 2 days, I started bleeding in the evening. I had just gotten out of the tub and was about to dress when I noticed blood on the carpet. We rushed to the hospital, where I ended up spending 6 horrible days. The bleed was relatively small. The night I was admitted, I was strapped to the fetal monitor and give 3 shots of brethine (the stuff is awful). I didn't even feel the contractions I was having! After a few hours in Triage, they set me up in a room and continued giving me brethine pills every 4 hours. By the late night, the bleeding had stopped and I was doing okay. But they gave me 2 steroid shots the next 2 days and kept me on the brethine until I was so ill, I finally started throwing up. I was miserable - they gave me so much saline in my IV that I gained 17 pounds. It was at that point my doctor switched me to Procardia, which also halts contractions. I immediately started feeling better and never felt badly again.

During the hospital stay, I had a sonogram which showed the baby to be 4.6 pounds and 2 weeks ahead of his gestational age. I was ecstatic. But of course we still didn't want him to be born yet, so when I was released, I was put on bedrest indefinitely. I gotta tell you, don't take your PP lightly - bed rest SUCKS. It was boring and long and I started wondering if it was worth it. (Note: it WAS). But after 2.5 weeks of bedrest at home, my doctor allowed me to go to a wedding. I was fine all that night, but I was on my feet WAY too much, and at 1:15 the next day, I started bleeding again. This time, it was so bad, I was passing HUGE clots and couldn't even get off the toilet, they were coming so fast. We freaked out of course, and after dressing, my hubby and I flew to the hospital and checked in at 2:00 PM. By 7:oo, I had stabilized with some brethine and a catheter, etc. It was just like the first time except that I knew my doctor would be taking the baby that night. I was 34 weeks. She said it would be later, so my husband went home to pack a bag and my dad went home to shower. My mom stayed, but she had gone downstairs to use the phone when it happened. I was laying in bed, having contractions but mostly okay, when 6 nurses rush into the room and start making me turn this way and that. Then one called my doctor and she came rushing in. She looked at me and just said "Prep her for surgery." All they told me was that the baby's heartbeat had dropped to 80. Within 4 minutes, I was shaved, on the Operating table and unconscious - and my husband was at home feeding the dogs!

When I awoke an hour later, drugged and feeling NO pain, my doctor told me that my placenta had abrupted, which is why he was in distress. But the baby was okay, and I was okay.

William Campbell Jones made his debut on September 12, 1999, at 7:13 PM, weighing 5.9 pounds and standing 18 1/2 inches tall. He spent the night with me, but by the next afternoon, he had to go to NICU because he wouldn't eat and couldn't hold his temperature. They kept him 11 painful days, and finally he came home on September 24. He is doing great and growing like a little pig. Now we can't STOP him from eating!!

After all of that, I finally had my precious baby, and I must tell everyone who might be wondering: You forget EVERYTHING when you see that baby. It is all totally worth it.

Good luck to everyone.

due date: 12/15/99 

I'm 23 years old, and have a 2 year old daughter whose pregnancy was flawless except a misread ultrasound at 8.5 mo that showed her to be significantly larger than she was, and thus I had a failed induction ending in c-section.

I'm now 16 weeks pregnant and have been diagnosed with complete PP, and possible abruption. I had spotting at about 2 mo, then at about 12 weeks I had a fairly major discharge of fluid and thought I'd lost my water. An ultrasound found no amniotic fluid missing and I was told it was probably a fluke. at 14 weeks I had a significant bleed with cramping and was sent to a specialist for a level 2 u/s, which showed the PP, and a collection of fluid (presumably blood), elevating the placenta on one side.

My doctor has expressed serious concern with IUGR and pre-term labor, as well as the hemorrhaging associated with PP. As such, I've been placed on total bed rest till I deliver, which will be by c-section at 36 weeks if I don't go into labor or hemorrhage before then (this is 4 months in bed, only getting up to pee and shower), and, of course, if I bleed more seriously that time will be spent in the hospital.

Still no diagnosis on the fluid discharge, and during the major bleeding, I had a second fluid discharge immediately followed by the bleeding slowing significantly down and no longer "gushing". Has anybody else had a similar experience? I've yet to find anybody with a case similar to mine.

Also, any advice for not going crazy from back pain and boredom for the next 4 mo is appreciated.

Luckily I have family that will live in with me to help with my daughter through this. (6/26/99)

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Update (10/10)

After several months of bedrest, and several doctors gaping in horror at what they saw on the ultrasound screen, it appears nature has taken its course and everything has righted itself.

It seems (although nobody will give me a definite answer on anything) that my previous c-section scar was still weak and possibly not totally healed up even 2yrs after my daughter was born. When the placenta went to attach this time, it not only was a full previa (covering the cervix and going up the other side a ways), but it also apparently irritated or partially opened the old wound on the inside of my uterus. This then caused major bleeding which both came out, and collected into a pool under the placenta causing a partial abruption.

Eventually the blood in the pool clotted, and things stayed close to this state for quite awhile. At 24 weeks they said the placenta had moved a little, but they were still doubtful it would move all the way, and there was still damage to it overall - how much couldn't be determined, but it was sustaining the baby thus far. Then, at 30 weeks I went back for my next ultrasound and the doctor said that the blood clot had deminished and was almost gone, AND the placenta had moved well up and off the cervix entirely. And in addition to all this, despite my "damaged" placenta, the baby's growth puts her in the 75th percentile for how far along I am. Not only is she not growth restricted, but she's big!

The doctor said I was no longer confined to bed, but that I should continue to take it easy since I'm so weak from all the time I've been on bedrest up till now. At least I'm able to go spend some time with my family outside of my room now.

The only thing I'm facing now is, now that things are "normal" again, I have the option to go full term and have a vaginal delivery. This seems really frighening to me since there's a risk doing VBAC even after an easy pregnancy. I'm afraid that if the scar breaking open theory is correct, which seems the only logical answer, that there's no way it'll hold up to hard labor and delivery. On the other hand, it's going to be hard enough recovering from weakness from bedrest. Compounding a few weeks of surgery recovery on top of that while caring for my newborn AND my 2yr old doesn't sound fun either. I'm frightened to have a c-section, and frightened not to. All in all thought, I'm just happy that when it's all done and over with, I'm likely to have a very healthy perfect little girl for the effort.

 

due date: November 22, 1999 

 

I am 38 years old and have been diagnosed with pp. When I was 12 weeks pregnant I had spotting and was told I had an infection. At 13 weeks I had spotting again and again at 14 weeks and was diagnosed with pp. Now at 19 weeks I had an ultrasound and the pp is still present. The tech said that the placenta covered the cervix completely by what appeared to be a small flap, by which she said my not even be attached to the cervix. She said that she really wasn't sure if the flap was over the cervix or if it was just an "optical illusion". She also said that if my bladder would have been full that it may have shown that the placenta actually was not completely over the cervix. I have not had any spotting episodes since 14 weeks and was told by my doctor that I could resume normal activity but to be on pelvic rest. We will perform another ultrasound at 28-30 weeks to check on this condition. 

 

I can't help but worry now about the pp. Has anyone else been told that the pp may be an "optical illusion"? It seems that a very small amount of the placenta must appear to be over the cervix. I'm also wondering if it's possible that as my pregnancy progresses that this will correct? 

 

Any advice anyone has to share would be greatly appreciated. 

 

I have four other children and can't even imagine having to go on bed rest, however, I would do anything to protect this baby. (7/9/99) 

 

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Update (9/17) 

 

I had another ultrasound today at 29 weeks and I still have placenta previa. The doctor said that it is marginal and may still move but the chances do go down. I have to stay on pelvic rest and take it easy. I have not had any bleeds since the last time that I spotted at 14 weeks which I am very thankful for. I'm trying to stay optimistic about this difficult situation. 

 

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Update (9/30) 

 

I had a repeat ultrasound today, Sept. 30, at 32.3 weeks and was told that I still have a marginal previa but that it has moved some from the last ultrasound. The doctor said that it is still possible for it to move enough before my due date so that I may be able to have a vaginal delivery since the bottom uterine segment does most of it's growing and stretching now. However, the baby is breech and will need to turn also. I will have a repeat ultrasound in about 3 weeks. I am still bleed free and the doctor said that it is possible that I will stay that way since the placenta is not touching or covering the os, however, I am still on pelvic rest and still required to take it easy. 

 

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Update (10/18) 

 

At my ultrasound today, Oct. 18, 1999, at 35 weeks I was told that the baby was finally head down but that I still have an anterior marginal placenta previa. My doctor said that if I went into labor and wasn't bleeding that he'd let me try a vaginal delivery. I was excited about this but still a little worried. Since I still have 5 weeks until my due date I'm hoping that I will get a little more movement out of the placenta. I will have another ultrasound in a couple of weeks to see if anything has changed. I still haven't had any bleeds and I thank God for that. 

 

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Update (2/29/2000) 

 

I had another ultrasound at 35 weeks and the baby had turned footling breech again. My doctor was really surprised that I still hadn't had a bleed since my placenta was still a marginal previa. He told me to continue to rest and if I had any bleeding to come right in. I made it to 37.5 weeks at which time I spotted. We immediately went in to the hospital and I was hooked up on monitors. The spotting stopped, I remained in the hospital and my doctor performed a c-section on me at 38.1 weeks. Since I had the anterior placenta I got a bikini cut incision on the outside but a classical on my uterus in hopes of minimizing the bleeding because my doctor had to cut through my placenta to get to the baby. Blood was on stand by for me but luckily I didn't need any. I did lose alot of blood and was placed on iron twice a day for a month. Cason Edgar Gene Neuse was born on November 9, 1999 at 12:47 PM weighing in at 6lbs.,9ozs and 19-1/2 inches long. When he was born we finally were able to tell why I could feel him trying to turn head down but he kept going footling breech.....the cord was wrapped around the leg that was hanging down preventing him from turning. At least I had one mystery solved. I developed 3 major infections in my uterus after the c-section and was in the hospital for a week. It took me 8 weeks to recover because of these infections and me being so terribly sick. I'm doing fine now and so is Cason. He does have a heart murmur and has seen a pediatric cardiologist and returns again in March. The cardiologist thinks that the murmur will correct itself, if not, it can be corrected by surgery but we're sure hoping that he won't have to go through that. I'm glad that this is all over and because of the classical incision on my uterus, my doctor has advised against anymore children. We'll just enjoy the 5 beautiful ones that we already have!! 

due date: 10-06-99 

 

It was on our 7 yr anniversary that Jon and I found out we were pregnant... We had been trying for 16 mths for our second child when this news came. We were both very excited and immediately shared the news with everyone including our daughter, Kaylee age 6. We went to the dr. For our first appt. And was told a due date of October 6th. From my 6 week appt until my 18 week appt I was extremely ill with hypermesis gravideram {uncontrollabe morning sickness} not much fun... I lost 18 pounds and was hospitalized for dehydration. While this was finishing i had my afp test come back with low results which indicated a possibility for downs. We were sent to a genetic counselor for a level II sono. Although we were told the baby looked great, this is when we found out about my pp. I was just 19 weeks pregnant at this time. We went back to my dr who always says not to worry and he actually said he wouldnt consider it a previa. Ha-ha, it is a complete previa! I had experienced lots of pain low which was just explained as a regular part of pregnancy, but now I know it is the pp. At 26 weeks I went in for my level ii sono, and the pp has not moved at all and is covering the entire cervix. Good news no bleeding so far. I am now 27 weeks and go back for another sono at 29 weeks. Hope all is still going this good. Other than increasing pain when I am standing or tired down below I have had no complications so far. I am going to get a little more involved and ask about when the baby will be taken and about
neonatal services at my next visit just to be on the safe side. After reading the stories I find myself a lot more worried. Im not real sure what to think, or do at this point. I have two dr's following my care. My regular ob who is not concerned at all, and my peri. Dr who is seeing me every three weeks for sono. I am wondering who will deliver and where now?? If anyone has had two drs please write me and tell me how this works. (7/9/99) 

 

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Update (8/30) 

Well I went for my sono at 29 weeks and good news... Placenta was on the move, but still covering cervix. Dr told me he fully expected it to move out of the way within the next month..Yahoo!!! So far no bleeds!!!   

 

Week 33 sono... Very disappointing to say the least. Placenta had not moved at all and is considered at previa to stay. Well I guess dr was wrong. When he first started sono he was saying by this time it had definetely moved in most cases, then he paused and said except yours. What a total let down! Baby Evy is breach also, so looking more and more like a definite c-section.. Good news is no bleeds and I'm 33 weeks...Going back for sono at 37 weeks if no complications between now and then, so wish me luck. 

 

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Update (2/29/2000) 

 

Well I thought I better update, since my lil Evy is now 4 mths old....

 

I went in for a sono at 37 weeks and the previa had moved to a marginal previa, it was now aprroximately 2cm from my cervix, and the dr felt like it would be enough room for the babys head to fit and put enough pressure not to bleed from the placenta. So we were now again at a wait and see.. I was advised to be ready and waiting because there was still a chance that it could seperate from the wall. I continued to have a sono every Friday and unfortunately my previa didnt move anymore..At 40 weeks we were getting concerned that they were letting me go this long. Considering all that I had been through, at this point I was back on total bedrest for high blood pressure and had been for several weeks...Well here goes, on October 12th at 5am in the morning, I had just got back from the restroom and layed down when I felt a warm gush between my legs.. I woke my husband and told him it was time, I got up called my mom, put a call into the dr, and was waiting on what to do next.. I had done all this with just the bath room on and was so excited I had not even noticed it was all blood.. I turned on the light and my husband said, court is it suppose to be blood. I was shocked, I looked down at the towel between my legs to find a huge blood clot the sixe of a grapefruit... I almost fainted, every thought you could imagine ran through my mind, about that time my dr called me back, and told me to get to hospital asap.. I dont remember the drive to the hospital at all cause I was wiggling my belly wanting to feel Evy move.. I started having light contractions and continued to bleed. I arrived at the hospital about 6 am.. They found her heartbeat, put me on my back, and I was only dialated to a 1cm, very depressing.... Dr Dean assured me the bleeding was old blood and it must have just broke through, my water was still intact. At 9am they started pitocin, and at 10am my water broke on its own.. It is a complete blur from then to about 12 because they had to put me on magnesium sulfate to control my high b/p and gave me stadol to calm me down.. If youve never had magnesium, it feels like your burning fro mthe inside out.. At 1:10pm dr checked ne and I was at a 10, the babys heartrate was in distress and I was bleeding again. He pulled out everything and was about ready to suction her out when I gave one horrendous push and there she was.. She had cord wrapped around her neck twice, but she came down the birthcanal so fast, that it didnt bother her a bit... After she was born it took a hep shot to slow my bleeding and some intense uterus massaging, but all and all we were very fortunate and god definitely blessed us...So for those who think all is over because you have moved to marginal status or because you have reached your due date, this placenta thing can change in an instance, God bless you all, and i pray for everyone going through this, for luck and a healthy out come for you and your baby... Thank you for being here for me when i needed you...  , , and I pray for everyone going through this, for luck and a healthy out come for you and your baby... thank you for being here for me when I needed you...

due date: January 12, 2000 

 

I am currently 14 weeks pregnant and 7/5/99 I started bleeding. I called the dr right away and all he said was to relax and call the next day if I was still bleeding. Well I was really freaked out so I called him back and he sent me to labor and delivery to listen to the heartbeat. This of course helped me to relax. Well the next day I woke up and the bleeding had stopped. I was so relieved. However, by noon that same day the bleeding had returned. I immediately called my doctor and he scheduled me for an ultrasound later that afternoon. At the ultrasound they discovered that I had a complete placenta previa. I was really concerned about this but they told me to take it easy, no sex, no heavy lifting, etc. and they'll do another u/s in two months to see if it has moved at all. Worse case scenario it will stay the same and we will schedule a c-section about a week before my due date. This is a little scary sounding to me, to wait that long. I'm also nervous about this until the next u/s. I can't wait. This is my 3rd baby, so I also have a 5 yr old and a 3 yr old at home. This also makes it hard. I don't know what I'll do if I end up on bedrest. The doctor doesn't seem too worried, but I am scared to death. If anyone has any info, please let me know. 

 

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Update (2/29/2000) 

 

Well, throughout the rest of my pregnancy I had about three ultrasounds to check on the position of the placenta. In early October, at about 24 weeks I had an ultrasound. Good news came and they told me my placenta had moved up enough out of the way that they were removing all 

restrictions and I would be allowed to go into labor on my own. Well, this baby decided to be difficult from the beginning. In early December I ended up in the hospital having contractions. Since I was still quite a ways from my due date the doctor put me on brethine to halt the contractions. Luckily this worked and I only had to stay on the meds for one week (at home). On December 26 I again went into labor. This time they were prepared to let me deliver, however, after only an hour the contractions began to fade until they were gone, we were sent home yet again. By now dh and I were beginning to lose hope we'd ever meet this kid. Then, January 8, my due date rolled around and nothing. Finally on January 10, at 4:30 p.m. I had my very first contraction, and something told me this was it. Sure enough dh and I headed for hospital at 6:30, arrived there by 7:00 and Zachary Scott Reid was born at 1:56 a.m. on January 11, 2000. He weighed 8 lbs. 13 oz. and was 20 inches long. Delivered completely naturally with only an episiotomy. I was so relieved and glad. So, anyone with early low lying placenta, don't lose hope, it still can change and a c-section may not be necessary. I didn't have any other bleeding episodes other than the first one. I may have been one of the lucky ones, but I'm sure it could happen for you too. 

 

Terri

due date: 5-16-00 

 

I had a rountine ultrasound done at 20 weeks to check the baby and make sure everything was on track and okay. As soon as the doctor started, he stated the placenta was low-lying. He asked the other doctor in his office to take a look. He was decided that I had a complete previa. After the ultrasound, we discussed what previa was and what I was or was not allowed to do. I was put on restricted activity (no sex, no lifting my son, limited stair climbing,...). My husband and I were very upset. 

 

My son was delivered by c-section because he would not progress through the birth canal. Turned out his face was facing my front so the head could not get through. We had tried for 3 years to get pregnant with him. Had surgeries and took clomid. With this pregnancy, we again had to take clomid. 

 

I was now going to the doctor every other week. Doctor said he would do another u/s at 28-30 weeks. At 27 weeks, I had a trace of protein in my urine. This was a problem I was familiar with as I had had it with my first pregnancy. I was told to watch my activity even more. Take an hour off my regular routine to put my feet up. 

 

At 29 weeks, I had another u/s. Got good news and bad news. Good news was that placenta had moved. It was now partial or marginal. Hard to tell for sure as the baby's head was resting on the placenta. I should say I have not had any bleeds. The baby is developing fine and doctor is optimistic that I will be able to go full term. 

 

The bad news was that the level of protein in my urine had increased, my blood pressure had gone up, and I was retaining water. Doctor put me on complete bed rest for two days and told me to come back in at that time. Today I went back to the doctor. The protein in my urine is back to a trace and blood pressure is down some. I am to go back next week and see how everything is. 

 

I must say that with this pregnancy, I have had a lot of pressure down low. It has even felt at times like the baby is hitting my cervix. I can't stand for a long period of time and tend to get tired easily. I have had an increasingly amount of pain in my pelvic area and inner upper thighs. Makes it hard to get comfortable when laying down or walking. 

 

I will try to keep this information updated and items progress. 

 

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Update (5/2/00) 

 

I have been going to the doctor every week. Gradually the protein in my urine has gone away and my blood pressure is staying low. I continue to have problems with swelling but it is pretty much staying in just my ankles. 

 

I have not had any bleeds. Doctor seems happily surprised by this fact. Has been hard listening to the baby's heartbeat as we keep picking up the placenta. I am still having a lot of pressure down low and I try not to do a lot of walking. 

 

With my first pregnancy, I never noticed any Braxton Hicks contractions. With this pregnancy, I have had quite a few at all hours of the day. Has been very hard to sleep at night and get comfortable. When I am laying down, it usually gets hard to breathe when I have one of the contractions. Doctor says this is normal. 

 

This week we scheduled my c-section. It will be on May 3rd. I will be 38 weeks. I am a little nervous about having the baby early but I do not want to tempt fate. The baby has been very active. I have noticed that I do not feel any kicks in my ribs like I did with my first baby. It seems like the baby is lying diagnally, which I have heard is common with PP babys. 

 

I will update again after I have the baby.

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