I had an OB appointment today (I’m at 23 weeks), and he went over with me the results of the ultrasound I had in mid-January. Apparently the ultrasound shows I may have placenta previa.
I’ve been doing a little frantic online research, and so far it’s setting my fears to rest. For one thing, I was thinking that placenta previa could lead to placental abruption (where the placenta pulls away from the uterine wall, depriving the baby of things it needs), but I was mistaken in that. Also, it appears that it’s fairly common to hear after a mid-pregnancy ultrasound that you have placenta previa, but then to find later that the problem is no longer there. I have an ultrasound in 4 weeks to check to see if “migration” has occurred. The OB said the placenta doesn’t literally migrate (here he made a wing-flapping gesture) but that as the uterus expands it can turn out that the placenta was never over the cervix to begin with and only appeared to be.
If it hasn’t migrated, the ultrasound will determine how far over the cervix the placenta is. I’ll have to be alert for any bleeding (as if I’d be blase about that otherwise), and there’s an increased risk of early hospitalization and premature birth. Women with placenta previa have to have c-sections, but I have c-sections anyway so that’s no big deal.
The most alarming thing to Paul, of course, is that if I do have placenta previa, I’ll be put on, um, “pelvic rest.”
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear of this comlication in your pregnancy. I have actually known quite a few people who have had this. I’ve never known it to cause any major complications with the baby or mother. Like you said, it normally means C-section if it’s still a problem that far along. And it means a better chance of bedrest. I hope that the next ultrasounds will reveal no problems at all. Best of luck.
I didn’t have the previa, but I had premature contractions and went on bedrest and “pelvic rest” 14 weeks before my daughter was born (three weeks ago). My husband hasn’t been too keen on it, either. I offered to buy him a hooker, but he was a gentleman and declined. He probably bought his own. He’s thoughtful that way.
See, EVERYBODY’S husband is more thoughtful than mine.
As someone who was personally on bedrest- pelvic rest- for four weeks, I can tell you it does suck, boredom wise. And um, there is the lack of the one thing that your husband is worried about, which also sucks. On the other hand, now that I am experiencing pregnancy plus looking after another child, I find myself WISHING for bedrest, so that I’d have an excuse to hand my responsibilities over to someone else and lie back with a clear conscience!
I had an abruption and was on pelvic rest & partial bedrest for 3 LOOOOOOOOOONG months. I do not wish that on anyone!!