Placenta Previa and vag delivery?

[can'twait2B1]

My best friend is expecting her 4th child and was diagnosed with partial placenta previa. The doctor has told her that he would like for her to attempt to deliver naturally. Isn't a C-section normally done on women with even marginal previa? What is the policy in your L&D unit?

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I had a placenta sitting smack on the cervix but when the baby flipped it moved up so I had a normal vag delivery. I did have considerable bleeding after she was born/placenta was out. I was so happy.

renerian

[fergus51]

It depends on the level of the placenta. If it is only partially or barely over the cervix vag delivery is possible.

[at your cervix]

Is you friend close to full term? I ask because a placenta previa in early pregnancy often times resolves spontaneously by the end of pregnancy, therefore your friend would not need a c-section. Also, it is a complete previa or a marginal or low-lying plancenta. If is a complete previa, she will have to have a c-section and any doctor that would say she should try to delivery vagianally with a complete previa must be smoking something!!!!!

I hope all goes well with your friend!

[skdauriaRNC]

a couple of our docs usually are smoking something but nope we dont deliver previas either..like at your cervix said most early previas resolve on their own. Have your friend get the situation thoroughly explained to her at her next prenatal and be sure to get another sonogram.

[can'twait2B1]

Thanks for your advice everyone. She is due in October. She is supposed to go in for another ultrasound next month so hopefully everything will work out okay!

[mother/babyRN, RN]

A marginal previa will sometimes migrate back..Also, a low lying placenta does not necessarily negate a lady partsl delivery. A complete previa that remains complete must be a csection....