Placenta issues - desperate for help

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I lost my son 2 years ago this coming Friday. It all started with being told I had placenta previa very early into my pregnancy. I had a lot of bleeding that was attributed to it. Now I know that Previa is not uncommon and most times the placenta moves up....well I never found out because my placenta abrupted in which caused my water to break @ 22 weeks. My son was too young and his lungs were not mature enough...and w/o the amniotic fluid, I was told there was no chance to hold off labor to help. My abruption was attributed to my MTHFR mutation...not the previa....but the word previa and anything to do with my placenta scares the crap out of me.

I'm now having weekly biophysical profiles and ultrasounds to check placenta, fetal growth, and amniotic fluid levels. My last appt was yesterday.

During the ultrasound the tech noted my baby moved from a head down position to a transverse position.....she also noted that I have a "low-lying placenta". It's not cover the cervix, but it close to the opening. She said I may have had it for awhile but they may not have been able to see it due to the baby's position.....which baffles me because I have had numerous Level II ultrasounds...with my OB and my Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist. The tech asked if I was seeing the doctor that day, and I said no, next week. I asked her if it was a problem and she said, "Oh no...you have plenty of time for it to move up"...but she also said, "we need it to move up". So obviously with my son's birth/death anniversary coming up...and the whole (what I consider and issue) low-lying placenta thing going on, I'm in a really sour mood/funk. Everything seemed to be going so smoothly and I wanted it to continue that way.

I know this isn't the worst news...and some wouldn't be concerned at all....but with my history, I worry about everything. I'm just hoping/praying the worst case scenario is that I would have to have c-section. It would break DDs heart she couldn't be there for the birth, but I know she would understand.

Can any of you offer any help/insight? I would really appreciate it. I am currently 29w4d pregnant.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

While no one here can offer you any medical advice (see our Terms of Service as this is prohibited there), I do offer you my best wishes for a safe and joyous outcome and birth experience. All your anxiety and questions are natural and normal. I just cannot help you by giving you an opinion on your medical condition, nor can any member here.

Take care and if you are unsure, always exercise your right to have all your questions answered to your satisfaction by your own OB and/or to also seek a second opinion.

Very much wishing you the best.

deb

Thank you for replying...I appreciate your well wishes.

Can you tell me if this is NOT uncommon? If not, I respect that.

I'm hoping the tech possibly saw it wrong.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

IT is very common for a partial placenta previa to "migrate" up the uterus as it grows, pulling the implanted placenta away from the cervical os. There may be time for this to happen for you, too. I hope so. Try to take it one day at a time, and hope and pray for the best. I know how scary all this is for you---believe me. I feel your pain. I truly wish you the very best.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Also. "techs" do not diagnose these medical conditions/problems. It's up to your Fetal Medicine Specialist and /or Obstetrician to make these calls and to decide, in collaboration with you, the best approach to treatment, if appropriate. NEVER be afraid to ask lots of questions, til all is crystal clear to you, is my best advice.

Hi

I'm not an o/b nurse (that's my long term goal) but I did loose two babies...so I understand your concern.

It is very possible that the placenta will move up. I'd say for now you can rest assured that it's not covering the cervix...and take rest in knowing that you are being seen by specialists.

When in doubt ask ask ask...and the previous poster is right about tech's and diagnosing. I know they know a lot b/c they see it everyday...but don't worry unless you hear it from the doctor him/herself.

I wish you and your baby the best, and I'm so sorry for the loss of your son.

Take care.

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