Hi Everyone,
So it's looking like I have a low lying placenta and may not be able to give birth naturally. I'm 26 weeks and still very hopeful that it might get it's butt into gear and move on over so I can experience natural birth but it hasn't moved the last three scans. I am mentally preparing myself for what might be a c section. I'm a first time mum so I'll be pretty bummed if I can't try the natural way but obviously in the end all I want is my healthy boy to come out the best way. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this same experience? Did you book in for your c section prior to 40 weeks? What is the recovery post c section like? I'm a little stressed as my partner will only have two weeks off and I've been told that c section recovery can be quite brutal. Thanks in advance!
Low Lying Placenta
Thursday, 10 September 2015 - 07:53
Low Lying Placenta
Posted in:
Pregnancy
9 Replies
I had the same problems with my daughter. Because I wasn't made fully aware of it I ended up having a small bleed and told to be on bed rest (I want to absolutely stress here that because I bled it doesn't mean you will so please don't worry!!) That was at 28 weeks and they told me they would look at taking her between 36 and 38 weeks if nothing happened before then. Basically we took it week by week, having check ups every week to see where she was at. I ended up having her at 38 weeks via c-section. My recovery went well- my partner only had a week off but I had family around as well that would check in on me and help me out. Just take it gently and see how you go, don't worry about accepting or asking for help from others but you'll be amazed at how resilient our bodies can be :)
They will book you in before 40 weeks because they want to avoid you going into labour. A planned c section is very different to an unplanned one so recovery can be slightly different (yours will be planned which is better usually).
Both my sisters had planned c sections due to various medical conditions and by the end of week one they could manage the baby on there own. That doesn't mean they were getting housework done but not many new mums even with vbacs don't need a few weeks to get there feet on the ground and recover properly.
Sorry I haven't had experience with the placenta so no advice but I have had 2 emergency c sections.
Most important thing is to get moving as soon as you can after it. Hurts like hell for the first day or so but take the pain killers and move around. It speeds recovery so much more If you do. Don't move too much but short walks help. I've been back to normal and driving within 2 wks both times. A friend refused to move out of bed for 5 days even with midwives trying to make her and she ended up in a bad way as it all locked up as the cut wasn't moving or stretching.
It's not as scary as it sounds. Yes I know some women have horrible experiences but the majority are ok after
Thank you ladies, always good to hear from people who have been through it. I think they will up my scans from now on to keep an eye on it and see what happens. Thanks again!
Same problem here, mine moved up just enough at 37 weeks. I ended up with a c/s anyway (failure to progress/mec baby). It will be less stressful knowing your date and being booked in (not less disappointing I know). Get up and about asap, it's not a dignified walk to the shower the morning after but do it anyway. Take it easy and don't push to hard, don't stress about dh going to work. I sent mine back to work after 3 days, he kept watching me sitting on the couch doing nothing and it was bugging me lol. You'll be ok, without another to run around after you will be able to recover at your own pace.
Thanks, I think knowing the date will make it a lot less stressful for sure. Yes, I think I would go insane if my partner sat and stared at me but I might just put him to some hard labour doing the yard :p
Sounds like a great idea lol. Best of luck :)
I understand your disappointment about not experiencing natural birth. I didn't have low-lying placenta but my daughter was breech and just never turned, even with an ECV. So in the end I had a planned cs at 39 weeks. I partly dealt with that disappointment by hoping I would get a second chance but now at 31 weeks with number two still the wrong way up (and certainly not planning on more) I'm trying to deal with the fact that I may never get the chance.
Anyway, as some posters have said, recovery from a planned cs is often easier but they do usually schedule earlier than due date to try to avoid labour for certain conditions. I found that after two weeks I could do the basics with my daughter but I certainly had to set low expectations in terms of housework etc. And accept any offers of help. Gentle movement is good but not too much weight or bending (maybe make sure you have a bassinet or something not too low to be lifting baby from rather than a full cot from the start.
In terms of driving I think I did that a wee bit at 4 weeks. My OB said the main thing is that you have to be sure that if it came down to it, you wouldn't hesitate to brake heavily if you had to.
Not sure whether you'll check back here to see this - but here goes anyway! I'm a midwife and felt the need to share some reliable information. 26 weeks is far too early for any doctor or midwife or sonographer to be able to know whether a low lying placenta is low enough to be concerning. Generally, that call is made after a re-scan at about 34 weeks. Or if you bleed in the meantime, and a severely low lying placenta is identified (e.g. grade 4 placenta previa, placenta completely covering the internal part of your cervix) then they will continue to scan to ensure all is well as the pregnancy continues. If you were haemorrhaging and baby or you were in danger, they would do an emergency caesarean. Many, many, MANY women have a low lying placenta in those first few scans, and the vast majority go on to find that their placenta is no longer low lying. Only about 0.5% of women have placenta previa at term, and only a few of those are severe. Having said all of that, you may well be one of those women! And do you know what? It's managed really well. If it's severe, you'll be given instructions on what you should do to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your baby. Caesareans are as exciting and beautiful as any birth can be, especially when it's not unexpected. Your recovery is unpredicable, but my advice is to keep up with regular pain relief, and it's very important to keep up with stool softeners too so you don't end up clogged up from the medications. And don't be discouraged, most women who have caesareans are fine to attempt a VBAC for the next birth. You're more likely to be successful with good support; educate yourself and your support people. But that's all a long way down the track, just try to enjoy this pregnancy in the here and now, and wait for that placenta to move out of the way :)