Placenta previa

[Kimbo80]

Hi all

At my 20 week scan I was told I had placenta previa, which means the placenta was blocking the “exit”

I was told early doors that my placenta was at the back, but I initially thought this was great, as I was able to feel the baby move in my tummy a lot sooner.

Before this was diagnosed, I had awful lower back ache and the top of my left leg went like it was numb with frost bite at around week 16 and I struggled to walk on that leg at all at times, which I’m thinking looking back, this is because the placenta was pushing on my back and trapping nerves running down my leg.

I need to have another scan in January when I’m 32 weeks and 1 day, I will be told if it has moved up naturally (I’ve been told this can happen) or if it’s still in the same position.

If it is I have been warned that I will need a caesarean and may have to give the baby medicine (steroids?) by injecting myself.

I’m currently 24 weeks and 3 days now and still have the pain/frost bite feeling at the top of my left leg, although not as severe as previous, I take it to mean that the placenta has not moved yet.

I desperately want a “normal” birth so both my mum and partner can be there (I’ve been told you are only allowed one person in the room for caesarean so my mum will not be able to come in as well) approaching 40 it has taken so so long to get here and have our first baby and wanted to experience child birth like everyone else does, pain sweat tears, the lot!

Has anyone else had this, the same symptoms as me, and has it moved up so you were able to have a normal birth?

I would love to hear your stories, good and bad, worts and all

Thank you xx

[recidwen]

Three of my friends had this and it moved for all of them...this is the issue with too many scans on the NHS system. Don't let the fear take away the enjoyment of your pregnancy. xxxx

[Kimbo80 in reply to recidwen]

Thank you. That’s good to know xx

[Boo718]

Hiya my sister had this and it moved literally a few days before her little one was born xxx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Kimbo. Baby is almost fully developed now, so will just be getting bigger. Often as baby grows the placenta can get pulled up as the womb stretches. Any steroid injections that you may need will just be to mature/protect babies lungs, in case of an early delivery. I don't know, but if here was a "real" problem, you would be bleeding, which often happen when it grows over the cervix. Fingers crossed all works out well for you. Thinking of you. Dane

[CharlieR83]

Hi Kimbo, I also have placenta previa and felt my 20 week scan was ruined by this news as they really scared me with cesarean talk and having a bleed before due date etc. I read up on it and was convinced it would move up as 90% do apparently. I'm now 34 weeks and it unfortunately hasn't:(( so I've prepared myself that I will be having a cesarean and they want to deliver at 37 weeks, consultant said I will probably need 2 steroid injections couple of days before to mature her lungs but given by the hospital 24 hours apart. They have scanned every few weeks to keep an eye and all has been fine. At the end of the day I feel it's probably best to have a planned cesarean rather than needing an emergency one for some reason during labour! It's a shame only one person can come in with you but your mum can be right outside waiting for you. Best of luck xx

[Kimbo80 in reply to CharlieR83]

I’m 33 weeks now and still hasn’t moved. How did you get on since you last spoke? Is your baby here now x

[Mystic9]

Majority of low lying placentas will move so try not to worry, and you can't do anything about it anyway. I don't think your pain has anything to do with your placenta, it probably is the weight of your uterus on your nerves or growing ligaments.

If you do need to have steroids they could be injection or tablet depending on what your hospital use, but they will sort that for you. They are given to anyone having a planned delivery prior to 39 weeks.

Speak to your GP or midwife if you are worried x

[Lolepops]

Hi I had my 20 week scan and was told I have the same as you . They didn’t really tell me much and seemed pretty much certain that it will move so I didn’t think too much about it . I have obviously googled it since then so I kind of know what to expect . This is my second pregnancy ( both ivf ). My first pregnancy my waters broke at 30 weeks and I had to have steroids in case I went into labour but I didn’t . I was induced at 36 weeks . Try not to worry as it sounds like in most cases it does move . I’ve asked lots of people and they said they had it and it moved up by the 32 week scan xx