At 17 weeks after heavy bright red bleeding and an emergency department visit on a Saturday night I was diagnosed with placenta previa. All the doctors seemed hopeful at the time that the placenta would move up with uterine growth, chances were 90%. I was sent home on pelvic rest and no lifting, and told not to go back to work because of the nature of my job.

I continued to bleed for almost 3 weeks after and was going in for weekly fetal heart rate checks. My doctor said if I was farther along (viable) I would be admitted for monitoring. At the time of diagnosis I already had my anatomy scan scheduled, which timed perfectly for a follow up.

I had my next ultrasound at 21 weeks, I was finally hopeful since the bleeding had stopped. However my placenta hadn’t moved at all. They asked I schedule another ultrasound for 28 weeks.

As my husband and I were checking out and scheduling next appointment the receptionist said perinatology has an appointment with you now. I was thrown off, asked if it was routine, they said yes, but I should have known though.

When the perinatologist came in we were shocked at all he had to say compared to previous doctors. In summary he told us that at this gestation (21) it’s unlikely it will move enough to clear for a vaginal birth. I would be looking at a c section and likely earlier than normal due to bleeding risks. When I asked “so we schedule for 36 weeks vs later?” He replied with I would be lucky to make it to term and we should anticipate a nicu stay. The rational for the change in prognosis was that I had a symptomatic previa (all the bleeding). He said women who have asymptomatic previas that happen to be diagnosed on routine ultrasounds are the women who’s placentas move and can carry to term. For me they expect more bleeding which will require a preterm emergency c section. They asked that we talk about how early we would or wouldn’t resuscitate and what interventions we want for if I go to delivery pre viability. I appreciated his honesty. I’ve worked with docs that sugar coat things which I find completely unacceptable. I’m trying not to become a huge stress case, I’m trying to retain some hope. However when they increased my visit frequency, and to include perinatology from monthly to biweekly and ultrasounds to monthly I knew their concern was real.

I cried like a baby during that appointment. So many thoughts going through my head. I hate my hospitals nicu. It’s the only one in the state without private rooms. It’s not family friendly, and i can’t imagine leaving our baby overnight. We had a hard enough time leaving our dog in the ICU overnight. I’ve worked in our NICU, I know the staff, that’s not my concern. I now work in the Pediatric ICU and have for a long time. I know all the problems that come with preterm babies, comorbidities, what their future looks like, etc and that scared the shit out of me. I know too much. I also didn’t want a c section for my birth plan. I never thought I’d be as bummed about it as I am. I thought I would always say keep mama and baby safe. My c section will also be complicated by an anterior placenta. They’re going to have to gut me like a fish, if they can even get around placenta, they might have to go through it which is even scarier. For better or for worse baby is doing fine, it’s just this goddamn placenta.

I’ve been getting acupuncture throughout my pregnancy for hyperemesis gravidarum. She is now working on lifting my uterus. Maybe it’s snake oil, maybe it will help, it sure can’t hurt.

Well that’s my experience thus far. I appreciate any feedback and experiences.