Placenta Previa. Anyone else?

Question

FTM here, almost 29 weeks.  I’ve had a pretty uneventful pregnancy so far luckily and am not considered high risk.  At my 20 week scan they said everything looked great but the placenta was a “tad low”, but wasn’t covering the cervix (yay!).  They wanted to re-evaluate at 28 weeks just to make sure it rose, and had high expectations for it to do so.  
Welp, just had my US today, and it went the complete opposite direction and is now totally blocking the cervix (Placenta Previa).  They recommend a monthly US until the baby is born to evaluate, see if it rises at all, etc.  But it’s almost guaranteed I will need a c-section.  I know there are pros and cons to both vaginal delivery and c-section.  I’m a little disappointed, but not terribly upset.  On one hand I would like to experience the excitement of going into labor, rushing to the hospital, initial contractions, etc rather than a scheduled procedure.  On the other hand, I wasn’t looking forward to the pain of long labor, delivery, vaginal tearing, etc.  
Anyone currently have or had placenta Previa?  Insights? Advice?
Also, I was looking into what to pack “down-there-care”-wise in my hospital bag for a vaginal delivery.  But now that I’m likely looking at a c-section, any tips on what to pack, or get, to prepare and provide post-op comfort?

Answer

I’m 29 weeks, and I don’t have placenta previa, but my placenta is low enough that my doctor is treating it the same way unless it moves up another 2 cm. I’ll have another ultrasound at 34 weeks, and if it hasn’t moved by then they are scheduling my c section. Like you I’m not totally bummed, but I am a tad disappointed

Answer

For c section, I loved these dresses/nightgowns because it didn’t put any pressure on the incision. And hopefully you will have an easier time with the c section since your body won’t be going into labor AND doing the c section. Good luck!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07C6176DK?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Answer

Following this post because I’m in a very similar situation. I’m a partial previa however. My placenta needed to move 1 cm 5 weeks ago and still hasn’t so I have another ultrasound in two weeks to reassess. I have this gut feeling however that I will need a c section. I’m due Valentine’s Day so I’m a bit let down I wanted a February baby but as long as my baby is healthy that’s all that truly matters. And I know what you mean about the excitement of labour and water breaking and everything I’ve just been trying to think about it differently like for example having a scheduled c section we could pick his birthday (for the most part) we can be more prepared for his arrival, no surprises no long labour. Etc.

Answer

I have my next Placenta previa ultrasound in early January, if it is blocking the cervix then they'll schedule an C-section in week 36.. haven't really got any tip on how to prepare, sorry :(

Answer

UPDATE:  Had my appt today with my Obgyn to discuss the US, diagnosis of placenta previa, discuss what we do going forward, answer questions, etc.  They will be doing another US at 34weeks and one at 36weeks to see if the placenta migrates away from the cervix. She said there is still a chance it will, and she recently had a patient where it finally migrated away at 36weeks and she had a normal delivery. So for planning/preparation purposes we are scheduling the c-section for 37 weeks.  If at the 36 week US they find that the placenta migrated away from the cervix, then the surgery will be cancelled and I will wait for normal labor and delivery.
Another interesting thing that I wasn’t aware of.  She explained that for non-labor c-sections, the baby often needs extra assistance transitioning to outside the womb.  So will often spend at least the first night in the NICU following delivery with a c-pap machine.  Male babies apparently for some reason tend to have a more difficult time than female babies transitioning.
Hope this information helps some of you going through the same thing!

Placenta Previa. Anyone else?

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