Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Hi Kristen,
    
    I think what your doctor told you you may have is "Placenta Previa".
    I'm not too sure of the statistics, but in many cases the placenta
    *does* migrate back up above the baby.  I know there was a discussion
    on this in V2 and you might want to check it out.  As for activity,
    yes, you should definately take it easy.  But the fact that you haven't
    been spotting so far is a real good sign.  I know some women who have
    been ordered to stay in bed for a month because of placenta previa
    because they overdid it before they knew of the problem.  Bowling,
    water-skiing, etc. just might be considered "a lot of activity".
    
    Hope this problem clears up soon
    
    - Kathryn
    

    Kristen,
    
    One of my good friend, who is currently pregnant with No. 2, also
    has this problem.  Unlike you, she has a lot of bleeding.  Her 
    doctor wants her to avoid most of the activities.  And she has
    taken an ultrasound every month to measure the placenta position.
    She was also told, if by 7 months (she is at her 4th now) things
    are not improved, she may have to stay in bed and will have a
    C-section.    Her situation sounds a lot more serious than yours,
    since you don't have any bleeding.  However, I would still
    recommand you don't overdo the excercise.  
    
    Take care, Wendy

    The reason a Caesarean is done if the placenta is still over the
    uterine opening at the end of the pregnancy is that either the
    streching of the cervical area or the motion of the baby's head 
    is likely to tear the placenta severely, breaking open many of 
    its blood vessels.
    
    When the placenta tears, the blood of both mother and child will
    rush out, most likely killing the child immediately and seriously
    endangering the mother, even with transfusions.  In the old days,
    both would die.
    
    If you have questions, ask the doctor--definitely tell about the
    waterskiing and bicycling!
    
    			-John Bishop

We just learned in our child birth class that the reason you have to
have a c-section with a low placenta is because the placenta would
come out before the baby in a vaginal delivery, thus severing the
baby's "life line" from the mother before the baby could breathe
on his/her own.

-Amy

    One of the things which has to happen in birth is the cutting of
    the connection between mother and baby. The placenta is supposed
    to work up to the time the baby is out, then to detach from the mother
    completely and to cut off the circulation from the baby.  The uterus'
    contractions also help seal off the blood which used to go to the
    placenta from the mother.
    
    Detachment can come too soon for either normal or "previa" location;
    only in the latter case will the placenta come out, but it's
    life-threatening for the baby in either case.
    
    Actually, it's amazing the whole system works as well as it does as
    often as it does--there are so many ways to go wrong!
    
    		-John Bishop

    I heard that waterskiing is one of the worst things you can do.  I
    heard that waterskiing is out.... you might want to ask your doctor,
    but I heard that if water or air get into your uterus, it can 
    cause problems.
    
    Sue

    This can be very serious. When I was pregnant with Kat, it was one
    of the leading causes of maternal death during labor.  But that
    was before ultrasound.  Often the first time it was discovered was
    when it ruptured -- and as John mentioned, both mother and child
    can die quickly from loss of blood and lack of oxygen.  
    
    But when it's diagnosed early on, and you make adjustments to take
    care of it and yourself, the chances of a successful pregnancy are
    very good, but it is a potentially serious problem and it's very
    important to follow your doctor's instructions faithfully, and be
    honest and open about your activities and how you feel -- no
    trying to tough it out.
    
    --bonnie

    I read in one of my pregnacy books that bike riding is not recommended
    once you start showing significantly since your center of gravity has
    changed.  My OB banned water skiing, horseback riding and a few other
    sports as well.  I would tell your OB the sports you are involved in. 
    What may seem like mild activity to you is probably not the same as
    your dr.
    
    marianne

I definitely would not waterski again.  I had already had my sonogram when I
went skiing before, but of course they don't tell you anything there, and send
the report to your doctor.  I didn't know about the "problem" because I hadn't
been back to the doctor yet when I skied.

So yes, waterskiing is out (and so is snow skiing, which I also did earlier
on), but I still would like to bicycle and maybe play some volleyball or
bowl, and definitely walk and swim.  I didn't realize how serious it could be,
though - and if any doctor put me to bed for the duration of the pregnancy
they might as well come get me (in those little white coats) because I will
go BANANAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am definitely stopping at two, and if I ever talk (well, write) about even
a remote possibility of another, please mail me this note!!!!!!!

:-)

    Hello Kristen,
    
    I have too children and with my first one I had "placenta previa".
    Unlike you I had alot of blood and I used to get really scared and
    nervous.
    
    I took it really easy for few months. I can understand that you 
    like physical activity, but having a child is such an important
    thing that you can put your personal interest on one side for
    a little while. 
    
    For months I couldn't even walk and believe me it is terrible to
    stay in bed when you feel like you can hold the world in one
    harm.... But I couldn't think of having an abortion just because
    I wanted to go shopping!!!
    
    Finally one day I went to the OB and after the ultrasound exam
    they saw that the baby had moved the placenta up. They say that
    sometimes when the baby moves, he moves in certain ways that he
    drags the placenta up. 
    
    I do not know if this was a good explanation, I believe it could
    even be a miracle ( a miracle inside the wonderful miracle that giving
    life is ).
    
    I can understand how you feel as I had also to stay in bed for my
    second baby (20 months old) for two months because of miscarriage
    possibility. But I also believe that it is such a responsability 
    and a privilege to give birth to a little one that everything is
    worthed.
    
    Please mail me if you feel down, I know you need all the encouragement
    possible. Please also excuse my English as I am Italian.
    
    Ciao
    
    Marinella
     

    Kristen, I too had placenta previa with my second child, who is
    now 2 years old.  I had no sign of any problem until I reached my
    19th week.  I had just entertained 15 people at my house for Christmas
    and the next day started spotting.  I had an ultrasound and a two
    day stay at the hospital.  They told me then about the placenta
    previa and was told just to take it easy.  Like you, I did not know
    what their definition of taking it easy was.  
    
    One week later I went dancing and started spotting along with bad 
    cramping.  I was hospitalized again for two days and sent on my way 
    with a little sterner warning about curtailing my activities.  I
    was given more information regarding previa at that time.  The nurses
    stressed the danger and told me if I started severe bleeding that
    I would only have 10 minutes to get medical attention before my
    baby's life and my own were in jeopardy.  Needless to say, I really 
    took notice of what I did over the next two weeks.  But two weeks
    later was rushed to the hospital again with severe cramping, spotting,
    and now a slightly torn placenta.  That all occurred after I scrubbed
    my bathtub!
    
    This time the doctor took me out of work, told us to continue sending
    my older child to fulltime daycare, told me I could climb a set
    of stairs twice a day, and could only get out of my reclining chair
    or bed to go to the bathroom.  I had to live my life like this for
    10 weeks.  
    
    Once I reached 32 weeks the ultrasound showed that my placenta had
    moved upward and I was allowed a little more freedom....like going
    out to eat one night, going for a car ride, and I was even allowed
    to have my boy stay home with me two days a week.
    
    I delivered my child at naturally at 40 weeks and 2 days.  He was
    10 lbs 9 oz and very healthly.  Yes, this was the worse time of
    my life but also the best when I finally got to hold the baby that
    I felt was extra special because he almost wasn't.
    
    I DEFINITELY would get EXPLICIT information about what kind of activity
    you are allowed.  In my case, the further my pregancy went along,
    the more fragile the placenta became.  Good luck,
    
                               marty wilcox

Thanks for all the replies (and mail messages) so far.  I had no idea how
common it was, or how dangerous it could be.  This pregnancy has been so easy
for me I often forget I'm pregnant (which means I forget to eat right, take
my vitamins, etc..... )-:).  It just hasn't slown me down yet, and I hate to
think that it might slow me down even though I have no "symptoms" of problems!

Does this condition cause fainting?  Saturday morning I was cooking in my
crock pot and Kati was standing on a chair watching me.  I remember feeling
really light-headed and the next thing I knew I woke up on the floor and Kati
had tears streaming down her face and was yelling "Mommy mommy!"   I broke one
toe and bruised my whole body - I have no idea how the fall went, but I must
have hit the counters or dishwasher on my way down.   So far that's the only
unusual thing that has happened to me.

I will definitely ask my doctor about activities the next time I go, and about
why I fainted.  And hopefully this baby will move up SOON!!!!!

Thanks,
Kristen

    Kristen,
    
    I don't know if your condition increases your likelihood of fainting.
    However, I had fainting spells during my pregnancy (esp months 5-6)
    and it was a "normal" pregnancy.  The doctor told me that fainting,
    lightheadedness is an occasional problem usually seen when standing
    up from a sitting position too quickly, getting out of bed, etc.-
    none of which I was doing when I had the dizzy spells.   I believe
    that my problem was in part caused by overheating...I had to wear
    only cotton, lightweight clothes and absolutely no pantyhose!
    
    Carol

    
    I know others have already said this, but one more chiming in
    doesn't hurt :-)  My doctor ruled out water-skiing, snow-skiing,
    horseback riding, skydiving, hang-gliding, hot tubs and saunas.
    Bike riding gets dangerous because your center of gravity changes
    and makes dangerous falls more likely.  Swimming and walking were
    the activities he recommended.
    
    Bev
    

    Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me on the follwing subject?
    
    I had an ultrasound done in early September which showed a breech baby
    and that my placenta was blocking my cervix. 
    
    I had another ultrasound done two weeks ago, that showed the baby and
    turned on it's side (transverse  I think) and that the placenta had
    moved a little, to the side, and was not blocking the cervix anymore.
    
    I had one more ultrasound done yesterday, this showed the baby was in
    the correct position, but the placenta was still low, laying next to
    the cervix opening instead of over it.
    
    My doctor said it looks like a natural childbirth at this point.  
    
    Problem:  I'm concerned about all the things I've been hearing about
    low placenta = C-section and that my doctor says I can try to deliver
    naturally. 
    
    Questions:  Have any of you delivered (natural) with a low placenta?  
    Are there any risks delivering natural with a low placenta. What if the
    placenta ruptures/tears during delivery?  Does the placenta move when
    the cervix dialates?... or does it stay in the same positon, therefore
    blocking some of the opening?  Is there any danger to me or my little
    one?  
    
    I'd love to deliver naturally, but not at risk to me or my baby! Any 
    comments would be appreciated.
    
    Heike 
    (due in 3 1/2 weeks)
      
    

	I changed the title of this note to reflect that fact that it "drifted"
into dicussing all aspects of Placneta Previa not just allowable activity 
levels. 

Tracey
Parenting co-mod

    Does anyone know what's up with Kristen?  Or, Kristen, are you still
    waiting and reading??
    
    cj/
    

    My neighbor delivered naturally a couple of years ago with a low
    placenta -- they gave her two ultrasounds during labor to make
    sure it was still in place, and I think she said she had the
    internal monitor on the whole time.  So it wasn't quite as easy as
    her other labor, but she didn't have any problems.
    
    Did you ask your doctor about the risks?  It sounds like s/he
    would be in the best position to tell you whether there's
    additional risk and what precautions he's planning to take.
    
    --bonnie

    re: .18
    
    Yes, I did ask the doctor.  She said it's a marginal thing right now.  
    She doesn't seem to be too worried, I've just heard that most low 
    placenta's mean definite C-section.  I just want to be prepared for 
    what could happen.
    
    Heike
    

    re: .19
    
    Heike,
    
    Yes, I can understand your worry. 
    
    I think as long as the placenta is far enough away from the cervix
    to allow the baby to pass safely, natural delivery is okay.  If
    the baby has to go too near it, it increases the likelihood of
    rupture and then they'd want to do the C-section, but as long as
    it's out of the way, I don't think it really matters where it is.  
    Even a high placenta can tear or come loose prematurely.
    
    --bonnie