Understanding Vaginal Bleeding in Early Pregnancy: A Doctor's Perspective

Question
Hello Dr Rappaport,
   I am in my 12th week of pregnancy and im due around Dec 27th.  I am 19 y/o and this is my first child and pregnancy.  Last friday ( 1 week ago) i had laid down on my back and felt a stream of something travel down my backside.  i jumped up because it didnt quite feel like increased discharge.  i quickly ran upstairs to the bathroom and by the time i got there my pants were completely covered with blood.  it was pouring out of me like a stream.  naturally i freaked out thinking i lost the baby.  i didnt have pain, but soon enough pressure started up in my lower abdomen.  so i was sure pain was going to start even though it didnt much at all.  i was rushed to the hospital and after a scan and everything they said the baby was fine and hb was 153 bpm (now 160bpm, this past week, i own a home fetal doppler).  they told me at the hospital that i have complete placenta previa and ordered me to complete bedrest until i have another scan to see if the placenta moved away from my cervix at all.  now they said it "should" move away since im early in pregnancy.  but how long would/does it normally take for the placenta to move? the nurse i had said since i was about to be 12 weeks ( at the time) that the growth would be rapid and that it shouldnt take long.  but how long is that? im freaking out obviously because they basically told me that every move i make matters.  my bleeding has completely stopped finally, but i still get that same pressure i had that night for moments at a time and it sends me back into a panic sometimes.  is there any case where the placenta actually stayed throughout the whole pregnancy from so early in pregnancy? im extremely nervous about this situation.  anything u can give me would greatly be appreciated.  

Sincerely,


Jenn

Answer
If the bleeding has stopped, there is no reason to stay in bet. Usually a complete pleccenta  will stay as a complete previa (covering the cervical os), and you would definitely need to have a cesarean section at term. We would suggest that  you repeat  the sonogram at 22 weeks gestation. If  the scan showed that the placenta started to shift its position, and is either a partial previa or a low lying placenta,you could repeat  the scan in  a few weeks. If the placenta no longer covers the cervical os, you can defitely try a vaginal delivery. Keep up with any bleeding. If you bleed heavily, you will have transfusions. Watch to see if  you are developing and anemia. Discuss everyhin with your doctor.