QuestionMy last period began on January 23, 2006. I ovulated on Feb. 2, 2006. My OB/GYn has estimated my due date for October 30, 2006.
I went for my 20 week anatomy scan and was told that I have a complete placenta previa. I am 31 and this is my first pregnancy. I have researched the condition on the internet, and I am very scared.
I have a number of questions:
1. What are the chances that a complete placenta previa will resolve itself? I am supposed to go for a follow-up ultrasound at 25 weeks to see if uterine growth causes the placenta to migrate at all.
2. Should I be resticted from exercise, housework, or job activities? I am concerned that job stress and/or carrying heavy files to court could have an adverse outcome on my pregnancy. My OB/GYN hasn't told me to limit my activities other than refraining from sex.
3. At what point should I consider switching to a special high-risk practice?
4. What can I do to try to stay calm during this scary time?
5. Should I cancel our vacation for July 4th weekend? (My husband thinks that I will be fine to go away--but I'm scared. I will be 23 weeks at that point--we are supposed to stay at a B&B that is approx. a 4 hour drive from our apartment. There are some decent hospitals in that area, as well as a good friend of ours who is a nurse).
AnswerAt 20 weeks, if we see a total placenta previa, it usually does not travel away from the cervix. The only problem with a placenta previa is the risk of bleeding during the pregnancy. It is doubtful that the placenta will move away, although it is possible. See what the next sonogram shows. If the placenta migrated away from the cervix, there is nothing to worry about. However, if it remains a complete previa, the only thing to worry about is bleeding. If you start bleeding, get into bed. If you continue to bleed, we would merely keep up with your blood loss and give you iron or blood transfusion. When you reach term, you will have a cesarean section. You do not need any high risk obstetrician. Any general obstetrician can handle a placenta previa and do a cesarean sectionl I agree that you should not have sex, do heavy lifting or exercise. Y ou should not carry heavy flies to court.I would not consider switching to a speical high risk practice. They would not handle the pregnancy any differently than your regular Ob. Just relax.As long as you are not gushing blood, don't worry. If you start bleeding heavily, just call your doctor. There is no reason to panic. There is no reason to cancel your vacation unless you are bleeding heavily. Repeat the sonogram and see what it shows.
