what symptoms will i feel if i have placenta previa?

Answer 1

Spotting during the first and second trimesters
Sudden, painless, and profuse vaginal bleeding in pregnancy during the third trimester (usually after 28 weeks)
Uterine cramping occurring with onset of bleeding
Note: Bleeding may not occur until after labor starts in some cases. Labor sometimes starts within several days after initial heavy, vaginal bleeding.

Signs and tests

The uterus is usually soft and relaxed. The infant position is oblique ( // ) or transverse ( == ) in about 15% of cases. Fetal distress is not usually present unless a cord accident occurs, or vaginal blood loss has been heavy enough to induce maternal shock or placenta abruptio.

An abdominal ultrasound performed during the second trimester indicates low positioning of the placenta. Transvaginal or transperineal ultrasound can help physicians determine the position of a low-lying placenta.

Treatment

The course of treatment depends on the amount of abnormal uterine bleeding, whether the fetus is developed enough to survive outside the uterus, the amount of placenta over the cervix, the position of the fetus, the parity (number of previous births) for the mother, and the presence or absence of labor.

Early in pregnancy, transfusions may be given to replace maternal blood loss. Medications may be given to prevent premature labor, prolonging pregnancy to at least 36 weeks. Beyond 36 weeks, the benefits of additional infant maturity have to be weighed against the potential for major hemorrhage.

Cesarean section is the method for delivery. It is the most important factor in reducing maternal and infant death rates.


The probable outcome is excellent when the condition is managed appropriately. This means hospitalizing those at risk who are having symptoms, and performing C-section delivery.

Answer 2

Some women with placenta previa do not have any symptoms; others have sudden, painless vaginal bleeding that ranges from slight to heavy. The blood is often bright red.

Answer 3

You won't "feel" any symptoms per se, but you may experience bleeding later on in pregnancy. If this happens you'll probably be put on bed rest until delivery.