Possible placenta previa?

Question

I just posted a question a couple of days ago....but I have some more questions. My next sonogram isn't scheduled until the 10th of April....and I don't want to be seem before then...(too many visits...) um....I did mention something about mucous with some blood....and just recently I've been having a lot of pressure in my pelvic area....and it hurts when I have intercourse...I know that personal....but I'm just curious....every so often (throughout the day) I get sharp pains in my abdomine.....I was wondering if anybody knows what may be wrong? If it could be placenta previa? The only reason I thought about it possibly being placenta previa is because a nurse mentioned something about it when I called the hospital about the mucous....I have had a previous c-section before...and that does pose a risk for a possible placenta previa in a later pregnancy. Please if you have any information...I would really appreciate your comments/ advice

Answer 1

Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding in the second half of pregnancy is the main sign of placenta previa. This bleeding usually occurs near the end of the second trimester or the beginning of the third. The amount of bleeding may range from light to heavy. And it may stop, but it nearly always recurs days or weeks later.

Some women with placenta previa experience contractions with bleeding. In addition, some women have light bleeding or spotting during the first trimester or early second trimester. Today, most cases of placenta previa are discovered by a routine ultrasound, done as part of your prenatal care, before any bleeding takes place.


Placenta previa occurs when the embryo implants in the lower part of the uterus and then grows to cover the exit. Doctors and researchers don't understand why this happens. They hypothesize that the condition may be related to:

Scars in the lining of the uterus (endometrium)
A large placenta, such as in multiple pregnancy
An abnormally shaped uterus


The most significant risk factor for placenta previa is a previous Caesarean birth. However, other factors may also increase your risk of developing the condition:

Having had placenta previa before
Having had other children
Being age 35 and older
Smoking
Carrying twins, triplets or more

If you're pregnant, seek regular prenatal care. If you experience any vaginal bleeding during your second or third trimester, call your health care provider right away. Your health care provider will want to perform an ultrasound to determine if you have placenta previa or some other condition.

If you have already been diagnosed with placenta previa, make sure that any health care provider you see during pregnancy is aware of the condition. This news will change the care you receive. For example, women with placenta previa usually don't have digital vaginal exams, because even the gentlest vaginal exam can trigger severe bleeding. For the same reason, you'll probably be advised to avoid sexual intercourse, exercise and certain medications. Make sure to discuss do's and don'ts with your doctor.

Answer 2

When you had your sonogram did the Dr say anything about placenta previa?

If you have placenta previa, it means that your placenta is lying unusually low in your uterus, next to or covering your cervix. The placenta is the pancake-shaped organ — normally located near the top of the uterus — that supplies your baby with nutrients through the umbilical cord.

I didn't read your other question so I don't know how far along you are. Mucous with some blood sounds like mucous plug to me.

Answer 3

It could be a "low lying placenta" or "placenta previa" .. I had this!
I started bleeding bright red blood at 15 weeks .. went to the ER (hystrical, because I thought I was losing my baby) .. they did an ultrasound, baby was perfect and the bleeding was because I have a "low lying placenta". I then (for 4 weeks) continued spotting brown. It does not affect the baby whatsoever. The doctor said 96% of people who have a "low-lying" placenta in early pregnancy will clear itself up and will be perfect by full term and will have a normal vaginal delivery. Worse case scenerio is that if the placenta doesn't move up (from your uterus expanding as your tummy grows) .. then in that 4% you will have to have a c-section. But you will still have a healthy baby :)
I then went in for my 18 week ultrasound .. and no more low-lying placenta!! it was completely normal!! no spotting .. nothing! it was as if I never had it :)
I've known SEVERAL women who had this (some spotted, some didn't) and EVERY one of them cleared up by term and deliverd their babies vaginally! It's so very common in early pregnancy. Don't stress about it. I stressed myself retarded when it happend to me. I'm now 24 weeks pregnant with a very healthy baby boy!
Hang in there .. and relax :)

**PS - everytime I started to spot .. I would lay on my left side .. that seemed to make the bleeding stop, and it eventually went away for good **

good luck! God bless

Answer 4

I don't know the details of your pregnancy, but if I were you, I would go to the hospital. It was thought that I might have placenta previa and my doctor wrote me an order to get into the hospital STAT. This is your safety and your baby's life, don't wait because you are making "too many visits." Trust me, all the visits and the trouble will be worth it if you can save your baby!!!

Answer 5

Bel - Placenta previa is a very serious condition that can put you and your baby at risk. Your doctor is there for your sake. You need to protect yourself! Call your doctor or the nurse at your OB/GYNs office right away to discuss this. Waiting may have serious consequences. For now - avoid intercourse if you do have this condition or have ruptured membranes this isn't good for you. Good luck!