Being pregnant you constantly feel your body out and if there is anything abnormal you start to worry. Yesterday around 10 I was working with a small group of students when all of a sudden I got major cramps in my lower abdominal area. This was not right, so I called my doctor immediatly to see what I needed to do. They told me to limit my activity, rest, take Tylenol, drink lots of water and call if it got worse. So, I left work and did just what they said...with a baby you take everything to heart.
Around 5 o'clock, I was still hurting and things were not getting better, so I called back. This time they told me to go to the ER and get checked. Shaun and I headed there as fast as we could. Once we were there, they took me back to a room, gave me huge "bucket" of water to drink (they wanted my bladder full) and said they were going to do an ultrasound to see what was going on.
The ultrasound looked good to me (I, of course, am not an ultrasound tech though ). The ultrasound tech did say that she saw some Braxton-hicks, but she was going to send the pictures to the on-call doctor to let him review and then they would update me back in the ER.
Finally the doctor came back in and said that I was experiencing some round ligament pains (which was causing the cramping feeling); however while they were doing the ultrasound they noticed that my placenta was growing over my cervix...not a good thing. They told me to follow through with my OB doctor today, rest (stay out of work until I talk to my doctor), take some Tylenol when needed, and to limit activity.
So, here I am. Resting, limiting my activity, taking Tylenol when needed, and waiting on my OB doctor to call me back...
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally my OB doctor called me back. He said that what I am experiencing is called placenta previa. This is what I was told about it and what I found on the internet...
Placenta previa occurs when the placenta attaches in the lower portion of the uterus instead of in the normal position in the upper more muscular portion of the uterus. Placenta previa is a frequent cause of bleeding during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Some of the symptoms of placenta previa are vaginal bleeding after 20 weeks of pregnancy. This is the primary symptom.
The placenta normally attaches to the upper portion of the uterus which is more muscular and stronger to support the placenta. However, in placenta previa the placenta attaches to the lower portion of the uterus which is weaker, thinner, and more vascular. As you enter your second and third trimester, the cervix begins to thin and stretch in preparation for labor. As this area stretches it can cause the blood vessels to break, therefore causing bleeding. Placenta previa can lead to complications which include placenta abruption, hemorrhaging, preterm labor, anemia for either mother or baby.
The treatment for placenta previa will often correct itself during pregnancy. In the majority of women diagnosed with placenta previa in the second trimester, the placenta will correct itself by the end of the pregnancy. The placenta itself doesn't actually move, but as the uterus stretches it is not as close to the cervix as it was earlier in pregnancy.
If placenta previa, however, does not correct itself there are several things that can be done to manage it. Placenta previa will usually require bedrest and frequent visits to your doctor or hospital. You may be given steroid shots to mature your baby's lungs because you at risk for delivering early. Treatment will vary depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy and whether you have complete, partial, or marginal placenta previa. If you start bleeding or having contractions, you will be hospitalized. Your doctor will want to monitor you baby's heart rate and monitor your vital signs as well. If bleeding stops, your doctor may send you home on bedrest. If bleeding cannot be controlled an immediate cesarean section is given regardless of length of gestation. If bleeding is controlled your doctor will discuss scheduling a cesarean section with you. In most cases of placenta previa that does not correct itself, a cesarean section is necessary due to the location of the placenta.
------------------------------------------------------------------
So, once again I am sitting and resting. We will take each day at a time and pray that my placenta corrects itself throughout my pregnancy. If it does not then we will cross that bridge when we get there. Please pray and keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
2 comments:
Thinking of you, Donna! Adrienne gave me a small update on your day yesterday, so I'm sorry it turned out the way you did, but will be thinking and praying for you to heal and do well going forward!
Sending lots of love and well wishes from the Manders fam!! Hugs!
Post a Comment