ER Visit

I started feeling some pressure down there on & off this past week. After a few days of it, I phoned the on-call service at my OB’s office. My main fear was that my cervix could be shortening, even though it measured over 4 at my last ultra. The on call doctor referred me to the ER (I hate the ER). 

We ended up at the ER where my practice delivers soon after. The doc there (not part of their practice) did an internal exam and an abdominal ultra. He said my cervix “felt” closed and that baby was actively moving around with a good heartbeat. However, he said he could not get an accurate measurement of my cervical length there…in fact, his exact words were, “they always do it wrong here.” Real comforting to hear about the hospital right?

Anyways, he called the on-call doc at my OB practice and she said I should come in the next day when they open for an accurate measurement. Which, I might add, is what I wanted to do in the first place, but she freaked me out over the phone and encouraged me to go to the ER. Frustrating! 

I called my OB’s early the next day as instructed, and informed the receptionist of what was going on. She tried to tell me they didnt have any openings and would need to send me to the hospital. Um, no! I requested a nurse call me back. After an hour, still no call, I called again. A different receptionist said they were working on it and would call me back. At this point, I was irritated. How do they know how serious my situation is? I think some urgency would be nice. 

Around lunchtime, a nurse finally called me back and said they could get me in that afternoon for a cervical measurement scan. I asked if I would get to speak to someone about the results while I was there. She said no, someone would just call with the results, but that if things were bad, they wouldnt let me leave. Okay, whatever. 

The technician was sweet. She started with an abdominal ultra and I proceeded to tell her that these are not as accurate with cervical measurements. Why do I feel like I need to constantly tell medical personnel what is needed or not? So she said she would do an internal for the length. Thankfully, the cervical length was still over 4, & baby was alive & well. I think he was pretty annoyed (I cant blame him at this point) and wouldnt even look at the camera. 

I figured I was in the clear, until I got a call from the nurse this morning. She asked me if I knew that I have complete placenta previa? Um, no. Well, I do. She said it could be related to the pressure I am feeling down there. She recommended pelvic rest, and modified bed rest. Yep, back to the bed I go! I had a few weeks off from it at least.

I asked her the most important question of all-will this cause me to miscarry? Of course, I would have liked a solid “no” it will not. Instead I got, “nothings guaranteed, but most women who follow the instructions given go on to have successul pregnancies.” From my own research since, it appears that an early diagnosis such as mine is better than a late one. Some other points-

• A c-section is a must (already was happening from my fibroid removal) 
• I could experience painless bleeding at anytime
• This could resolve on its own, as my uterus grows, the placenta could move up with baby 
• If it doesnt resolve, hemmorage during birth is a major concern

I will be getting monitored weekly now instead of bi-weekly. I am thankful everyday for this pregnancy, but honestly cannot wait until December. I have set a smaller goal of getting to 24 weeks, or viability, since December seems so far off. Only 9 more weeks until then. I can do it. 

Please share with me your success stories with complete placenta previa. Thank you!