Due to the sub-chorionic hemorrhage that I had on my 5th week, my gynecologist requested a repeat scan after 2 weeks of medication. The first trimester gave me a very hard time. Morning all day sickness was a pain. I felt obliged to eat for the baby yet I could not eat anything because I would eventually throw up. A lot of times I had to skip work because I really just wanted to sleep the entire day.
On my eight week, it was good to hear that the hemorrhage is already gone! Yey baby! However, we have yet to receive more bad news – the hemorrhage may be gone, but I was now diagnosed with a low lying placenta or placenta previa. This means I need 2 more weeks of total bed rest and that activities should be limited. Sexual contact was still not allowed. The doctor also told me to monitor any bloody discharge and/or abdominal pain that I may have, and if this happens she ordered that I go to the emergency room ASAP. It sounded scary.
When we got home, I immediately researched more about Placenta Previa so that I would be able to further understand my situation. I found this:
Placenta praevia (placenta previa AE) is an obstetric complication in which the placenta is attached to the uterine wall close to or covering the cervix.[1] It can sometimes occur in the later part of the first trimester, but usually during the second or third. It is a leading cause of antepartum haemorrhage (vaginal bleeding). It affects approximately 0.5% of all labours.
Placenta praevia is hypothesized[who?] to be related to abnormal vascularisation of the endometrium caused by scarring or atrophy from previous trauma, surgery, or infection.
In the last trimester of pregnancy the isthmus of the uterus unfolds and forms the lower segment. In a normal pregnancy the placenta does not overlie it, so there is no bleeding. If the placenta does overlie the lower segment, as is the case with placenta praevia, it may shear off and a small section may bleed.
Placenta previa is classified according to the placement of the placenta:
- Type I or low lying: The placenta encroaches the lower segment of the uterus but does not infringe on the cervical os.
- Type II or marginal: The placenta touches, but does not cover, the top of the cervix.
- Type III or partial: The placenta partially covers the top of the cervix
- Type IV or complete: The placenta completely covers the top of the cervix
"The hardest thing is loving someone and then having the courage to let them love you back."
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