The 20-week anatomy scan in pregnancy is a turning point for many expecting mothers. It’s the longest ultrasound you’ll have and usually, the technician shows you the (cutest) photos and videos of your growing babe. They’re checking to ensure all fetal development is normal and on track, as well as the health, condition and placement of your placenta. For first-time mothers, it’s all new and uncharted territory, and you may have zero idea what you’re looking at, so when ‘placenta previa’ is mentioned, you may be confused.
And then later, when it’s explained to you, terrified. This is a condition where the placenta covers part or all of the cervix during pregnancy. Placenta previa affects about one in every 200 pregnancies. It will make your pregnancy high-risk, and if you hoped for a vaginal delivery, it may require you to mourn your birth plan. There is a silver lining here: even with placenta previa, you can keep yourself—and your baby—healthy and safe and enjoy your pregnancy.
Whether you’ve just been diagnosed, you’re planning on getting pregnant soon, or just want to be extra prepared for the future, we focus on providing practical placenta previa dos and don’ts.
We will cover how to navigate placenta previa confidently, know precisely what the condition is, what red flags to look for and why it is important to prioritize self-care and finding support.
- Understanding Placenta Previa
- Do’s for Managing Placenta Previa
- Don’ts for Managing Placenta Previa
- Emotional and Psychological Support
Understanding Placenta Previa
Before we get into the actual placenta previa dos and don’ts, you need to understand what the condition actually is. Knowing what placenta previa is and the different types can help you better grasp what to look out for.
What is Placenta Previa?
As we mentioned, placenta previa occurs when your placenta grows in the lowest part of your womb, your uterus, and covers all or some of the openings to your cervix. Why is this a problem? “This is very important as you cannot birth a baby vaginally if the placenta is covering the cervix. In fact, even contractions/labor can be dangerous as if the uterus contracts or the cervix starts to dilate this can lead to bleeding from the placenta,” board-certified OB/GYN, Dr. Jessica Vernon, MD, said.
There are a few different types of placenta previa:
- Complete: The placenta fully covers the cervix
- Partial: The placenta covers part of the cervix
- Marginal: The edge of the placenta is next to the cervix but doesn’t completely block it
If you have placenta previa, your risk of bleeding is high, and it’s a significant concern,
particularly in the third trimester. As your cervix preps for labor, it thins and dilates. In turn, the placenta might start to tear away, causing heavy bleeding. Another risk with placenta previa is preterm labor. If complications arise with the condition, you may need to have an earlier delivery than anticipated.
Causes and Risk Factors
There’s actually no known cause of placenta previa, but there are a few factors that can increase your risk of developing the condition. If you’re 35 or older, you smoke, you’re having twins, triplets or more, you’ve had a D&C or C-section, have a history of uterine fibroids or you’ve been pregnant several times before, you have an increased risk for placenta previa.
Do’s for Managing Placenta Previa
We know this sounds scary, but there are actually a lot of things you can do to navigate it. However, you need to know the do’s and don’ts for managing placenta previa, and there’s actually plenty of things you can do on your own.
Follow Medical Advice
Like anything in pregnancy, the number one recommendation is to listen to medical advice from your healthcare provider. Ensure you’re attending your regular prenatal check-ups so your doctor can monitor your placenta and spot any red flags or warning signs.
If you’re diagnosed with placenta previa, your healthcare provider might want you to come in for additional ultrasounds or appointments to monitor your placenta. Sometimes, it resolves itself and moves away from your cervix. Remember, if you start to see sudden and heavy vaginal bleeding, you should contact your provider immediately.
Prioritize Rest and Self-Care
Throughout pregnancy, it is so important to prioritize rest, no matter where your placenta is located. But with placenta previa, it’s even more important toslow down, take time to just sit or lay down and really focus on listening to your body. You should also avoid any strenuous activities to reduce the risk of bleeding, including sexual intercourse. Really hone in on doing everything you can do to maintain a relaxed state of mind, as this will reduce stress., like breathing exercises, prenatal yoga or meditation.
Dr. Laura Purdy, a board-certified family medicine physician, recommends sleeping on your side, right side preferably, to ensure that no extra strain is applied to the placenta while you’re in a lying position.
Prepare for Delivery
If your placenta previa continues into your third trimester, your doctor will likely recommend you have a C-section delivery. We know this might not be the birth plan you envisioned, but it’s the safest option.
Also, if your doctor informs you of this beforehand, it can give you time to prepare and re-envision what you want your birth to look like. Work with your healthcare team to talk about your preferences for birth. You can include anything and everything, from who you want in the room to what music you want to play to what you want to happen immediately after birth and so much more.
Don’ts for Managing Placenta Previa
While it’s very important to know what to do to manage placenta previa, it’s equally important to know what not to do. You might be doing these things in your everyday life, so knowing what to avoid is essential.
Avoid Physical Strain
We briefly mentioned avoiding any strenuous activity, but we really want to stress that anything putting physical strain on your body can exacerbate your condition. Things like heavy lifting, fast running or any high intensity exercises, are all activities you should avoid. If being active is super important to your lifestyle, we recommend you do low-impact gentle exercises. Going on walks or doing gentle prenatal yoga or stretching are all okay to do and won’t place additional strain on your uterus.
Limit Sexual Activity
If you’re advised by your healthcare providers, you should avoid sexual intercourse. Dr. Vernon explained this also means no fingers, penises or sex toys should be entering the vagina. It can lead to increased bleeding, other complications and it’s also a high intensity activity that can put that extra stress on your body that we don’t want.
Dr. Purdy explains any form of vaginal penetration adds pressure on your pelvic floor. We know it might not be an easy conversation to start, but communicating with your partner is crucial. At the end of the day, your partner wants you and your baby safe and there’s always other ways to get intimacy. You can focus on intimate cuddle sessions, candlelit massages or kissing.
Don’t Ignore Symptoms
Paying attention to your body and its warning signs is crucial. If you experience vaginal bleeding, contractions or intense cramping, contact your healthcare provider right away. It’s so much better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health and that of your baby, especially if you’re having a high-risk pregnancy.
With all of this, it’s also important to remember that you’re not on bed rest. “We no longer routinely recommend bed rest for a lot of pregnancy complications as it may not improve outcomes and may actually put you at risk for things like a blood clot in your legs or lungs,” Dr. Vernon explained. “If you do have an episode of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, which is not enough to necessitate delivery, then your provider will make a plan with you as far as any other additional restrictions in your activity—remember, the goal is to safely make it to 36 to 37 weeks however if you have serious bleeding or labor prior then you will be delivered prior.
Emotional and Psychological Support
We understand that all of this information can feel overwhelming and scary. That’s why emotional support is essential when working through placenta previa. Understanding how to cope and build your support network can make all the difference.
Coping with Anxiety and Stress
If you’ve been diagnosed with placenta previa, you might feel angry, sad, anxious, or even frustrated. But all of these emotions are normal and your feelings are valid. Trying to find a way to manage these emotions is key so they don’t take over your last few months of pregnancy. Talk with your healthcare provider about what you’re feeling. They can answer any questions you have and provide reassurance.
Dr. Vernon suggests that you could also consider seeking emotional support from a therapist or a support group, especially if you notice your emotions persisting long after your initial diagnosis. “There are a growing number of us specializing in this area who want to take care of all of you, not just your baby, not just your physical health, but your mental and emotional wellbeing as well,” Dr. Vernon said.
Building a Support Network
One of the best things you can do throughout your pregnancy, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with placenta previa, is to build a strong and reliable support network. Having your friends, family and healthcare professionals by your side through this journey will help you feel more confident, comfortable and reassured. If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed or uneasy, having a support network by your side to go with you to your appointments or just be a listening ear can make all the difference. Share updates, ask for their advice, or ask them to come with you to appointments; all can be ways to involve them.
Managing placenta previa is hard, but knowing the placenta previa dos and don’ts can improve your chances of a healthy delivery and baby. Remember to listen to medical advice, avoid strenuous activity and sexual intercourse, prepare for the possibility of a c-section and prioritize rest. Lean on your support network during this time. They want to help you, so let them!
By being safe, proactive, informed and seeking support when needed, you can manage placenta previa with confidence.
