Expert: Catherine Beier MS CBE - 4/27/2009

Question
I am 33 weeks along in my pregnancy.  About week 21 I was diagnosed with a complete placenta previa.  The previa has not migrated and I am still a complete previa.  The doctors told me I would have to have a C-section.  They also told me they did not want me to have any signs of labor.  I am told they want to do an amniocenteisis week 36 and deliver my baby the next day.  I have a few questions.  The first being is that too soon for my baby to be born?  Second, why don't they want me to labor?  And finally, what exactly are they looking for when looking at the amino fluid?

Answer
Pilar,

Let's tackle one question at a time.

"Is that too soon for the baby to be born?"

 -That is what the amnio will tell you.  It will be used to check for lung maturity.  However, results are not always accurate and can indicate that a baby is ready to be born when it truly isn't.  But, with a complete placenta previa, the risks of complications are much higher so it outweighs the risk of having a preterm baby.


"Why don't they want me to labor"

-With a complete previa, this means the placenta is covering the cervix.  If you were to start contracting in labor, this could cause the placenta to separate from the uterine wall, causing bleeding for you and cutting off oxygen to the baby, increasing the odds of serious side effects for your baby.


They want to keep you and the baby safe by preventing any of these complications from starting if you went into labor on your own.


"What exactly are they looking for when looking at the amino fluid"

-I addressed this in your first question, but they are checking for lung maturity to ensure that the baby is ready to be born.  If the results of the amino are not favorable, then they may want to wait a few more days if possible to allow the baby to mature or they may give you steroids to develop the baby's lung more quickly.





Best,
Catherine