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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffPregnancy is supposed to be a time of awe and anticipation. If you're diagnosed with placenta previa, you're sure to be worried about how your condition will affect your baby. Some of these strategies may help:
- Learn about placenta previa. Gathering information about your condition may help you feel less scared. Talk to your health care provider, do some research on your own and connect with other women who've had placenta previa.
- Prepare for a C-section. Placenta previa may prevent you from delivering your baby vaginally. Ask your health care provider every C-section question that comes to mind. If you're disappointed that you may not have a vaginal birth, remind yourself that your baby's health and your health are more important than the method of delivery.
- Make the best of bed rest. If your health care provider recommends bed rest, fill your days by planning for your baby's arrival. Read about newborn care or purchase newborn necessities, either online or from catalogs. Or use the time to balance your checkbook, organize old photo albums or catch up on thank-you notes.
- Take care of yourself. Surround yourself with things that bring you comfort, such as a good book or a favorite pair of pajamas. Give your partner, friends and loved ones concrete suggestions for ways to help, such as bringing a favorite food or simply stopping by for a visit.
A condition that could cause excessive bleeding before or during delivery isn't part of any mother's vision of the perfect pregnancy. Yet most women who have placenta previa go on to deliver a healthy baby — which is far better than a perfect pregnancy.
- Lockwood CJ, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of placenta previa. http://www.uptodate.com/hom. Accessed April 17, 2009.
- Sakornbut E, et al. Late pregnancy bleeding. American Family Physician. 2007;75:1199.
- Zeltzer JS. Vaginal bleeding in late pregnancy. In: Rakel RE, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2008. 60th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/132444171-3/831220627/1621/508.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4435-2..50256-9_4080. Accessed April 17, 2009.
- Lockwood CJ, et al. Management of placenta previa. http://www.uptodate.com/hom. Accessed April 17, 2009.
