thread: placenta 'slowing down'

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    pakenham, victoria
    3,660

    placenta 'slowing down'

    hi guys after some advice/need to verbally spew.

    Had what was ment to be my last OB appointment today before my induction next week. upon examination, baby is 'miles away' from my cervix and my cervix has only just started to move forward and is still a few cm's long.
    Ob said he's hesitant to induce me with gels because of the higher risk of csection and would rather we wait until my cervix is good to go. fair enough.
    he left the desicion up to me and said if we still want to go ahead as planned thats fine. i requested another examination on tuesday to see where we're at and go from there as i know things can change quickly.
    he said that was a great idea.

    FFW had a growth and heart scan immediatly after and the ob requested i come in on tuesday for monitoring because the cord blood flow is slower than they'd like to see. we always knew this could be a possibility being a diabetic.

    So my question is, has anyone been induced with a high up bub and a cervix not really optimal? how did it turn out?
    i'm happy to wait but this placenta slowing down business has gotten me really worried, does anyone know what sort of risks are involved with letting it go on for longer?
    i know the best people to talk are the professionals next week but was hoping someone would have some advice.
    trying to work out which risk is greater, less than optimal induction or running a slow placenta?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jun 2009
    913

    Hi Hun,

    Hugs! So hard to make these decisions.

    I was 12 days over when was induced. 13 days over when he was born. He never engaged - I ended up with an emergency c section as he went into distress when I had an epi. He was even still sitting quite high when they pulled him out. I desperately wanted a natural birth but in the end was just so relieved to be holding my happy, healthy baby.

    Sending good labour thoughts your way!

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Melbourne
    3,715

    If they are truly concerned about placental function then you should be having regular monitoring (I mean every day or two). Has anyone talked about this? I think to make your decision you need to know just how serious your placental issue is. It doesn't sound at all like your body is favourable for induction, but I do understand your worry about leaving bub in there too (have had an IUGR baby myself). Perhaps the placenta is trotting along okay, and it's not too bad, they're just being cautious?

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    pakenham, victoria
    3,660

    they didnt actually say how bad it was. i requested to come in on the tuesday because i was already going to be there.
    ur right if it was a huge concern id be there tomorrow or saturday i guess. it just doesnt sit right with me. how long can a placenta be slow for before it becomes a serious problem IYKWIM??

  5. #5
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Nov 2005
    Langwarrin. Victoria
    1,654

    I can't answer your question but i do know I would be ringing them tomorrow and asking more information....you can request more monitoring hun, if you are worried tell them and ask to come in earlier, the fetal monitoring unit is open 7 days a weeks and late hours and the birthing unit staff have access to their equipment after hours a well, maybe if you can contact chris tippett and get her input.....I dunno, it must be pretty scary for you.....

    ETA: Forgot to add these

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    pakenham, victoria
    3,660

    i rang them and they said if the ob was happy for me to wait till tuesday then everything should be fine. not really what i was hoping for but ah well

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    Melbourne
    4,031

    My GF had a placenta that was no functioning well as well. She was monitored daily and then the OB decided she was no longer comfortable going along any further and booked her in for the induction the next day. She was
    37wks at the time and she ended up with a birth that was beautiful.

    Good luck skybie, whenever you don't feel right, I would be ringing for re-assurance

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Sunny Qld
    14,682

    DD1's placenta and cord weren't functioning well by 41 + 6 and the OB said she was working 5 times harder to get oxygen through - so had a c-section the next day (cos I couldn't be induced being a VBAC person!) so I would think that if they are worried about your placenta and cord, then they should monitoring it to see the rate that its getting worse at.