Wednesday, August 12, 2009

On Ken Binay's Death, Placenta Previa, Bedrest, and Placenta Accreta

After seeing the news about Mayor Jejomar Binay's daughter-in-laws death last Tuesday due to a pregnancy complication, all the more I got scared about my own condition. Ever since I was in the third month of this pregnancy, I was experiencing placenta previa. I even blogged about it here. And now that I'm already on my 7th month, I'm quite sure that the placenta is still there partially covering my cervix because of the spotting that I'm experiencing 'til now.

So, what really caused Ken Binay's death, yup that's the name of Mayor Binay's daughter-in-law? According to news, she died of hemorrhaging. She suffered from profused bleeding after giving birth to her 7-month baby girl via C-section. She had a really difficult pregnancy, on which prior to her death, she had a month of bedrest at the hospital.

Bedrest. Agh, that same word has been a part of my pregnancy as well since I've learned that I had placenta previa totalis. And after my last prenatal checkup, I was told by my OB to already file a leave from the office and have bedrest until I give birth. But then, I don't want to file a leave because that also means no salary for me for months. Good thing, I have a very considerate boss there who allowed me to work from home. So, beginning tomorrow, I'll be hitting two birds with one stone - work from home and bedrest at the same time.

Anyway, enough about me. Now, why did I mention about placenta accreta? It's because in Ken's case, that's what triggered her bleeding according to news. I became very curious about that term after watching TV Patrol, so I immediately searched more information about it. Here, let me share it to you:

What Is Placenta Accreta and How Will It Effect You?

Placenta AccretaMost women don’t really think about the placenta while they are pregnant and many don’t realize just how big a role it plays in the development of your baby. So for the same reason many of you probably wouldn’t have an idea of what happens when the placenta does not function as it should.

During a normal pregnancy the placenta attaches to the uterine wall, however there is a condition which may occur if the placenta attaches itself too deeply into the wall of the uterus. This condition is known as placenta accreta, placenta increta, or placenta percreta - and this usually depends on how severe the and how deep the placenta attaches itself. This itself is not a very common issue in pregnancies though, and usually only occurs 1 in every 2,500 pregnancies.

What are the differences between Accreta, Increta and Percreta?

The difference between the three is determined by how bad the attachment to the uterine wall is.

Placenta Accreta occurs when the placenta attaches too deep in the uterine wall but it does not penetrate the uterine muscle. This is the most common accounting for approximately 75% of all cases.

Placenta Increta occurs when the placenta attaches even deeper into the uterine wall and does penetrate into the uterine muscle. This accounts for approximately 15% of all cases.

Placenta Percreta occurs when the placenta penetrates through the entire uterine wall and attaches to another organ such as the bladder. This is the least common of the three conditions accounting for approximately 5% of all cases.

What Causes Placenta Accreta?

Although no one actually knows what causes it – it can be related to both placenta previa and previous cesarean deliveries.

Placenta accreta is present in 5% to 10% of women with placenta previa and the chances of having placenta accrete increases with each c-section – with multiple cesareans being present in over 60% of placenta accreta cases.

Are There Risks For Your Baby?

In most cases premature delivery and subsequent complications are the primary concerns for your baby with bleeding during the third trimester being an indication that there is a possibility that placenta accreta exists.

There are however risks which you may face if you have this complication. The main concern is hemorrhaging during manual attempts to detach the placenta. Severe hemorrhaging can be life threatening. Other concerns involve damage to the uterus or other organs during removal of the placenta. Hysterectomy is a common intervention, but as I am sure you know this results in the to conceive.

What is the Best Treatment For Placenta Accreta?

Unfortunately there is nothing which can be done to prevent it and there is little that can be done for treatment once placenta accreta has been diagnosed.

If you have been diagnosed with placenta accreta your healthcare provider will monitor your pregnancy with the intent of scheduling a delivery and using a surgery that may spare the uterus. You should discuss this option with your healthcare provider should you choose to have more children down the line.

Unfortunately, placenta accreta may be severe enough that a hysterectomy may be needed. Again, it is important to discuss surgical options with your healthcare provider.

Source: www.pregnancy-calendars.net
If placenta previa already scares me, well this placenta accreta scares me more. So I must admit that the news really affected me so much, and now I'm thinking what if...But erase, I don't want to entertain negative thoughts anymore because that won't do me and my baby any good. For now, I'll focus on my own case, take the bedrest really seriously, and see my OB as frequent as possible.

8 comments:

Janelle said...

My first reaction when I learned about Ken Binay's death was anger. Anger because I don't understand how it could happen: she was at a good hospital and I'm sure, attended by the best doctors there. That was not enough to save her? Anger because I was scared as well. I was also diagnosed with previa during my third month and was experiencing bleeding going into my 3rd trimester. So I guess you can imagine how I felt everytime I keep hearing on the news that she died because of "bleeding". I'm already on my 8th month of pregnancy and received good news after my ultrasound last weekend... my placenta has moved upwards and the previa has corrected :) I can rest my troubled mind now. I pray for the same for you too.

Phoebe said...

@janelle wow, that's one good news for you...I hope my placenta will also move on my 8th month ultrasound. I'm still on my 7th month, so I'm really hoping and praying that a change will happen.

I'm off to another prenatal visit this afternoon. What's worrying me now is the possible gestational diabetes because accdg. to my OB, my glucose test showed a high blood sugar level..arrghh, this pregnancy is really the worst ever..Previa, UTI, Gestational Diabetes, Bleeding, Bedrest, what else..I can't wait to get over with this soon.

Janelle said...

Previa, UTI, Gestational Diabetes, Bleeding, Bedrest: Hmm... this sounds like me :) I don't actually have gestational diabetes but we have a history of diabetes in the family and since I... um... gained a lot of weight last month (hehe) my OB was really worried. I already had a glucose test during my 3rd month, an OGCC something during my 5th month (where you have to fast for 8 hours before then they make you take 100mg of pure glucose, then they take your blood every hour 4 times), a BUN and creatinine test 2 weeks ago to check for kidney damage due to diabetes, and another OGCC scheduled 2 weeks from now. Ang saya di ba? :) My results have been returning normal but my OB seems not able to believe I don't have gestational diabetes.

sh1mm3rg1rl said...

i was also diagnosed with placenta praevia totalis and i'm in my 7th month of pregnancy now. so far i haven't experience bleeding... i'm scared to death as well especially when i learned about what happened to Ken Binay. i'm also pregnant with my 4th baby and my youngest is just a year old... i had caesarean birth with all of them. i'll pray that everything goes well with you and your baby phoebe... god bless you

Catherine said...

Hello Phoebe! I am in my 4th month when diagnosed of placenta previa partialis meaning it partially covered the cerviz of my placenta. I had C-section with my first baby nad read some researches that one of those reasons why i have now PP partialis. i really pray hard that sometime in my next stages placenta will migrate to stop my worries. Does anyone here delivered successfully via c-section eventhough the placenta still comes first? Hope anyone here can answer me at my question.

sh1mm3rg1rl said...

hello Phoebe... WE (my baby and I) MADE IT... i dunno if it would help to share with you my experience on the OR table, it might scare the hell out of all the previa moms viewing your site... i had it all... PPTotalis, Adhesions and Accreta to the bladder, they also found and extracted 2 myomas... my ob said I almost had a hysterectomy...

FOR THE LOVE OF MY KIDS... I fought... I'm sure for everyone it's also reason enough... i did it... you can do it...

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your story. I am 35 w pregnant with my second boy and have recently been diagnosed with accreta. They haven't done the MRI yet, so they are not saying what stage yet. I am bEYOND terrified. I can't bare the thought of leaving my son & I really don't like the idea of a hysterectomy, but if it cOmes down to Savin my life or my oven, I'm definitely choosing life.

I had a horrible time with pain control after my first c-section. I was hoping someone could share with me whT the pain is like after the surgery

Anonymous said...

Wanted to share my experience. I was diagnosed with placenta previa totalia, placenta percreta..
At first trimester i experienced bleeding, constant ultrasound results were shown at 5-7mos.. i did placental doppler ultrasound at medical city. The head Doc Chua thoroughly examined me.. the results were used to plan the surgery.. but suggested ultrasound was still recommended. AT exactly 35 weeks, i experienced bleeding.. was rushed to metropolitan medical center.. i experienced pre ecclampsia, and i was diabetic as well..kumbaga sinalo ko na lahat.. was scheduled for mri that morning and confirmed that placenta already invaded the outer serosa/muscle of my urinary bladder.. at 5:30 i was prepared for cs as i already experienced contractions.. my child indeed saved me..she still needed 2 weeks to become a full term baby.. but another 2 weeks can mean deeper invasion of placenta to my urinary bladder.. in God's mercy, the CS with hysterectomy was successful.. was able to go home and see my 2 kids with the newborn baby.. so thankful to the medical team that worked to save me.. doc dadia, doc cuenca.. they are the best :)