Mumsnet Talk

I think that's a good strategy MadameJ. Do what you can, plan for the worst, hope for the best. Ultimately, if s/he comes early you must never feel you are at fault. Best of luck with your adventure!

LeBFG how great that you have got to 36 weeks!! Thank you for those stats, I too read alot about it before TTC, Im now thinking "what will be, will be" obviously I will continue trying everything possible (I am especially liking Miaowthecats idea of the cork)

I gave birth at nearly 33 weeks and this time around doing a lot of things differently.

Had a cervix stretch test before conception to check for weak cervix (bit pointless imo as no hint of this being a problem). In the 2nd trimester had fortnightly scans to check cervix length. Have had weekly progesterone shots from 21 weeks (I think - too long ago to be sure - just finished the course). Monthly vaginal swabs (checking for infection even no sign last time because sometimes the infections are sub-clinical).

I've noticed regular BH from about 18 weeks so at about 31 weeks, I started taking magnesium supplements as read online that an irritable uterus can calm down a bit with this. Appears to have an effect.

Am now 36 weeks! Despite regular and now stronger BH. Of course, as I've done so much I will never know if what I've done has increased gestation or I would have gone this far naturally.

OP: having read about this a lot before deciding to try for a second, the chances are on our side. A second preterm birth is about doubly likely for us (about 20%). So it's a chances game. If you do go early a second time, it's likely to be around the same gestation, so I figured 33 weeks wasn't too bad and even 1 or 2 weeks either side wouldn't be the end of the world so we gave it a shot.

I'm not getting anything extra in the way of monitoring from the hospital this time around after a 33 week delivery last time... my wonderful community midwife's kept me on first-timer appointments to at least try to keep an eye on me as best SHE can, and has spent hours on the phone trying to sort some sense out of the hospital as well - but nothing from the hospital consultant - just an "oh 33 weeks is ok - we won't worry about that" at 12 weeks and then a "see you again at 34 weeks" until I pointed out I'd given birth by that point last time round when she moved it to 32 weeks.

Am now 31 weeks and considering putting a cork up there and tying my ankles together for a few weeks.

Yeah I was expecting steroids to be mentioned but they just said to go into hospital as soon as possible if labour starts where if possible these could be given. I don't know what I was expecting but I am sure it was more than this!!

hmm. that's a bit crap. I would have expected them to suggest at least steroid injections to help lungs develop? and maybe a cerclage or something (not really sure when these are used though so could be talking rubbish).

Minipie, when I had my booking in appointment with MW (she was also my MW last time) she made it sound like I would receive much better care this time round, however I had my first consultant appointment last week where they carried out swabs for infection and little else. I am having a GTT due to DD's weight but other than that nothing.

I was told the MW may want to see me more frequently but the consultant has not arranged to see me until 34 weeks so not really optomistic in regards to "extra monitoring".

good luck MadameJ, fingers crossed for you. Have they offered you extra monitoring due to your first child being early?

minipie my DD was also 6 weeks early but we have decided to have another so I am currently 22 weeks pregnant. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this one decides to stay tucked up for longer but I suppose we never know

bumping, I would love to hear more stories. DD was 6 weeks prem for no apparent reason (PROM) and while DH and I have always wanted 2 children we are scared of another early and perhaps even earlier baby...

Loving the positive stories, makes me feel much more positive

My DS born at 26 wks & is now 4 yrs old. My DD born 39 wks so not a premmy. I left work to minimise stress and unnecessary travelling & stayed home. Was monitored by consultants v closely & DD born healthy a week early at home.

I had twins at 27+6 but then number 3 was just a day early!

I had more checks than I would ordinarily have been entitled to, and I arranged to have swabs done every month (because I think - despite no-one ever confirming this - that my early labour was down to a UTI).

I've had two prem babies - first at 35 weeks second at 33. The next would be earlier I think. My mum did not carry to term with her three children so I'm guessing its genetic.

My sister went into labour 11 weeks early with her first. Hospital held it off until he was eventually born 9 weeks early.

Her second & third both born a week late!

For those of you who had a premature baby (1st child) for "no apparent reason", were your next babies early and did you do anything differently??

Thanks.