Pre term PROM and now pg again

[GoodVibrations]

Wasn't sure whether to post this in pregnancy or premature birth.

DD was born 5 weeks early following PROM. They don't know what the cause was, and luckily DD was healthy. I, however, did not cope at all well with the NICU experience and recurrent trips to hospital (lots of small probs, fortunately nothing serious).

I'm now 5 weeks pg (very nervous as so early but very happy). I'm worried about having another prem baby and was wondering what experiences people had in second pregnancies following prom/ premature labour.

I remember being told that I would have consultant led care next time, but not sure what that involves?. I assume more frequent check ups? (have my GP appointment Monday but want to know what to expect)

Any advice or experience welcome!

bump

I can't help very much... DD was born at 36 + 3 after PROM at 36 + 1. She wasn't in NICU or anything though (in fact she didn't even see a paediatrician as the hospital didn't have one )

I wasn't automatically assigned consultant care for this PG, although I have ended up with one in the end (obstetric cholestasis as it happens, not related to previous PG AFAIK).

Am currently 37 + 1 and waters are hanging on in there although I am now getting nervous; sitting on towels everywhere, have my bags packed etc. Am booked for ELCS at 38 weeks due to said cholestasis, and baby that refuses to point in the right direction! so I can't offer any guesses as to whether I would have made the full 40 weeks. Still five full days to get through before CS though so we'll see.

Was slightly surprised that no-one seemed interested in why DD was early just after she was born, but at (hospital) booking in appointment this time, they tested me for a couple of things to rule them out (Group B strep being one, and I forget if there was anything else). On the scan, they spotted I have a bicornuate (heart-shaped) uterus, which can sometimes cause PROM if baby runs out of room.

Best of luck with your PG, hope someone with something a bit more useful to say will offer you some advice

I didn't have PROM myself, but didn't want your post to go unanswered!

Two of my colleagues have had either PROM or spontaneous labour at 34/35 weeks with their first pregnancy and both have gone on to have second babies at term. my understanding is that if you have had previous PROM it is slightly more likely that it will happen again than it would be for someone who hasn't, but that it is not necessarily a particularly hgh risk.

I am currently under consultant-led care for my second pregnancy and will have my first consultant appointment following my 20 week scan. I think that I will go back to my midwife for 25 and 28 week appointments, but be seen by the consultant around 30/32 weeks.

Thank you both for your replies, its really helpful to hear others experiences.

heathen good luck for the birth, hope all goes well

push it's great to hear thar your colleagues had term babies following PROM, I guess because it happened once I automatically think it will happen again. Best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy!

Hi GV

My DS1 was born at 33 weeks after PROM, and spent a couple of weeks in SCBU, but other than that is now a normal loony toddler. Like you we never got to the bottom of why he was early (I don't smoke or drink, had no infections etc etc...)

I'm now 36 weeks with No.2 and have had consultant led care throughout the pregnancy on a weekly basis since about 28 weeks. They simply do what your midwife would do i.e. check with the doppler, blood pressure, feel your abdomen and discuss any pains/issues which you may have experienced. I've found it very strange being in a 2nd pregnancy and feeling like I'm in undiscovered territory, my bump is huge compared to DS1. I had mild worries at 30 weeks as I'd convinced myself no.2 was going to come early as well but obviously not!! Now I'm just enjoying my pregnancy and taking each day as it comes, good luck and don't worry yourself, the consultants and midwifes will soon put you at ease

DC1 was born at 33 weeks with no real explanation as to why it happened and struggled for a while, spending a few weeks in NICU/SCBU.

With DC2 I received consultant led care/cervical length scans etc 4 weekly until 34 weeks and fully expected another pre-term delivery. Chances are around 30% according to consultant. Also saw midwives for standard appointments periodically.

DC2 born completely healthy at 42 weeks.

HTH - Hope all goes well for you.

My dd was born at 32 weeks after prom at 30... Ds born at 27 weeks after prom at 22.

Ime it only happened to me twice due to piss poor care from the hospital during my second pregnancy. The second prom was caused by them really after they needed to do an emergency cervical stitch at 22 weeks instead of doing it routinly at 12 weeks. I've got an incompetent cervix which is a common cause for prom and caused my first, infection caused the 2nd.

Good Vibrations do you know the reason for your prom ?

My only advice would be not to accept it when you are told that's 'it's just one of those things'

Good luck and congratulations

Wow, I'm impressed with other people's experiences of consultant led care for a second pregnancy. My son was born at 33 weeks after prom, and no reason was found. I have had one consultant appointment at which I was told I may or may not have another premmie, come back at 32 weeks. Pretty much same again at 32 weeks, no extra scans or anything like that, certainly not being checked weekly. It did set my mind at rest having a chance to speak to a consultant, but to be honest she didn't do much more than the midwife would have done at a similarly timed appointment. I am now 35 weeks and still very much pregnant and fed up!

Good luck with your pregnancy.

Thanks ladies, wonder if the difference in treatment is down to luck or postcode lottery?

I don't know the reason for my prom, although they did say that the membrane was thin and DD was very low down through most of the pg (not sure if that is normal or not really). I had BH from very early on and could barely move by the time I went into labour.