Waters broke at 33 weeks + 4

[JimLahey]

Hi all I've been in hospital since Wednesday night as my waters broke at 33 weeks. I'll be 34 weeks and although I know I'm in the best place where the baby's being monitored, im given steroid injections to beef his lungs up, etc. I feel really sad about this.

I haven't been able to share these feelings with anyone of the midwives as I'm so shy but I feel like I've failed my little boy and I'm questioning what I've done during the pregnancy (eating habits, coping with stress..). My DH is being amazing but he's also warning me that feeling this way might mean I get postnatal depression so I need to stop thinking this way.

Has anyone else gone through this?

I'll be 34 weeks on Saturday. Sorry I should have previewed this!

I didn't want you to think you're alone. I went into early labour with my 2nd baby at 32 wks but luckily I responded to treatment. But I had 4 babies after all and I can say is that every pregnancy is different and there's nothing that you've done that has caused this it just sometimes happens. Just try and relax you're in the best place. (Plus I was born prem weighing 3lb in the 60s and I'm doing well so I'm passing all my love onto your little one, he'll do just fine x)

I had two or three brief admissions ie a night or two plus tons of monitoring during my pregnancy and got the steroid injections on one admission. I was really pleased I'd had them when after the shock of waters going at 31+5 (iirc) monitoring overnight led to an early morning cesarean. 3 and a half years on all is well! It was a bloomin strain at the time though but DS was breathing on his own from the start and though tiny was really well while in SCBU etc and got to go home before due date. A real struggle getting his weight up and I was stubbornly determined to breastfeed.

If you're planning to breastfeed you could ask if there's a bf support person who could come to see you and you could potentially try expressing a few drops of colostrum.

It's really exciting you're going to meet your child soon, maybe today, in a week or even longer and you will start the process of getting to know and love them. For some people bonding and huge emotions are instant. For me fierce commitment was there from the start of pregnancy and was the source of my strength getting through the exhausting and difficult weeks in the baby unit. Completely soppy adoring love grew like a delicate plant in the early days - its now a huge climbing and rambling rose

The nurses can give you a tiny syringe to collect a few drops of colostrum and it can be given soon after birth I believe. I was given help to express a little while after and the baby unit doctor said 'liquid gold'. (Please ignore if not for you!)

My partner was with me during the C section and I somehow had the presence of mind to say take a photo before DS was wheeled off in an incubator. They put a tiny knitted hat on him straight away.

You've stirred up what I now remember as precious moments.

Re the post natal depression and what if anything you might do to reduce the risk of it. Imagine something you did contributed to your waters going.

1. lots of other people have done it without waters going so it wasn't inevitable otherwise you would have been advised "Do not do X it makes everyone's waters go!"
2. There were loads of factors not under your control that might have contributed.
3. You can't change it without a tardis so focus on your current mission - how can you be the best possible Mum to an early arrival? Get information, get support, be assertive. You are the best and perfect Mum for your baby.
4. You are not alone xx

My waters broke at 23 weeks, I thankfully didnt go into labour at that point but they made it clear if I didnt go into labour before, they would induce me at 34 weeks as by then it would be safer out than in! By 34 weeks they should be of a good weight and may just need some help with feeding as often the suckle reflex isnt fully developed yet. DD ended up being born a few days shy of 35 weeks, we were in SCBU for 2 weeks establishing feeding and her needing oxygen but normally by this gestation they can go home fairly early. Other 34/35 weekers were only in a few days!

On another note it isn't your fault, this coule have happened for a million reasons or you just got unlucky don't blame yourself.

Thank you so much for these lovely and informative replies everyone. You're right I need to focus on getting little one through this now and you've given me lots of things to think about and ask the care team.

So glad you're babies did well! :)

My first baby came at 35 weeks and there was no stopping him. He arrived in three hours with no steroid treatment. There was nothing i done in pregnancy. I followed all the rules. Sometimes it just happens. My second baby arrived at 37 weeks so although classed as full term he was still three weeks early. Try and stay as positive as you can as that can bring on labour too. You are in the best place and your baby will be great. Try to relax xx

How are you doing? Thinking about you & your family

I don't have anything useful to add, just wanted to wish you well. x

Thank you Neome the baby's not made an entrance yet and they're letting me out soon so hopefully things have calmed down now lol. He was monitored this morning and moving well, which is good! :)

Hi Jim just came on to see how you and your little one are doing and saw the great news that you're on your way home. Take care of yourself

Here's hoping you have a really restful weekend :)