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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Pregnancy after premature birth

18 replies

Nemo145 · 16/02/2018 19:53

Has anyone gone on to have a successful pregnancy after a premature birth.
My daughter was born at 25weeks. Would like another but worried it will happen again. My Dr has suggested I get a cervical stitch next time around. Though I know this comes with its own risks.

OP posts:

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Lostmyemailaddress · 16/02/2018 19:55

Dc4 was born at 32 weeks and I went on to have 3 more pregnancies to term and I was a 28 weeker my m had 3 term pregnancies after me.

ferrier · 16/02/2018 19:58

Dc1 31 wks
Then two dcs @ 36 wks and two at 39 wks (not in that order). A stitch was never recommended and no reason was given for being early so probably completely different situation to yours.
Hopefully someone more relevant will come along with reassurance.

TeaAndPjs · 16/02/2018 21:41

My 1st was born at 34 weeks, 2nd I was induced with and he was 3 days late and currently at 36 weeks and still going strong. They kept more of an eye on me in last pregnancy and this pregnancy. My mum had to have a stitch with me and my 3 siblings after a stillborn due to early labour, she never had a problem getting it and had 4 healthy pregnancies tho 3 of is were still prem, I was 10weeks early and kept in due to weight tho my 2siblings were born at 34/35 weeks and both home within 24hours!

Dorabean · 16/02/2018 23:11

DS born at 24 weeks(only lived for a few hours due to complications in labour), a stitch was also recommended for me and I was feeling the same as you about trying again. However, I'm pregnant again, have got the stitch in now and feel a little more optimistic. Still a long way to go but hopefully it'll all be ok this time 💪🏼.

Don't let it hold you back, the preventative cerclage has a pretty good success rate and will hopefully help!

Dorabean · 16/02/2018 23:12

For me, the risks of having the stitch in were so so low that it seemed worth it to have a baby to take home at the end of it. There are risks with everything, the risk of the same thing happening again worries me far more than the risks associated with the stitch.

DuckBilledAardvark · 16/02/2018 23:17

No.1 born at 33 weeks. No.2 born at 41!

I had internal ultrasounds to monitor cervix length, if there was shortening they were going to put in a stitch and I would also have to start Progesterone pessaries which the consultant suggested we use anally instead of vaginally. I was also checked every two weeks for water infections.

Luckily no shortening of the cervix was seen so they believe that my first premature labour was caused by an infection rather than a physical issue.

It wasn't until I had a term baby that I realised what a toll having a premmie took on me and at 33 weeks I didn't even feel that he was a 'true' premmie but comparing him to his term sister I realise how hard it was at the start. I can't imagine how difficult a 25 weeker would have been.

Heartofglass12345 · 16/02/2018 23:37

I’ve had 2, a 30 and a 33 weeker so nowhere near as prem as yours, that mustve been scary. There was no apparant reason for my two being prem, they just came! I had steroids at 28 weeks with my 2nd just in case he came early. A stitch was never mentioned to me, maybe because he made it to 30 weeks. I know 2 women who have had prem babies and had a stitch in and they have had healthy full term babies afterwards. It was a relief with my second when we made it to 31 weeks!
Dorabean so sorry for your loss

Kidsandfarmers · 17/02/2018 08:14

My first was born at 23+0 when i was 19 and is now a happy healthy toddler! Currently 35 weeks with #2 and all is fine. Have been consultant led and had fortnightly scans to check cervix length incase i needed a stitch but it wasnt needed. Also had precautionary steroids at 24 weeks x

DotCottonDotCom · 17/02/2018 08:17

DD1:27weeks

I also had fortnightly scans to check cervix. I was actually on a trial (which is now ended) and on progesterone from 22-32 weeks. I also had the Ffn tests, some of which were positive and nothing came of them.

DD2 was 40+2

Original poster

Nemo145 · 17/02/2018 08:31

Ffn tests?

OP posts:

Chocolateismylife · 17/02/2018 08:38

I had DS at 35 weeks. Huge shock especially when I wasn’t that premature & after birth he was rushed into intensive care as he was struggling to breath. Something wasn’t right with his early entrance & it took its toll on us (I still can’t watch NICU stuff on tv even after 4 years). Took a while to think about number 2. I was monitored a lot more with 2nd as they had tested me & DS for an infection & found us both clear. I had extra growth scans as they thought it might be placenta related. She was born 3 days late after a successful sweep! I had mentally prepared myself for another premmie & really struggled mentally going overdue. Sounds weird as I should have been happy to have a full termer. (I was once she was here & healthy). Felt weird walking out of hospital a few hours after birth with a baby!!

Having DD also made me realise how hard a premmie is. DS is still a little behind at almost 4. DD on the other hand seems to be doing everything early!

Chocolateismylife · 17/02/2018 08:39

*When I was told he wasn’t that premature

DotCottonDotCom · 17/02/2018 10:03

@nemo feral fibronectin tests. They tell you , in short, if you are likely to deliver within the next two weeks. Have a google :) although when you are in the position you’re in you wanna try anything, but they are very very unreliable

bettydraper31 · 17/02/2018 16:15

Following as my first was born at 33+5 and now currently 30 weeks with DC2.

CatkinToadflax · 17/02/2018 17:56

Had my first DS at 24 weeks and my second at 38 weeks, following two stitches placed at 12 weeks (top and bottom of cervix) plus twice daily progesterone in my second pregnancy. Hope it all goes well for you OP, has progesterone been suggested in addition to the stitch?

Original poster

Nemo145 · 17/02/2018 18:24

Progesterone was mentioned when I saw the Dr - I would request it if they didn’t suggest it as I’ve read it can help. I didn’t know you could have two stitches! That’s good to know. Thank you

OP posts:

CatkinToadflax · 17/02/2018 19:44

I’ve never heard of anyone else having two stitches, maybe I’m special! I was looked after in my second pregnancy at a specialist high risk pregnancy unit, and the head honcho there did the two stitches. I think they wanted to be extra sure because I had a stitch during my pregnancy with DS1 put in at 22 weeks and he powered his way through it two weeks later.

For me, stitches and progesterone was a winning combo. Good luck with it all x

PaulCalf · 17/02/2018 19:51

My first was slightly premature. In my second pregnancy I had my cervix length checked and it was normal - if it was short they would have recommended a stitch. Dc2 went to term.

Do they know why your dc was premature? Some women have a (charmingly named) 'incompetent cervix' in which case they will offer a stitch. If the premature birth was caused by something else then the chances are it won't happen again and you should go to term this time.

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