Having a baby after a preemie, likely to be early?

[excitednerves]

If you’ve had a preemie, and then another baby, was your second early too?

I have asked consultants and midwives and they all say “could happen again, or it might not” which isn’t hugely helpful although I understand they can’t guarantee it either way.

Just trying to gauge likelihood of having another stay in NNU.

Thanks!

Depends how early, and why (Eg did you labour spontaneously at 25 weeks? Did you get preeclampsia and have a CS at 32 weeks? Etc etc). I can tell you overall risks if you give a bit more background?
Even then, it’s all guesswork - there are different things that can be done to try and improve things this time depending on your previous story, but no one can predict exactly.
Almost all reasons for a previous premmie are less likely to happen in a second pregnancy, if that helps.

Thanks @TenThousandSpoons0

I had my first at 33 weeks last year. I was under consultant care because of a short cervix following LLETZ but so far everything had looked stable, then my waters broke one night and I had my son less than 6 hours later. There doesn’t seem to be any reason why my waters broke that day in particular, though.

I’m under the same consultant this time, but as you say, she’s not really able to give me any indication either way. Although my cervix is still as short as ever but has been stable since they started monitoring me at 13 weeks, now almost 26 weeks.

I can just feel week 33 approaching now and getting nervous!

Also if it helps baby 2 will be due 17 months after DS so quite close together which I have read increases the risk

My first arrived at 32 weeks and my second was delivered by planned section at 39 weeks; I was told the same as you and was almost prepared for him arriving early but completely different pregnancy and experience.

Thanks @user1493413286 the only other person I know who had a preemie had 2 very early ones, so it’s good to know some people go all the way. X

I had my first at 30 weeks and my second 2 days after his due date. I remember feeling anxious as hell as I approached 30 weeks second time round and felt like I spent the next 10 weeks as if I was about to go in to labour any minute. I even had sweeps at 37 and 39 weeks which failed. He's 2 now and I still can't believe I got to full term . Best of luck

Good that you’ve been under specialist care :) you could ask them about something called QUIPP (you can get it as an app) - it takes a cervical length, your history, and ideally a swab called a quantitative fetal fibronectin, and calculates a more accurate % chance of early labour.
At a baseline - Around 15% of women with one previous spontaneous preterm delivery will have another prem delivery in second pregnancy. So 85-% chance of going to term :)

Also just to add I had a LLETZ procedure after my first baby was born so nothing to do with her early arrival and it didn’t have any impact on my pregnancy with my DS so I hope It’s the same for you

Do you know how short your cervix is and whether the consultant has considered precautionary treatment?

My best friend had her first at 35 weeks.
Second was born at 34 weeks, 2.5 years after DC1.
Third was born at 40+2, 12 months after DC2.
We really thought third would come early because of the first two and the short length between pregnancies. But apparently he wanted to stay cozy.

My dad is the eldest of five, he was born around 28-30 weeks. All of his siblings were born at full term.

DC1 arrived st 34+0 after my waters broke - no apparent reason. Cervix was closed, no signs of infection.

DC2 arrived at 36+6 after my waters broke - no apparent reason.

I had deliberately taken time off work and made sure life was a bit easier at the end of DC2 pregnancy (DC1 arrived after an exceptionally stressful work week) I don’t know if that helped.

Thanks everyone. I think I’ll just have to keep my fingers (and legs!) crossed! The not knowing is definitely the hardest part. I’m going on mat leave at 35 weeks so I’m hoping baby can stay out until then. I’m 26 weeks now and I’m getting so nervous as the 30s draw closer!