Consultant appointment

[aureliacecilia]

I'm pregnant with my second child. My first was born prematurely by c-section. I've got a consultant appointment coming up at approximately 17 weeks pregnant. Does anyone know what to expect? I'm not aware of any reason why my first baby was born early (it was a case of PPROM/spontaneous labour) but I'm hoping to find out if and how my care will be different this time. I'm feeling really anxious about the possibility of another early arrival.

Thank you.

Hi @aureliacecilia. I think it may help if I shared my story.
I had my first baby at 25 weeks by emergency section, and like you, no real concrete reason why that happened. Unfortunately we lost him and it was the most heartbreaking thing that I still struggle with to this day.

For my next pregnancy which was 3 years later, I was under consultant care, and he was brilliant. Talked through the options with me, explained that I would be booked in for an elective section this time. He originally said that we should aim to get to 32 weeks - and then anything after that is a bonus. He mentioned the possibility of putting a stitch in my cervix - but turned out that wasn't needed. I had Progesterone pessaries and regular scans to check my cervix wasn't shortening (every 2-3 weeks I think it was) They gave me steroid injections at around 24 and 26 weeks so that should the worst happen again, then baby would at least have a bit of help with his lungs.

All was good and the care was brilliant. So my section was booked for when I was 36 weeks and all went to plan. He's now a happy healthy 8 year old.

I'm also now 11 weeks pregnant again - my first consultant appointment is at the end of the month and I can't wait to get there so that hopefully they will tell me we will have the same plan again this time!

I hope this helps, xx