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Pregnancy

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

24 weeks - threatened early labour

17 replies

Loulabelle90 · 18/03/2021 22:36

Hi ladies,

Just looking for some reassurance/advice really. I passed some blood this morning at 24 +1 so went to maternity triage. Baby is fine, but they said my cervix is 3cm dilated!

I'm being kept in hospital now until baby comes which could be days or weeks. I'm terrified I'm going to go into early labour and baby won't make it as it's still such an early gestation and I'm still bleeding now. I'm just so so so worried. It's literally just a waiting game now to see if I go into labour.

Any ideas or experience of baby lasting a few more weeks inside me? I've had 2 steroid injections for baby's lungs already to prepare.

Thanks in advance xx

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SnooperTrooper12345 · 18/03/2021 22:40

Hi!
Sorry I can't be much help but they do a great job of looking after baby when born early!
Every day you keep baby in longer, their chances of survival up significantly.
At 24 weeks, the survival rate is almost 70% and 27 weeks is around 90%.

Fingers crossed for you! ❤️

SnooperTrooper12345 · 18/03/2021 22:41

Chances will be even higher as you're prepared and already in hospital and baby is getting those steroid injections ❤️

Ferrylooper · 18/03/2021 22:48

You’re safe in a hospital and that’s the main thing. I had twins at 27 weeks but spent a week in hospital prior to their birth. They are 14 this year and absolutely fine. We’ve met many children born at 24-25 weeks who were doing fine despite the rocky start.
Stay strong and look after yourself, every day and every hour counts. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!

boymum88 · 19/03/2021 07:01

I'm sorry ur having to go through this, like others have said your in the right place ( Im presuming your at at hospital with a level 3 nicu) and you have the steroids and once you go into labour they will give u magnum for baby's brain. I had a 28 weeker and was with a 24 weeker in the nicu who's done better than my son.
Nicu is not a easy ride but you come out the other side stronger with little warriors.
Have a look on fb for a group called parents of premmies support uk, think their is also a group for micro Prems I believe, loads of stories to give u hope and advice x

www.facebook.com/groups/615509418591662/?ref=share

Loulabelle90 · 19/03/2021 07:09

Thank you ladies, you've given me so much hope in such an uncertain time. I'm just hoping I can go into labour as late as possible to give baby the best chance. But it is possible at 24 weeks.

Yes I am in a hospital with level 3 NICU. Thank you for the Facebook group, I will take a look.

We're any of you dilated early like me too and manage to hold onto it for a few weeks longer?

Thanks in advance xxx

OP posts:
rainbowstardrops · 19/03/2021 07:15

I don't have any experience of this but I just wanted to wish you well and hope baby stays out for a while longer yet Thanks

Vebrithien · 19/03/2021 07:40

Just sending you a handhold and a strong Brew.

Almost a year ago (25th April) I was in a similar situation. My waters went at 26 weeks, and I was in early labour. There was lots of bleeding.

I had the two steroid injections, antibiotics and when I had the start of contractions, was started on a magnesium sulfate drip. This is a neuroprotective drug (reduced the risk of a bleed on baby's brain) but also has the welcome side effect of frequently slowing or stopping contraction. It makes you feel WEIRD though.

If your waters do go prematurely, then 50% of women will have their baby in the next 48 hours. 75% of women will have had their baby within two weeks.

Have you had a visit from the NICU team yet? Once me and baby had been stabilised, we had a visit from a NICU doctor and nurse, to explain what would happen if my baby was born imminently. They have me the chance to ask questions. For example, before 35 weeks, most babies won't scream when they are born. Also, before 36 weeks, babies are unable to suckle properly to feed.

I'm a researcher by nature, so I read as much about what could happen as possible, but I realise that not everyone wants to do that.

I was eventually allowed home after about 5 days in hospital (during the first lockdown), as we live within about 5 mins of the hospital. I then had to go in for twice weekly observations.

Over then next 7 weeks, I had 5 more admissions for bleeds (they were worried about the placenta detaching), and after a particularly big bleed, was induced at 34 weeks exactly.

My DS was born screaming, at 34w 1d, and spent 15 days in NICU. He needed tube feeding, and antibiotics, but was always able to breathe on his own. I've never met kinder staff than those on NICU.

I was able to stay with my DS, in a little 'travelodge' like room provided by the hospital, and when we left hospital, DS was exclusively breastfed.

Even if you are not planning on breastfeeding, once your baby is here, it is really worth trying to hand express colostrum (ideally you need to start within a couple of hours of the birth, although I started about 6 hours later). Any tiny drops can be collected in a syringe, and fed to baby. As they will be premature, the antibodies and nutrients in the colostrum are of even more importance to baby.

I'm sorry this has turned into such an essay! Whilst our situations are different, I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. A work friend had the same happen, labour couldn't be stopped, and her DD was born at 26 weeks. It was a long journey, but she came home around her due date, and is thriving now.

My DS is 9 months old, and is currently eating me out of house and home!!

Vebrithien · 19/03/2021 07:46

If you do want to research treatment, long term outcomes and the odds, then the best place to look is the Cochrane Institute.

The NHS website is a good place to start.

Willowfalls · 19/03/2021 19:10

Thinking of you OP! Xx

MyGrassIsBrowner · 23/03/2021 14:25

Any updates OP? Hope you and baby are doing well 💖

JustKeepSw1mming · 23/03/2021 16:42

Best of luck OP, I have my fingers crossed for you!Flowers

JJSS123 · 23/03/2021 16:47

Thinking of you both!!! X

Loulabelle90 · 02/04/2021 13:30

Hello,

Thank you everyone for your replies!

I gave birth to my little girl on 21st March 2021 weighing 520 grams at 24 weeks 4 days.

She's currently in NICU doing well. She's tolerating her feeds and is gaining weight. She's still on a ventilator but we are going to try & take her off it next week.

But she's doing well and all the doctors are pleased with her progress.

I joined the Facebook group for premature babies which I've found very useful so thank you to the poster who recommended that.

I also had 2 steroid injections before she was born and 2 lots of that awful magnesium drip, but it's all been worth it xx

OP posts:
FTM94 · 03/04/2021 08:38

@Loulabelle90 wishing you, your family and your baby all the best and looking forward to hearing that you are both home together in the future ❤️ xx

BlueEyedPony · 03/04/2021 09:19

My sisters (twins) were born at 28 weeks (they are 17 now and perfectly healthy.

Survival rates have massively increased. Hopefully you can keep baby in a few more weeks. X

Thelogicescapesme · 10/07/2021 15:50

Hi @Loulabelle90 firstly congratulations on your little girl, may I ask how she is doing now?

Loulabelle90 · 16/07/2021 19:20

@Thelogicescapesme

Hi *@Loulabelle90* firstly congratulations on your little girl, may I ask how she is doing now?
Hi @Thelogicescapesme thanks for asking. She's doing well thank you. Still in hospital but she's now weighing 5lb 5oz. Hopefully home isn't too far away! xx
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