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Pregnancy

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

Preterm labour

38 replies

jadey1991 · 24/10/2023 03:25

I've been down maternity since 11pm. They have said my cervix is short and I will have baby anytime now. I've been contracting since 4pm. This is my first preterm birth.

Please help with some advice.

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Lovepeaceunderstanding · 24/10/2023 23:58

Both my babies were pre term. The first born 32 weeks a big deal 33 years ago is a GP. MY second born 34 weeks 30 years ago now has a successful career in film (behind the scenes). I hope everything goes well for you. X

jadey1991 · 25/10/2023 01:00

nocoolnamesleft · 24/10/2023 23:52

Brilliant to hear you've had the steroid injections. Really makes a difference to how well premmies breathe. At 32+6/40, if you delivered imminently, there are some things that we know baby would need help with, and some that may or may not cause a problem. At that gestation, they will need to go to SCBU.

Temperature: preterm babies are good at getting cold. At delivery they will aim to do delayed cord clamping, then get baby over to a resuscitaire (heated platform for assessing and stabilising). Will need some help to stay warm, which might be an incubator if unwell, or might be a heated cot.

Feeding: won't have the suck and swallow to feed yet, so if well would be looking at nasogastric tube feeding, if unwell then an drip of sugar water to start with. You'll be encouraged to try to express after delivery, and any drops of colostrum will be gratefully received, as they're the best thing for starting the gut working well.

Breathing: some babies at this gestation breathe beautifully, some babies need a bit of help, and occasionally a baby needs a lot of help. The steroids reduce the odds of breathing problems by helping the lungs mature, and going through the early stages of labour make the baby release stress hormones which also help the lungs. However, the lungs will be a bit immature, and a C section can make breathing problems more likely. So the paediatric/neonatal team will be there at delivery, and one of the things they'll be most interested in will be the breathing, because if need be they can help with that, or even start breathing for the baby if that's needed. They can check oxygen levels on a monitor, and once on SCBU they can do a quick blood test that shows how well baby is breathing, if there are any concerns.

Infection: one of the things that can kick off preterm labour is infection, and preterm babies aren't great at fighting infection, so if they're worried they may start IV antibiotics and do blood tests to look for signs of infection.

Long term: at this gestation, the long term outcome is actually generally great. Increased risk of chesty episodes in the first winter is the most common issue. In developmental terms the vast majority do fine.

Hope that helps a bit. Feel free to ask the midwives to get a paediatrician to talk to you about what they'd need to do. I always prefer to talk to the mums in advance if I can, because it's helpful if we get busy with little one and can't immediately get free to update.

Thankyou very much for taking the time to write this. This has been very helpful. Thank you 😊 💓

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jadey1991 · 25/10/2023 01:01

Lovepeaceunderstanding · 24/10/2023 23:58

Both my babies were pre term. The first born 32 weeks a big deal 33 years ago is a GP. MY second born 34 weeks 30 years ago now has a successful career in film (behind the scenes). I hope everything goes well for you. X

Aww how wonderful thanks mynlovwly and I'm glad is well with your 2. And well done on there careers xx

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Tesoroxx · 25/10/2023 07:12

5lb 2 and 5lb 13

KMM87 · 25/10/2023 11:50

How are you getting on @jadey1991 x

CaliCat2306 · 25/10/2023 11:56

Mum to a 27 weeker here! Went in to labour (they don’t know why) and he arrived very quickly and spent 8 weeks in the NICU but you wouldn’t know now. 32 weeks is a very good gestation - baby will just need to be kept warm and keep on growing and then learn to feed! It’s hard but you got this.

jadey1991 · 25/10/2023 13:02

KMM87 · 25/10/2023 11:50

How are you getting on @jadey1991 x

Hey, well they are keeping me in again. My cervix has shortened more. I'm still contracting. They have made me NBM again as they said I might had my section today or within a couple days.
I've been experiencing some diaherra today which they said could be a sign and not to panic. No dilation. So we will see . Thanks foe asking hun

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jadey1991 · 25/10/2023 13:02

CaliCat2306 · 25/10/2023 11:56

Mum to a 27 weeker here! Went in to labour (they don’t know why) and he arrived very quickly and spent 8 weeks in the NICU but you wouldn’t know now. 32 weeks is a very good gestation - baby will just need to be kept warm and keep on growing and then learn to feed! It’s hard but you got this.

Aww how cute. 27 weeks. So they don't know why you had baby early. I'm glad baby is doing well.. thanks so much hun x

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Imamumgetmeoutofhere · 25/10/2023 13:49

@jadey1991 I had pre-eclampsia which turned into eclampsia whilst I was in hospital and also HELLP syndrome which causes problems with the liver. It was a very scary time and I was in ICU for a short while.

How are you today? Hopefully you are still pregnant and baby is doing well x

KMM87 · 27/10/2023 09:40

Hey, how are you getting on?

jadey1991 · 27/10/2023 10:02

Imamumgetmeoutofhere · 25/10/2023 13:49

@jadey1991 I had pre-eclampsia which turned into eclampsia whilst I was in hospital and also HELLP syndrome which causes problems with the liver. It was a very scary time and I was in ICU for a short while.

How are you today? Hopefully you are still pregnant and baby is doing well x

Hi I'm really sorry I didn't see this message.
I'm so sorry you went through what you did. Today I'm I. So much pain with contractions. Not sure what they are planning on doing. Yes still pregnant

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jadey1991 · 27/10/2023 10:06

KMM87 · 27/10/2023 09:40

Hey, how are you getting on?

Hello lovely, I'm still in hospital. They won't let me go home. Baby is funneling. Cervix is very short. Last night was the worst for me. Contractions were more frequent. I'm 33+3 today so I'm hoping some news will come about today.
Thanks for checking in x

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Jemimahj · 24/07/2024 18:20

This is such a good thread. Currently in the labour ward. My 5th baby and I'm having contractions been observed fully for one day and night received two steroid injections. They could not do a cannula. So no IV or antibiotics. I've had the medicine to delay or slow down the contractions. I'm not entirely sure what they will do as I've barely slept and the meds have not stopped the contractions at all they slow about two hours. But now it's starting again non stop. And I have no clue what they'll do. I'm 32+6 days.

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