Pregnancy after Preemie

[RH9]

I have just found out that I am pregnant ( very early days). I am finding myself getting more and more anxious about this pregnancy. My previous baby was delivered at 24 weeks due to PPROM ( possibly from infection). I know there is a higher chance of premature labour again. I was hoping for some advice on what to do in the early weeks when you aren't seen by anyone to calm my nerves! Can I contact anyone or will they just tell me to wait for my first app? Also do you have any experience of a second pregnancy and what additional care did you get?

Thank you!

Hello, sorry to hear you're struggling. Those first few weeks where there isn't much involvement is so hard when you're feeling anxious.

I didn't have a premature baby, but I did have complications with my first when he was born, he was very small which meant longer in hospital and he was tube fed. I'm currently pregnant with my second and really struggled with anxiety during the first trimester, as I was so scared it might happen again.

I saw a therapist, which really helped. You can also contact your midwife service and ask for a perinatal mental health referral they have to offer therapy within 6 weeks. In the meantime, there are some support services which offer support with additional pregnancies after a premature baby. I can imagine what you are feeling is completely normal, so I would definitely reach out. I spoke to my midwife about my worries and they have put a lot of support in place due to the previous complications.

Hope that helps

Thank you for your kind words and replying to my message. It's he's being in the NICU no matter how long or what the reasons so I completely understand your anxiety too. That's really good they helped you so quickly with your worry.

I feel like if I saw someone earlier then it would help me worry less. It may be useful to explore the perinatal mental health services though as I don't see this getting any better! Each time I have a symptom I'm worrying and googling it - which I really shouldn't!

Thanks again- it's really good to know there are others feeling the same xx

I had pprom at 19weeks and delivered my baby at 26 weeks in my first pregnancy. I am pregnant now, 25 weeks. I was put on 150mg aspirin a day, high dose folic acid and 800mg progesterone pessaries daily since 5 weeks. I also had fortnightly pre term appointments from 16w to measure my cervical length. The consultant has said there is nothing they can do to prevent waters breaking but they check regularly for infection, both by swabs and urine. Its been an anxious pregnancy I will be honest and I probably won't relax until baby is here. Best of luck. I take each week as it comes and try to stay positive with each milestone.

That's really good to know- do you know why you had PPROM? I'm glad there is something they can give you! Did you see a consultant?

I never got an answer for the pprom, I was told it was just bad luck! But was not given any antibiotics, blood tests or anything as baby was not considered viable, I was advised multiple times to terminate. I thank god every day that I didn't. I was under the pre term clinic where I saw a consultant and from 30 weeks will be under another consultant as high risk for pre term. They don't seem to know a lot about pprom. Have you found little heartbeats on Facebook?

Wow that is amazing- I bet you are so glad. What a little miracle. You poor thing though. Why is the consultant seeing you from 30 weeks and not before? I feel so worried about the time before I get to see a consultant. 30 weeks is so far away. I know what you mean PPROM seems to be a mystery doesn't it!

I'm currently pregnant with my first but completely understand your fear. If it's of any reassurance to you, my mum had all 3 of us premature which she later found out was because she had undiagnosed adenomyosis but that's very rare so unlikely for you. Her waters broke at 19 weeks with my older brother who was delivered at 26 weeks, she got a bit further with me at nearly 28 weeks but then my little sister, 8 years later, with a bit of support and bedrest, she got to 35 weeks. Your first being born early doesn't mean you can't have a better outcome for subsequent pregnancies. Sending love xx

Hi, I had PPROM at 28 weeks with my first.

I am now 31 weeks with my second and was under care of preterm clinic from about 15/16 weeks where I had extra scans and prescribed progesterone pessaries. I was discharged from preterm clinic at 24 weeks and now just having growth scans every couple of weeks.

It was a relief to get past the 28 week mark this time and every week the anxiety of having another preterm birth gets a little less.

There isn't a lot you can do and I expect you will also be under consultant care. The advice I was given was to avoid any heavy lifting and being on my feet for extended periods.

Thank you for sharing and does make me feel better!

Are your growth scans instead of the pre term clinic. I wish I could have more support for my full pregnancy as I know how quickly things can change. Well done on getting so far - I bet you are so relieved!

Was the pessary because your cervix was shortening??

Oh really- is that what midwives advise- to stay off feet for long periods of time. I'm so keen to do anything I can to keep this baby in for longer!!

Thanks again- it really helps as I just feel so anxious until someone has checked me over! Xx

Hello OP, congratulations on your pregnancy! Not quite the same story as you but my DD was born at 35 weeks, spontaneous labour and it was never ascertained why. When I became pregnant with my son, I was referred to the Consultant at my local hospital who measured my cervix length. It was borderline so I was prescribed progesterone pessaries until 35 weeks as well as swab testing for infection each time I saw my midwife. My son was born at 37 weeks so I think my babies just come early! But I very distinctively remember the anxiety leading up to his birth and the days really dragged in those first few months worrying about a very early arrival. Hopefully your midwife will be helpful and put a plan into place to monitor you. Best of luck with it all, I'm sure all will be well 😀

Growth scans were as well as preterm as previous baby had a small weight. I was a bit confused as to this as of course she was small as she was prem and didn't get full term worth of growth? But didn't question it as extra checks can only be a good thing.

Cervix was measuring borderline, and stabilised with the progesterone.

Now just monitoring growth and low lying placenta. Feel like we are nearly getting there!

Good luck with your pregnancy, just take it one step at a time.

I have seen consultant in the pre term clinic, sorry I wasnt clear on that! Pre term clinic for me started at 17w till 28w and then from 30w its a different consultant not sure why! Its really hard being pregnant after such early pprom. I have days where I really struggle. I had to walk past the nicu last week and literally broke down crying out of the blue as I'm scared we will end up there again. But other days speed by and I try to treat it like a normal pregnancy! I really wish you all the best. I never thought id get this far with intact waters, I'm nearly 27weeks now xx

Strangely I had my baby the day after posting this at 26+5. He is doing amazingly well and getting ready to come home from NICU now. Hope all is going well with your pregnancy.

Oh my goodness- I hope your journey has been ok in the Nicu. I hope you are all doing ok- I know how stressful that journey can be! So far it's going ok- had a bit of bleeding and possibly infection already but calmed down for now. I'm at 14 weeks and just so eager for skip to like 30 weeks or something! I've not been seen by the consultant yet- I have a telephone app in 2 weeks. I wish it would hurry up! Thank you for letting me know how you are getting on and enjoy lots of cuddles with your little one. It's the best thing about going home with them- cuddles whenever you want❤️❤️

Hey. I hope everyone is doing ok. I was just looking for advice really. I'm currently 23 weeks + 5 days today. My first baby was born at 28+3 due to placental abruption and sadly died when she was 2 days old. After many miscarriages, I have finally got this far! However, I went into hospital this week because of an achy feeling in my uterus. They did a vaginal swab which has come back as positive for risk of preterm labour. I have since been discharged as they don't think I'm having contractions and it sounds more like ligament pain. I don't really know what to do or expect. Thank you.

Hey how did your pregnancy go ?

@Cravehappiness hey! I'm currently still pregnant! 37 weeks 😄