Past 2nd trimester surgical termination and preterm or full term rainbow baby

[Mc36]

Anyone had a 2nd trimester surgical termination and gone on to have a healthy full term baby? Consultant told me today that having a surgical termination can increase chances of baby being pre term. Can’t find anything concrete in terms of level of risks online.

Sorry to hear you have this terrible decision to make. I don't have any personal experience but I would ask the consultant the percentage chances of that happening because I can't biologically understand why that would be the case (medical professional here).

It might be that the chances are raised by something like 1-2% which for me would not be a significant amount.

Yes me! 17 weeks surgical termination. Then my DC was two weeks late and had to be induced because they didn’t want to come out. He’s talking bollocks, ignore unless he can give you data! And even then…

Also so sorry for what you’re going through, it’s terrible. Sending love xx

So sorry you are in this awful position. Any surgery on/through the cervix seems to come with the warning of a risk of preterm delivery with future babies. I think the actual numerical risk must be very very low based on how common these procedures are and the statistics around the reasons why most babies are born preterm.

Ask them to give you a numerical fact but tbh I wouldn't worry about this on top of everything else to worry about x

A surgical termination CAN slightly increase the risks of preterm labour in future pregnancies but we really are talking small %. Not enough that it would massively worry me in your shoes.

Thanks both for responding, I appreciate it. Sorry, don’t know if I was clear. I had a surgical termination for medical reasons last year and am now pregnant again and have been told that my current baby could be pre term because of the termination causing cervix weakness.
Happy to hear about your DC.

Thanks all

Yes my friend had her rainbow baby in May after something similar. She is lovely chubby smiley thing. I’m delighted.

@summerlovingvibes Mechanism is that mechanical dilation of the cervix for the surgical procedure can cause weakening of the cervix and increase chance of cervical insufficiency next pregnancy.

OP, while there is evidence to support an increased risk for preterm birth when there has been “cervical instrumentation” of various kinds, the risk increase is pretty small as PP have said, it’s by far more likely you’ll go to full term. Has your consultant this pregnancy offered cervical length checks? That could add reassurance for you.

congratulations on your pregnancy and I wish you all the best for your rainbow baby :)