2nd time round

[MadameJ]

Hi Ladies, I am pregnant again after DD was born at 33 weeks, whilst I appreciate that this is not as early as others on here but obviously it is still worrying.

I have my first mw appointment coming up, can anyone advise me on what I should be asking in regards to care during the pregnancy as I have a feeling that I am going to be fobbed off!!

Anyone???

Do you know why you went into early labour last time? I had my twins at 27+6 (having gone into labour at 27+4) and there was never any reason given, and 2nd time around, when I was only having a singleton, I was a little fobbed off that I wouldn't need anything specialist care because it had just been "a twin thing". I pushed the midwife for consultant led care - to be honest you might have to fight for at least part consultant led care as I think at 33 weeks, unless there is some identified problem, they probably won't see you as high risk. I also thought my premature labour was down to a UTI - there was never anything on my notes but I do remember 2 or 3 days before going to hospital and them mentionning a possible UTI. I therefore said I wanted it monitoring - they eventually gave me a set of swabs and test tubes so that I could swab myself once a month, drop it into the drs surgery and they would check that I didn't have an infection. I also pushed for extra scans - just before I for to 27 weeks from memory and then at 32 weeks. Just stress how worried you are, how you want to avoid SCBU again at all costs etc.

Thanks Mandy, there was no apparent reason although like you someone definately mentioned a UTI at some point. I like the swab idea as at least this will make me feel like Im doing something (if that makes sense??), many thanks for your help x

Hi MadameJ. I would ask about progesterone jabs if I were you. I'm having them at the moment (20wks). There's some good evidence they can increase gestational age. Other than that, yes, push for consultant-led care, swabs and ask about extra-scans/provisions they expect to give you esp in the crucial third trimester.