Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Premature birth

Connect with others and find premature birth support.

Original poster

Reasons for premature birth

65 replies

atrcts · 27/07/2013 03:48

I gave birth 5 weeks early, and signed a consent form to have the placenta sent away for diagnostics in case it may have some defect, but have no idea what the results are, or why I gave birth so early.

It got me wondering if people have any idea why their baby was born early or is it one of those mysteries in life that no one will ever know?

OP posts:
MiaowTheCat · 27/07/2013 09:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gurke · 27/07/2013 12:42

My waters broke at 26 weeks. The doctors said this could happen due to a variety of reasons and they will never know for sure what the cause was in my case. I think it was due to an undiagnosed/ half diagnosed & untreated UTI of some kind.

Original poster
atrcts · 27/07/2013 18:37

I suspected as much - will remain a mystery then! I don't need to know but am curious and would like to tell him his full story if I know all of the details (which I don't!).

OP posts:
Verybusymummyof2 · 28/07/2013 17:57

I had complete placenta previa. Heavy bleeding from 19 weeks resulting in prem birth at 26 weeks Sad. At least I know the reason for mine, although still want to know why I had the placenta previa. I still go over and over that 'why'. Not knowing is hard,
Hope you find the answers.

minipie · 28/07/2013 20:03

DD was 6 weeks early after sudden PROM and I have no idea why, nor did the hospital. Placenta was fine, no signs of infection, she was normal size for gestation etc.

Leaves me a little nervous about attempting number 2...

sleepwhatssleep · 29/07/2013 18:47

DD1 (now 6) was 6 weeks prem. DD 2 (now 16 months) was 6 weeks prem. and DS1 (now 11 weeks) was 8 weeks prem. Despite scans to check cervical structure, testing for infections etc no one has ever been able to give me a reason why. In fact the last OBGYN I saw told me it was likely "luck of the draw" :/ not knowing why is hard. I've taken part in preterm labour studies too. There's not actually been very much research into it but I think it's becoming a more popular area of research now.

MiaowTheCat · 30/07/2013 09:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
atrcts · 30/07/2013 09:17

All very interesting stuff! Would have liked to see the programme, and the prem baby study sounds interesting too. I guess in my case there were a lot of potential reasons but hard to know which one it was, and the most surprising thing was that no one seemed to blink an eye about it, as though it is perfectly normal and expected!

OP posts:
10storeylovesong · 31/07/2013 07:53

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

Fizzyfuzzy123 · 31/07/2013 08:07

I gave birth at 33 weeks after waters broke. I had a white blood cell infection which no one took seriously at 28 week blood test so maybe that was something to do with it

mymatemax · 04/08/2013 23:30

I gave birth by emergency c section at 28 wks, ds2 was in distress & had stopped moving.
Nothing to indicate why on scan but he was struggling & had to come out, placenta & cord all looked normal.
His heartrate was barely traceable .

We still don't know why?

Thereonthestair · 05/08/2013 11:02

in my case they think a very slow placetnal abruption at 29 weeks, kicked off the labour and casued DS disability while we were at it

ShadowMeltingInTheSun · 07/08/2013 20:14

With DS, my waters broke at 33 weeks, and then I went into labour at 34 weeks.

The consultant said afterwards that they didn't know why DS was early, and it might just be one of those things.

Currently I'm 31.5 weeks pregnant with DC2 and feeling increasingly twitchy as I'm getting closer to the point where things started happening with DS.

BeerTricksPotter · 07/08/2013 20:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

elliejjtiny · 09/08/2013 05:19

I had polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) and my waters broke at 35 weeks. I was measuring 44+ weeks so I think the pressure just got too much. DS4 has a cleft lip and palate so wasn't swallowing much fluid. His head wasn't engaged at all and no signs of labour when I had my C-section 2 days later.

lotsofcheese · 09/08/2013 05:47

DS: severe PE at 29 weeks. No reason why I developed this as I had no risk factors. Just "bad luck".

I asked for a consultant referral to discuss it & risk for future pregnancies. After a lot of soul-searching, decided to TTC.

DD: made it to 36 weeks - oligohydraminos (not enough fluid).

I think I have a "crappy placenta" gene, if there's such a thing. I'll not be doing it again as I cannot face a 3rd premature birth or emcs.

cazzyg · 12/08/2013 06:39

I developed severe pre eclampsia and started to fit which left no option.

It all started at 33 weeks but I managed to hold onto 36 weeks so my daughter was barely prem. she was unfortunately quite ill with breathing issues.

racmun · 12/08/2013 07:44

Ds was born at 34 weeks. I've got a bicorneate uterus and they said at the time that maybe he'd run out of room? 2 weeks in special care but all ok in the long run.

Currently 26 weeks pregnant with number 2, I've seen the consultant who couldn't give me a reason as to why ds1 arrived early but doesn't think it is anything to do with my uterus.

I think it is one if those mysteries and I'm just praying that this one doesn't make an early appearance.

Liquidambar · 12/08/2013 20:34

Ds was 35 weeks. Despite being very jaundice he was was healthy.

I had an infection at 27weeks but the doctors couldn't point where it was coming from. After that I was always sore around my tummy and lots of BH. I wasn't given a reason. .. like many people have said it was a mystery.

I'm currently ttc but anxious about it.

FieryChipotle · 12/08/2013 20:50

My DTs were born by EMC at 31 weeks due a suspected placental abruption. The placenta was actually intact but had become very pale. I had polyhyramnious so I doubt I'd have made it much further.

I also went into premature labour with DS1 at 32ish weeks but the labour was stopped. Tests showed an infection so it was assumed to be some kind of UTI, but it was actually my appendix. It ruptured during labour at full term!

FieryChipotle · 12/08/2013 20:52

*polyhydramnios (typo!)

Mandy21 · 15/08/2013 00:07

DTs born st 27 weeks. Never given an explanation apoarently 'just a twin thing' (helpful) but I also think mine was due to UTI or similsr (nothing detected though).

Got to 39 + 6 with DD though.

Mandy21 · 15/08/2013 00:07

Sorry for rubbish typing - on tablet

CelticPromise · 15/08/2013 00:21

DS was delivered by section at 27 weeks (no labour) because he was growth restricted and showing signs of struggling due to placental insufficiency.

plentyofsoap · 15/08/2013 06:16

Had heavy bleeding at 30 weeks which then just stopped. Waters went at 33 and ds arrived. Scan could not find source of the bleeding and the consultant thinks my placenta may have slipped? Currently pregnant and as I near 30 weeks I am anxious but trying not too worry....