Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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:
Bramshott · 12/09/2013 14:27

DD1 was born suddenly at 33 weeks and they said most likely because of an infection. DD2 was born at 38 weeks, and thinking about it, I was 36 weeks myself so I think it runs in the family.

Spaulding · 19/09/2013 18:41

I had an emergency c-section at 31 weeks after developing HELLP Syndrome. I'm still none the wiser as to why I got it. Up until 3 days before, I had a very normal, uneventful pregnancy. The Drs have no idea why I got HELLP Syndrome as I don't fit any of the criteria of someone who would typically develop it. It's just "one of those things" unfortunately.

livenlet · 29/11/2013 14:02

Had placetal abruption at 32weeks emergancy c cection was given big jab stroids miuets befor cc was told they need 4 hours in system to work so was pointless have apsolutly no Idea what caused abruption docter said it can happen if have car crash well I dont drive

MrsPear · 04/12/2013 20:09

Ds1 born at 30 weeks and ds2 31 weeks. It took my last pregnancy with ds2 to get answers. I was thankfully passed to a highly respected obs. who managed to put together my notes to explain that i have very little chance of getting full term due to a very short cervix. In his opinion the cone biopsy I had years before was bodged as the amount taken was too much. I also seem to have an issue with my womb lining which explains my miscarriages. I am not having any more children after all I had all medical inventions available with ds2 but still only made 31.

TallyHoHoHoGrenshall · 04/12/2013 20:16

EMCS at 32 weeks because DS' heartbeat was slow (and getting slower)

The surgeon said he removed a large cyst from an ovary but that was unlikely to be the cause. I also agreed to send the placenta to be tested but heard no more so I am none the wiser.

ShowMeTheCoffee · 05/12/2013 13:21

I'm participating in a study at the moment at a London hospital where they are doing a big study into premature births. They think it has something to do with cervix length. I was part of the control group as first two babies were full term but this third baby (currently 31 weeks pregnant) has suddenly dropped from 50th percentile down to the 16th. Another scan in two more weeks will decide course of action.

Going in for the study again next week so will ask what their research is indicating so far. I think it's great that studies are finally looking into this area.

Worndownandtired · 05/12/2013 19:06

I had pprom all 3times between 21-28weeks but managed to hold off till 36/34/35 weeks respectively. No idea why - was told after 1st it was a one off,
After second it was highly unusual and don't worry- it happened and then was told no chance if it happening with no3....it happened earlier!

RhondaJean · 05/12/2013 19:12

Like racmum I have a bicornate uterus. Mines is completely septate so two chambers therefore I was told I was very unlikely ever to carry to full term and was in fact likely to have late miscarraiges or very early babies. I had a 37 week but only 5lb odd dd 1 and then developed an irritable cervix as well, went into labour at 29 weeks with dd2, managed to have it stopped and eventually had a 4lb 10 dd2 at 32 weeks.

At least I know why it happened but the knowledge it would almost definitely happen again Nd possibly earlier meant we have no dc3 and that does make me sad.

legoplayingmumsunite · 05/12/2013 19:34

DS was 36 weeks so not very prem. My waters broke and were full of merconium so I was induced. I had no signs of infection and we don't know what caused it. My elder two were born at 41 and 40+2 so no reason to expect him to be early. He's my last so I try not to worry about it too much since I'm not planning on going through it again (and since I'm now nearly 43 it's not likely).

cupcakeicing · 05/12/2013 20:00

I had pre-eclampsia and had emcs at 33+6 weeks. I had a fair idea as 20 week scan showed restricted blood flow through an artery and was scanned and checked fortnightly then weekly after this.

Methe · 05/12/2013 20:08

I pprom due to IC. It's happened 3 times, 30,22,14 weeks. I've had both tv and ta stitches and all the tests they than throw at me as I've had lots of miscarriages and an abruption too. All tests normal but my cervix is pretty much non existent due to lots of lletz procedures and a large cone biopsy.

My husband has now had a vasectomy.

minipie · 09/12/2013 16:18

Sad Methe

MrsPear and others who had interventions, may I ask what interventions can be done (or at least tried) to prevent prem birth?

Also - who have you all asked in order to find out the reasons for your prem birth? I don't know who I should approach, my GP, my midwife team, the team at the hospital I gave birth (which was not the same hospital where I had all antenatal appointments). Any ideas?

Spacefrog35 · 09/12/2013 18:28

minipie maybe try your GP as a first port of call? they might be in a position to 'co-ordinate' getting information from the various different people who were involved in your care? My GP has (so far) been very helpful & is going to organise a 'debrief' with a consultant at the hospital I gave birth in.

minipie · 09/12/2013 22:11

Thanks SpaceFrog. I do have an excellent GP so guess that is what I'll do. I had thought I'd leave it until already pg with no 2 but then I saw a pre pregnancy cervical stretch test mentioned so thought there may be things to be done/ tested before conception.

MultipleMama · 12/12/2013 12:21

Mine was due to low iron throughout PG, Oligohydramnios since 9w ges and it was a multiple PG which added to the stress. I know T2 had SUA but they believe that contributed to his size not prem labor.

I would have my 2 sent off but I had them made into RPC.

FraggleRock77 · 12/12/2013 16:54

RPC? Very interested? X

minipie · 12/12/2013 17:04

Ah DD had SUA, that's the only thing I can think of as a cause.

MultipleMama · 12/12/2013 17:26

It can in some cases I think but most go on to have healthy full term PGs with SUA hence why they didn't want to hold it accountable for what happened.

RPC - Raw Placenta Capsulation. Not for everyone, most people are creeped out about it but I've been taking them since DC1. I noticed benefits but others don't. One of those things haha.

Featherbag · 12/12/2013 17:33

With DS1 (32 weeks) I had GD, and it was a first pregnancy in a didelphic uterus. The combination of GD making baby bigger, and the uterine abnormality reducing the amount of space he had to grow in meant he ran out of room at 5lbs 3ozs. DS2 (now 3wo, born by cs at 38 weeks) had the good grace to develop in the same side of the uterus as DS1, as DS1 had already stretched it DS2 had more room, although he didn't have enough room to turn head down and ended up a rather squished breech. He was 7lbs 12ozs!

FraggleRock77 · 12/12/2013 20:03

MMama, RPC - not for me but very interesting. Just read up about it. Maybe i should have fried mine off, slapped it between a burger bun with a side of fries!!! XGrin

cathpip · 12/12/2013 20:23

My sister has a bicornate uterus, one side was much larger. Her dd1 arrived at 34 weeks after her waters went, she had run out of room. Dd2 arrived on due date, sister did say that dd1 she carried to the left and dd2 she carried to the right.

FraggleRock77 · 17/12/2013 19:20

So just to update this thread. I've been scanned today and it seems my cervical length is JUST in normal limits. Seeing the consultant soon and he will be asked to scan my cervix throughout my next pregnancy (if I'm lucky enough to get pregnant) and i may need a stitch. Very thorough investigations x

LeBFG · 19/12/2013 11:21

Oh, no one's mentioned progesterone. I had totally unexplained 31 week with DC1 and with second pregnancy, I had weekly progesterone injections. The jury is a bit out on how effective it is - but I got to 38 weeks with DC2 Smile. Good luck to all the posters still pregnant.

plentyofsoap · 19/12/2013 14:18

Definately ask for progestrone. It lengthened my cervix when I nearly had dd at 26 weeks.

minipie · 19/12/2013 14:36

Very interesting. Am contemplating pg no 2 soon and wondering what I should ask for.

Pre pg cervical stretch test
Progesterone
More scans (esp cervix and placenta)

Anything else...? All of these are qutie cervix based, mind you I guess if it's not the cervix there is less they can do about it.