24 weeks today, high risk pregnancy, anyone want to keep me company as I face up to the likelihood of delivering a premature baby?

[grainmum]

So, that's it really. Leaking amniotic fluid for the last 8 weeks. Braxton hicks of varying degrees of uncomfortable. Struggling to hold it together mentally. Was doing OK until last appointment on Wednesday but since then I just want to crawl under a stone, I'm monitoring every twinge and feeling pretty pessimistic.

People who've been there - how did you cope? Any ideas for something constructive I can do to prepare in some way?

Good luck with everything, grain.

I had my ds at 27 weeks. A blood clot had been found on my placenta at 21 weeks and I was placed on bed rest at home (with a couple of hospital admissions in between) until I went into spontaneous labour. I remember the horrible stress of counting every day down and just praying baby stayed in there a little while longer. It was the hardest time of my life, but my ds is now 4 years old and a bright, happy and healthy little boy. He's small for his age, and is slightly behind emotionally (struggles to control his frustrations) but like the pp has a fantastic memory and vocabulary and is the most fantastic loving little thing.

I'm currently 24+3 with our second and have been signed off work again as my consultant is concerned about another prem birth (even though all scans have gone well so far). I was told to rest but must admit I took it with a pinch of salt and am now laid up on the couch with stomach pains after hoovering. I will listen from now on!

If you need any advice or support about NICU or anything, please feel free to PM me. Bliss are a great charity as well and can offer a lot of support.

I'll be thinking of you and hoping baby holds on in there!

Thank you @10storeylovesong . The whole rest thing is difficult isn't it. Life has to carry on especially with older children to look after. Also my consultant seems to be happy enough for me to continue working. I will get in touch if I think of any questions.

28w today another little milestone. Have been feeling more positive but also can't quite believe that in 6 weeks we might be contemplating elective delivery. Just received a letter in the post that summarises our discussion with the neonatologist 10 days ago. At the time I felt that she was positive, and reflecting on it again now I still think that she was, however seeing it in black and white it looks a lot more "guarded".

Have put off thinking about birth preparation too. With DS I did NCT and an antenatal yoga class. Nothing this time. Starting to think I will be horrendously under prepared if a vaginal birth is a possibility, or whether I will freak out in theatre. I have wondered whether a hypnobirthing book might be worthwhile?

Well done on getting to 28 weeks. My former 26 weeker who is doing incredibly well after a 69 day NICU stay is trying to snatch my phone. So if you have any questions- ask. You are past 28 weeks- do you have an estimated weight? Once you are past 1kg you are past the micro preemie stage.

I say this as a warning but not to scare you, the lack of amniotic fluid will have an impact on the lungs (I had PPROM as well but we only held off labour for 3 days). Steroids however are amazing. Now that you are 28 weeks I would be pushing for them a bit.

Hi, there's a very good closed support group on Facebook for parents of premature babies called Parents of Preemies Support UK. It's full of people who have a lot of experience in this area so a great place to ask questions. I had twins at 24 weeks, having prem babies isn't easy regardless of how prem so I hope it's goes well for you.. good luck!

Last scan 10 days ago estimated weight was 750g I think around 20th centile. Consultant would be happy to give us steroids but trying to hold off to give them in the week before I deliver... oh for a crystal ball!

Thanks for the details of the Facebook group I will have a look at that.

How are you getting on grain?

Hi, we're ok. 29 weeks and counting. Ended up until maternity assessment last Sunday as fluid loss changed to pink. All seemed to be ok but infection markers in blood borderline (probably due to my lingering cold/cough). Anyway now started twice weekly blood and CTG monitoring in the antenatal day unit. The midwife there is absolutely lovely and I think I will benefit as much from that support as the actual monitoring.

At scan on Wednesday estimated weight was 950g so that is also improving.

Having a cheeky 2 night city break 30 mins from home with DH, really lovely just to spend all day yesterday together and wander between coffee shops, but surprised at how insecure I feel just being that little bit further from home.

Also decided that after this 2 weeks annual leave i will be starting my maternity leave. Not entirely sure how I feel about this but I don't want to be left with any "what if" or "if only" if the outcome is not good.

We were talking yesterday and saying I'm like a time bomb - only without the clock!

A hypnobirthing book is definitely a good idea. Hypnobirthing isn't just about a vaginal birth at full term, it's useful for whatever situation you might find yourself in because it's about maintaining your calm and not feeling overwhelmed. I'd highly recommend it!
Congratulations on getting to 29 weeks, hope baby keeps cooking a little longer!

grain glad your still doing ok, 29 weeks is great, DD was born at 29+1 is still doing great (12 weeks tomorrow, been home 5 weeks now I think). I understand that ticking time bomb feeling though, hopefully being on maternity will give you some relief

@Scrumptiouscrumpets any specific recommendations?

So here we are, 30 weeks! Managed to enjoy a couple of day trips on our annual leave, and feel absolutely awful that DH is doing all the decorating of the spare room, I haven't been allowed to lift a finger to join in 😒.

Other than that fairly quiet and thankfully not much to report. Monitoring has gone well other than the game of hunt the baby with the monitor each time! Thankfully when I lie on the bed I always feel it move loads so doesn't cause me to panic.

I've decided to distance myself a little from some of the Facebook PPROM support groups. The general stance is quite critical of obstetrics teams. At the moment I am happy with my care and I don't think I need to be focused quite so much on the negativity.

Back to see consultant on Wednesday. A different one this time so it will be interesting to hear a different perspective. Last time we were asked if we had any views on delivering at 34 weeks or waiting a little longer. It wasn't even a question we had contemplated or thought we might have a say in, so it will be interesting to hear the second consultant views on timing of delivery.

Hey, wow, a number starting with 3 not 2! That is definitely a milestone. Hope the liquor volumes are keeping up.

I had a complicated pg with my last dc who was a 34 week delivery. I spent a long time in hospital ante-natally and my baby was a contrary monkey for the monitor too :)

I'm sure 34 weeks still seems a long way away for you, but we only spent 10 days in hospital after the birth. A few after effects like reflux but nothing hospital worthy.
Good luck :)

@explodedcloud that would be amazing, keeping everything crossed.

Liquor volumes consistently about 2.5cm deepest pocket on scan, but that's usually about the only pocket they can find. They've seen baby practising breathing movements too so we just have to hope it has been enough for reasonable lung development xx

Fingers firmly crossed for that.

Every day counts and you are doing well. 30 weeks is out of the bloody scary stuff :)

So yesterday evening at around 19.50 my baby boy was born at 30+3, weighing 1.06kg. He is in NICU, on a ventilator but on air. We are so lucky.

Congratulations, that's a decent weight for his gestation. He is in very safe hands x

Congratulations OP! Great news that you held on in there for so long.

Currently up singing to my 23-weeker, who's now 2 and completely healthy and developmentally normal. They are resilient little munchkins. Sending best wishes for a speedy and straightforward PICU stay and a quick discharge home!

Congratulations OP. Sending well wishes to you and your little boy.

Congratulations OP! Wishing you all wel

Congratulations OP. You've both done so well!

I've only just found this thread but I did deliver at 24 weeks after a high risk pregnancy and my little girl is now 11 weeks old. She is still in NICU but doing well. Birth weight 605g, now 2.15kg. If you have any questions about the NICU journey, feel free to PM me.

Congratulations grain that's lovely news, fingers crossed for a smooth ride for you all, also here if you have any questions

Congratulations Grain. Well done on getting to 30 weeks, that is amazing. Best wishes to you all .