PPROM at 24 weeks - what to expect?

[TwittleBee]

Hi,

So I had PPROM at 28 weeks with DS2, I never got into established labour (stuck at 3cm) and it ended in EMCS 3 days later due to fetal distress.

This time my waters broke at 24+4 weeks and I've been told it will be best to birth DS3 vaginally. They've been broken for 2 days now and I've not started labouring though. What can I expect when I do?

Would any of you mind sharing your stories?

Hello @TwittleBee how are you today? Has labour started yet? Are you 25 weeks today? I don’t have experience of premature labour sorry, but I did have a 25 weeker. I’m guessing you are up to speed with a lot of the issues from your previous preemie. If you’ve had time for the magnesium and steroids then baby has a reasonable chance of being ok at 25 weeks. There is a big difference in lung development compared to 28 weeks, and baby is likely to be ventilated for a while. We could only comfort hold our daughter until she was 10 days old- she was about 27 weeks when she first came out of the incubator. But she’s doing fine now (and she didn’t get the steroids etc as she was emergency).

Praying it all goes well for you 🙏

Hi @twittlebee hope you're doing ok today?

I had pprom at 26 weeks and was blue lighted to hospital with the expectation that labour would begin within 24-48 hours. It didn't - they kept me in for observation for a week and then sent me home on strict instructions to rest. After a week at home I went into labour spontaneously and although it wasn't the speedy delivery everyone had warned me about, I did give birth vaginally (they too were keen to avoid C-section).

I can't help with the 24 weeker as mine was a few weeks past that, but I do know through FB groups and so on that plenty of babies born at that gestation are fine.

Hope things are ok for you.

Thank you both for your replies!

Yes @teapotter I have made it to 25 weeks today. All signs of contractions etc have thankfully vanished, just left feeling rather queasy and crampy now. We never actually got to hold our son until he was dying in our arms at 5 days old, he had to be on one of those ventilators that vibrate their whole little bodies. Terrified this is all going to happen again.

What did the labour feel like @hollyberry2 ? If you dont mind me asking. Did they indicate why it started up?

There are just so many unknowns arent there! I wish I could have a lost of every possible situation and outcome

Ah no I don't mind at all- it was my first so I didn't know what to expect but labour started off in the evening while I was watching tv, was convinced it was constipation for some bizarre reason!

It got worse but wasn't very regular, sharp pains every 20 minutes or so. We went to the hospital around 1am where they confirmed I was a couple of cm dilated and kept me in for obvious reasons. He wasn't born until the early hours of the next morning so it did all feel quite lengthy and I had an epidural at around 7cm as well.

The one thing I think was different from a 'normal' labour was that I had no freedom to walk around or change position. Hooked up to so many monitors that i had to stay flat on my back. Also when the midwife thought he was close to being delivered, the NICU team were called and stood facing the wall while I pushed him out! No pressure or anything

Hope you'll keep us updated. I'm extremely anxious about trying for another- for all the reasons you're currently going through/have gone through. Sending so many good thoughts your way.

@TwittleBee That’s great news that your contractions have stopped, every day improves the odds at this stage. Are you still in hospital or back home now?

So sorry to hear about your ds2, that’s terribly sad and must make you extra nervous this time. Could I suggest (not wanting to interfere sorry, but I had a friend in similar circumstances) that you write a note to give to the nicu nurses explaining your history and that certain things might be difficult for you? I was thinking about the vibrating ventilators in particular, and how hard it would be to be sitting with your baby when one started up nearby. They may be able to prewarn you and help to deal with some of the emotions that will hit, and it will save you explaining to each nurse. A bit like a birth plan I guess only a nicu plan instead.

@hollyberry2 I also thought labour was constipation the first time! I knew better the second time round.

Oh you two saying it feels like constipation has me worried now because I've been feeling constipated all day 🙈

Hi TwittleBee

I don't have anything to add for advice (sorry) but just wanted to say that I recognise you from the Due in June thread and a few of us have been wondering how you are getting on recently. Just wanted to wish you and your baby all the very best x

Sorry you're going through this. There was a thread on here last year of a little girl born at 24 weeks, I believe she made it home in time for Christmas. Hopefully that poster will see this to offer support.

@TwittleBee don’t panic, it only becomes labour once you feel contractions starting regularly. Have your doctors told you when to get back in touch? I would say if you feel the constipation stopping and starting over a period of say 10 minutes then try timing it. If it’s labour it will be a regular pattern, slowly getting faster. It’s very common at full term to get false contractions in the days and weeks before birth. I’m not sure about preterm but I’m guessing it’s the same- your body won’t be sure what it’s supposed to do!! Praying baby stays in a bit longer.