First preg post-preemie

[waldenmommy]

My 35 week son will be one on the 20th. When he was about 8 months old, we found out number four is on the way, so I am about 18 weeks now.

If you were preg post preemie, how did it go? Did you do anything different? How far did you make it? I'm taking fish oil, anti anxiety meds (which I needm trust me. The anxiety is through the roof over this!), extra zinc, super prenatal vitamins, vit C (when it doesn't give me heartburn) and probiotics (when I remember to buy the bottle!). Then again, I did all this with my preemie preg too.

I have some risk factors, like a preemie, PTL with numbver 2, babies close together, etc. I did carry two to term, 37 and 40 weeks, so I guess that is in my favor. But I don't think I will make it to term this time.

So far, knock on wood, everything is going okay aside from some contractions and bleeding at 13 weeks.

Any advice? Reassurences? Crystal balls? lol

[BookGoddess]

Congratulations on the baby!

I hope the NICU mamas here have some advice for you.

[sbrinton]

My babies were born earlier each time - 38, 35 and then 31 weeks. I think this is mostly due to contractions that started earlier in each pregnancy. I have a very irritable uterus, maybe as a result of low progesterone, but we really don't know. All of my boys are healthy and doing well.

You are doing the right things. Are you being checked more often, especially with ultrasounds to check cervical length? If your cervix is long and you are not contracting, those are good signs. If your cervix is short, or gets shorter (especially below 2.5 cm), the doctors may want to be more aggressive with things like bed rest. In the meantime, drink lots of water. If you suspect you have a bladder or yeast infection, get help right away as these can cause inflamation that can cause contractions. Be careful with sex. If you notice that it causes contractions at least. You might find that using a condom to prevent your cervix from having a prostaglandin bath might be helpful too. Ask your doctor about extra folic acid. Ummm...baths with epsom salts are great for calming the uterus too. Make sure to get plenty of protein to help your baby grow well and your cervix stay strong. If you are seeing a midwife or a naturopath, you might also ask about natural treatments for preterm labor (herbs). Have someone else do the heavy cleaning and be careful with carrying your kids or anything else very physically demanding.

Good luck!

[waldenmommy]

Thanks!

I am on extra folic acid and I just got word that my zinc and progestrone levels are low again, so I upped the zinc and am back on progestrone.

Hard to rest with 3 active kids!

Am using my soaking tub alot too!

I just saw my chiro, who is also my doula and was for my son's birth. She tried an acupressure treatment which, at the very least, felt good! It did feel more relaxed in my uterus (make sense?) and, well, it won't hurt, right?

I live on protien, lol. Is there any other food?

The condom idea is really good, though. We have no sex restrictions so that's really worth considering, thanks!

off to take a bath...

[lindberg99]

I think it depends on why your preemie was early.

My 2nd was born at 30 weeks due to a placenta abruption. The chances of that happening again were really small. I got pregnant when he was about 3 yo and had no problems at all. I didn't do anything different when I was pregnant.

I hope everything goes smoothly!! Congrats!!

[justmama]

I have one term pregnancy and two preemie pregnancies, both due to pprom. i am a big proponent of the condom idea though. we had to abstain in the last trimester mostly because after about 24weeks i would get some serious contractions from the "prostaglandin bath" as it was called. but my preemies were 34weeks and 33weeks respectively. Again, it really depends on the reasons you delivered so early. Because mine was pprom there really aren't a whole lot of ways to safeguard against that unfortunately.

[liberal_chick]

My first ds was born early due to PPROM. My second pregnancy was like every woman's dream; it went super smoothly and I was not really ever uncomfortable or "done," IYKWIM.

With my second pregnancy, I started taking vitamin C, fish oil, and a prenatal vitamin when we started TTC. I kept taking those after I got pregnant and added in a probiotic. I also had the OB screen me for BV as some studies have shown it can contribute/cause PPROM if left undiagnosed/untreated.

[sunnygir1]

I, too, had premature rupture of membranes with both my babes. My second hung on one day longer than my first to make it to 35 weeks (based on lmp). I was told to take Vitamin E and C and eat plenty of protein to help strengthen my bag. I also took probiotics. I never got checked with my first, but with my second, I was not dilated at all at 33 weeks. I was on modified bedrest the last couple months because of labial swelling and varicosities. I think both of my babies came early because of horrible gallbladder pain that I suffer when I'm pregnant. I think my body just kicked them out as soon as possible. Both my babes are fine, and I have no idea how to prevent this kind of preterm labor.

Best of luck.

[2mama]

Take it easy, stay hydrated, eat healthy, and don't gain to much weight(related to bp and blood sugar issues), and try to stay calm and think possitively!

[Momof4kidz]

I think the odds are definatley in your favor for carrying to term this time. I had my first at 35 weeks due to oligohydramnios, and my second at 35.5 weeks due to oligohydramnios again. My third was born at 33 weeks due to pPROM and forth was 32 weeks due to pPROM.

[DocsNemesis]

Mine was a preemie due to HELLP. I had 4 full term babies before that (42, 39.5, 37.5, 39 weekers). The weird thing with me was that my body seemed to want to get him out-I was having hard contractions for quite some time, getting harder as my condition got worse-but at the same time didn't; my cervix was completely closed and thick. It seems weird to have had such strong contractions and get no progress at all.

Anyway, I have no way of knowing if it'll happen again either. I'm paranoid as heck, I'm 26 weeks today and I've had some very mild swelling in my feet, which was the main sign I had before. I'm so scared.

Anytime I see any swelling, I lay down. I try to lay down for a few hours a day. I'm drinking as much water as I can. I know I can't prevent it from happening if it's going to happen, but I'm doing everything I can to help delay it IF it is going to happen again. I'd rather have an extra week or two!!

[baby duck]

My 28 weeker was due to HELLP, I had no symptoms other than my liver started bleeding. She will be four in January, and we have had one since (he's 18 mos). My pregnancy with him had no unusual issues and I didn't do anything differently, except see my doc more often.

[~bookcase~]

just my preemies are 14 months now and i'm still scared to go through it again, but am trying to get more informed about the issues i had a problem with in the NICU so that i'm in a better position to be heard if i have to go through it again.