All three of my guys have technically been "preemies" (36 weeks, 34 weeks and 32 weeks) although the 32 weeker was the only one with a NICU stay (3 weeks exactly) I had been on bedrest with him for about 10 weeks prior to his birth, for preterm labor. We stopped it for the most part with terbutaline and then mag sulfate (nastiest drug on EARTH!) but then with him and my 34 weeker I had PPROM.
This time around, I've been doing the progesterone shots and bi-weekly cervical scans to keep close tabs on my Cervical length. About three weeks ago, cervical length went from 3.3cm the week before to 2.8 cm, and I was immedaitely put on bedrest. The next week, it was back up to 3.0cm (baby's head didn't seem to be pressing hard in the cervix anymore) although I still have some funnelling, thankfully no dilation.
Honestly, I don't know that you really KNOW it's going to happen until it's actually happening. This time around for me we're monitoring everything socarefully becuase of my previous pregnancies and preemies, but I think that the sort of monitoring I'm having is just completely over the top for *normal* pregnancies. Sure, it's been wonderful because it's kept this babe baking and helped us avoid problems before they got out of hand. I do really believe he progesterone shots have been a HUGE boost in keeping my preterm contractions at bay - with my last it was the contractions that were the real issue, because they were causing dilation. This time, I have intermittent braxton-hicks, but nothing like last time, and they obviosuly aren't making me dilate. I'm still convinced that once I go off the strict bedrst and back to modified this weekend (32 weeks by the peri's conservative due date, 33 weeks by my very accurate charting, LOL!) that I will start to dilate a bit, and we'll see how it goes. I'm not expecting to go much past 35 weeks (woudln't it be hyterical if I go overdue, then, LOL?!?!)
This time around, I've been doing the progesterone shots and bi-weekly cervical scans to keep close tabs on my Cervical length. About three weeks ago, cervical length went from 3.3cm the week before to 2.8 cm, and I was immedaitely put on bedrest. The next week, it was back up to 3.0cm (baby's head didn't seem to be pressing hard in the cervix anymore) although I still have some funnelling, thankfully no dilation.
Honestly, I don't know that you really KNOW it's going to happen until it's actually happening. This time around for me we're monitoring everything socarefully becuase of my previous pregnancies and preemies, but I think that the sort of monitoring I'm having is just completely over the top for *normal* pregnancies. Sure, it's been wonderful because it's kept this babe baking and helped us avoid problems before they got out of hand. I do really believe he progesterone shots have been a HUGE boost in keeping my preterm contractions at bay - with my last it was the contractions that were the real issue, because they were causing dilation. This time, I have intermittent braxton-hicks, but nothing like last time, and they obviosuly aren't making me dilate. I'm still convinced that once I go off the strict bedrst and back to modified this weekend (32 weeks by the peri's conservative due date, 33 weeks by my very accurate charting, LOL!) that I will start to dilate a bit, and we'll see how it goes. I'm not expecting to go much past 35 weeks (woudln't it be hyterical if I go overdue, then, LOL?!?!)
Although if I follow family history and don't have any preterm complications, I'm more likely to be somewhere between 38-40 weeks, possibly a few days over 40. I've already followed family history for labor length (very SHORT). So we'll see. Still crossing fingers to get another 6-7 weeks in. As of yesterday, I've now been pregnant longer than I've ever been pregnant before. 
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