Previous preterm labor?

KatFCo

I am currently 23 weeks pregnant with my second pregnancy. 4.5 years ago, my first pregnancy resulted in sponanteous preterm labor and my daughter was born at 23w6d. I saw the doctor today and she doesn't seem to think there is much chance of full-term birth. She just wants to get me to 34-35 weeks and not have NICU time.

Does anyone have experience with preterm labor that resulted in subsequent full-term pregnancies?

easjer05

Do they have you on 17-p or anything?

KatFCo

Yes, and she's going to be checking me every week to two weeks. I was just wondering what other people's experiences were, since she didn't seem to be too optimistic about a FT birth.

Cercamom2011

I'm hoping for my full term pregnancy this time around.  However, I was told from the get-go that without medical help, it was not very likely I would ever go full term on my own.  Even with that, I have no guarantees.  So, the plan for this pregnancy and probably all subsequent pregnancies is the 17P shot, and cerclage.  Do they have you on bed rest or some other plan to help reduce the chance of pre-term labor?

 

ETA: Sorry, just saw you are on 17P.

KatFCo

Right now, other than the 17p is just more frequent cervical checks and "take it easy" rest. At the first sign of effacement or dilation, cerclage or bed rest will likely be on the menu.

I'm sorry to see that your previous pregnancy ended in having to say good bye to your daughter. My daughter (also named Abigail) was born at 23w6d.

easjer05

KatFCo:

Yes, and she's going to be checking me every week to two weeks. I was just wondering what other people's experiences were, since she didn't seem to be too optimistic about a FT birth.

Ah, ok.

I had preterm labor with my son, resulting in live birth at ~21 weeks gestation.  Later identified cervical damage sustained from a prior cervical pregnancy and the assumption is that my water broke the day I went into labor, prompting labor.

I had a cerclage and receive 17p shots.  Since they think the PTL was primarily due to the cervical damage, they aren't as concerned about it, and certainly there are no issues to this point with contractions or PTL.  But they have me on very strict restrictions, and between this and concern over my b/p, my OB doesn't seem to think I will avoid bedrest, and we're just hoping to make it to April.

2dogmom

I had pre-term labor starting around week 25 w/ DD#1.  I didn't have her until 38 weeks, after much medical intervention.  This time around, my doc said she'd monitor me closely but not consider me high risk until I started showing signs of pre-term labor again (but that I could expect to see those signs at some point, due to my history).  I began pre-term labor symptoms at 22 weeks with this pregnancy.  At first, we were told that making it to 32 weeks would be a lofty goal.  We're closing in on that and everything is holding strong, so we're hoping for further.  GL to you! 

08PharmGirl

I also had PTL with my first daughter. She was delivered at 30 weeks. This time around my OB was not going to do anything different except  the 17p shot. He wanted to get a cervical length at 20 weeks for at "starting point".  Without boring you with the details, I am now on weekly checks for a shortened cervix and basically waiting to be put on bedrest.. but NO, we never had a "plan" for this time around... No percentages of if I would go full term.. 

saturdaysuiteheart

i went into labor with my first at 33 wks and he was born at 34 wks and my 2nd was born at 37 wks...every pregnancy is different

KatFCo

Thanks for sharing your experiences. It's nice to know some people managed to get close to FT. Gives me some hope.

Cercamom2011

Sorry Kat, I just rechecked this post.  Thanks for the kind words about our sweet angel.  FWIW, I believe things are truly different this time.  Hopefully, you believe it too.  I'm just thankful for as much monitoring/help we are getting this time. 

Andrewsgal

Dd was born at 34 weeks, ds was born at 36 weeks 5 days a week and a day after my last p17 shot. I have no doubt I carried him that long because of the shots, this time around I will have  the shots until 37 weeks.