Looking for Support

kstockdale2011

Hello Ladies!

My name is Kelli and I am 33 weeks pregnant today! I am at risk for preterm labor because my cervix is thinning out a little too soon. I had a cone biopsy in 2008 and during that procedure, my doctor had to remove part of my cervix to get rid of cervical cancer.

My pregnancy was going wonderfully until my 24th week. My cervix was measuring between 3.0 cm and 4.0 cm up until that point. At 24.5 weeks, it started to thin out a little and my doctor placed me on modified bed rest. I've been doing this for almost 9 weeks! Although it is a bit trying, it is totally worth it and I'm mostly doing it with a smile on my face.

For a month, my cervix stayed at a steady 2.2 cm. We were happy with that for the time being. On Wednesday morning, I made a trip to labor and delivery because I was having contractions 4-5 minutes apart. We are pretty sure that they were caused by dehydration. When I went to the hospital, I was 1 cm dilated and my cervix was still measuring at 2.1 cm. Since I already got steroid shots to develop the baby's lungs (at 28 weeks), they sent me home with strict instructions to call or come if if the contractions get more intense or more frequent. The next day (yesterday), I went to my weekly check up with my OB. My cervix measured 1.5 cm (how can it go down that much over night?!?!) and I was still 1 cm dilated. I took an FFN last week and it was negative. If the negative FFN is accurate, I am good through 34 weeks. I take another FFN next Wednesday. Praying for another negative

 My doctor's goal is for me to at least get to 35 weeks. I am looking for support from mamas that have delivered their babies early. Have any of you been in my situation but maybe made it a little further than 33-34 weeks? I'm also looking for information on what I may face once she is born. How long were your babies in the NICU? What kind of issues were they born with, if any?

 I am just so scared and don't really know what to expect. Any insight would be wonderful!

 Thanks for listening

snoangel79

Your in a pretty good spot at 33w and every day counts! I had mine at 34w2d, not to an ic (that was the only thing that I had going for me). I was in the hospital being dx with pre-e and my son started to have decels of his heart because the cord was apparently wrapped around his belly and started to tighten. I delivered right away, only got 1 steroid shot. My son was on a respirator for one day and then off. Both kids were on CPAP for a few days. They were fed for a little less than two weeks by nasal tube. They were under the lights for jaundice. Their stays were 22d (Ethan) and 24d (Allison). They were feeders/growers basically. My daughter was also IUGR so she was tiny but she came home in less than a month weighing 4lb2oz!! Good luck you are already in a very good place at 33w though please believe that! My kids are home now for almost a month, daughter is 6lbs (she is tiny still but growing), my son  is a little over 8lbs.

urbanflowerpot

Hello! I had my guy at 30.6 and it was a total suprise! I just wanted to point out that the preemie moms have put together a blog - check my siggy for the links.

Hope your bedrest goes well and stop in whenever you need to!

kstockdale2011

Thank you both so much for your encouraging words!That's exactly what I needed! I will definitely check out your blogs!

vsalt31

Hi, I had my DS at 31w,3d. He was in the NICU for a total of 44 long days. He was only on a ventilator for an hour immediately after birth, but has been breathing fine on his own since then. Other than his size, our nicu stay was due to bradycardia episodes (where LO's heart slows down too low) and desaturations (LO's blood wasn't carrying enough oxygen). Both of these are very common for preemies. We were sent home with an apnea monitor and oxygen (like what old smokers have to wear in their nose), but we just got released from those this week. We did have to have a surgery last week to rake care of some hernias in his belly & groin, but he is healing nicely. He is totally happy normal baby boy. He just weights over 8 lbs. now. I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this and are on bedrest. It sounds like youre in really good hands. Sending T&p your way. Keep us posted!

gringa78

You're in really good shape.  I delivered my twins at 33w2d and they were mostly feeders/growers.  They were off of oxygen in the first 24 hours and spent 4 weeks in the NICU putting on weight.  They had the typical bradys and one has a heart murmur, but overall they had typical preemie issues - nothing major.  They're at home now and doing great.

Best of luck!!

dvwalborn

I'm so glad you've gotten as far along as you have. I hope you make it to 35 weeks.  My son was born at 35w1d.  My water broke out of nowhere and they didn't stop labor so he wasn't able to get any steroids for his lungs.  Unfortunately he had a bit of trouble breathing so he was on a CPAP for 2 days.  After that though his lungs have been perfectly fine.  From what I've read, the steroids work wonders so hopefully you're in good shape.  DS had a bit of jaundice and one apnea episode but he did really well.  He spent a total of 11 days in the NICU and has absolutely thrived since coming home.

Hang in there and keep us posted!