#2 after PPROM

OhSewCrafty

Hello ladies. I posted this on the High Risk board a few weeks ago, but it wasn't very busy over there.

Basically, DS #1 was a late term preemie (34w 5d) due to unexplained PPROM. I've been trying to stick to the thought that every pregnancy is different, but I can't get it out of my head that I'll have another preemie. I know we were very lucky that he was so healthy at that gestational age, but its been a long road of immune issues and EI to get where we are today. 

I'm so excited to be pregnant, but so incredibly nervous. If you don't mind me asking, if you had PPROM with your first and had another child, what happened the second time around?

sweetpea2003

My DD was pPROM (35w4d).

My DS was born full term (39w4d - via induction) after 17P shots and Procardia.  I was also on pelvic rest most of my pregnancy.  I also took Vitamin C (with the blessing of my doctors) because there is some research that it helps to strengthen the amniotic sac.

My pPROM wasn't really "unexplained".  My cervix was measuring short and funneling from about 22 weeks on with my first pregnancy.  Funneling can increase risk for pPROM and that is what my MFM thinks caused it.  With my son's pregnancy, the 17P seemed to help and I didn't really start shortening/funneling until closer to 30 weeks.  By 35 weeks I was 3cm dilated and 80% effaced - but my water thankfully never broke.  At 39w4d I was induced (at 6-7cm dilated, 90% effaced but not in labor) because everyone was worried that if I went to labor at home that I wouldn't make it to the hospital 45 minutes away.  DS was born less than 2 hours later - 9 pounds 11 ounces.  My cervix obviously isn't that wimpy.

I guess I could have just as easily had pPROM with my second pregnancy due to my dilation/effacement.  So...  I'm not sure if my first pregnancy was bad luck or if my second was good luck.  But the simple answer is that it is definitely possible to have a preemie and then have a full termer.

OhSewCrafty

sweetpea2003:

My DD was pPROM (35w4d).

My DS was born full term (39w4d - via induction) after 17P shots and Procardia.  I was also on pelvic rest most of my pregnancy.  I also took Vitamin C (with the blessing of my doctors) because there is some research that it helps to strengthen the amniotic sac.

My pPROM wasn't really "unexplained".  My cervix was measuring short and funneling from about 22 weeks on with my first pregnancy.  Funneling can increase risk for pPROM and that is what my MFM thinks caused it.  With my son's pregnancy, the 17P seemed to help and I didn't really start shortening/funneling until closer to 30 weeks.  By 35 weeks I was 3cm dilated and 80% effaced - but my water thankfully never broke.  At 39w4d I was induced (at 6-7cm dilated, 90% effaced but not in labor) because everyone was worried that if I went to labor at home that I wouldn't make it to the hospital 45 minutes away.  DS was born less than 2 hours later - 9 pounds 11 ounces.  My cervix obviously isn't that wimpy.

I guess I could have just as easily had pPROM with my second pregnancy due to my dilation/effacement.  So...  I'm not sure if my first pregnancy was bad luck or if my second was good luck.  But the simple answer is that it is definitely possible to have a preemie and then have a full termer.

 

Wow! That's great that your second baked a little longer. :-) How did they know your cervix was changing the first time? I didn't have an ultrasound or internal exam from 20 weeks onward. I was so frustrated after having my first, wondering if they would have been able to tell something was going wrong. I have so many questions for my OB (a different office) when I go in on the 27th, but time I dragging by!

OhSewCrafty

BostonKisses2:

No advice - I'm just reading so I can look at the adorable pics of Mr. C!  

Aww, you're too sweet BK. :-) I saw Judith's video on FB - she is such a trooper and SO adorable. We really should get these little ones together to play one day!

vsalt31

M&MHaveMyHeart:

I am not pregnant but I have the same fears as you. So much so, that I am seriously contemplating one & done. It was very traumatic & although DS is as big & healthy as can be, I can't help but assume it will happen again.

Same feelings here!  

mmooki

vsalt31:

M&MHaveMyHeart:

I am not pregnant but I have the same fears as you. So much so, that I am seriously contemplating one & done. It was very traumatic & although DS is as big & healthy as can be, I can't help but assume it will happen again.

Same feelings here!  

 Here, too.  DD is 4 months now and was born at 33w3d.  She is happy and healthy and doing fantastic.  But the thought of another NICU stay and leaving without LO..  I'm terrified.  We are not currently thinking about another one now.. just me making myself crazy lol.

nicole0066

With DD my water broke at 36 weeks and she was born the next day.  We have no idea why my water broke then.  My midwives said that next time around they will have me do the 17P injections from 16-36 weeks with a little more monitoring.

Congrats on #2! 

sweetpea2003

OhSewCrafty:

sweetpea2003:

My DD was pPROM (35w4d).

My DS was born full term (39w4d - via induction) after 17P shots and Procardia.  I was also on pelvic rest most of my pregnancy.  I also took Vitamin C (with the blessing of my doctors) because there is some research that it helps to strengthen the amniotic sac.

My pPROM wasn't really "unexplained".  My cervix was measuring short and funneling from about 22 weeks on with my first pregnancy.  Funneling can increase risk for pPROM and that is what my MFM thinks caused it.  With my son's pregnancy, the 17P seemed to help and I didn't really start shortening/funneling until closer to 30 weeks.  By 35 weeks I was 3cm dilated and 80% effaced - but my water thankfully never broke.  At 39w4d I was induced (at 6-7cm dilated, 90% effaced but not in labor) because everyone was worried that if I went to labor at home that I wouldn't make it to the hospital 45 minutes away.  DS was born less than 2 hours later - 9 pounds 11 ounces.  My cervix obviously isn't that wimpy.

I guess I could have just as easily had pPROM with my second pregnancy due to my dilation/effacement.  So...  I'm not sure if my first pregnancy was bad luck or if my second was good luck.  But the simple answer is that it is definitely possible to have a preemie and then have a full termer.

 

Wow! That's great that your second baked a little longer. :-) How did they know your cervix was changing the first time? I didn't have an ultrasound or internal exam from 20 weeks onward. I was so frustrated after having my first, wondering if they would have been able to tell something was going wrong. I have so many questions for my OB (a different office) when I go in on the 27th, but time I dragging by!

With my first pregnancy it was complicated from the start.  It was an IVF twin pregnancy  with a bleeding subchorionic hematoma and then we lost one of the babies at 12 weeks.  That was my second loss (lost first pregnancy at 12 weeks also).  So I was being monitored heavily to make sure that my body could reabsorb twin A without compromising B.

At my 22 week u/s (with MFM), the ultrasonographer just happened to zone in on my cervix a bit and said "hmm... just looks a little short" and took out the t/v ultrasound wand.  And that began the bi-weekly u/s to check my cervix.  I'm not convinced the average u/s tech in a low risk practice would have found the issue since it was very slight at 22 weeks (I think I was measuring 2.8cm).  But the combination of high risk, very good quality u/s machine, and them being SUPER careful with me due to my history made it so that they noticed.

With my 2nd pregnancy they started looking carefully at my cervix starting at 12 weeks. 

seahorse1008

I just lurk here but though I would chime in. Last year DD was born at 36 weeks when my water broke out of the blue, although the day before I delivered I was 4 cm dialated and 90% effaced. DD was also less than 5 lbs at birth. I am currently pregnant with number two and my doctor has suggested the 17p shots plus ultrasounds every other week starting at week 14 to monitor my cervix. If this baby makes it to full term, I will be induced at 39 weeks because I am very petite and my doctor is worried about a big baby since progesterone has been shown to increase birth weight.

Wally3

I'm 30 wks pg with my 2nd after unexplained PROM at 34 week with my 1st.  I am not going to lie - I have been a lot more stressed this pg.  I have been getting p17 shots since 16 weeks.  I also I see a MFM regularly this time who measures my cervix.  My insurance company also has a nurse who calls me every week and asked me a ton of questions regarding preterm labor.    Look at make sure you can get some extra support this time around.

OhSewCrafty

Wally3:

I'm 30 wks pg with my 2nd after unexplained PROM at 34 week with my 1st.  I am not going to lie - I have been a lot more stressed this pg.  I have been getting p17 shots since 16 weeks.  I also I see a MFM regularly this time who measures my cervix.  My insurance company also has a nurse who calls me every week and asked me a ton of questions regarding preterm labor.    Look at make sure you can get some extra support this time around.

I'm hoping to get that kind of support from my OB. I'm so worried, however, that because I'm new to the practice and didn't have my DS with them that they will brush it off for some reason. At my first appointment, I need to sound informed and concerned without sounding like a hypochondriac. lol

Kd&J

Im so glad you asked this. Im right there with you. I ruptured at 20 wks with my daughter and ended up delivering at 29 wks. Im pregnant with no 2 now and am terrified it will happen again. Are you planning on getting the P17 shots?