History of pre term labor.

sloturtle · January 2013

Hello Ladies!! I am lurking from the 2nd tri with a question regarding preterm labor. I am 16 wks into my 3rd pregnancy (its been 11 yrs between #2 and #3). 5 months into my 2nd pregnancy I began having pretem labor, it wasn't a planned pregnancy and there was a lot of stress in my life and relationship with my then husband at the time. I was told to stay off my feet from that point on.

Earlier this week I was having a lot of pressure in my lower belly and pelvic area. So I went into my OB yesterday and everything is doing great cervix is firm, but my muscles get tired from holding my belly which is causing the pressure and uncomfortable feeling. I was told to get a belly support band and take frequent breaks off my feet.

I have another doctors appointment in 2 weeks and am trying to get a list of questions together to ask. I am only 16 wks and I am going to get bigger, I am worried about a repeat of preterm labor. With this pregnancy there is no stress and I am in a wonderful marriage with a wonderful husband.

Any questions I should ask my doctor would be helpful. I don't know if my age matters but I am 39 yrs old.

caden1206 · January 2013

Try and take it easy as much as you can. Unfortunately, unexplained ptl can be hard to predict if it will happrn again. Maybe get a second opinion or see a MFM to develop a plan that makes you feel comfortable. Prayers for a healthy pregnancy.

lawgalheel · January 2013

I definitely am coming at this question with my own experience in my mind, so take my advice for what it's worth.

Two weeks before DS2 was born prematurely, I complained of a lot of pressure and of just feeling like I did at the end of my pregnancy with DS1. The OB did an manual internal exam, and said that everything was nice and tight. I still went into labor 2 weeks later (at 26 weeks) due to what is now suspected to be an incompetent cervix.

I cannot tell from your original message if your doctor's assessment of your cervix was from a manual exam or from a transvaginal ultrasound. If it was just the former, I would strongly recommend asking your doctor for a transvaginal ultrasound measurement of your cervix. Most cervical changes happen from the innside out, which is why a transvaginal ultrasound would show something a manual exam may miss.

If your doc did do a transvaginal ultrasound, kudos to her/him!

trinity0906 · January 2013

I agree with prev post, request a cervical length check. It is one way to monitor any issues developing with your cervix. Good luck!

Abeja1226 · January 2013

Maybe you can ask about progesterone injections? Women with a history of unexplained ptl and other ptl usually start them between 16 to 20 weeks. I'm on them and so far I passed my milestone yesterday where at that point with my daughter I had gone into ptl. I have high hopes of making it to term. I agree about the cervical length checks too but unfortunately my OB won't do that for me, even though I am getting u/s every week due to another high risk issue.

cfitz16 · January 2013

I would talk to the doctor about it for sure. I got referred to a high risk Ob and was put on progesterone shots from 16 weeks on with my daughter. I still delivered her at 34 weeks, but only because my water broke. We are thinking about timing of a third and we already called and spoke to high risk doctor and they would prescribe the shots again. Plus, they usually monitor you very closely as well. Good luck and congratulations.

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