I had DS at 33 weeks (in 2008) after a very healthy and uneventful pregnancy, until the very end this is. I was not at risk for anything, I'm healthy, young, etc. So my OBGYN never did an internal exam, just kept putting it off saying there was no need. Then I went into labor due to chorioamnionitis (infection of the uterus due to my 4 cm dilated cervix). He later said that my cervix could have been open a bit throughout my entire pregnancy or maybe just the last few weeks, and that was why I ended up with the infection most likely. Also, after the week of hospital bedrest right before delivery, I ended up with an abrupted placenta. My OBGYN didn't end up delivering DS, another doc that was on call did but my original doc did my hospital pre and post delivery care.
At my 6 week checkup, he was talking about my rupture of membranes being the reason DS came early, SO not right though (they had to break my water during delivery), so we figured the paperwork got mixed up with another patient, although he had no recollection of my hospital stay at ALL. I work for the hospital I delivered at, and this doc is really, really good at what he does and does a majority of the high risk obstetrics in our area, so I don't want to make a mountain out of a molehil.
I am about 6 weeks along right now, and will first see my doctor around 11-12 weeks. Is that normal to wait so long? When did you first see your doc the second time around? Was your prenatal care any different (and why did DC #1 come early?) Any other moms out there who delivered early due to chorioamnionitis? Did the doc state if it was likely to happen again? Was your prenatal care any different this time around?
Sorry for the novel, I'm just nervous this time around more than last, and this forgetful/easygoing doc isn't helping. I've got my fingers crossed for a nice plump 40 weeker!
Re: 2nd pregnancy/chorioamnionitis/what was your prenatal care like?
My story is also different then yours but my doctor who I really liked got very careless towards the middle of my pregnancy. I work full time in the city which was about an hour away from my doctors office so I would always make the last appointment of the day and was always rushed through the appointment. I had serve swelling starting around 15 weeks which I was always concerned about but the doctor never seemed to be worried about it. At my week 28 check up they didn't test my urine which they normaly do at every appointment and did a a sketchy blood pressure check and two days later I was in the emergency room with blood pressure through the roof. I delivered an hour after being at the hospital. To this day I still think my doctor rushed me out the door to quickly. I could never go back to that doctor because I would always feel like they are missing signs. If you don't feel completly confident in the doctor I would find someone you can trust. Good luck