What Are The Chances?

[Laura2919]

Of having another premature baby? I never really asked this question to anyone before now and I was sitting her wondering.

I had the twins because I caught an infection but labour had started spontaneously beforehand. I was carrying 7lb of baby at 29 weeks so probably thats a factor.

Have you had more than one prem or does it increase your chance and if you have had a prem and a next pregnancy did they monitor you more closely?? x

 

[Olivias_mum]

Im not sure statistically but the nurse at the NICU today told me most people have full term babies after having a preemie xxx

 

[nkbapbt]

I think its 10-30% and goes up if you have numerous preemies. I am not 100% sure but I would think because you had twins, if you went on to have a singleton you would likely go full term. Unless there was other complications that caused the premature labor?

I had an infection....and no one can say if it was there before premature labor or came because my water broke early....

 

[AverysMommie]

Depending on the reason you delivered early, the chances of it happening again are high. The doctor should refer you to a specialist that will monitor your cervix very closely to watch for changes. They may also suggest a cerclage also. Best of luck to you. I had a 25 weeker back in 08 that died of NEC after 5 weeks in the NICU. I currently have a 24 weeker, Avery Luke born 2-15-10, 1lb 5oz. He's been a trooper and we are riding the NICU rollercoaster as we speak. Take care!

 

[Laura2919]

Wishing you all the best with Avery! x

 

[Laura2919]

I think its 10-30% and goes up if you have numerous preemies. I am not 100% sure but I would think because you had twins, if you went on to have a singleton you would likely go full term. Unless there was other complications that caused the premature labor?

I had an infection....and no one can say if it was there before premature labor or came because my water broke early....

I had an infection too. They dont know what it was or where it came from, the trigger or anything. They think I would have gone into labour anyway simply because at 29 weeks the girls were 3lb10 and 3lb5 and thats nearly 7lb!!

x

 

[AP]

i dont think i had an infection, not sure.... no one knew why i was in labour so early and it was so quick. everyone pins it on stress, i was totally broken that week and even in the docs crying for help. im hopin theres not another reason, i would like to ttc again in a few years.

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi. It really does depend on the reason you went into premature labour in the first place.

There is this huge debate about whether which comes first, infection or labour. Sometimes, an infection can be brewing for weeks before it works its way upwards to the cervix and begin to stimulate labour.

Uterine size in atwin pregnancy can trigger early labour, but there are many women who have large babies and go to term. Mine were 3-4Ibs at 28wks - it concerns me, but then I've read many stories of ladies giving birth to 8Ib twins at 36wks, so it isn't a definitive reason.

I personally had a term baby and then went on to deliver at 24wks due to IC. This was specifically linked to cervical tearing during my son's traumatic birth. Fortunately a cervical cerclage has helped me to hold on to this pregnancy, but it cannot stop preterm labour which is a seperate problem.

In some women, prostaglandins kick in too early and trigger preterm labour - no one knows why this happens. There isn't alot that can be done to prevent this, but there is a suggestion that treating with progesterone in the second trimester can prevent this.

In your case hun, you seemed to have a really nasty infection. Though no one can know for sure, this could have thinned or effaced the cervix. In which case you were unlucky, and there is every chance a future pregnancy would go to term.

Even if the weight of your uterus triggered labour in your particular case, this can happen in a twin pregnancy and wouldn't necessarily happen with a singleton. The babies also release the prostaglandins which stimulate labour, so maybe having 2 on board did this to you - why this happens in some women and not others is not known.

A cervical cerclage cannot prevent preterm labour, it can only stop the cervix opening due to the weight of the baby - if this wasn't your problem, then it would be redundant. If IC was your problem you would have had the babies much earlier (usually before 26wks).

I'm sure a future pregnancy would be fine for you hun. The chances are a combination of twins and infection contributed to your preterm birth - 2 things which are easily avoided in a future pregnancy x