Pregnant After Preemie

[motownthrowdown]

First off, I am NOT pregnant and have zero desire to be pregnant anytime in the near future. Just curious about those that are.


For you preemie moms who are on #2 or more after a preemie, how did you overcome the mental trauma/stress of wondering if it would happen again? Specifically wondering about micro preemie moms, but I know there aren't that many of you/us. My DD was 860 grams at birth and so doesn't technically qualify as micro preemie. 

[minae01]

DS1 was born at 32w3d due to PTL. DS2 was born at 36w due to PTL.

It was a hard decision to go for #2 and now #3 knowing the risks. The chance that I will get passed 35/36 weeks is very slim, but I know that I will be well-monitored. I start taking my p17 shots in 2 weeks, which seemed to help a bit with the last one. I just have to have faith, take it easy, and advocate if I feel something is wrong or needs to be checked out. It will be nerve-wracking, especially as I get to 32 weeks and beyond, but I have to trust that I'm in good hands.

A lot of mommas have full term babies (or very close) after preemies. There's always hope that your next pregnancy will be better.

[runningmommy519]

You know my story friend. But I'll share for the others.

I had discussions with my OB. He said the chances of another NICU was there but the probability low. In the end..... I wanted DS1 to have a sibling. I had a lot of anxiety in my 2nd pregnancy but I trusted my OB 110%. He handled everything with DS1 so beautifully.

In the end, it happened again for an entirely different reason and as much as it sucked..... We made it through. I was better emotionally this time but did have a few moments where I cried so hard I could barely breath. There were moments I was so angry that we were going through it again when so many other pregnant moms didn't. I remember sitting in my car one night sobbing them screaming.

Both my kids were preemies and both are doing amazing. But part of me still mourns the fact that I will never know what it's like not to have a hospital stay.

PP is right. There is hope that the next pregnancy will better but there is a chance you could go through it again.

[runningmommy519]

I should add that part of me believes that I had the issues with DS1 because of DS2. Had I not had a complicated pregnancy with DS1 they may not have monitored me as closely the 2nd time and I know I wouldn't have been dead set on using the same OB. I really believe had I had a different OB that DS2 wouldn't be with us today.

[theycallmekveld]

My son was (is) a micro-preemie. When we found out we were having another baby, I was so scared. What helped me the most was to take it one day at a time and check in with my doctors as often as I needed. Since I was considered high risk I saw a specialist along with my OB, and that was also very helpful. Basically I did whatever I needed to keep myself calm. And my daughter was born at 38 weeks, weighing almost eight pounds

What's important to remember is that your feelings are valid. People might not always understand but it's 100% normal.

I'd say the moment when I finally had a healing experience was when my daughter was born safe and sound. Her birth was such a good experience, so different from my son's, and after that I found a lot of my anxiety over my son's issues had lessened, too.

Best of luck to you when you decide to try for another! Name it kveld.

[wicked22]

A little late but here it goes. Both my pregnancy's were unplanned. After DS was born at 32w 1d I was not wanting another for a while but oops. When I found out, everything from last year started playing thru my head. On top of everything I was facing have to have a different OB because of insurance and chi network issues. Im able to keep my same OB because insurance worked out there issues thankfully. My OB is monitoring me fairly closely and loves that im asking more questions and doing some of my own research and asking him about it. I have it in my head a that December 14th is my line to cross as that will be the 32 weeks mark with this one. At this point im still very numb to how things went last pregnancy and hope I don't have the same Issues.
Also adding I had an overnight stay at the hospital this pregnancy for fluids. I was out in the same room I was in last year almost to the day. I wasn't asked till almost 9 hours after being admitted if i needed to switch room. I'll admit it was very strange but i didn't have any panic attacks or overall bad feels. I did have a few twitches when I stepped off the elevator and saw the signs for NICU directing you to the left.