Avoiding another prem

[CitrusRain]

Hi everyone. I'm looking into ttc another baby later in the year and want to do everything possible to avoid having another awful pregnancy and another premmie (I had a 34 weeker who is now 10 months). My first pregnancy ended in miscarriage and then the second was a completely horrible experience with severe morning sickness for 5 months, the worst case of heart burn my doc had ever seen (which has done some permanent damage) athsma, GDM and finally PE which was one of the rare cases that led to having dangerously high BP for 15 days post birth and then dropping to normal over night, and finally ending in unexplained PPROM with a traumatic 1hr 20 min labour (3-10cm in 50 mins). I don't know the exact problem my body has with being pregnant but most of the problems seem to stem from hormonal imbalances which I've had since I was a teenager.

I guess what I'm looking for here is some advice on who to see, whether it be an acupuncturist, fabulous obstetrican, whoever to give my next pregnancy a fighting chance. I've prepared myself for the possibility of another rough pregnancy and another premmie but I'm hoping with 8 more months of lead up (since the stats say 18 months is the best time to try again to avoid another prem) and some good doctors, I can at least help my body along.

[Elijahs Mum]

I would recommend going to see a naturopath, they will sort out what your body needs and get it ready for being pregnant and hopefully keep you healthy during your pregnancy! I think a good obstetrician is a must also but a naturopath will get your body ready!

[CitrusRain]

Thanks. I have just been to see the naturopath and am feeling a little more confident. At least this time if something goes wrong I can rest assured that I did everything possible to make my body a comfy and safe baby home!

[vv27]

What a great question i also had a prem baby he was 6 weeks early i had a horriable pregnancy i ended up in hospital at 29 weeks as i had a raptured membrane and ended up having to get transfered to the royal womans hospital in melbourne i was there for a few weeks and then sent home and in bed rest as i wasnt able to move around much at all i had to go to the royal womans every week 3 times a week for check ups. I do have to say they are a great hospital and really took care of me. We wanna try for another baby by the end of this year and im terrified also of it happening again.

[CitrusRain]

Hi vv27. I'm actually off to the doctor in about an hour, and then the naturopath next week, so I'll tell you what they say. In my desperation to find other mums who've gone through this and are terrified of doing it again with a toddler, I've come across some great stories but unfortunately it all seems like luck. Got reffered to a new GP who is apparently very thorough and has a special interest in pregnancy and peads so let's see how it goes.

[vv27]

Good luck nat11 hope it all goes well and you get some good info. I always wondered if i should go to the doctors before we wanted to start trying cause the hospital never really gave me any info of whether it can happen again. Well let me know how you go.

[CitrusRain]

Just got back from the doc. She basically said they can do a blood test to check hormone levels, iron, zinc, antibodies for different diseases etc and then fix any issues that arise but apart from that and seeing a high risk ob there are no ways of preventing anything. I have no risk factors at all for either GDM or PE apart from having them both last pg and there's a good chance I won't get either or get them later. As far as having PPROM with an insanely fast labour again she just said if I see any signs I would have to call an ambo because without knowing why it happened first time she can't say it won't again. On the up side she said I could TTC any time I like because I'm fit, healthy and had a natural birth so my body is healed and there is no scarring. Now all that's left is to work out when DH will be home (he's away 8/12 of the year) and make sure he has leave if I need bed rest/hospital stay. Starting to get excited about they prospect of having another little one!

[vv27]

Wow his away alot i do hope it all goes well for you this time hun happy baby making hehehe

[CitrusRain]

Back from the doc. She said I can get a blood test done to check hormones, mineral levels, antibodies etc and then she will go from there. As far as GDM and PE goes, I have no risk factors apart from having it before so i might not get it or get it later. PPROM is a deferent story. Since they don't have a clue why it happened I will be closely monitored by a high risk ob and hopefully I will go longer. There's nothing they can do abou the extremely fast labour but she said I would need to call am ambo if I see any signs of labour because it could easily be even quicker! (don't know how it could possibly be any quicker but ok!) The good news is I can start vitamins and get my bloods done and then TTC as soon as I feel like it because I'm fit and healthy and I had a natural birth so no scarring. She said if I had of had a c section I should wait 2 years. So now all there is to do is get the bloods done and work out DH's work schedule! Yay!

[CitrusRain]

Stupid iPhone! Just wrote that out twice because it didn't send!!! Grrr!