Another premature baby question..?!?

Question

I had my baby 12 weeks premature, he is now a healthy 2 year old. i would like to have another baby but petrified of having another premature baby especially cos i am really afraid of having a permanently ill child. Anybody who had experience? I would love to hear ur story/ advice. Thanx.

Answer 1

I think it is absolutely understandable that you are petrified of the risk that your baby will again be premature and with it the risk of having some permanent damage to its health.
To put things in perspective you have to be as well as possible informed why your first baby was premature and take neccessary steps if it was a known and preventable sort of problem.
Also you might need some sympathetic ear to talk to - either look for a self-help group in your area, or a good friend who either has been throughtsomething similar or is willing to do some research on your behalf, or talk to your gynaecologist, they might know a therapist who specialises in this area, again, depends what sort of person you are.
Also, go online and page through amazon for scores of books on the subject and as they are available for next to nothing, get 3 or 4 and one might just do the trick to get your started.
After all, planning preganacy, being pregnant and have another baby is a brilliant time for most of mothers and I am sure everything will be all right.
All the best!!!

Answer 2

I had my daughter at (28 weeks) 12 weeks early also she is still quite ill and developmentally delayed. I'm now 12 weeks pregnant with my 3rd baby and was told that because I have already had one preemie my chances are doubled and there is around a 20% chance I will have another preemie. The way I look at it that means theres an 80% chance I will make it full term but I will be happy if I get to 32 weeks this time. Yes it is a scary thought. But if they could find a reason why your first was preemie then there is a higher chance that the Drs can treat you before you have a preemie as they will know the reason.
Another friend of mine had her baby in April 06 at 28 weeks also and a few months ago she gave birth to a healthy full term baby.
I know lots of people who have full term babies after preemies.
The Drs also monitor you more closley I'm going through the high risk pregnancy clinic and having heaps more scans and tests doen to try to prevent having another preemie.
Good Luck

Answer 3

both my kids were overdue, but i do have a close friend who has had 3 kids. her first was born at 24 weeks. he held on to life for about 6 weeks. she decided at that point, she didn't want anymore kids. because of her age (she was 20 at the time), the dr would not tie her tubes. she had an oops and gave birth to a little girl about 3 yrs later. she was almost 8 pounds and about a week overdue. her youngest was born a year and half later weighing in at 8 lb 4 oz born c-section because he was breach. both very healthy kids at 7 and 5.

it's a risk that every pregnant woman takes. we'd all like to have perfect pregnancies with perfect births. just doesn't work that way sometimes.

Answer 4

Hey hun

I havent been in your situation but I know someone who has. The thing is you dont know if the baby will be prem or not. My friend has 3 beautiful kids. The first two were full term and the last one was prem. Unfortunately its a chance you will have to take.
I understand you fear and concerns..No parent can stand to see their little baby sick forever but all you can do is live a healthy lifestyle and do everything in your power to ensure a healthy pregnancy. If your baby is born prem you have to try and accept it and just give him/her all the love and care only a good parent can.

Best of luck hun

Answer 5

I've not had this experience as only one of my children was early. He arrived 4 weeks early but was perfectly healthy and a good weight. What I will say though is that the hospital and your midwife will be aware of your history and will keep a closer eye on you at the critical stage. So don't worry too much and the best of luck.

Answer 6

Depends on the reason why youre son was born early, or was he born early and there was no reason, was there anything wrong with you.My daughter was born at 32 wks and they could not find a reason for this,she was my 5th child and my son who was born 11 wks ago was born at 39 wks.Though the doctors kept a closer eye on me this time just in case.Ask youre doctor or midwife but try not to worry as you might find you would go to full term.

Answer 7

I know several women who had preemies who went on to have healthy, full term infants.

Once you have a preemie (or any other pregnancy complications) you should be flagged as a "high risk" pregnancy which means you will be subject to more rigorous following while pregnant.

Can they promise it will never happen again - no. They can just be more diligent on following you and perhaps catch the problem earlier.

Best of luck!

Answer 8

my sister had her son 16 weeks early he is 3 next year and she now has 2 more children one of whom was 2 weeks early. it has nothing to do with if one child was born early its all down to your body and how well it can cope with pregnancy . i think if you are healthy then go for it there may have been a problem last time round but it wont necessarily happen again. good look and take care

Answer 9

I had a Daughter with 28 Years she had 4 pounds which is OK. Then I had 7 years later a boy with 930 grams,( under 2 pounds) 11 weeks early. he is perfect. with today's medicine don't worry and go ahead. I am wayout1000 wife.

Answer 10

The only thing I can say hun along with good luck, is I would have thought the hospital wil take better care this time, more scans etc and if you show signs of going early again, will try and delay it. Thats the advise my midwife friend told me. steroids will be given too, so babies lungs form quicker, if there is any signs of you giving birth early xx