2Nd Pregnancy Questions

I think that you can go to planned parenthood to get help. They will not make you wait. If they can't help. THey will know who can.

If you've just found out that you're expecting then I would get the referral soon but don't stress out too much about getting in immediately. When you contact your primary care physician just let her know about your concerns. Just because you had complications once doesn't mean it will happen again.
Congrats and good luck.

If you just found out, then you have time. Let your Primary Care Physician know about your complications. If they see anything that concerns them, they will make sure you get into an OB right away.

Just take care of yourself and don't stress over it too much.

I didn't have any premature labor problems, but I did have problems during labor. My second pregnancy was great, and the labor much better. Each pregnancy and labor can be very different. Considering your insurance requires you to get a referral (mine does too), you can help speed that process along by calling and bugging your main doctor, and then call your insurance company and once your doctor has given you the referral call the insurance company and explain due to previous pregnancy complications you need to speed this through as quickly as possible. Ask them how you can help the process! That would be my suggestion. Take control of your situation!!!

Hi K.! Congratulations! I would definitely get the ball rolling. Many people have no problems with the second eventhough they had problems with the first but at this point there is no way to tell. It is just a good way of caring for yourself and your child.

Good luck! J.

It really depends on how far along you are on how soon you should be checked. With in regards to being on bed rest if the first child was an eager one then more than likely so will your second one. Each pregnancy is usually different but if this is your body saying that is can't hold the baby it will more than likely happen, early labor, about the same time as your first child. I know this because is happened with all three of my children. I'm not sure why and neither are the doctors but my children tried to come three months early, every single one of them. My first one succeeded and is healthy and a live to day. For my last two pregnancies I was on bed rest and put on the heavyset med�s that stopped the dilation. Unfortunately it didn�t stop the contraction and by the third month I was begging for the pain of labor and for my child to be here.

In response to your question about seeing the doc. Just use the time frame of your first child in regards to weather or not you have enough time to see your ob. before your premature labor will start. Better safe than sorry. When you get your referral just let the ob's office know your situation and more than likely they will see you sooner that later.

The worse case would be that you go in the er and they will help to stop the contractions and run all the test that you need to have to make sure the baby's ok.

Congratulations on your new arrival!

~G.

Hi Kelly,

Lots of great advice from the the other mamas. If you'll feel better checking in earlier, then that's what's most important. The only thing I would add/stress is that getting a referral might not take as long if you are a force to be reckoned with: that means, calm but forceful. As mothers we advocate for our kids, but it's just as important to advocate for ourselves. I don't know which insurance you have, but call up and explain the situation. If they say you must see your doctor first then ask for a manager and explain the situtation. If that's not good, explain again. If the person won't make the exception then ask for the earliest possible appointment. If that appointment is too far away for your comfort, tell them you need to be squeezed in and that it doesn't need to be your doctor, just a doctor that has the right to make a referral. Talk to the person and remind them that you are a human being and that the decision he or she makes as a caring human being affects two lives. Do what you need to do to see the doctor as soon as makes YOU feel comfortable. No necessary because you might have problems, but because you deserve to get the care that you want.

And while you're on the phone, check if they cover midwives/doulas, you may not want to use one for your regular care and birth, but they may be able to recommend care for you that could help with a full term pregnancy. Depending on your money situation, that might be a nice "treat" for yourself anyway. I took a lot of comfort from the hour long visits I had with my midwife (as oppsed to 10-15 minute doc check-ups) and knowing that someone I knew would be there for my birth, rather than who was on call.

Having preterm labor is a risk factor for a subsequent pregnancy, but the good news is that you may be able to recognize the signs earlier and get help. Definately talk to your doctor about this.

K.,
I had the same kind of pregancies. I started going into preterm contractions from month 3 all the way to the end in both of my pregnancies. The Dr's were clueless as to the cause. I would have ultrasounds every other week, bedrest, etc. I know what you are talking about. And I know your fears. I recently found out that my progesterone is super low. The Naturopathic doctor that I went to told me that it was probably too low during my pregancies, which is what caused all the problems. He said that if you don't have enough progesterone, then your body has a hard time carrying a baby. Why didn't the conventional doctors and specialists know this??? I don't know. I wish I had known when I was pregnant. I don't know if that is what is wrong in your case, but it would be worth looking into. It is so simple to fix, but causes so many problems in your body if you don't have enough. Cover all of your bases. Seek out a good Naturopathic doctor and an OB that specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Most insurance plans don't cover naturopathic medicine. Don't let that scare you off. A good clinic will work with you so that you can get the best care. Good luck to you. I hope your second pregnancy goes alot smoother.

having a difficult pregnancy doesn't always mean subsequent ones will also be difficult. My first pregnancy reuired months of bed rest, the second was very easy - I even moved furniture and exercised during the second one. Both children came out fine. You should still see a doctor soon but don't panic if it takes a little time.

I was in the same predicament that you are in now. I was pregant with my second child and the older one not even two. I also went into premature labor with my first child and was put on terbutaline and moderate bed rest. With my second, I went into premature labor at about 28 weeks. My mistake was not taking care of myself. I was sooo dehydrated that I caused stress on the baby and started to dialate. The doctors put me on terbutaline again and told me to take care of myself. It is alot harder than it sounds. My son was about 1 1/12 when I got pregnant for the 2nd time and running after him took all my energy.
The best advice I can give is whenever your child eats or wants a drink, you get one as well. That will allow you to keep on yourself for the baby.
Even though I started dialating and getting labor pains very early on with each child, I lasted till 36 weeks with both. Just take care of yourself and the threat of premature labor will decrease.

I don't think I can answer your question but I to am trying to have another baby my daghter is 2 1/2. I didn't have a hard pregnacy the first time but I did have gestasional diebties and I had a c-section due to my daughter being breach. I would concult a doctor on this one. I to would be conserened.

I would suggest that if you need a requset first and it will take a couple of weeks you should go to the emergency room just to see exactly what is going on. You can tell them that you just feel funny and you don't know what the problem is. Even if you are not able to carry go your health may be at risk and you still need to know the details.

I had my 1st baby premature too. There was some concearn that the second would come early too. They just wanted to be sure they knew exactly how old she was then, in case something happened later on, there wouldn't be as much guessing. Other than that take your prenatals. There isn't really much that Drs. will do that can make a difference. Your body grows the baby with or without the drs.

My second baby was born at 39 weeks, and my third baby was born at 42! Each was progressively bigger also.

Here's my advice to you. Don't stress about it! When I had the first I was young and naive about all that can go wrong. With the 2nd, I knew too well, and I freaked out over every little twinge. I stayed awake all night scared to death. I put myself through an awful lot, and for no reason.

Every pregnancy and delivery go so different from each other.

With my second child I went into premature labor non stop, so i know what you went through. Don't worry to much but do get in to see a doc soon as possible. With my third child I could not get him to come out he was a stubborn one and still is he was 2 weeks late. Hope that all goes well and just take it easy and don't over do it till you can see a doc.

K. ~
My first pregnancy went to 41 weeks with no complications, other than she was too large for me to try delivering her naturally. I had to have a c-section. With my second, however, I was placed on bed-rest at 3 months pregnant. Although, before I was placed on bed-rest, we already knew there were going to be complications because a routine ultrasound found that my newborn had a hole in her diaphragm. She was delivered by pre-scheduled c-section (without having prior contractions) at 37 weeks (considered full term, but still 3 weeks early). She was in the hospital for 33 days (a record-low for her condition). She is a happy and healthy 3 month old now.

I think that unless you are willing to pay out of pocket for a preliminary visit with an OB, you should wait for the referral. This early on, there isn't much a doctor can do if something DOES go wrong anyways. Just remember, what is meant to be, will be. :) Life always has a way of working itself out. If you are spiritual/religious. I would suggest praying, and laying all your fears on Him. Trust in Him.
God Bless
~ S.

Why on Earth would it take a few weeks to get a referral? Usually, when you go into your regular doctor and they run a urine test to verify the pregnancy, they can give you a referral right there in the office. ?? I would go to your regular doctor if you haven't already and get this taken care of. Explain your concerns and see what your doctor thinks. Often, he/she can get the ball rolling much faster than you can.

My first pregnancy with my son, I went into premature labor and had him 5 1/2 weeks early, with no explanation as to why. (We tell him it's because he was just so excited to get out and see the world.)He's fine and you would never know he was a preemie. So, I was a bit scared that the same would happen with my daughter, but she only came 11 days before her actual due date. Every pregnancy is different, so hopefully this one goes better for you. But, I would definately discuss your concerns with your OB as soon as you can get in to see one.

Well Kelly, I had pre-term labor with my first one too. I went into labor at 27 weeks and was put on bed rest from that point on. She was born at 35 1/2 weeks, despite the bed rest and medication to prevent pre-term labor. So, when I found out I was pregnant with my second one I was worried too. But, to my surprise I never went into pre-term labor. I had braxton-hicks early on but they never progressed into anything. In fact they had to induce me at 39 weeks due to high blood pressure. She was quite comfortable and wasn't ready to come out on her own. I have three girls now and my third one wasn't early either. And I didn't have any complications with pre-term labor the 3rd time around either. They say that you are more susceptible to pre-term labor the 2nd, 3rd time around, if you had pre-term labor with your 1st. However, this wasn't the case for me. As for going in sooner than your insurance can cover, I would play that by how you are feeling. If you are feeling fine and everything appears normal than wait for your insurance to cover the expenses. Because as I am sure you know, they can be really high out of pocket. And that depends too, on how far along you are. If you are early on in your pregnancy than I would wait. But if you are in your second tri. and you just found out maybe you should go in earlier. Hope this helps. Congratulations and good luck. S.

im a mother who had a ovary removed and my first son was born 3 days late and i had a c-section with him, i want ed the c-section because i felt that there was some thing rong and i was right, your instincts tell you what to do and if u fill u need to see some one than i would go to an OBGYN asap, but dont go to the valley OBGYN go to sacret heart, there great they will help you out, if u want to talk my email is ____@____.com hope all goes good this time for u, LOL

I too had a very complicated first pregnancy and when I gor pregnant the first time I was extremly nevous. It took a while for me to get to see the OB GYN which made me more nervous. My first pregnancy was horrible, constant premature labor, polynuphytis and UTI's all the time and also constant bed rest. And like you my first was very healthy. I am happy to report my second pregnancy was pretty much problem free. I never went into preterm labor had no UTI or any other complications. So the bottom line is every pregnancy os different. Go see the doctor when you can but dont worry too much. Congrats and GL!

I too am now pregnant with my second and worried as well. I went through three weeks of bed rest before my son came early anyways. almost two months early. The stakes are higher the second time so they say..I am in the same boat.. You'll know if something is wrong and so will your doctor.

my insurance requres a referal as well however I have found the lop hole once you have been to the dr that you were refered to you don't have to get another referal to see that dr again , so if your ob who helped with your last pregnacy is in the area call and see , call the insurance and ask if that is possible .