What causes preterm labor?

Question

I have talked to my doctor about this, I was just looking for my opinions.

I was just under 28 weeks, and had s*x, although they say its perfectly normal!! :) Anyway - 10 mintues later my water broke. That was on a Thursday, and I had my daughter on Monday. Surely the s*x didn't actually cause it, perhaps made it happen sooner. I would think it would have still happened within the next few hours, or maybe 24 hours, something like that. But I wouldn't have made it another 12 weeks!

Anyway - Just wondering if anyone else delivered so soon!! Any ideas?

BTW - My daughter is doing wonderful! 2lbs exactly!! Perfect, just tiny!

Thanks for any advice!

Answer 1

Similar situation happened to me 3 months ago with my daughter and was told also that s*x and/or masturbation was safe to do throughout my pregnancy.  Throughout my pregnancy I did both.  Cut to the chase, when I got up one morning something didn't feel right down below like I did feel something was loose, but I started my day and forgot about it.  That night, I became turned on and started masturbating.  Right before I had an o****m is when I heard a "pop" sound followed by the gush of water.  Since this was my very first pregnancy I totally freaked out and called my husband to take us to the hospital to get our baby and I checked out.  From the time my water broke my contractions didn't start until 4 hrs later and by 9:30am the next day I had given birth to my baby daughter which I was 37 weeks pregnant so my daughter actually came out 3 weeks early.  Not sure what the cause of preterm labor (you) or full term labor (me), but I wasn't expecting to give birth so early.  But, it is common that couples give birth like 2-3 weeks earlier than there expected due date.  My daughter weighed 5 lbs 3 oz when she was born, but because she eats my breast milk she now weighs around 12 lbs and growing strong.

Answer 2

I'm so glad that your experienced turned out happily.  I had a friend with the same problem.  They made her stay in bed and try to keep the baby (not much amniotic fluid) for as long as she could.

My own son started coming at 31 wks with nasty contractions.  So I spent the next 6 weeks in and out of the hosp while they tried to stop the contractions, stop the migraines, high bp, swelling...miserable.  At 36.6 they delivered my "premature" baby at 8 lbs. 10oz.

Take care, and remember that mommy can't function very well unless she's taken care of, too.

TX Mom

Answer 3

It could have been stress, alcohol, cigaretts (I'm sure you weren't doing those), bad diet, and sometimes it's just fate.

I delivered 6 weeks early for my oldest and know how scary it can be. You sound like you are taking it in stride and extremely positively, good for you!