They like me, they really really like me

I was interviewed for an article on pregnancy after having a preemie. The article is here.

Unlike Glad, Jennifer D of Cumberland, R.I., knew when she was pregnant with her first child that she was at increased risk of giving birth prematurely. Due to a bout with cervical cancer at age 18, she had already been diagnosed with an incompetent cervix. In addition, she'd been a preemie herself – born in 1978 at 30 weeks. In spite of all those warning signs, she says her doctor didn't take any special precautions, and her daughter, Arianna, now 3, still has issues related to her birth at 28 weeks.

When Jennifer got pregnant with her second child she went back to the same doctor armed with more than a year's worth of research. She wanted to discuss having a procedure called a cerclage, often used in cases of incompetent cervix, where the cervix is stitched closed. She also wanted to discuss other options for preventing prematurity, such as progesterone shots and more frequent ultrasounds. Her doctor, however, still did not take her increased risk seriously.

"I felt like I'd hit a brick wall when I went back to my original practice," Jennifer says. "When I told them what I wanted to do to try to prevent another premature birth, they didn't want to commit to anything. They said they couldn't say what they'd be able to do differently than the first time. I told them I was sorry, but I'd have to find a new doctor."

The new practice worked closely with Jennifer. She had a cerclage at 13 weeks, supplemented that with progesterone, and was scheduled for weekly appointments and ultrasounds. Her second daughter, Daria, was born healthy and full-term.

I feel so spe-shell