Anybody have experience w/ premature babies...

[Sue G in PA]

Okay, don't get all flustered...I'm still hanging in there and very pregnant! :) I'm just about 35 wks. I've never gone early, but my midwife thinks this time might be different. *I* think this time might be different. So...anybody have experience delivering before 37 wks, but after 34? Any big health issues? Baby okay? My midwife will deliver at home after 35wks. She's never had any complications w/ baby. I was just curious if anybody had any experience w/ this.

[JudoMom]

Okay, don't get all flustered...I'm still hanging in there and very pregnant! :) I'm just about 35 wks. I've never gone early, but my midwife thinks this time might be different. *I* think this time might be different. So...anybody have experience delivering before 37 wks, but after 34? Any big health issues? Baby okay? My midwife will deliver at home after 35wks. She's never had any complications w/ baby. I was just curious if anybody had any experience w/ this.

He had no problems. He's a bit of a pill now, but I don't think it's related ;).

My brother's 1st born and a friends 3rd born were both born at 36 weeks, too. They needed a bit of oxygen for a day or two, but nothing terribly serious.

Hang in there!

[abbeyej]

Does your midwife bring oxygen with her to births? That's the main thing that would concern me at 35-37 weeks...

[Tracey in TX]

Even though it's a bit early, there should be no complications after 32 wks. My trio was born 35wks and it was actually considered "full term: (for trips). Lung development would be fine. Baby will be a bit smaller than the norm, but no long term complications expected in mid-30 wk pregnancy.

Good luck!!

[Diana in OR]

My oldest was born @ 37 weeks. He had a lot of the vernex (sp?) on him, but otherwise was a healthy 9lb.

My dr. was concerned when I went into labor, but I didn't give it a second thought until *after* the fact, and realized there could have been complications.

[Brigitte]

27.5 week twins here - much earlier than you are talking about - and no long term complications. But, one thing I do know is that the suck/swallow/breathe reflex develops between 34-36 weeks. So, that can be a potential complication, although not immediately life threatening, that you need to pay close attention to right away.

I'll cross my fingers and hope that you can hold on a while longer.

Brigitte

[Brigitte]

Multiples tend to have accelerated development inutero because of the stress of crowding, etc. Nature has a lovely way of taking care of things, doesn't it.

[Whisperlily]

It really depends on the baby. I had 2 babies born right around the 37 week mark and one who was born at almost 35 weeks. I tend to have really big babies, the earliest was already 6 lb 2 oz.

The earliest baby didn't require any oxygen at birth, but there were problems with blood sugar levels and they were standing ready in case he needed extra assistance. He had a very slow start developmentally, he had some sleep apnea issues (which they weren't monitoring him for, but I slept with him on my chest for at least a month while he was having episodes.) He struggled with reflux at first... and his tiny ears were so soft and "flat" at the top. (You know how most people's ears curl over to form a ridge around the top? His didn't for quite a while. ;) They were so soft and sweet.) He was jaundiced, and returned to the hospital to be under the lights for a few days.

Really, everything we dealt with was very, very minor in the grand scheme of things. He was only experiencing things that are normal for that gestational age, but he did require a closer eye than the others did. He also did catch up developmentally, and now is my "sharpest tack." Gifted, even. But oh, I worried. He didn't look anyone in the eye until at least 5 or 6 months. We even had him screened to make sure he could see, as he would respond to sound and touch, but not sight. He didn't smile for a LONG time. (You wouldn't know that now, he's the clown of the bunch!). By 7 months though, he started talking... it was like he got a jump start in there somewhere.

My barely 37 weekers were technically considered full-term. They still had a little more fuzz than my full-term baby did, and were pretty sleepy in comparison, but they were totally fine! :)

[TwinMominTX]

They were healthy and came home from the hospital 12 days after the were born. I'd say you'll do fine at 35+ weeks, but speak from experience that the longer you can keep them cooking, the better.

TK

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Even though it's a bit early, there should be no complications after 32 wks. My trio was born 35wks and it was actually considered "full term: (for trips). Lung development would be fine. Baby will be a bit smaller than the norm, but no long term complications expected in mid-30 wk pregnancy.

Good luck!!

Wow, I would be terrified to have a child just over 32 weeks. I fought like crazy to keep all three of mine inside, going into labor usually around 32-33 weeks every time.

Are you sure that this is true for singleton babies? About lung development, I mean?

[MelissaM]

My 3rd child was born at 35 weeks 2 days and he was a healthy 7 pound baby with no problems except mild jaundice. I had high blood pressure the last few weeks and the dr. gave me steroid shots. Both helped speed lung development.

My fourth child was born at 36 weeks to the day. She was five pounds and had some trouble holding her body temperature and blood sugar stable the first few days. She also had mild jaundice. I had a very high risk pregnancy with this baby (in the hospital for 2 months) so she too had the steroid shots. My fourth is a grouchy-butt ;) but I can't say it's because she was early. Her brother was a few days earlier and he is very happy go lucky.


Overall, we had no problems.

[Whisperlily]

Are you sure that this is true for singleton babies? About lung development, I mean?

Mine weren't ready at that stage. I had to be on anti-labor medication, including some pretty awful stuff, because DD's lungs weren't ready at 36 weeks. We held her off for another week and she was fine.

With my almost 35 week baby, we didn't have the luxury of stalling labor. Thankfully his lungs were okay. (except the apnea issues in the first few weeks) I did receive a steroid shot to help speed lung development, I don't know if that helped.

It really depends on the individual baby.

[Sue G in PA]

I don't think I'm having this baby tomorrow :) but if I did, I'm feeling much better about it. My luck, I'll hold out until AFTER my due date despite my midwife's "feeling" about going early. My last child...I hung around, dilated to 4-5 cm for 2 weeks! Anyway, thanks for your encouraging words.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Mine weren't ready at that stage. I had to be on anti-labor medication, including some pretty awful stuff, because DD's lungs weren't ready at 36 weeks. We held her off for another week and she was fine.

With my almost 35 week baby, we didn't have the luxury of stalling labor. Thankfully his lungs were okay. (except the apnea issues in the first few weeks) I did receive a steroid shot to help speed lung development, I don't know if that helped.

It really depends on the individual baby.

Yeah, mag sulfate makes you feel like you're going to die, doesn't it? Awful, awful stuff.

My concern with Sue is that she'll see all the anecdotal stuff about early babies and lose the natural concern that I think she needs to have going into this. Of course, all this discussion might be moot and she'll hold out to 41 weeks, or something. But saying babies are just fine and they came home after days and days in the hospital means that the babies might *not* have been fine had they been born at home, which is what Sue's midwife is proposing. What you said is absolutely true -- it depends on the individual a baby. And unless the midwife proposes an amnio to check, how could she possibly know about lung development? And being off on dates and thinking you're 37 weeks when you're really 35 is so very different from being off on dates and thinking you're 35 weeks when you're really 33. :eek:

I'm not a midwife, nor do I play one on tv. However, I have had 3 preterm labors complete with bedrest, the nasty drugs and the oh so painful betamethazone shots, and I know that from what I remember researching back then that I would never in a million years deliberately have a baby at home before 37 weeks if I had a single other option. Would. Not. Happen.

(And I'm really not arguing with you, and I'm soooo glad you had good outcomes! I'm just discussing "under" your discussion, is all.)

[HollyDay]

My oldest was born at 35 weeks. She had a very high bilirubin and required bili-lights for several days. She also had a poor suck/swallow and had a terrible time learning how to nurse. She finally got the hang of it on her due date. Go figure! We worked with lactation consultants and used pumps and a supplement nursing system (SNS) for a good 3 weeks. Other than that, she had no problems. It was exhausting for us because she was home on the lights and someone had to be up with her 24/7. Dh was back at work so we were rotating shifts. The pumping and equipment maintainance was a bit of a bother too. BUT, she was and is just fine. She weighed 8lbs 5 oz at 35 weeks by the way! And yes, the dates were accurate.

[Whisperlily]

I'm not a midwife, nor do I play one on tv. However, I have had 3 preterm labors complete with bedrest, the nasty drugs and the oh so painful betamethazone shots, and I know that from what I remember researching back then that I would never in a million years deliberately have a baby at home before 37 weeks if I had a single other option. Would. Not. Happen.

(And I'm really not arguing with you, and I'm soooo glad you had good outcomes! I'm just discussing "under" your discussion, is all.)

I fully agree with you. I also had preterm labor with my babies, and the mag sulfate, terbutaline, and betamethazone are all familiar. I guess some the "feeling" of what I was saying gets lost online. ;) I was very LUCKY that my early-bird didn't have more trouble than he did. Even so, it was scary. The apnea, and the months of delayed development, the reflux, and other things were all visible signs that he really wasn't "done yet."

If he'd had another couple weeks inside, it would have saved us months of struggle and worry while he caught up. Not to mention that he DID need intervention on quite a few of those issues.

[DIY-DY]

Okay, don't get all flustered...I'm still hanging in there and very pregnant! :) I'm just about 35 wks. I've never gone early, but my midwife thinks this time might be different. *I* think this time might be different. So...anybody have experience delivering before 37 wks, but after 34? Any big health issues? Baby okay? My midwife will deliver at home after 35wks. She's never had any complications w/ baby. I was just curious if anybody had any experience w/ this.

This was strewn across several states, too, so it's not like it was just the policy of one set of midwives.

Be gentle on yourself, and hang in there! You're getting so near the end, and about time to kiss that baby!! :)

Dy

[Unicorn]

My first was born at 36 weeks. If he had been born at home he would have died. He needed 100% oxygen, slowly decreased and was off completely in less than 24 hours, but his first apgar score was a 0. He quit breathing, turned from pink to blue, and went completely limp. Very Scary.

My twins were born at 35 weeks, one needed oxygen for a couple of hours, the other was fine, although she did need an IV later for low blood sugar.

Oxygen would be my only concern, other than that, baby should be fine.

[Marie in Oh]

She had been breech and when she turned, it sent my poor tired uterus into labor. She breathed on her own right away. She was COVERED in vernex. It was amazing. She did have jaundice and she was super sleepy for the first 4 weeks. But otherwise fine. At only 6'6" she was ver easy to get out. I had her in a birthing center, so kind of like a home birth. Hope it all goes well.

[Jenstet]

My second was at 34 weeks. No problems at all. 7 lb.2 oz. My MIL still thinks my due date was off.

[MelissaM]

if this baby comes as early as 35, 36, or even 37 weeks I would NOT do a home birth. Babies that early are more medically fragile and may need intervention quickly. You just never know.

Pam made a good point that all of the "my baby was fine" posts are encouraging for the long term but every situation is different.

[Peek a Boo]

my oldest was a 33 weeker -4pd, 2.9 oz-, but did fine. Hospital birth in case complications arose, but we coulda had him at home.

good luck!

[Sue G in PA]

I'm not "planning" to have this baby this week :) I was really just concerned when my midwife (who is typically right on the money with her "feelings") said I'd have this baby early! History says I won't have it until after my due date. Sure, I'm anxious, but not THAT anxious. For the record...my baby's at full term are always rather large (over 9lbs) and I'm not a large person. Typcially at around this point in my pregnancies, my babies are already over 6 lbs. Weight certainly wouldn't be an issue, but lung dev. would be as you never can tell. My midwife has delivered at 33 wks (unexpectedly...an Amish woman who would NOT go to the hospital). Baby was "fine", but really, really sleepy and in need of constant attention, formula supplements b/c the suck reflex just wasn't developed, etc. I trust my midwife b/c I know she'd never put my life or my baby's life in danger just to have a home birth. You all are so sweet to be lookin out for me! I just love you guys:)

[Ria]

Twins' and triplets' lungs mature much earlier than singletons. The more stress a baby is under in utereo, the better the chance of early lung development. Singletons born at 36 weeks can have breathing and suck/swallow problems. My twins were born at 36 weeks and came right home, but I've had friends whose singeltons have been born at 36 weeks and had issues.

Ria

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

You all are so sweet to be lookin out for me! I just love you guys:)

I'm just glad you don't feel "scolded." I kept reconsidering what I'd typed thinking, "Ok, how's this going to sound??" :rolleyes:

Hang in there. Here's to 39 weeks 1 day.

[Liz CA]

Okay, don't get all flustered...I'm still hanging in there and very pregnant! :) I'm just about 35 wks. I've never gone early, but my midwife thinks this time might be different. *I* think this time might be different. So...anybody have experience delivering before 37 wks, but after 34? Any big health issues? Baby okay? My midwife will deliver at home after 35wks. She's never had any complications w/ baby. I was just curious if anybody had any experience w/ this.

Ds was smaller than the average is these days (6lb) and he developed jaundice in the first week and we had to go back to the hospital for a one day light treatment. The *biggest*problem was finding diapers small enough so things wouldn't leak through the tiny thighs...:)

[octavia]

My daughter was a 35 (almost 36) weeker. She was a big baby, 3.5kg & didn't have any breathing problems (I didn't get the steroid shots) but she was absolutely smothered in vernix, had very fragile skin, was jaundiced & required a week of phototherapy, anaemic (we avoided a transfusion but she needed folate/B12 supplements for 6 months), very sleepy & difficult to feed (initially tube fed).

Now at seven she's perfect - tall, strong & bright - she hit all her motor developments ahead of target but her speech was a little delayed, she'd caught up by three though.

Good luck - IME the extra few weeks between 36 and 40 weeks make a big difference, I didn't realise how easy 'normal' babies were until my son was born ;)

[Jann in TX]

I also have 'big' babies (others were over 9 pounds at 38 weeks).

My middle dd decided to come early. Recovery from delivery was SO MUCH EASIER for me! Her lungs were about 80% developed. We went home the next day. We did have issues with her being too sleepy to nurse--or even bottle feed. She DID NOT open her eyes until her due date!

Preemie diapers with the belly-button cut outs came up to her arm pits!

She did catch RSV at 8 weeks--her lungs still had NOT matured and we had a LONG hospital stay then...but she was healthy at birth.

I'm glad I did not have her at home...but we dd consider it an option.

There can be complications with any birth--but when you know the baby is comming early....I would feel much safer with more support.

[mrscopterdoc]

My second was at 34 weeks. No problems at all. 7 lb.2 oz. My MIL still thinks my due date was off.

Same here although it was my first and only, not second.:)