How well do babies do when born at 36wks?

omgarza31

I'm 30wks, have complete PP w/no bleeds thus far (Thank God). I've had a previous c-section with my daughter almost 4yrs ago. Today we had a scare (brownish red mucus type discharge) so my OB asked me to come in to check things out. All looks good so far no bleeding, still nice and shut in there. We also discussed my c-section date since she reconfirmed that I would be a repeat c-section and it would have to happen between 36-37wks due to the CPP. Well I turn 37wks the week of Thanksgiving and my OB will be out of town so we went with 36wks.
My question is how do babies do at 36wks? I know all cases are different but I had by daughter at 41wks and she was only 6lb 6oz so I can't imagine how little this baby will be having 5 less wks to cook. Also, I plan of EBF so I'm hoping my milk supply cooperates.
Thanks in advance ladies.

Charismatic69

Most babies born at 36 weeks are fine with no lasting health problems, but the longer you can hold out, the better. There are babies that are born at 40 weeks with lungs that are still immature. So, while your baby would in all likelihood be fine, the longer you can wait, the better for his/her development.
But seen as you know you will be delivering at 36wks I think you need to bring up your concerns with your OB. Ask any questions you have that will help ease your mind. While people on TB are here to help & give advice where they can no one is a health professional(that i know of) so we can't give you accurate responses that your OB could. We can only go from experience which as you know everyone's is different.

TacoSarah

I've been having discussions with my consultant about this as I am going to have to deliver early. She advised me that there are studies that show babies born earlier than 39 weeks can have some cognitive impairment - lower IQ and not meeting milestones, so the longer they can stay in, the better. She said that 38 weeks or over would be best.

Could you not wait until after Thanksgiving? It seems a bit much that your Dr would want to deliver earlier just so she can be away for the holiday.

delujm0

TacoSarah said:

I've been having discussions with my consultant about this as I am going to have to deliver early. She advised me that there are studies that show babies born earlier than 39 weeks can have some cognitive impairment - lower IQ and not meeting milestones, so the longer they can stay in, the better. She said that 38 weeks or over would be best.

Could you not wait until after Thanksgiving? It seems a bit much that your Dr would want to deliver earlier just so she can be away for the holiday.

This.  Why can't you wait until after Thanksgiving?  I'd think that 37 or 38 weeks would be a lot better than 36, and you're not likely to go into labor spontaneously that early, so there shouldn't be a risk there.

 

I had two girlfriends recently delivery babies at 37 weeks (one went into labor spontaneously, the other had to be induced for high blood pressure and low platelet count).  Both babies were healthy and didn't need to go to the NICU.  However, neither of them was able to breastfeed.  The babies hadn't developed the latching/sucking reflex before they came out.  Both of my friends very seriously wanted to breastfeed, so they were disappointed.  They both exclusively pump, which is totally fine but not what they really wanted to do.  And that's not the only reflex that might be underdeveloped if you deliver early.

 

I'd have serious misgivings about a doctor that would want to deliver early just to preserve her vacation schedule.  I mean if you were going to be 38-39 weeks before Thanksgiving, ok, that's a pretty normal window to schedule a repeat C-section.  36 weeks just sounds too early to me.  But I'm not a medical professional. 

kderham

C sections don't have to be performed by the doctor you have been seeing. An OB hospitalist can perform the C-section. Your doctor just needs to schedule it. 37 weeks is considered full term and if that is still a safe option (only your doctor can speak to that) then I would go for 37 weeks and have the operation performed by someone else. It won't be fun to be in the hospital over the holiday but it sounds like your main concern is the baby's health but maybe the doctor has some differing priorities? I would ask just to make sure. Are they considering an amnio prior to a 36 week delivery? I would want that delivering so early (if you have a choice between 36 and 37 weeks) to give your baby the best chance of being able to go home with you and not need to spend time in the NICU for breathing challenges. I would talk to your doctor and see what your options are. The hospital has to have someone on staff who can perform a C-section at about all times unless you are in a rural area. 

amm0512

I spontaneously went into labor at 36+6 and DS was fully developed and had no NICU time. My SIL went into spontaneous labor at 34+4 and her daughter spent 8 days in the NICU. DS has been on track with all his milestones, but my niece is a couple weeks slow hitting hers. I agree with PP, if the hospital has another doctor who can perform your section, just wait the extra week. Many preterm mommies on TB have said that 1 day inside is equal to 3 days in the NICU, so you can hopefully prevent complications by just keeping baby in that extra week.

Disneygeek77

Is there another Dr at her practice that can perform the c-section ? Fwiw, I had a c section the week of Thanksgiving and it went well. My family brought up some leftovers for me and my husband and it was actually kinda nice.

mac-n-cheesy

37 weeks is NOT considered "full term" anymore. It is now accepted by the medical community that 40 weeks is full term. Important brain and lung development continues on into week 39.
If I was in your position I would have another doctor perform the c-section and give my baby another week to cook. Obviously development is unique to each individual baby and one mother's 36 week old may be perfectly fine and another's under-developed.
With your specific placental condition your OB is following acceptable medical practice by delivering you early, but to deliver a whole week earlier just to accommodate her Thansgiving vacation seems grossly irresponsible. The longer baby stays in the better chance they have at being healthy when they come out.

celainev

Yes, it is is considered full term after 36 weeks so you're a bit early, but if you have a competent OB who fully knows your medical situation, she is obviously okay with that risk. There baby is at higher risk for jaundice, feeding and breathing issues, but they are all risks that you're OB is okay to take. Talk to your OB about using another OB, and if that would be a better outcome for baby.

amberrmariee20

My cousin had to have an emergency c section at 34 weeks due to bleeding from complete previa, she was in the NICU for the first 4 weeks and then got to go home. She was a little over 5 lbs at birth so she wasn't extremely tiny and is now a healthy 2 year old !

YogaSandy

35 years ago (Ok, 35 years minus five days), I was born at 30 weeks. I did have to stay in the NICU for a month. I was a small, fairly sickly child. I did have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (though, I don't think there was a connection), I had pneumonia and croup often. However, I was a very smart child (makes me feel conceited) and did very well. I would say I had no major health problems - I did have kidney infections frequently (and the RA). My only health problems as and adult are awful allergies (I didn't get them until I was 18) and chronic sinusitis. I was 4.5 lbs at birth. I wore doll clothes. But, all things considered, I did very well. My brother was a month early. Basically same scenario as me. I don't think he spent any extra time in the hospital or in an incubator.

My brother's BFF was three months premature and weighed 1 lb something ounces. He always seemed normal (health wise) as a kid. Of course, I wouldn't really know about any of his issues. He's a perfectly fine adult now. He is legally blind in one eye. When he was a teenager, his mom took his back to the hospital he was born at. The nurse remembered him. She found a baby who was the same exact size as he was and he (and his mom) met with the baby's dad. It gave that dad so much hope to see a normal teenager who was born early and small, just like his tiny baby.

Of course, there are full term unhealthy babies and unhealthy premature babies. My mom said it was very hard having a sick baby (me) that she couldn't be with all the time.

MrsAlabamaWorley

The OP hasn't been back to respond so I'm not confident she will receive any of the good advice the fine ladies on this thread have given.

My two cents from someone who has researched preterm babies, I had a scare with my daughter at 30, you need to keep that baby inside for as long as you can. Have another Dr perform the cs.

delujm0

At first I thought "this might be a troll...what doctor would try to deliver a baby unnecessarily early just so she could go on vacation?" And then MIL told me that SIL's doctor has borough up inducing her early because she's due 12/29 so that she can avoid being at the hospital on christmas. Even though her son was born after her going into labor naturally at 39+6. What is wrong with these doctors? SIL said no way.

ChiccoBeanz

My OB told me that 37 weeks on is term labor. I'm guessing this may vary, as I have seen different users say different things on this. If you have to give birth before the 40 week mark, I agree with the PPs and suggest you do it after thanksgiving. It's in the best interest of your baby. Good luck op.

balay09

I gave birth 3 weeks early with a c section and my daughter is happy and healthy I'm now pregnant with my second and have a planed c section at 38 weeks. Since I've already had one done before 40 weeks I am comfortable with what my doctor and I have as my birthing plan.

ljhgrey

My son was born 36+5 and had a 6-day NICU stay. No thanks. Not fun. And he was 7 lbs 1 oz. it's not about weight but other vital things that develop in the last weeks. Brain, lungs... Truly consider what risks you may bring to your child to try to accommodate a doctor's holiday schedule.

saladflambe

Every birth will be different. I was born by emergency C-section due to HELLP syndrome at 36 weeks and was fine. No NICU for me, and it wound up saving both my mom's and my life, so I'm personally glad they did it But... of course... circumstances.

CharminglySouthern

Unless it's medically necessary, which may be the OP's case since she has CPP, waiting until 39 weeks is ideal.

The new ACOG guidelines state that full term is 39 weeks.

https://m.acog.org/About-ACOG/News-Room/News-Releases/2013/Ob-Gyns-Redefine-Meaning-of-Term-Pregnancy?IsMobileSet=true

notasycophant

The ACOG guidelines don't apply internationally. In my country 37 weeks is term. You can schedule a c-section anywhere from 37 weeks. Most babies born at 37 weeks are fine. Obviously some have to spend time in the NICU, but that applies to some babies born at 40 weeks too. There are so many variables involved.

ETA: Speak to your OB about your concerns regarding low birth weight at 36 weeks.

CharminglySouthern

notasycophant said:

The ACOG guidelines don't apply internationally. In my country 37 weeks is term. You can schedule a c-section anywhere from 37 weeks. Most babies born at 37 weeks are fine. Obviously some have to spend time in the NICU, but that applies to some babies born at 40 weeks too. There are so many variables involved.

ETA: Speak to your OB about your concerns regarding low birth weight at 36 weeks.

I am fully aware that they don't apply internationally, however, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that babies don't develop magically faster outside the US, and the research done by ACOG and the March of Dimes applies to all babies.

As I said above, sometimes an early delivery is the lesser of two evils and it has to happen.

notasycophant

I see a ton of fear mongering regarding inductions and c sections at 37 weeks, so it does make one wonder why the difference in attitudes medically speaking. Research is subjective , so while it is recommended, sometimes previous studies and research still take centre stage in different medical communities. I'm not disputing your link, just pointing out how guidelines are different. I assumed me pointing out differing international guidelines would ellicit a more intelligent response/ discourse. But I guess you're more into snark.

CharminglySouthern

notasycophant said:

I see a ton of fear mongering regarding inductions and c sections at 37 weeks, so it does make one wonder why the difference in attitudes medically speaking. Research is subjective , so while it is recommended, sometimes previous studies and research still take centre stage in different medical communities. I'm not disputing your link, just pointing out how guidelines are different. I assumed me pointing out differing international guidelines would ellicit a more intelligent response/ discourse. But I guess you're more into snark.

Im not "more into snark" I just pointed out the facts. While the guidelines are different, they aren't necessarily better. Especially when the more recent research shows that babies brains and lungs are still undergoing crucial development between 37 and 39 weeks. Unless it was an emergent medical necessity, I simply can't comprehend anyone wanting to rob their baby of that time.

Mally2011

I prefer to lurk and not reply to the predictable lunacy that abounds around these boards, but going into labor with placenta previa puts both mom and baby at risk for massive blood loss. The standard of care is to deliver before full term to avoid the risk of spontaneous labor. While I agree that the surgery should be scheduled as late as is safe (and not around a physician's vacation schedule), the OP has no choice but to deliver early.

Gingermom15

Mally2011 said:

I prefer to lurk and not reply to the predictable lunacy that abounds around these boards, but going into labor with placenta previa puts both mom and baby at risk for massive blood loss. The standard of care is to deliver before full term to avoid the risk of spontaneous labor. While I agree that the surgery should be scheduled as late as is safe (and not around a physician's vacation schedule), the OP has no choice but to deliver early.

This was my understand, as well. Early delivery trumps the chance of massive blood loss for both. I would rather my baby spend time in the NICU then risk his life. 36 weeks seems a little too early, but past that point the chance of a hemorrhage increases drastically. If OP's provider thinks she can make it to 37 weeks safely, however, I do agree with the other posters that she should wait until that point and let someone else perform the surgery. I wouldn't mind sacrificing a thanksgiving in the hospital so my baby could have an extra week of development.

whit3183

There seems to be a lot of confusion around the new ACOG guidelines. Yes, they define 39 weeks as full term, but they explicitly say the reason for this is because they want to prevent induction/c-section that is NOT medically necessary before 39 weeks -- i.e. c-sections that happen merely to accommodate the doctor or patient's schedule. 

The reason 37 weeks is referred to as full term is that babies who are born NATURALLY any time after 37 weeks tend to do very well.  So if you spontaneously go into labor at 37 weeks, the baby is not considered premature; the idea is that, in most cases, your body will go into labor when it's ready. And due dates are not always accurate. 

Neither one of the above circumstances applies to this post, because the OP says she has complete PP.  So time is obviously of the essence even if she hasn't had any massive bleeding yet.  Before modern times, complete PP was considered to be a complication that is 100% fatal to the mother and often times the baby as well; just the act of the cervix dilating naturally can cause fatal hemorrhaging.  Obviously, in this case, the OP's doctor wants to perform the c-section BEFORE she has started to dilate, which is why waiting until 39-40 would likely be risky. 

I agree that, in general, it would not be appropriate for an OB to suggest a c-section at 36 weeks just to accommodate the OB's holiday schedule, however, in this case, there is an obvious reason why it needs to be performed early. The posts suggesting she should wait until after 39 weeks are shockingly ignorant. 

sorarose

With that advice, I would consider your OB to be a twatwaffle. I had a low-lying placenta with DS, and I recall discussing CS for 37 weeks. Unless it's medically necessary, find a doctor who will deliver at 37 weeks. For the record, with my insurance carrier, it's more usual than not for our OBs to NOT deliver their respective babies. I also know my mother's OB was out of town when she went into labor with me. Please let your baby cook the extra week!

groovylocks

i was born at 36 weeks and change. I just came early. I don't know all the details, mostly because i never asked. My mom said they kept me for a short while but not very long. 

I've no idea if anything that I've become in my life was a result of that or if being born at 40 weeks would have changed anything about me. But one thing I'm fairly certain of. Being born at 40 weeks, or as close to that as possible, wouldn't have hurt me at all. 

Your OB sounds very negligent.. 

Mally2011

groovylocks said:

i was born at 36 weeks and change. I just came early. I don't know all the details, mostly because i never asked. My mom said they kept me for a short while but not very long. 

I've no idea if anything that I've become in my life was a result of that or if being born at 40 weeks would have changed anything about me. But one thing I'm fairly certain of. Being born at 40 weeks, or as close to that as possible, wouldn't have hurt me at all. 

Your OB sounds very negligent.. 

Can you read? She can't deliver as close to 40 weeks as possible, because placenta previa can lead to life threatening bleeding if the cervix dilates during labor.

And FYI to all involved, I am a NICU physician and while there are risks at 36 weeks, the overall risk to baby is quite low. I think the OP would appreciate not being made to feel guilty for delivering before 40 weeks.

Gingermom15

Mally2011 said:

groovylocks said:

i was born at 36 weeks and change. I just came early. I don't know all the details, mostly because i never asked. My mom said they kept me for a short while but not very long. 

I've no idea if anything that I've become in my life was a result of that or if being born at 40 weeks would have changed anything about me. But one thing I'm fairly certain of. Being born at 40 weeks, or as close to that as possible, wouldn't have hurt me at all. 

Your OB sounds very negligent.. 

Can you read? She can't deliver as close to 40 weeks as possible, because placenta previa can lead to life threatening bleeding if the cervix dilates during labor.

And FYI to all involved, I am a NICU physician and while there are risks at 36 weeks, the overall risk to baby is quite low. I think the OP would appreciate not being made to feel guilty for delivering before 40 weeks.

QBF***

More people are speaking with sense on this thread. It gives me hope.

groovylocks

Mally2011 said:

i was born at 36 weeks and change. I just came early. I don't know all the details, mostly because i never asked. My mom said they kept me for a short while but not very long. 

I've no idea if anything that I've become in my life was a result of that or if being born at 40 weeks would have changed anything about me. But one thing I'm fairly certain of. Being born at 40 weeks, or as close to that as possible, wouldn't have hurt me at all. 

Your OB sounds very negligent.. 

Can you read? She can't deliver as close to 40 weeks as possible, because placenta previa can lead to life threatening bleeding if the cervix dilates during labor. And FYI to all involved, I am a NICU physician and while there are risks at 36 weeks, the overall risk to baby is quite low. I think the OP would appreciate not being made to feel guilty for delivering before 40 weeks.

"Well I turn 37wks the week of Thanksgiving and my OB will be out of town so we went with 36wks. " is the part i was referring to. I would think a doctor would encourage the mom to see the physician in attendance in week 37 so she can deliver closer to her due date - and then if the patient refuses, that's another story.

CharminglySouthern

whit3183 said:

The posts suggesting she should wait until after 39 weeks are shockingly ignorant. 

For what it's worth, nobody is suggesting that the OP wait until after 39 weeks. It was simply stated that her doctor's vacation shouldn't be more a priority and if it was safe for her to wAit an additional week that might be better idea. If possible.

You might try actually reading and comprehending the comments you so rudely refer to as "shockingly ignorant."

alexred87

The point is you can never know. Every baby is different. I was born at 31 weeks and was completely fine, all developed just small.
Do what you feel most comfortable with. Don't let your doctor make that decision for you on a matter of convenience unless it's because of your, and your babies health.

ChiccoBeanz

Op, after re-reading your original post and some of the feed back, I must admit that I overlooked where you said you had a cpp. Please disregard my advice, as that clearly changes things. But I am curious, when your OB suggested scheduling your C-Section at 36 weeks, was the concern about your CPP or her vacation? I was under the impression that this question was posted because you felt that your OB was trying to rush you so she didn't have to come in durine the holiday. Please clear this up for us if you can.

@whit3183 @Mally2011 thank you ladies for your posts. Personally, I found them informative and I learned something new.

boxheadkid

I'm in a similar position now at 33weeks and was hoping for an update? I'm super curious how everything went. @alexred87

cmerribury

There are always chances for complications, and the earlier the baby is born, the higher. However, 36 weeks is completely reasonable with complete placenta previa, when the only other option is severe complications and possibly death for the mother.

My son was born at 36+1, and was perfectly healthy. He has no cognitive or developmental issues, in fact he's extremely bright for his age and always has been.

I wish you the best of luck, OP.

MamaRoni

Fwiw... I have to have a repeat csection this time and dread having to pick the date. 37 werks is the longest I've gone (35w4d with my first... 35w1 day with twins... and 37 with my last baby)... but I know by ob wants me schedules by 37 weeks. He does NOT want me going into labor on my own even though my first was a fast, easy vaginal delivery. ... he says the risks of uterine issues outweighs the benefits of "cooking longer"
Op.... so sorry u had to make this tough decision! I hope everything went great

imakeeff0rts

@cmerribury @MamaRoni

This post is from October. Just fyi. It was resurrected because someone wanted an update.