Advice on delivering at 36 or 37 weeks

MommyEB

Tomorrow I'll reach my 35th week of pregnancy with twin boys. I've been on strict hospital bedrest since my 26th week, and the doctors originally told me there was no way I'd carry past 27 weeks. My cervix has slowly opened, and as of my checkup two weeks ago I was completely effaced and 6 cm dilated.

The doctors think I could give birth at any second, but they've been saying that for the past two months, so I'm not so sure!

Here's my question: the docs are pushing me to induce at 36 or 37 weeks, so the delivery can be more controlled. (They think it will go very quickly.) They originally wanted me to be induced at 34 weeks, but I refused. The babies are perfectly healthy, both more than 6 lbs! I can't wait to be home with my husband and little girl, but want to give my baby boys every advantage.

Did any of you deliver at 36 or 37 weeks? How did your babies do? I'm terribly unsure about my decision, so any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

clyoungsey

I delivered at 33 weeks, so I don't know what 36-37 weeks would be like, but it sounds like your babies are doing great.  I would have done the same thing as you, if they are ok, and you are ok, it stinks to be on hospital bedrest, I know, but why deliver unless it would be better for them or you?  I was aiming for 34 weeks after my water broke at 28, but things didn't turn out that way...complications arose at 33, so that is when we had him!

Sweets2005

Wow at 36 or 37 weeks I would not be worried in the slightest! That is fantastic! I was told early at 18 weeks (before I had a placental abruption) that I would have a c/s at 36 or 37 weeks due to placenta previa. Your babies are a very healthy weight and are just about full term at 36 weeks, will be by 37 weeks. You probably already had the steroid shot and also they will most likely be feeding on their own, unless there is some sort of other problem. I am sure you will go right home with them. Congrats on making it so far and good luck!

englishviola

First, congrats on keeping those twins cooking!!

Second, I delivered DS at 36 weeks. He was 5#13 oz, 21" and fairly healthy. He had some blood sugar issues initially but that went away after 2 feedings. He spend 24 hours in the NICU for severe jaundice. It was traumatic at the time, but in the grand scheme, not a big deal.

I don't know your situation, so I don't have any advice, but our son caught right up and is now in the 50-97th %ile. 

ardilla

I was on tocolytic drugs to stop PTL/slow contractions from 22w1d until 36w0d.  My OB did not want me continuing on them any further, and I wound up delivering that same day.  I had two steroid shots at 24w to help mature the babies' lungs.  Neither DS or DD needed any NICU time.  Both had slight trouble controlling their temps at first but were released to come home with us when I was discharged.  DS weighed 4 lbs 9 oz and DD weighed 4 lbs 2 oz.  Congratulations on how far you've made it!  Best of luck to you!

kiki408

I haven't given birth, but I had to say that I'm in the same position! Strict bed rest sense 24 weeks - same exact conditions. At my last doctor's visit the staff acted as if I were an alien on display! Everyone is SOO surprised that I've made it this far, including my doctor.

That said, I asked my doctor (peri) about this. She said that in her experience, at 35 weeks (as long as babies can breath, feed, and have a stable temp) they are able to come home with you. She said the most she anticipates at that point is a few hours of monitoring in the NICU. I think you will be just fine at 36 or 37 weeks. I'm assuming you've had steroids, too, right? That will aide in their breathing (according to her), even if it's been a while sense your dose.

Anyway - I know the speculation is awful. I wish you the best! You're not alone!! 

MommyEB

Thanks so much, everybody. I'm feeling more confident after reading your words!

And to Kiki408: Good luck to you! I know just what you mean--I get so sick of docs coming in and saying "you're still pregnant?"! I'm pretty sure some of them have money riding on my delivery date!

Best of luck to you and your babies. Let's keep the docs in suspense for a while longer!

stillhoping

34 weeks was my goal 36 weeks would have been a dream come true. Most 36 weekers go home with the parents.. do not need NICU stay and do very well..

RRHsMom

I was induced at what we thought was 37 weeks but the pedi said ds was really 36 weeks at the most and an u/s with this 2nd pg put me 2 weeks off my edd so I assume ds was 2 weeks misdated as well.  That said, I did not have steroids bc they thought he was full term and he was not baked enough.  He had RDS and was vented for 2 weeks in the NICU.  He was almost transfered to Indianapolis for ECMO (oxygenating his blood by machine externally for him).  It was a awful but in the long run, after he beat his breathing issues, he has done well (despite getting pneumonia at the drop of a hat and needing breathing treatments).  

However, our experiences can only make one aware of potential risks, not aide in your decision since every case is so different.  Factors like your health and the amount of meds they have you on, whether the babies have had steroid shots and they have checked for fetal lung dev, and so on will be better indicators of the best choice in your situation.  It does sound like your babies are good size (although my 8lb was the giant of our NICU) and the majority of 36-37 weekers do well.  I would just make yourself aware of the risks and possibility of a nicu stay.  GL and I'll pray for 2 healthy babies!  Congrats on making it so far!!!  No matter what you have given your babies the best gift anyone could give them!

TupeloChick

Honestly I would go by my doctor's advice first and foremost but if you want to hear some stories to help you with your decision, here goes.

I delivered at 36w4d and DS was 4.5 lbs. ad 17.5 ins. and except for a couple of weeks in NICU to gain weight and learn to suckle he had no problems whatsoever.

I was scheduled for a 38 week c-section because of placenta previa but a collapsed umbilical cord made it necessary to have an emergency c-section earlier than that. He wasn't growing the way he should have been and was only measuring 33 weeks (he was born 4.5 lbs and 17.5"). 37 weeks is considered full term so if you feel you want to try to wait it out til then, give it a try but if you have to go at 36 weeks there shouldn't be any issues. 

TupeloChick

TupeloChick:

Honestly I would go by my doctor's advice first and foremost but if you want to hear some stories to help you with your decision, here goes.

I delivered at 36w4d and DS was 4.5 lbs. ad 17.5 ins. and except for a couple of weeks in NICU to gain weight and learn to suckle he had no problems whatsoever.

I was scheduled for a 38 week c-section because of placenta previa but a collapsed umbilical cord made it necessary to have an emergency c-section earlier than that. He wasn't growing the way he should have been and was only measuring 33 weeks (he was born 4.5 lbs and 17.5"). 37 weeks is considered full term so if you feel you want to try to wait it out til then, give it a try but if you have to go at 36 weeks there shouldn't be any issues. 

I did not have the steroid shot, there was no time for it and doc believed DS's lungs had been fully developed and the were. 

lemen99

YAY happy 35 weeks!! That is amazing, esp after having been on bed rest for so long with the fear of delivering.  Your kiddos will do great at 36-37 weeks.  NICU time, if any, will likely be minimal.

You're almost there!!

dmblack

I delivered my son at 37 weeks.  He did just fine.  He had a little jaundice but other than that he was perfect in every way.  I was pleased to have made it to 37 weeks with him (after I had my DD at 26w3d).  I would push to wait until 37 weeks if you can.  But you may go into labor on your own.  Its really hard to say when your twins will decided to make their appearnace.

FinallyMrs.B

DD was born at 36w 5d.  She was 4 lbs 14.8 oz and 19 inches long. 

She had severe jaundice, and needed to stay in the hospital for an extra day, but she was treated in the nursery, not the nicu.  They had an overnight visiting room for parents, and they let me stay over one night so we could all leave the hospital together. 

2BWEDN2007

I delivered DD at 36 weeks due to a prior classical c-section and worries about my incision holding up during the last 4 weeks if I went to 40 weeks.

She was born at 36w3d, weighed 7 lbs 6 oz and was 19.5 inches long. She went to the "special care nursery" for an hour (my hospital requires all babies born via c-section go there for one hour after birth for observation) and was rooming in with me after that hour for the entire hospital stay.

She is currently in the 84th percentile and weighs a whopping 13 pounds at 3 months so as you can see, she has had no issues growing. She actually was rolling belly to back at a little under 2 months so she seems to be an overachiever developmentally as well!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.