34/35 week mommas- question

Gina070605

Hi everyone.  I'm not sure if this is the best place to be asking but I'll give it a shot.

Here is the back story from yesterday:

I had a very scary day yesterday.  I went in for my normal check up, and mentioned that I haven't been feeling him as much as normal.  I also had a growth u/s scheduled for later on in the day so I was given an Rx to be monitored.  Turns out that he is doing wonderfully but I was having contractions every 3-5 minutes.  I didn't even know it, I had only felt the really big ones and I thought they were normal bh.  I was sent to the hospital and was monitored for a few hours, given two bags of fluids and a shot to calm the contractions.  My cervix was high and closed thank God.  I have been having contractions every 10-20 minutes or so today. I go back on friday to the Dr for another check.  I'm pretty freaked out by the whole thing.  He needs to stay in there for at least another 2-3 weeks I am scheduled for a c-section on 2/10 (at 39 weeks), but his due date is 2/17.  He's only 5 lbs as of yesterday.

My question is, what, if anything can I do/ ask for to try and make sure he is ready to come out (if he won't stay put).  Someone suggested I ask for steroid shots to help develop his lungs.  Is there anything else I can do/ ask for?

Any info would be really appreciated. Thanks

AdamsGirl81305

My girls were born at 34w 1d.  However, my situation was a little different.  I went into pre-term labor and was making progression without contractions.  Before a single contraction was picked up on the monitors, I was 3 cm 80% effaced. 

My suggestion, get the steroid shots now.  I had them at 27 weeks.  Also, lots of rest and fluids.  Stay off your feet.  Try to maintain a laying down position to keep the pressure off from your cervix.  Althought, that might not be as important for you since you are still high and closed.  LOTS and LOTS of fluids.  If you get the slightest bit dehydrated, your contracts can pick up.  Also, make sure you empty your bladder more often.  My Dr. said that a full bladder can lead to increased contractions.

Good luck!

krissyh21

I had pre -e and was gearing up to deliver at 32 weeks had it gotten worse and was given steroids for lung development at 28 weeks (2 shots over 24 hours). That was all I was given.

DS did really well, he was born at 35 weeks 4 days and only needed O2 for the first 24 hours, more so because he was born with the cord around his neck more then anything. He was in NICU for 12 days, because of biliruben levels, body temp and he had issues with suck-swallow-breathe that a lot of preemies have. He has been home now for over 3 weeks and is perfectly healthy.

You may want to ask for a tour of the NICU, I have heard a lot of people find it helpful. Good luck and hopefully you can keep that LO in as long as possible.

 

borc0080

DD was born at 34w2d due to pre-e, which came out of nowhere.  One thing that helped ease my mind was that she had a very good biophysical profile (detailed u/s) the night before the induction.  They were able to see her taking "practice breaths," which indicated that her lungs were developed enough.  This might be a good precursor to asking about steroid shots.

Good luck!  I hope your LO can stay inside for several more weeks!

boolos2B05

DD was born at 35wks due to pprom, she was not in the NICU but did have to stay in the nursery on monitors for 6 days. She had some issues with keeping her stats up, had to be put under an oxy-hood, ( this looked like a space helmet) and she was a slow eater.

hmms

My only suggestion you already have, the steroid shots.  I got them (like pp mentioned two shots within 24 hrs) at 34 weeks.  I was in the hosptial for 5 days and sent home on bedrest (dilated to a 3-4 at 35 weeks), I went into labor and DS came at 35 weeks 3 days, no stopping me this time.  DS was fine, didn't require any NICU time and stayed one extra night to be under the bili-lights (I stayed w/ him). 

 GL!  A potential preemie is scary!