Is the NICU inevitable?

ashleymarie123

I've been freaking out since my 31w6d appt when doc did my first internal and found baby A to be extremely low and my cervix "paper thin"/"thin enough to poke a finger through". He gave me the series of steroid injections and took my off of work since my job required me to be on my feet most of the time. At my last appointment he said he was "still worried but not AS worried" as he was the previous week. Then they didn't schedule me again for a week and a half. He told me if I made it through Christmas, putting me around 35-36 weeks, then the girls would be strong enough to go home with us, but it sounds like everyone who has delivered less than 37 weeks spent some time in the NICU. So far he says their weights have been beautiful, ~4lb at my last appt (32w6d). So is SOME NICU time inevitable?

caden

It's definitely not inevitable. My boys didn't go to special care or NICU. They were  born at 35w1d. GL!

ardilla

My LOs were born at 36w0d, no NICU time, just required 6 hour "transition nursery" stay for initial blood sugar issues for DS and observation b/c low birth weight for both. DS was 4 lbs 9 oz and DD was 4 lbs 2 oz.  They were born on Friday night and all of us went home together on Tuesday afternoon.  I had two steroid shots at 24w and 24w1d.

macchiatto

Mine were born at 37w6d, but I do know some babies born at 36 or even 35w who had no NICU time.

dulcinea03

In reading here, it seems to be very individual to the baby when they're born between 35-37w. Some do, some do not.  Many of the 35-37 weekers are in the NICU as feeders and growers, and don't need breathing support. There are occasionally those that do though.

I had steroid shots at 34w, the babies at 35w2d, and they spent 13 and 14 days in the NICU respectively. A was there as a feeder/grower as she was IUGR. B was there due to apnea and bradycardia episodes.

srh08.05.06

At 31 weeks, I went into PTL and dilated to 3 cm.  And I still made it to 36 weeks 2 days before delivering (my water broke).  My girls had no NICU time.

Good luck - I hope your babies won't need any NICU time at all!

Temp159135562506975

generally 36w is the earliest you hear about babies going right home... there are a few 35 weekers + a few days that have gone home without NICU - one set is a good friend of mine and she has been questioning lately if they should have kept them longer b/c of health problems they are still having over a year later.... so if you do have them before 36w don't be upset if they have NICU for a week or so.... sometimes it's better so you don't look back and regret it or question it, etc.

my singleton wa born at 36w2d and came home- no nicu - just lights for jaundice.

there are babies born full term who need NICU - so you really never know... but if you get to 35-36w things are good. That is avg birth for twins - and is pretty safe as far as too early goes.  It's considered "preterm" but not "premature".

good luck... just keep cooking as long as you can!!

shipoopiisforme

the nicu is definitely not inevitable. i was put on bed rest at 16 weeks and had a cerclage at 17 weeks. by 29 weeks my cervix was funneling to the stitch and i was put on hospital bedrest for 4 weeks. i didn't deliver until 36w2d and my babies did not go to the nicu at all and we got to take them home with us.

browneyedgrl4282

Mine were 36 weekers and spend no time in NICU! They came  home with me and no issues!

krwys10

Obviously I am not there yet with my twins, but... I just wanted to comment about the weights.

Even if they are 'measuring' at that weight, that does not mean that is what they will be at birth.  They take an average of three things for those estimated weights.  (I think head, abdomen and femur are the three.)  My friend had hers at 37 weeks and was told they should be above 6lb each and they were both in the 4lb range.  So do not bank on the measurements they give you. 

Good luck, keep those babies cookin'.

leviandlandensmom

Mine were 36 1/2 weeks and had no NICU time. They didn't need any kind of support after they were born. I was on bedrest from 29 weeks on due to PTL issues. I was 3 cm dilated from 34 weeks on and still held out for a few more weeks. Good luck! Take it easy and try to keep those babies in there for a little while longer!

browneyedgrl4282

At my 35 weeks appointment they told me Baby A was 6lbs and baby was 7lbs they were born a few days later and Baby A was 6lbs 3oz and Baby was 7lbs 10oz so that theory everyone had that i was have two little tiny maybe 5lb babies was way off! I was told by my OB if i ever had a baby at 40 weeks that i would have probably an 10 to 12lb baby since my 37 week singlton was 8lbs 10oz

katsblaze

Mine were born at 36w 3d and required no special care of NICU time.  However, like PP said, every baby is different, and there is always the chance of NICU time regardless of when they are born.

 Keep them cooking and good luck.

omalley

My boys were born at 36w 2d.  I had one in the NICU and one not.  James spent a week in NICU but Connor was in the room with me and ready to go home. 

PianoPlayingSarah

No, the NICU is not inevitable.  I had my triplets at 35 weeks, 6 days - no steroid shots.  They weighed 5.3, 4.13 and 4.13.  Allie and Em spent 2 days in the Special Care Nursery, roomed with me for 2 days and then came home with me.  Anna was only in the NICU due to her surgeries related to having spina bifida.  She never had any preemie issues. 

Hang in there - you may be surprised! 

Ruby_Tuesday

35w6d, 2 went to the nicu for a few days as feeders, 1 roomed with me the whole time

gumiberg

35 weekers (+ 1 day) and no NICU time.

RedWingsFan

I don't think it's inevitable.  I was put on strict bedrest at 26w4d due to contractions and a shortened cervix.  Even though we had a few scares along the way (and two week-long hospital stays), I made it to 36w6d, and the babies did not need any NICU time.  I did have both rounds of steroid shots during my second hospital stay when I was 30-31 weeks along.

I think it's good that you are no longer working, and I would just take it easy and do as little as possible. 

Good luck!

schoolsoutbride

I don't like to think of it as inevitable, but I have tried to adjust my thinking to realize it's a lot more likely.  My DS was in the NICU for a week (medical stuff.  He was full term) and it was the most stressful week of my life.  I'm trying to prepare myself for it mentally this time.