Is 36 weeks too early to not stop labor?

JenniferMatos

So last night I was sent to L & D Triage because I was experiencing what I thought was consistent braxton hicks and it turned out to be pre-term contractions. They gave me meds to stop it because I am at 35 weeks and had not started dialating yet. When I went today to a follow up appointment with my OB she stated that if this happens again at 36 weeks or after they won't stop the contractions. Has anyone else heard this? 36 weeks seems a little early to allow labor to progress. Everything I have read states 37 weeks or even 39 but never 36. It was explained to me by a couple other people that have already been through their 1st pregnancy that this has become the norm, so my question to everyone else out there...have you heard this as well?

*sallymad*

My OB doesn't stop labor starting at 35 weeks. I'm sure it differs doctor to doctor....

SarahTx5701

nope 36 is the norm to NOT stop your labor if you go into labor naturally. It is however typically too early for an induction unless medically necessary.

papagena

36 weeks was what my OB said last pg.  "full term' used to be considered 37 weeks - I remember hearing somewhere that they'd upped that a bit (to 39 or 40 weeks), so I don't know if that will end up changing things. 

A friend had their LO during their 35th week (her water broke, so there was no going back).  Except for some jaundice, he did fabulously.

heartnurse06

I went into preterm labor at 33+ weeks, was admitted to L and D, and given meds for 4 days to stop labor, and was released once I was 34 weeks. My OB said if I went into early labor again, they would not stop it. They (and I) prefer I get to 36 weeks (35 today) but at this point the babys lungs are developed, and is a good size, and is healthy enough to be born. 

 I'm sure every OB is different, but usually anything past 34 weeks is considered safe. Hope this helps.  

TG508

to quote the midwife i saw yesterday:

"why are you trying to have this baby so early? you have to keep him in for 9 more days"

of course my jaw dropped at the thought of a baby being here in less than 2 weeks! but she said after 35 weeks they will not stop my contractions anymore and if i go in to labor ill have my baby!

azgrlbride

It is 36 wks according to my doc.

JenniferMatos

How did you know the lungs were fine? That is my biggest concern, is the lungs wont be fully developed and end up in NICU. They confirmed last night that everyone else is looking great, fluid levels etc but did not say that the lungs were fully developed or not. I'm not sure they can tell that with an ultrasound or not.

Scout05

My OB does not stop labor after 35 weeks unless the mother is on a medication (like Lovenox, which I have been my entire pregnancy) that needs to be out of her system for a little while before delivering.

We plan to wean me off Lovenox (and then possibly go on Heparin) at 37 weeks, so if I go into labor before that, they will try to stop it for at least 24 hours from the last injection.

 

KyleTrigger

We have been told 36 wks too, by several different doctors. They did say they would usually give steriods and check the babies lungs that early too. I am almost 36 wks so I get nervous thinking that if something does happen at this point I am probably going to have a baby!!

I hope you can keep the baby inside for a bit longer!! I went in to preterm labor at 29 wks and it was very scary. I feel your pain. Good luck.

SarahTx5701

JenniferMatos:

How did you know the lungs were fine? That is my biggest concern, is the lungs wont be fully developed and end up in NICU. They confirmed last night that everyone else is looking great, fluid levels etc but did not say that the lungs were fully developed or not. I'm not sure they can tell that with an ultrasound or not.

That was my question too, they cannot tell if the lungs are mature without an amnio.

I was supposed to get an amnio at 36 weeks with my first ds and if they looked good I would be delivered. I never made it to 36 weeks I got progressively worse and had to be delivered at 35 weeks. My ds has to be transported to the nicu and spent almost 3 weeks in there for immature lungs and jaundice and some other stuff.

35 weeks is still early and not uncommon to still have breathing difficulties.

LisaMarisa

I've been on PTL watch and was finally told at my appt yesterday that I can stop watching for more than 5 or 6 contractions in an hour and just come in when I am really in labor (5 min apart).  I think most docs will let the baby come at 36 weeks but wont induce until 38 or 39.

babylizz

My doc won't stop labor if you're 36 weeks. I've heard some won't stop labor if you're 35 weeks but never heard any earlier than that.

heartnurse06

JenniferMatos:

How did you know the lungs were fine? That is my biggest concern, is the lungs wont be fully developed and end up in NICU. They confirmed last night that everyone else is looking great, fluid levels etc but did not say that the lungs were fully developed or not. I'm not sure they can tell that with an ultrasound or not.

 I received two heavy duty steroid shots for lung development, and had an ultrasound done by the high risk team which confirmed lung development, and also had a consult with the NICU.  Like I said, each OB is different. Trust me, I dont want baby to come before 36+ weeks! 

papagena

JenniferMatos:

How did you know the lungs were fine? That is my biggest concern, is the lungs wont be fully developed and end up in NICU. They confirmed last night that everyone else is looking great, fluid levels etc but did not say that the lungs were fully developed or not. I'm not sure they can tell that with an ultrasound or not.

They can check practice breathing via u/s, but generally speaking lungs are fairly developed by 35 weeks.

JenniferMatos

heartnurse06:

 I received two heavy duty steroid shots for lung development, and had an ultrasound done by the high risk team which confirmed lung development, and also had a consult with the NICU.  Like I said, each OB is different. Trust me, I dont want baby to come before 36+ weeks! 

So, do you think it would be out of line that IF for some reason I ended up back in the same position I was last night after Monday to simply ask for an amnio unless I am actually full term?

luvdv8

At 36 weeks the problems that LO would face (still being a preemie) are best handled outside the womb under medical supervision. Their lungs are generally mature (lots do still have problems and an amnio- if there's time- can tell you how well their lung function would be) and the steroid shots (one of the reasons to keep them in) are found to be pretty much ineffective past 34 weeks. At 36 weeks a baby is not ready to be born but the complications of trying to stop the labor for mom and LO override that fact- technically we have the tools to help LO survive and most doctors are in agreement that at 36 weeks a baby can (not should) be born.

That being said- 36 weeks is still preterm and there are complications that can come with that territory and unless labor is unavoidable it's inadvisable. The March of Dimes has some fantastic information on PTL and why having a baby even at 36 weeks, while medically do-able, is not the same as carrying to term.

Get some rest and keep baby cooking- sending you good thoughts!

luvdv8

JenniferMatos:

heartnurse06:

 I received two heavy duty steroid shots for lung development, and had an ultrasound done by the high risk team which confirmed lung development, and also had a consult with the NICU.  Like I said, each OB is different. Trust me, I dont want baby to come before 36+ weeks! 

So, do you think it would be out of line that IF for some reason I ended up back in the same position I was last night after Monday to simply ask for an amnio unless I am actually full term?

The major concern for 35/36 weekers isn't lung function so they may not do it, but you can always ask. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be involved in the decision-making and staying informed.

SarahTx5701

luvdv8:

At 36 weeks the problems that LO would face (still being a preemie) are best handled outside the womb under medical supervision. Their lungs are generally mature (lots do still have problems and an amnio- if there's time- can tell you how well their lung function would be) and the steroid shots (one of the reasons to keep them in) are found to be pretty much ineffective past 34 weeks. At 36 weeks a baby is not ready to be born but the complications of trying to stop the labor for mom and LO override that fact- technically we have the tools to help LO survive and most doctors are in agreement that at 36 weeks a baby can (not should) be born.

That being said- 36 weeks is still preterm and there are complications that can come with that territory and unless labor is unavoidable it's inadvisable. The March of Dimes has some fantastic information on PTL and why having a baby even at 36 weeks, while medically do-able, is not the same as carrying to term.

Get some rest and keep baby cooking- sending you good thoughts!

JenniferMatos

Thanks everyone! I'm one that feels better the more information I have You all have been a huge help!

SNL0605

My ob won't stop labor after 34weeks

pomrom

I have a history of delivering early. Ds was born at 34 weeks and he did do very well for that gestational age. He was 5lbs 5oz and spent one day in the NICU and went to a ped floor for a couple days. He came home on day 4... they were just making sure he could gain weight.

With my history, my doctor wanted me to get to 34 weeks. WHICH IS TODAY! I had the steroid shots at 29 weeks when I went into preterm labor.

Although it is early, my doctor will not stop my labor after today. I am not ready for him to come, I want him to bake longer but if he does, I will have some concern but I feel he will be ok.

StellarStina26

My doctor won't stop labor after 35 weeks.

26 years ago... I was born at 34 weeks and I was 5lbs 12 oz. and all I had wrong was a little jaundice.  I stayed in an incubator for 9 days as precaution.   So I have asked the doctor about the baby coming early alot... I am afraid she will be early like I was - since there was no medical reason why my mom went into labor at 34 weeks with me.  Lungs aren't the real issue.

StephDK

My OB office wont stop labor either at 36 weeks.  She said once you hit 37 weeks havinga  baby is "fair game" since they are considered full term--meaning this is the week that is the safest for immunity, breathing and swallowing.  With that said, my husband was bor n at 36 weeks, was  6 lbs 13 oz, 21 inches long.  A friend of mine had her DD at 35 weeks and they b oth went home 2 days later.  Another friend had her baby during her 34 week and the baby was in the nursery for 4 weeks.  As a speech/swallowing therapist, an issue that some people are not familiar with is actually the babies ability to swallow.  Babies have a vary unique suck-swallow-breathe pattern that has to be developed before they are typically sent home.  Sometimes, like lung development, some preterm babies are fine, while other are not.  Regardless, most babies at 36 weeks do great!

IncogNeato

In my area they don't stop it after 34 weeks. I had my LO at 36 weeks and some days. Not ideal, but LO did great.

IncogNeato

PS- I was quite stressed about LO's early arrival and plan to find any way possible to carry my next one to term, but I am very grateful that LO did as well as she did. She had to stay in the NICU for 3 additional days without us for jaundice, but other than that did great. There were two other 36 weekers there that did require monitoring and an oxygen hood, however, but they both spent less time in the NICU than my little girl did, so they must have recovered quickly.

Thankful1121

I was in the hospital this past weekend and they admitted me. They gave me medicine to stop my labor and was put on bed rest. I was admitted on saturday and hit 37 weeks on Sunday. I am still contracting but my doctor wanted baby to bake longer. I would be a little leary at 36 weeks but that is just me. My doctor wants me to hit at least 38 weeks.

psychgalbride

JenniferMatos:

How did you know the lungs were fine? That is my biggest concern, is the lungs wont be fully developed and end up in NICU. They confirmed last night that everyone else is looking great, fluid levels etc but did not say that the lungs were fully developed or not. I'm not sure they can tell that with an ultrasound or not.

I am having my scheduled C section at 37w2d and having an amino the day before to check lung maturity.  In my case, it is medically necessary due to complete placenta previa.