34-35 weeker questions

Temp616379875002458

Hi, y'all.  I'm on the front end of my pre-e diagnosis and am just trying to educate myself on things to prepare myself a little bit.

I feel so blessed to have made it this far, and I feel like a baby born even today at 34 weeks would be so healthy and I know I'd be lucky.  I know there is a possibility that LO might even just come straight home if she's eating well, too.

I am curious about the experiences of anyone whose baby was born around this time - length of NICU stay, baby's birth weight, and of course, any medical concerns.

I lurk on this board frequently to catch up on SAIF/PAIF ladies and their babies and I very much appreciate the supportive environment!

Thank you!

 

prazenjc

Preston was 34w6d when he was born. i was pre-e, too. however at my 2nd growth check they found he wasn't growing the way they wanted him to (much less than 10%-the lower limit), so they decided to do the c-section then (i was always a scheduled c-section b/c of a fibroid surgery i'd had pre-pregnancy). anyway, he was 4 lbs 6 oz. he was in the nicu for 2 days and then in an intermediate nicu for the balance of the 2 weeks before he was able to come home. after coming off his iv (he beat me off of it), etc. he only ever had to be monitored. he didn't eat every meal by bottle, so that is mostly what kept him in the hospital. he went to every other meal by bottle or breast pretty early, so we were able to bond fairly early w/the BF. it still wasn't easy and i had to use the nipple guards for so long. the doctors told us it would be like a switch flips and all of a sudden he would be taking every meal by bottle/breast. sure enough, at about 12 days that happened, he demonstrated it for 24 hours and did the carseat test and on the 14th day he was able to come home with us (no extra equipment needed, monitor, etc.)!

chickaboo1974

My guys were born at 34w 3d.  They were big preemie twins- weighing 5 lb 4 oz and 5 lb 3 oz.

They stayed in the NICU for 17 days- just to develop the suck, swallow, breathe reflex.   In other words they were just feeders and growers.  We had no issues with apnea or bradys.  They had a NG tube for feedings until one day click they were taking every feeding by mouth- and all of it.  They both came home on the same day. 

jess143hanna

My little guy was born at 34 weeks 5 days due to IUGR. He weighed 4 lbs 7 oz and stayed in the NICU for just 5 days. He never had any trouble breathing and only had a feeding tube for a couple hours one day. After he lost weight, (like all newborns do) then started gaining, and was able to hold his temperature on his own they let him come home! He had a little bit of jaundice, but no problems or complications at all. GL to whatever happens!

mrsbnlmel

My DS was born at 35 weeks 3 days. I developed high BP between 28- 29 weeks and progressed to pre-e around 35 weeks. Owen was born 3 days later. We had steroid shots at 30 weeks to help his lungs mature. He had a pretty traumatic delivery and wasn't breathing well, but by the time I was in recovery he was stabalized and he never looked back. Never needed breathing assistance after that first hour. He was 4lbs 10oz- tiny but really strong. He only spent a week in the NICU. He just needed to feed well and regulate his temp. We had a bad bout of jaundice but other than that, it was pretty smooth sailing.

He has been a really healthy happy kid overall. He did develop RSV even though we were under strict house arrest for his first few months (nov. baby) It was scary, but he recovered well. He had reflux which is super common for preemies, but he did well on meds. He has no lasting issues and you'd have no idea he was ever small or early. Good luck to you and your LO!

LnR70707

C was born at 34w6days at 6.7lbs.  He stayed in the NICU for 6 days, originally for hypoglycemia, then bilirubin levels, inability to maintain body temp and finally he was kept an extra day because he was at 9% weight loss (10% or greater they would have considered a feeding tube).   Since being discharged we've had one ER trip due to low body temp and he has recently been put on meds for reflux, but otherwise he is doing great.

Temp616379875002458

Thanks everyone - your answers are so helpful for me and for DH!!!!!

thecatsfancy

DS was born at 34wks 2d due to pre-e and HELLP.  He weighed 4lbs 9oz was in the special care nursery (never had to be transferred to the NICU) for 16 days.  He didn't need to be on oxygen and only had an NG tube for a few days (he couldn't keep up as the volume of the feedings were increased).

He now weighs over 10lbs at 11 weeks.

thelish

DD was 35w 1d and was in the NICU 6 days.  She was early due to an abruption and most of her complications stemmed from that, she had a lot of blood in her GI track.  Anyway the first 24 hours we had some bradys, and CPAP for a portion of that time.  After 48 hours she was able to move to a crib.  After 72 her IV was removed.  After that it was just a matter of gaining weight.  They ended up releasing us but ordered home health to come and monitor weight gain after that. 

lisa&andy

My twins were born at 35w2d at 5lbs 7oz and 5lbs 9oz due to pre-e. DD spent 12 hours in the special care nursery and DS spent 26 days in the NICU for respiratory distress. Other than a bumpy start, there were no problems, they were on track developmentally by 6 months and are doing great at almost 2 years old.

anne.ortego

Mine was born 35-5, and he weighed 5lbs 8oz.  His only problem was jaundice.

Karenf17

My daughter was born at 34w6d weigning 4lbs15oz.   She spent 16 days in the NICU.  She needed oxygen support for less than 24 hours.  She was jaundiced and spent a little time under those lights to help with that.  She had an NG tube because she wasn't able to keep up with her feedings (she'd fall asleep again before she was able to eat enough).  Like someone else posted, the nurses said it would be like a switch will just flip and she'll be able to eat enough.  Sure enough, they were right! 

BillysGrl27

DS was born at 34 weeks after my water broke for unknown reasons. He weighed 4lbs 7oz and spent 9 days in the NICU. He was in an isolette, had slight jaundice (no phototherapy needed), and had feeding tube. He was allowed to breastfeed from Day 2.

He is now 9 weeks and weighed 9lbs 12oz at his 2 month appointment!

GL!

Mamaof3Jade

Hey!

My LO Iris was born at 33wks 6 days due to placental abruption. I went into spontaneous labour after 3 weeks of bedrest and had her just 1 hr and 45 minutes later! She weighed 5 lbs 6 oz, which was on the large side they told me. She was 18 minches long. Iris fed from the breast right away! She really "got" the suck, swallow, breathe thing, although some babies don't so early. Our NICU stay was fairly short-11days. She didn't have any serious concerns, just the usual IV, monitoring, and a little bit of oxygen at the beginning. She is now 5.5 months and happy...healthy..and growin' like a weed!!

lemen99

Elliott was born at 35w4d.  He was a very big 7 lb 1 oz.  He was in the intermediate nursery for about a week; initially for blood sugar issues and later for eating/weight gain.  I had an amnio prior to delivery showing his lungs were mature and he didn't need any respiratory support.

Shorty713

Phin was born at exactly 34 weeks. I have type 1 diabetes so i was high risk (they expected hed have to be born early, just not that early) and i had developed preeclampsia. they induced me saturday at about 6pm and by about 5 pm sunday they said i was only 8 cm dilated so we opted for a csection. Phineas was born on Easter at 5lbs and 18 in long! pretty good size for a 34 week old gestation baby. he didnt need oxygen, although they did give him a little bit beause he had a small amount of apnea i guess? i didnt learn that til later. and he had jaundice, for that they had him in a bili-blanket. he only stayed 9 days and was able to go home without any special needs besides a nurse coming to check his biliruben level. he just had his 2 month checkup, and the dr found he had a hernia in his groin. he said surgery was the only answer to that. but as far as ive heard its common among premies. i also got phin into an Early Interventions program, which if you have something like that i'd sign up for. it checks the babys progress and development in ways that the dr doesnt really check at monthly visits. and they give you pointers as to what excersises to do with the baby. other than a small hernia, he's healthy and doing great!! a 34-35 week baby may stay in the hosp a week or so longer even if he or she is perfectly healthy, so dont freak out. and good luck!

Shorty713

oh by the way, invest in a good wrap/sling carrier for him/her. i wish id had one earlier, but even at 2 months+ Phin loves it! and its really good for babys, esp preemies to stay close and be carried for atleast a little bit every day. it also lets you be close but still be able to do things with your hands. it calms them down if you have a fussy one too and helps with temp control. preemies temp will drop more often than go high