xp - friend might have preemie - 31 weeks.

UncleBen

Hi ladies - someone on the 3-6 month board recommended that I post here.

My friend is 31 weeks, having contractions, dilated to a 4 and cervix is .8 cm.  How serious is this?  Sorry for my ignorance.  We knew her cervix was short but it went from 1.5 to .8 in a week. She's had two steriod shots to develop the baby's lungs, is on Procardia, taking progesterone, etc.  I'm worried...

I'll google this now but I'm wondering how developed her LO will be, how much time in NICU, survival rates, etc.  Dr. estimated baby to be 3 pounds. 

Thoughts?  Please say a prayer for her and her little boy! 

sail123

It sounds like your friend may have her baby soon (being dilated to 4 is pretty far). They are probably trying to hold her off for 48 hours, which is how long it takes for the steroid shots to kick in. 

Every baby is different so there is no way to know how her baby will do but 31 weeks is far enough along that she will hopefully avoid any serious complications. Is she in a hospital with a level 3 or 4 NICU? That would be my top priority.

Her baby will probably be in the NICU until his or her approximate due date. When she brings the baby home she will have to be extra cautious about illness and protecting her baby against any exposure to germs (so no "sip and sees" or anything like that).

Best of luck to her, feel free to send her here.  

Trishie143

I replied to your thread on the 3-6 month board.

kck329

Most 30+ week babies will struggle with some breathing issues, learning to manage their own body temperature, and then learning to eat (sounds easy but can take a long time!). The steroid shots should hep with lung development so its great she has those and 3 lbs is a good weight, even though it seems realy tiny. The general rule of thumb is to expect a baby to stay in the NICU til their due date but that's just a guess. My 27-weeker came home 2 weeks before her due date, others at the same gestational age come home after.

There is a link in my siggy of things that friends can do to support families in the NICU that we have compiled-check that out if you want. If she has a c-section, one of her first needs will be rides to and from the hospital until she can drive herself. There is also a link to a list of NICU resources that your friend may want to check out.

Feel free to send her our direction or to come back and ask questions as you learn about her baby-we are happy to help in any way we can.

ladybug03

I had my baby girl at 31 weeks due to IC. I did have 2 rounds of steriod shots over a course of a few weeks. My LO weighed 3lbs 8oz and we we very lucky as she did not need any breathing assistance. She stayed in the NICU for 28 days and during that time she just needed to feed and grow. We were grateful! Good Luck to your friend!

urbanflowerpot

PP's covered most of it - I had my LO at 30.6 (every day she keeps babe in makes a difference!). It really depends on a lot of things - the questions you asked are the big ones - the ones we want answers to, but aren't realistic questions. Doctors will tell you to think in terms of your due date. Survival rate...well, they're generally very good but it's case by case. We were in NICU for 50 days, home for two weeks, then had to go back due to unresolved issues w/ reflux and bradycardia events. We left on an apnea monitor and just got off the thing (over four months later!). My kid was the kid who bradys. Hers might be the one who doesn't want to gain weight or take foods orally. We wish her the best of luck and hope she'll join our board. Please look at the links in either KCK or my siggies. There's lots of information that we've gathered in them. If she prefers FB there are a couple groups on there that are a great network! GL!

momamatthews

My baby girl was born at exactly 31 weeks and is now a happy and healthy 21mo old.  She has not had any long term issues because of her early arrival.  The biggest and most frustrating challenge she faced in the NICU was learning to eat.  I went into labor at 25 weeks and at that time I was put on magnesium sulfate to stop the labor.  There may still be a lot they can do for her as far as keeping the baby in a little longer, everyday helps.  I also recommend checking out the link to what you can do to support her while she is going through this.  She will most likely need a lot of moral support.

UncleBen

Thank you for all of your thoughts and comments!  Her LO is still in there today so let's pray he stays for a while longer.  I feel for all of you preemie mamas.