Going to be a premie mom

km0022

I am currently on bed rest in the hosptial (33 weeks, 3 days) baby is IUGR (5th percentile) and I have severe pre-eclampsia.  The doctor thinks I will deliver within a week.  I have had my steroid shots and he does not think there will be any NICU time. Of course this all depends on how she is when she comes out, but do you think that sounds normal if I deliver at 34 week mark?  Also, how long do you think we should prepare ourselves to be in the hospital for?  I know it will all depend on how she does when she is here but we don't know what to expect - a few days? a couple weeks?  I will keep you posted on here when things progress.  Thanks in advance for your help. 

ClickMama

Hang in there!  I think your LO will have some NICU time even if everything is good more for feeding and possible jaundice. I would think 7-10 days but that is just a guess.  Many hugs your way!

sail123

Every baby is different but most babies born at 34 weeks do have some NICU time (especially those with IUGR). The general guideline is that babies can hope/expect to come home around their due date. I would prepare for a couple of weeks and if it is shorter than that, you will be pleasantly surprised. 

Good luck and keep us posted! 

MommynTeacher

Sorry you have to go through this, I had pre-eclampsia too. I was hospitalized for two days before my protein  numbers got too crazy and the c-section was done but on bed rest at home a month before that. Did someone from the NICU come and talk to you? If not, request it asap. The night before my c-section, a nurse practitioner came and explained a lot of possible scenarios and what I might expect made me feel a lot better. They told me that the hospital does not let babies go home before 25 weeks gestational age. My daughter had zero issues in utero- she was perfectly healthy as a fetus, had no growth restriction or fluid issues, and had steroid shots two weeks prior to birth and was still in the NICU for 22 days. Her stay is considered uneventful because nothing out of the ordinary happend and she really developed very quickly. People can't tell you how long you will be there becuase so many things can happen. Just stay positive, ask questions at the hospital, and love your little baby! Everything will be ok- I know the unknown is so hard to deal with- good luck!

Vine07

First off-sorry to see you may be joining us but you have come to the right place. Everyone here is wonderful.

My daughter was born at 34 weeks due to IUGR. I did receive steroid shots beforehand as well. She was born at 3lbs. She was developed like a 34 weeker would be but she was the size of a 29 weeker. She did not need any breathing or feeding help when she was born. She did need to be under the lights for a few days due to jaundice and needed IV nutrition. She basically was there as a feeder/grower. Her NICU stay was 21 days.

Good luck with everything and keep us posted!

jrrs

My 34 weeker went home with me. He did spend time those two days in the nicu so he was monitored  closely. And thats not to say he hasnt had preemie issues. He's developmentally delayed, its a constant struggle to get him to gain weight, and at 4 weeks he had rsv. So its been a really long year. I was induced due to eclampsia. Because i had hbp he was also showing signs of growth restriction. I didnt have the steroid shots due to the emergency nature of the situation,but had been on oral steroids throughout my pregnancy so mfm thought it did help ds. Good luck. I lclearly remember  how scary it is. Just hang in there and you and your little one will be fine. 

 

lkm2006

I was induced at 36 weeks 2 days due to IUGR.  My little boy was 5.3 at birth and he fortunately, didn't require any NICU time and we were able to go home 3 days later.  (I had a vaginal birth but he was born right before midnight so we ended up having to stay an extra day). 

 I also had the steroid shots.  I believe little girls' lungs develop faster than boys so that will be good for your little one.

Also, just so you can be prepared, we did have to deal with severe jaundice.  It wasn't even picked up until the day of discharge.  We had to go back the next day for a check up and it had jumped up to 19 which is getting in the dangerous level.  We were sent home with the bili blanket and had to stay on that for 4 days.  The blanket itself was not really a big pain at all since all baby does is sleep that early, I was just thankful that we didn't have to be re-admitted.  

Good luck!!

KShiz

My situation was different, I delivered @ 35.5 weeks and didn;t have any NICU time. Not sure how the PE & IUGR factor in.  Good luck to you and best wishes for a happy & healthy baby.

kelly321

I had pre-e and HELLP and delivered at 34w1d via c/s. My DD thankfully never needed any breathing assistance, but she was in the NICU for 16 days because of some hypoglycemia on the first day, temp control problems, high bili levels (although she never needed treatment), and she developed some eating issues and needed an NG tube for a few of the days, which they said was normal. I would also think it's very unusual for a 33/34-weeker to not have any NICU time, especially with IUGR. Have you asked any other doctors for another opinion? It might be better for you psychologically if you gear up for a couple of weeks NICU time and then if your LO doesn't need any - great!!

jcsntms06

I had my DD at 33w4d due to pre-e and she spent 12 days in the NICU, mainly for jaundice and feeding issues. She was only on the CPAP for three days. Hang in there Mama, you just never know what will happen. Definitely keep us posted.

hislobster05

I would definitely plan on some NICU time, but don't let it stress you...I had a 32 weeker and 34 weeker and had the steroid shots with both, one a boy, one a girl, and they both were in the NICU for a stint.

It depends on your hospital, but mine says that if they are born premature at ALL (before 37 weeks) they have to at least be looked at by NICU staff to determine if they need to then be observed in the NICU overnight and then if they need to stay.

My daughter (32 weeks) stayed for 9 days and my son (34 weeks) stayed for 15 days...

good luck and I hope you DO get to take that babe straight home, but I would plan on the NICU so you aren't stressed out if it comes to that.  Will they give you a tour of the NICU so that you are prepared?

Snorkel30

i went into labor at 33 weeks 3 days bc my water broke and was told i would deliver by 34 weeks but within 24 hours of getting to the hospital he was born. he was in the hospital in the nicu for 2 weeks 3 days. i cant imagune them not putting your baby in the nicu since she will be premature and they need to check to make sure she's ready to come home.

good luck! hope she doesnt have to stay in the hospital long!

elisbu

My IUGR baby was born at 35W2D, She weughed 4lbs 4oz. She spent 16 days in NICU learning how to eat.

I would plan on some NICU time, then if you dont need it, it's like icing on the cake!. Also pick up some preemie sleepers.

Mrs. Alice

Welcome to the board.  Sorry you have to be here soon though.  Have you been able to tour the NICU yet?  I went a couple times when I was in the hospital.  They usually let you see a baby that is the same gestational age as what yours might be so you can have a better idea about what to expect.  If you deliver at 34 weeks I'd imagine you can expect at least a couple weeks of NICU time.  There are so many variables though.  If your LO is IUGR it may take him/her longer to be able to maintain his temperature and tolerate full nipple feedings.  He may have breathing problems at first which could keep him longer.  You just don't know until delivery.

At my NICU there wasn't really a certain weight they have to be, but I was told generally the Neonatologists feel comfortable discharging babies closer to 37 weeks if they meet all the criteria. 

Wally3

At 34 weeks I was told DS would go to the NICU no matter what - it was hospital policy if the baby was less than 35 weeks.  He had a 7 day uneventful NICU stay.  Good luck

MichellaWed25321

I had our Miracle at 28wk/6d.  I was on bedrest for 5 weeks before she decided to make her  debut.  The NICU was her home for 2 months.  I also had the steriod shot.  Don't worry about the NICU, your baby may go there or not.  The things that we learned is to be as involved as you can.  Get to knof w the staff that will be there when you want, and take notes.  Sending prayers that everything goes well for your family.