Preemie?

wychets

Good Morning Ladies,

My DD was born at 36wks 1day, 4lbs 12oz and 17.5inches long. When she was born the doctors considered her to be a preemie, but when I took her to the Pedi she says she isn't considered a preemie anymore? How exactly does that work? Just curious. TIA!

lkm2006

My son was 36 weeks 2 days and was considered a preemie birth. When he went for his two week check up the pedi said he was a preemie but they would still base his growth off of a full term baby chart, if that makes any sense. For example, at 2 weeks my son was 5.5 and in the less than 3rd percentile. I know there is a special preemie chart but they didn't measure his growth compared to that. 

katie4253

lkm2006:

My son was 36 weeks 2 days and was considered a preemie birth. When he went for his two week check up the pedi said he was a preemie but they would still base his growth off of a full term baby chart, if that makes any sense. For example, at 2 weeks my son was 5.5 and in the less than 3rd percentile. I know there is a special preemie chart but they didn't measure his growth compared to that. 

Actually, there isn't unless you have a very low birth weight baby.  Doctors use a baby's adjusted age to measure and their actual.  For example, my LO is 40% on the charts for his adjusted age, but only 5% for his actual age.  My doctor doesn't use the VLBW chart, but the NICU clinic did.  

kck329

Technically any baby born before 37 weeks is considered premature. By the time the reach their due date, doctors often use the term "former preemie" instead. My guess is that since your DD is healthy at home and doesn't have any lingering issues from her premature birth, the pedi plans to treat her as a term baby which seems fine based on what you've told us.

Mrs. Alice

kck329:

Technically any baby born before 37 weeks is considered premature. By the time the reach their due date, doctors often use the term "former preemie" instead. My guess is that since your DD is healthy at home and doesn't have any lingering issues from her premature birth, the pedi plans to treat her as a term baby which seems fine based on what you've told us.

  Also I've read that most Dr.'s don't adjust age for prematurity unless they are born at 35 weeks and below.  Which means, they expect your daughter to be following the growth charts and meeting developmental milestones based on the age that she actually is, not her original due date.  I would ask her Dr. for clarification though.