For those that delivered between 34-37 wks, how long in NICU/SCN?

KDR1979

My BP is starting to creep up and I'm already 1-2cm/60% with baby A vertex & low in the pelvis. I've been contracting every day for over a week. I saw my OB today and she said if my BP is borderline to high, she may induce at 36 weeks. I got Celestone @ 30 wks when the growth discordance was found. She also said that with 10+lbs of baby ( a week ago Baby A was estimated @ 4lbs 8oz and B @ 5lbs 10oz), twins, borderline BP, and Celestone on board that she wouldn't stop labor if I went in at this point. I know that most babies can avoid the NICU/Special Care Nursery if they are 37+ weeks. What about the 34-36.5 week window? Did your babies go to SCN/NICU? How long did they stay? Were you able to breastfeed?I'm really hoping that they can come home with us and that they breastfeed!!

jesbeth

DD was born at 34w3d and spent 16 days in the NICU. She was not able to breastfeed, and her pedi doesn't want us working too hard at it until she hits the 40 week mark.

Since "full term" for twins is less than a singleton, your LOs may need less special care but unfortunately, there's no "set time" that fits every baby, we were told to aim for my EDD, but it didn't take that long because DD had very few problems.

GL!

AZ_Erica

DD1 was born at 37 weeks exactly.  No NICU time, a little jaundice, no trouble BFing.

DD2 was born at 35.5 weeks.  No NICU time, came home with us.  Again, a little jaundice.  She was slow to catch on to BFing.  We supplemented the first 2 weeks because of the jaundice and she was not gaining weight as quick as they would like.  She caught on well to BF at 5-7 days, we stopped supplementing after her 2 week appointment and we haven't looked back. 

kck329

My nephew was born at 36 weeks exactly and he had no NICU/SCN time at all. He went home BFing too. It took a little over a week for him to get a good latch but otherwise, he behaved just like a term baby.

Denesdia

DS born at 35w6d and have 5 days in the Special Care Nursery at regular hospital, no NICU.  He was 6 lb. 13 oz.  Common problems for a singleton at this gestation is respiratory distress,  jaundice, and difficulty staying awake and coordinating eating by bottle or nursing.  We had all of those problems, and then came home.  GL!

orangetulips12

My son was born at 36 weeks exactly.  We were very lucky and no time in NICU.  Breastfeeding did not work out for our LO.  I pumped for the first 4 weeks, then gradually stopped pumping.  My supply was extremely low and we had to supplement from the beginning.

dvwalborn

My son was born at 35w1d and stayed in the NICU 11 days.  His lungs were underdeveloped and he had respiratory distress syndrome.  My water breaking was a complete surprise so I didn't have a chance to get the steroid shots for his lungs.  However, after 1 dose of surfactant they kicked in and he was off of all breathing support after 2 1/2 days.  He had a little jaundice but it wasn't a big deal.  He picked up bottle feeding pretty quickly (I couldn't breastfeed) and we would have had a shorter NICU stay but he had an aepnic espisode that he needed a touch to recover from.  Anything like that required an extra week in the NICU for observation.  He didn't have any more so we were just hanging out most of that time.

I hope your babies can hang on as long as possible and that you all get discharged and home ASAP!

pinksandbermuda

My LO came at 34 w 6 d and spent 2 weeks in the nicu.   She needed the bili lights for jaundice, the feeding tube, and the isolette for temp.  Eating was really her main issue.

Best to you and your LO's. 

HarmsMomma

DS was born at 35 weeks - 2 days in the NICU and 2 days in Special Care.  He was able to come home with us (on a heart/apena monitor for other issues).  Jaundice and eating were his "main" preemie related issues. 

Best of luck!

Punken13

My 36 weeker spent 9 hours in the NICU he had no issues at all they just wanted to keep an eye on him but my 37 weeker spent 48 hours in the NICU he had a lot of trouble keeping his temp regulated, even after he was discharged from the NICU he was almost readmitted for the same temp issues

 

ETA: Both were released from the hospital with me

lax15bsu

Z was born at 35.5 weeks with a bit of respiratory distress requiring a humidified oxygen hood for about 24-48 hours.  He also came out with a fever and infection, so he spent 7 full days on IV antibiotics. 

jcsntms06

Just remember each baby is different.

DD#1 was born at 33w 4d and spent 12 days in the NICU as a feeder/grower. A never latched on, so I EP'ed for two months before finally switching to formula all together.

DD#2 was born at 34w 5d and spent 14 days in the NICU, she had an issue w/A's and B's and was mainly a feeder/grower. C had a good latched and nurses well, but I just have a crappy supply. I've been EPing for her as well and just started to supplement with formula.

Praying that your LO has no NICU time. Please keep us posted. 

paige0328

DD was born at 34w2d and spent 12 days in the NICU. About a week in the isolette to help regulate body temp, under the bili lights for jaundice, and learning to eat. She never latched properly, so I pumped for almost 8 weeks and now FF.

Hope you babies can stay put for as long as possible. Each experience is different. Thoughts are with you! 

HJOHNSTON411

It varies greatly between 34-36 weeks.  I was on hospital bedrest, and a lady across the hall from me delivered her 35 weeker vaginally, and they went home together after 3 days.  I had mine via section at 35 weeks, and he spent 31 days in the NICU as a feeder grower.  In his case, this was probably more due to the IUGR than his actual gestation.  He weighed under 4 lbs, so he just needed some time to get stronger etc.  

Floridamom224

Born at exactly 34 weeks and spent 1 week in the NICU

Imanurse03

Our DS was born at 35w0d for pre-e and ongoing low amniotic fluid. He was 4 lbs, 10.5 oz. He was also borderline IUGR. I received steroids for lung maturity at 30 weeks because there was cord blood flow appeared compromise and his growth rate declined. He only spent one day in the NICU for an IV for low blood sugars. He was able to come home w/us. He did have mild jaundice but he didn't need the bili lights. It was monitored on an outpatient basis. He never got latching, so I EP.