I am hoping and praying that baby girl stays put for 2 more weeks, but it's entirely possible I will have her before then. I was put on hospital bedrest last week after I started leaking. Fluid levels are still very high (17cm yesterday) and she is measuring a week ahead. I am home on bedrest now but will have to go back to the hospital if I have further leaking or develop an infection.
Just wondering if anyone delivered early and if you ran into any challenges pursuing a med-free birth?
Re: anyone deliver naturally before 36weeks?
My friend had a great med-free birth with her 3rd at 33 weeks - her little girl actually did great and was only in the NICU for like a week after that and was over 5lbs when she got to take her home.
Are you united with the CCOKCs?
My water broke at 35w5d and DD was born via HBAC at 35w6d. The natural birth went fine but I'm sure that also was in part because I was at home with MW care. We did chose to transport DD to the hospital just to be cautious and she was admitted for 1.5 days. She was a big 6 lbs 6 oz.
FWIW, I work in the NICU so I am quite familiar with preemies. By 34 weeks they are coordinated enough to start the process of breast or bottle feeds but usually need a feeding tube for at least part of their feeds. They also likely might need an isolette to help maintain their temperature. She might need a little help with breathing, it just depends. Babies at 34 weeks typically do quite well. Try not to worry as much as possible, it will definitely be better if LO stays in another few weeks but she likely would do well if needed to be born sooner than later. I hope this helps. Good luck and keep us posted!
~~~ EDD for Baby #2 6/28/15~~~~
Preemies benefit the most from delayed cord clamping. You may want to bring that up with your team.
So glad you got to go home - I hope your baby stays put for a while longer.
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thanks! I need to write out my birth plan and go over it with my doctor next week. We'd talked in general about some stuff 2 weeks ago but now things are a bit different!
Gretchen Evie, born 7/8/2012 at 35w5d
Hi again Pugz. As you know from Aug. 12, I am in largely the same boat, with broken water and waiting to be induced at 34 weeks. You probably didn't know that I was also planning a natural birth. I am definitely grieving a bit over the loss of the opportunity to have the birth I planned for. My concerns about going med free at 34 weeks are the following:
1. I will be induced, which makes things harder for most people.
2. I don't know if they will want to monitor LO more closely during labor since she is younger, so I am wondering if I will be more tied to the bed.
3. The chances of a difficult placenta delivery are much higher with pre-term births, and a med-free manual placenta extraction is one of my worst fears.
For the moment, I am leaning towards laboring naturally as long as I can, but getting the epi eventually and then having it turned way down during pushing. I would love to still go natural, but I am skeptical that I can because of those 3 factors. Would be happy to discuss more and definitely want to hear how it goes for you.
Daughter born at 34 weeks due to PPROM, July 2012
Expecting baby #2, May 8, 2015
May 2015 signature challenge for January: "You had ONE job!"
I hope you are doing okay! Probably rockin' out the sexy ted hose like me
I have an appt with my doctor next Tuesday and want to go over some more details with him. I have adjusted my expectations and like you am not ruling out an epi since there are so many unknowns and possible limitations on my ability to move around.
I was emailing with my SIL last night. She has been induced with all 4 of hers and was on continuous pitocin & continuous fetal monitoring. She still managed to have 4 med free births!. She moved around as much as she was able, stayed out of bed, and the nurses just came and adjusted the monitors as much as needed.
hopefully as long as your baby's heart rate is in the safe zone you will be allowed lots of freedom!
Gretchen Evie, born 7/8/2012 at 35w5d
Daughter born at 34 weeks due to PPROM, July 2012
Expecting baby #2, May 8, 2015
May 2015 signature challenge for January: "You had ONE job!"