34 weekers?

sjp

Intro and question: 

I went into preterm labor with myf first, but they were able to hold deleivery off until 37 weeks on the dot. This time the dr. told me that they would not try to stop labor after 34 weeks--(end of this week for me). --I am high risk on multiple levels.

I have read a few articles etc but would appriciate some real-life experiences with babies born around 34 weeks. Also, I am having a boy--not sure if that is relevant but I remember something about girls doing better than boys if they are born prematurely.

So far he is growing right around the 50 percentile --so no IUGR even though that was a risk factor for me.

I have another scan scheduled for today and they will do another FFN test at that point. From lurking I gather I should try to do a tour of the NICU if that is allowed sometime this week. Any other advice? Things to ask dr today?

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

chiogirl02

How big is your baby measuring? I had my son at 36 weeks at he was 4lbs 11 ounces. I struggled to gain wait my whole pregnancy. Spent one week in the hospital at 26 weeks because I started having contractions, was dilated and effaced too. My baby ended up being healthy even though he was so small and thankfully he didn't spend any time in the NICU. Just because he will be premature, he may not have to be in the NICU. Every baby is different. I would ask to tour the NICU and just ask general questions about what you can expect if you have a premie. I know when I was in the hospital at 26 weeks I had to meet with a neonatalogist and he laid out what to expect in 4 week intervals from that point on incase our son was born. Good luck!

chickaboo1974

My guys were born at 34w 3d.  They weighed 5lb 3ozs and 5lb 4ozs.  They were only in the NICU (17 days) to learn to suck/swallow/breathe.  I didn't have the steroid shots- but they were born with mature lungs- so no oxygen.  They had no apnea episodes.  Overall they were just there to learn to eat- so they did have a NG tube until day 15 when they took it out because they were take all their feedings by bottle.

With twins I knew there was a risk for a NICU stay so I took a tour of the NICU at 16 wks- it really made it a less scary thing.

SamJustice

My son was born at 34 weeks. He weighed 5lbs 2oz (which surprised everyone considering his condition) and didn't need oxygen and his APGAR scores were on par with a full term baby. He did, however, spend 2 months in the NICU, but not because of his prematurity. I understand he is not the 'normal' case, but there is hope.

biesecke

My son came at 34 wks due to severe pre-e.  He was in the NICU for 28 days, had a short time on the CPAP breathing machine, and was jaundice.  The majority of the time we spent there was for him to learn to eat on his own.  It really is dependent on you LO, and hopefully if they know you are going to be early that they are giving you the steroid shots.  Hope you have a safe and healthy delivery, and that your LO does not spend as much time in the NICU as mine did.

LnR70707

I went into PTL at 34w4days and had DS at 34w6days.   Had I gone into PTL one day earlier they would have tried to stop it or at the very least given me the steroid shots as soon as I asked (in triage as soon as they told me they were admitting me).  As it was, I was far enough along that standard protocol was not to do anything other than just manage my pain level and hope things stopped on their own.  Since I asked, they did put me in a study for the effect of steroid shots for lung development in late term preemies.  I do not know for sure whether I got the steroids or the placebo, but I am fairly sure I got the steriods as DS had no breathing issues.   DS was 6.7lbs and spent 6 days in the NICU for hypoglycemia and high bilirubin levels.  Other than reflux we haven't had any issues since bringing him home.

jcsntms06

My first was born at 33w 4d due to Pre-e and was 4lbs 10.5 oz at birth. She spent 13 days in the NICU as a feeder/grower. My second DD was born at 34w5d due to PTL and was 5lbs 5oz and spent 14 days in the NICU, she had issues with jaundice, Apena and Brady's, and feeding. At around one week, she started to gain weight and her jaundice issues correct with the bili lights. We had some issues with a&b's right up until she was discharged, but the hospital didn't feel that she needed to come home on a monitor. Since discharge, she hasn't looked back and is doing wonderfully.

I definitely take a tour of the NICU, ask to talk to a NEO on staff, ask any questions you may have. 

 Praying that you can keep LO baking a few more weeks. Please keep us posted. 

sjp

Thank you ladies so much!

He is now measuring 4lbs 11 oz--

He dropped from around the 50% to 33% as of yesterday. I am now on modified bed rest.  The concern is that he doesnt drop too low percentile wise. 33% isnt a huge concern except for the fact that he has been growing steadily up until now. I am going in for 3x a week NST tests at this point and Dr. confirmed they will not try to stop labor from now on. I was contracting the entire time I was there yesterday but no cervical changes.  I will keep you all updated.

Wally3

DS was born at 34 weeks 4lbs15oz.  1 week in the NICU.  My ob didn't try to stop my labor - he came really quickly.  

MeNV

My first was born at 34 weeks when my water broke. He was 4lbs 15oz, had zero issues and came home with me. I'm being induced with my second the day after tomorrow and s/he will be 34 weeks on the nose. I had such an easy time with the first that I might be a bit naive, but I'm not to worried about any major problems.

Delphianraven

My son came at 34 weeks exactly due to Prom. He was born at 5lbs and was in the NICU two days. He was then in the NSCU for eating and jaundice for another few days. Seven day hospital stay total. I didn't have any steroid shots for lung maturity and he did great. No A's and B's.

He'll be 20 months this month and is doing great. Hope your labor and delivery go smoothly, and that your lil one turns out to be very healthy! 

rels09

My daughter was born 2 weeks ago at 34w0d after induction due to PPROM. She spent 11 days in the NICU as a feeder/grower and for jaundice. I had steroid shots, which probably helped her to have no lung issues at all. She was born at 5 lbs. 10 oz., which is large for her gestational age. She is still so new, but the NICU doctors and her pedi don't have any lasting concerns.

OhSewCrafty

My DS was born at 34w 5d due to pprom and weighed a hefty 6lbs. 1oz. He was in the NICU for 13 days, but mostly because of very high bilirubin levels and slow weight gain after he lost several ounce. He never needed breathing assistance, thankfully.

He is now a 31lb. super active 21 month old. :-) I almost forget he was so tiny once!

Good luck with your LO! 

Mommy2CB

My DS was born 2 days shy of 34wks. He was just over 5lbs and spent 3wks in the NICU learning to eat without the feeding tube, regulate his temperature, and stop having the brief drops in heart rate and/or breathing (I've actually forgotten what that's called now, which I guess is a good thing!). He did really really well though and the NICU staff assured me he would do just fine, the longer they are inside the better!

As far as milestones he really met them all when full term babies did. He started solids at 6 mos instead of 4 but part of that was his dairy allergy. GL!

Mommy2CB

Just wanted to add I went into labor 1 day shy of 33wks and they kept having to stop labor. I had 2 steroid shots and the FFN (?) test which was negative (and yep still went into full blown labor.. The docs said I was the 1% when the test is wrong). 

TriciaandSean

I went into pre-term labor a week before my son was born.  I was given steroid shots, lots of anti contracting medicine and put on bedrest.

My son was born at 34 weeks 4 days although they think my due date may have been a week off and he was really 33 weeks 4 days. 

He was 4 lbs 13.6 ounces 17" long.  When he was born he had an apgar of 3 and did not cry.  He had a few episodes of apnea and was given forced air to help him breath, but he didn't need oxygen. 

The hospital I delivered at did not have a NICU so when they finally made the decision that he definitely needed the NICU they had to transfer him to a hospital an hour away (he was born at 9:30 pm and they transferred him at 5:30 am).  This was the hardest, because I didn't get to hold him, and they brought the incubator into my room and we were just able to stick our hands in and squeeze his hand quick.

Luckily I had an easy delivery and was released just about 12 hours after giving birth.  The doctor had me out of the hospital by 10 or 11 am.  I finally got to hold my son around 2:30 pm the day after he was born.

He was given caffeine which helps to wake him up.  He was too lazy to breath without it.  He was on the caffeine for about a week.

He was jaundice for about a week and was under the bilirubin lights 22+ hours a day during this time.  This was the worse for me, because they wouldn't let us hold him because they wanted him under the lights, and also wanted him in the incubator to help maintain his temperature since he couldn't wear clothes with the lights.

It seemed to take forever for him to learn to take a bottle and nurse, but he eventually figured it out.  

He finally went home 3 weeks and 2 days after he was born.