How long in NICU for delivering at 32weeks?

alphaphi98

I delivered at 32 weeks last Wednesday. My baby girl got a couple of steroid injections before I delivered to help her lungs. I know they made a big difference because she came out crying immediately and is breathing well on her own. She's active as ever and is doing really well in the NICU. They started feeding her my breast milk yesterday (from nose to stomach through a tube) and she's taking it all in. She is now 6 days old. She's a strong one as nurses tell me that she often removes her monitors, tubes and IV when moving around so much.

I was just wondering how long it took for some of you moms to take your babies home from the NICU around 32 weeks delivery. I hope my baby's stay in the NICU is short and sweet. 

Missa_g

My boys were born at 29w4d but the general rule of thumb is to anticipate preemies coming home around their due date. Some come earlier and many come later, but that's the "average" barring no complications. I hope your NICU stay is short and sweet.

ETA: after the first week my boys did exceptionally well and came home at exactly 2 months actual, 12 days before their EDD.

kelkel09

as the pp said, it's generally around their due date. Just wanted to say Congrats on your little girl and wish you a short NICU stay!

jcsntms06

It really all depends on if your baby can maintain her temperatures, gain weight and feed properly. DD#1 was in the hospital for 13 days and DD#2 was in the hospital for 14 days. The were both good sizes, but each of them had their own obstables to overcome. Annabelle my 33 weeker mainly was a feeder/grower. Caroline my 34 weeker had issues with a's and b's and gaining weight. For both of them it took about a week to figure out the eating. 

PhillyGal34

Congratulations! And yes, the steroid shots are a blessing if you can get them. Of course no two babies are the same and although it's hard try not to compare. That said, my son was born at 31w5d and was 3 lbs 5 oz. he had both steroid shots and came out crying. He was off oxygen within a few hours and was only on as a precaution. He had an Uneventful stay in nicu and only had to grow and learn to eat and he was home on the 26th day. 35w 3 d i believe... Crazy that i forget! The doctors were really surprised and didn't expect him home that soon but there was no reason to keep him... He's done great ever since. I know babies that were born around the same time that stayed twice as long though and babies born after we're there longer... Every baby is on their own time table as hard as that can be.

Please keep us updated on your lo's progress!!

sedge1

Congratulations on your baby girl!

My DD was born at 32w4d. I also received the 2 steroid injections and she was only on CPAP for about 24 hours. We spent 3 weeks in NICU and another 4 at a step-down nursery, where she learned to feed and grow. Toward the end we had some reflux issues that kept her there longer than anticipated. She came home 4 days before her EDD.

That said, every baby is different! I know it feels like you will never get her home, but you will! Please keep us updated!

Pips09

Congrats on your baby! The length of NICU is going to vary vastly from baby to baby. Mine spent 5 weeks there, coming home at gestational age of 35 weeks.

pathfindermon

My little guy was born 31w 4d.  He recieved both steriod shots.  He was in the NICU 25 days and came home at exactly 35 weeks.  He came out crying and was only on oxygen long enough to move to the NICU from the regular nursery. Then he was on room air for a day.  He was also a fresh one that liked to pull his tubes out .  He was mainly there to learn to feed.  Once he got that- they booted us out .  Congrats on your lo!  I hope she continues to do so well!!

staceylynn1229

First off, congrats on your new little blessing!  My baby girl was born at 32 weeks, and she came out crying and breathing on her own, as well.  We were there for 5 weeks, just waiting for her to grow and get strong enough to take 100% of her feedings by mouth.  The only setback we had was the night before we were supposed to go home, her temp was lower than they wanted to see.  Good luck.  Hang in there, mama!

Mrs. Alice

Congrats!  I had 28 weekers who came home at 38 weeks, 10 days before their due date.  I hope your LO's NICU stay is a short one, breathing well right from the start is definitely an advantage!

ppants

My b/g twins were born at 32w3d. I did get the steroid injections prior to delivery. They came home after 22 days in the NICU. I hope your NICU experience is a short one.

mbc2009

My little guy was born at 32 and 3.  I received the steroid shots prior to his arrival.  He spent 15 days in the NICU and was a feeder/grower.  Good luck!!

ktrkate

Congratulations!  Our little girl was born at 32 weeks and weighed 3lbs 4oz. She also received steroid shots  prior to delivery.  Her NICU stay was uneventful and was able to come home after 24 days. I'll be praying for the same (or shorter!) for you!!

pinotgirl

It would have been on his due date, but he had hernia surgery the day before his due date and that kept him in an extra day or two. He came home at 40w2d.

I had 2 rounds of the steroid shot, but he came out at only 2 pounds 4.5 ounces so there was a lot of growing to do... and it took a long time for him to like to eat outside of his feeding tube. 

gringa78

So glad your little one is doing so well!  My girls came at 33w2d and spent just under 4 weeks in the NICU.  They were mainly feeders/growers, but stll had heart desats and the typical preemie issues (like the NG tube, for instance).  It sounds like she's off to a great start!  I wish you a short and sweet NICU stay as well. 

ETA:  My girls also received the steriod shots.