Going to be having a preemie next weekend probably...

MaggieB79 · September 2009

Hi, I'm Maggie. I'm 33w1d and have pre-e. My protein levels and BP are getting really high so my doctors are planning to induce me next Sunday at 34w2days. I am having a girl, which I heard is good because little girls for some reason generally go better. I received 2 steroid shots over the last couple of days and am being monitored 2-3 times a week at the hospital for blood work, urine and NSTs.

I would love some insight on what to get ready for as far as having a 34w preemie. Thanks ladies!

borc0080 · September 2009

I was induced with DD at exactly 34w2d! She was 4lbs 11oz. We're very fortunate - DD has not had any health issues at all. She was in the NICU for 23 days, but just as a feeder/grower (until she learned to take all her food by mouth). Immediately after birth she had oxygen (box around her head) for a couple of hours. She was in the incubator for just a few days. No jaundice issues. However, every preemie is a bit different. But they told us the same thing - girls do better.

My biggest advice is to not expect to take her home with you when you're discharged. That was really, really hard. Also, you'll hear a lot of different estimates about when your child may come home. Try not to get your heart set on a particular date, especially when they're making estimates right after she's born. I really felt like I got set up for disappointment since the NICU doctor who saw her right away estimated 10 days.

Good luck! This is a great board for questions, vents, etc.

*KatieH* · September 2009

not sure about a 34 weeker but I wanted to say good luck and congrats on your little girl!

clyoungsey · September 2009

Although every baby is different, what you are saying: 34 weeks, girl, and steroid shots are all very good things! I just had a 33 week boy with steroid shots and he has no issues minus reflux. He was in the NICU for 5 weeks due to not getting the eating thing down. His NICU girlfriend was 34 weeks and was out of there in 2 weeks. Congrats and good luck!

gizmo909 · September 2009

I had DS at 34 weeks 1 day via emergency c-section. He weighed 7 lbs 2 oz, which is huge for a 34 weeker. I had gone to a regular 34 week appointment and had mentioned that I hadn't felt as much movement for the last few days. We did 2 NSTs and failed them, then did a contraction test and failed it miserably to the point that we had an emergency c/s. He was born 4 hours after I showed up to my OB appt so it was all a bit of a surprise. It ended up that my placenta was shutting down and DS was conserving energy so that's why he stopped moving. I never had a chance to get any steroid shots. It's great that you're getting those, they seem to make a big difference.

DS was in the NICU for a total of 22 days. He had some breathing problems at first and was on oxygen for 1 week. He was only in the incubator for 1 week as well and after that was in a regular crib. He didn't have his suck, swallow, breathe down and that's what took the most time to learn. He had a feeding tube the entire time except for the last 2 days. He also had problems with brady episodes (decrease in heart rate) and desats (decrease in oxygen) which is normal for babies that age. He's been home for 4 weeks now and is doing great! This is a great board to come to for support. If you ever have any questions or need someone to vent to, feel free to PM or page me!

Sweets2005 · September 2009

Sorry about your pre-e. I had my b/g twins 2 weeks ago and they are now 34w3d. I had 2 steroid shots, too. My daughter did much better with her breathing than my son who needed to be on the ventilator for a few days. All the nurses said that girls do better than boys in general. At 34 weeks you should expect the following: your baby girl may still need some oxygen but hopefully only the nasal canula for a couple days, just so she doesn't have to work so hard to breathe. She also may have trouble regulating her temps and so may go into an isolette for a bit. The thing that she may have the only trouble with might be learning to nipple feed, which doesn't really start till 34 weeks and often is the longest thing it seems you are waiting for. And at her age, dips in heart rates and episodes of apnea are normal but she will probably only have mild ones that won't be a big deal (meaning they would keep her just for that). But she may also come out being a bigger girl, who breathes perfect on her own, has perfect temps, and gobbles down a bottle or breastfeeds like a champ! You never know but 34 weeks is very good (I was trying to hold out until 34 weeks, darnit!!!) so I know your girl will be just fine and hopefully only have a very short stay at the hospital. Good luck and congrats!

Meg1031 · September 2009

I will PM you too...

I had my DD at 34 weeks 5 yrs ago. It was a vag delivery after about 10-11 wks of bedrest and 4 wks of tocolytics. I did get the 2 steroid shots during that time. My water broke at exactly 34 weeks, and after 2 1/2 hrs of labor she was born.

She weighed 4 # 10 oz, and was 17 1/2 inches long. She was breathing fast for awhile and had to be under an oxygen hood for a few hours. She was in the level 2 nursery at my local hospital, not in a NICU. She had trouble with her suck reflex and needed to be fed with an eyedropper or med cup for about 2 weeks. She then graduated to a finger feeder (we were still trying to get her to breastfeed, but she would not) and eventually just switched to a bottle of EBM.

She had jaundice- so was in hospital for 2 days under bili lights. She was born on a Sunday, and came home on a Thursday. She has been extremely healthy, and truthfully has only had 2-3 minor colds, has never been on an antibiotic, etc.

We kept her away from public places for nearly 2 months (she was a fall baby- so winter cold/flu)- and had family trained in handwashing, etc- banning any visitor who was ill.

I will likely have this LO in the next 2 weeks, meaning another preemie around same age. Not sure what to expect- but I am sure she will be fine.

jklatka · September 2009

My water broke at 34 weeks and 6 days and it was a huge surprise. She was born 12 hours later and weighed 5lbs 12 oz. . she was in the NICU for one week. She had an IV and feeding tube for a few days and was also treated for jaudice. She is now doing well and at home. the biggest challenge has been that we have never gotten the hang of BF and I pump milk for her. . .good luck!

justme04 · September 2009

I just delivered my son last Sunday (9/6) via emergency c-section. I went from mild pre-e to HELLP Syndrome in 24 hours (i went into the hospital saturday morning after being up all night with back pain). Sunday morning I was given the choice between a c-section and induction and the doctor told me that my condition would only be getting worse and that an iduction doesnt always work so early before your due date. And that most inductions turn into c-sections. So i decided to do the c-section and just get it over with besides I doubted that if my condition was as bad as he said it was then i risked my health even further if I tried to wait out an induction. My son was able to breath on his own and after a day took a bottle although he does sometimes get tired and has to finish through the feeding tube. His doctors are hopeful he will be home next weekend after only 2 weeks. I'm glad you have time to get used to the idea of delivering so early. Although I had come to terms with the fact that they would want to deliver me in a few days the day I went to the hospital I still ended up having a panic attack the next day when the doctor on call came in and said that based on my lab results he didnt understand why they didnt deliver me the day before.

Waiting4baby08 · September 2009

I was induced at 34w3d and my baby didn't have steroid shots before it. She was in the NICU for 8 days. She was breathing on her own and had no issues other than temperature regulation, gaining weight and jaundice. She is home now and doing really well. Good luck!

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