Tell me about your 30-32 weekers...

olliehoops · November 2010

I was just told I have pretty bad pre-e on my Friday appt and my doctors office refused to see me and from now on I will be seen by the head of the level 3 NICU about 35 minutes away twice a week. They did an u/s yesterday and she is 27w5d and weights 2.5lbs and shows no signs of growth restriction or any issues. The placenta, cord and amniotic fluid all look great. So far I am the only one who is being hurt by the pre-e and she is tolerating everything well. The doctor said he would be shocked if we would be able to keep her in safely past 30 weeks. I am on complete bed rest until my weekly appointments, so hoping that will help my blood pressure go down and keep me calm. So what are you stories about your 30-32 weekers? My first doctor gave her a slight chance of survival, but the new doctor yesterday seemed much more optimistic. Thanks for your time, I just don't know what to do, where to turn, or who to talk to.

ssg73 · November 2010

My dd was born at 30 weeks due to pre-e and hellp syndrome. She was 2lb 5 oz and 14 inches long. She spent 69 days in the nicu and is 16 months old now. She is slightly delayed in gross motor and in speech but was discharged from EI at 12 months adjusted. She is doing really well. It was a long road but we got through it. If you would like to talk more pm me. Also check out my blog if you go to July 2009 you can start at E's birth.

holn76 · November 2010

My LO was born at 30 weeks. He was in the NICU for 7 weeks and had no complications. He was on a ventilator for only 1 day and a little jaunice. Other than that he spent the time in the NICU gaining weight and learning to eat on his own. He was born at 3 and a half pounds. Now he is over 12.5 pounds and is a happy little boy!

Do you have any questions?

luckycooky · November 2010

Amelia was born at 31 1/2 weeks at 2lbs 15oz. She had a few complications a the beginning but overcame most of them in the 1st few days and has not looked back since. She was in the level 3 NICU for 3 weeks and level 2 nursery for a week before coming home at 4lbs 6oz. She is 6 months (actual) and now weighs 15lbs 1 oz.

schtephanie · November 2010

I have a 31.5 weeker who was born at 4 lbs even. They were able to give me the steroid shots to help develop his lungs right before he was born. He didn't need any breathing assistance but was on the CPAP for about 6 hours until they were sure. He spent 5 days in the Level 3 NICU and the rest of our 32 day hospital stay in the Level 2 NSCU as a feeder/grower (gaining weight, regulating his own body temperature, and learning how to eat). He's now 6 months old and 17.5 lbs (my chunky monkey) and doing very well with his developmental milestones, just a bit behind where he "should" be.

Even if your baby is delivered early, I don't know why your first doctor would say that there is a slight chance of survival. While all babies are different and there are sometimes unforeseen complications, the survival rate for a baby born between 28 and 31 weeks is something like 96% (if I am remembering correctly). I hope you are able to hold out as long as you can! Hang in there, and you're at the right place for support!

ppants · November 2010

My twins were born @ 32w3d. DS weighed 4 lbs 9 oz and DD was 4 lbs. They were in the NICU for 22 days. They came home on monitors and with caffeine. By 10 mo old (actual age), they were "regular babies". Good luck and hang in there!

StephanieDeanne · November 2010

My DD was born at 32 weeks and 3 days after being admitted to the hospital once my blood pressure spiked to a pretty high level. DD spent 22 days in the nicu, luckily I was able to get the steroid shots for her lungs and she was on room air not long after being born, she did need the assistance of a CPAP for an hour or two until the magnesium drip I was on got out of her system (it made her lazy). She is now doing good and turned1 yesterday! FWIW, I am surprised if you have pretty bad pre-e that they don't have you in the hospital being monitored that way.

mandynicholson · November 2010

My son Cameron was born at 30w2d. He was delivered by C-section after his heart rate slowed to concerning levels. He was born on 10/20/10 and is currently still in a level 3 NICU. They told my fiance and I that he should be able to come home for Thanksgiving, we're crossing everything we can in hopes that it happens

ahava2005 · November 2010

I agree with what others said: survival goes up significantly after week 28, which is considered a huge milestone. So I dont know what your first doc was talking about.

My girls were born at 30 weeks 1 day after a day of PTL. I had had steriod shots at week 24 (I was on bedrest starting at week 20 for PTL and bleeding/short cervix) and half a round when I went into PTL again at week 30. Both girls were around 3 lbs. M needed a CPAP for a few days, but T breathed on her own from the beginning.

They had mild reflux issues, but that's all. They stayed in the NICU for 6 and 8 weeks, mainly for feeding/growing.

They are now 11 months old and are above or at their adjusted age in everything. No health problems at all.

jjilly7 · November 2010

my son was born at 30 weeks 1 day, due to severe Hellp (didn't now i had it til i was in the ER). Was in the hospital for 2 days before the c section so I could receive the steroid shots.

He was intubated for one day, and was 2.5 lbs 15 inches. He was in the nicu for 8 weeks, and his only problem was apnea/bradys - which is VERY common but VERY stressful. He gained weight wonderfully right away, and is now 24 weeks/14 adjusted and is 14 pounds. he is on track for babies born around his due date, and is doing great...there are no concerns. All babies are different, but like the prior posts said...30 weeks is a great milestone. The drs in the nicu would always tell me not to worry, that i made it to a great part of my pregnancy and it is just the eating and growing stage for him.

Good luck to you!

sunnyday16 · November 2010

These stories make me feel so much better. I was admitted yesterday for PTL and am still in the hospital. The contractions have stopped so hopefully I can just stay on bedrest but your stories make me feel better if our girl comes soon.

luckycooky · November 2010

mandynicholson:
My son Cameron was born at 30w2d. He was delivered by C-section after his heart rate slowed to concerning levels. He was born on 10/20/10 and is currently still in a level 3 NICU. They told my fiance and I that he should be able to come home for Thanksgiving, we're crossing everything we can in hopes that it happens

That is so exciting! Crossing fingers for you too!

bkjcwedding · November 2010

Hang in there! My biggest advice is to take your bedrest seriously and keep your fluid intake up.

My 32 weekers were small but healthy. Baby A weighed 4lbs 10oz and Baby B weighed 3lbs 0oz. Baby B needed a c-pap for 4 hours, but after that he was on room air. Baby A never needed breathing assistance. They spent 4 and 5 weeks respectively in the NICU as feeders and growers. Their only real issues were jaundice (both spent several days under the billi lights) learning to bottle feed and regulating their own temps.

I was able to get the steroid shots several weeks before I delivered and believe that helped a lot. Has you dr mentioned those?

Lavender444 · November 2010

My DS was born at 31 weeks at 4lbs and 17 in. He was in NICU for 7 weeks. I did get 2 rounds of Bethamethsone. He was on CPAP for the first day, moved to foreced air-but no O2 the second day. Went to room air for 5 days and then spend the rest of his NICU stay on Oxygen. My little guy has some G.I. issues so I'm certain his O2 needs were related to that.

My LO has a lot of G.I. scares in NICU that ended up being an allergy to breast milk, dairy and soy. His G.I. doctor found his pancreas to be inmature, so DS has trouble digesting fats and is on a special formula. Other then his tummy troubles he is doing great!

Good luck to you! I hope you are able to keep that LO baking as long as possible.

BreeGee · November 2010

My 32 weeker was born at 4 lbs 10 oz due to pprom. I received two rounds of the steroid shots and he was born almost 48 hours to the minute of receiving the first shot. They tried to stop my contractions and were able to do so for only those 48 hours. He did really well and only spent 14 days in the NICU. He came home on an apnea monitor. Good luck!

Eefrederick · November 2010

Katie Beth was born at 33w2d, due to HELLP syndrome that I also didn't know I had until I was in L&D. She had had restricted growth and had not grown past 30 weeks, so she was just 2.11 and 16 inches. She never even needed oxygen. We were in the NICU for 27 days, just for weight gain and temperature regulation. She had one episode of apnea the entire time we were there. My OB explained to me that he would rather deliver a 33 weeker that had been in a stressful womb environment than one who just decided to come early. He said it actually makes them a little tougher. I'm not sure how true that is, or if he was just trying to ease my mind, but it seemed to be true for KB. She was a fighter from the beginning. Her neo-nate repeatedly said "Don't tell her she's a preemie, because she has no idea." I hope your LO is just as healthy!

GenjerNY · November 2010

My DD was born at 30 weeks and weighed 2lb 10oz. She spent 6.5 weeks in NICU. My water broke at 29 weeks. She had slight prematurity of the retina, which resolved itself by 3mths of age. She is doing very well. Sitting up, rolling over etc at 5 mths adjusted age. While she was in NICU, there were 2 28 weekers who were doing very well. I'm sure your little on will be fine.

Want a personalized experience?

Tell me about your 30-32 weekers...

Re: Tell me about your 30-32 weekers...

Choose Another Board

Search Boards