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June 2017 Moms
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Experience with a 33/34 week delivery?

arrowmamaarrowmama member
in June 2017 Moms
My sister in law was diagnosed with preeclampsia recently. But since then she started seeing these spots, vision, headaches and dizziness. She was driving and lost all sight pulled off on the freeway and called 911. She's been in the hospital since Friday afternoon. After lots of tests, she's having irregular heart rates of 160-180 and they think she's having silent migraines and at risk of a stroke. The NICU team decided it's best to have the baby out than in and so did her OBGYN. They want her to have a sllllooooow induction and to avoid a c-section because it's better for the baby. The cervadil was placed Saturday at 1am, removed at 1pm and now she gets pills inserted EVER do often.

They did a detailed Ultra Sound and the baby looks great, about 4lbs 11 ounces. She's revived 2 steroid shots and some other medicine for the baby.

does anyone have any experience with this or deliver a 33/34 weeker? Any advice I can pass along or keep to myself?
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Re: Experience with a 33/34 week delivery?

  • harpyogiharpyogi member
    My DS arrived at 34 weeks, my water just broke and contractions started, so labor and delivery wise I can't offer too much. Premie wise it is all up to the baby. DS spent 2 weeks in NICU, mostly for his lungs and body temperature control. I've known others who've only been in NICU for a day or two and then others who've been in NICU for over a month at that week gestation. Premies are tough little ones though and teach their mamas a lot about resilience :) best thing you can do is support her and encourage her later if she needs therapy support (I found it hugely beneficial and wouldn't be knocked up again if I hadn't gone). Sending positive thoughts her way!
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  • BelhurstBrideBelhurstBride member
    DH's little sister went in for an emergency c/s at 33 weeks. Her DS had a heart condition the believed they could better treat outside of the womb. 

    He spent 6 weeks in a specialized NICU for reasons directly to the heart condition.

    Now, at 4, he's a perfectly normal kid. You'd never know of the rough start he had. 
    DD1 4.14.10
    DD2 8.22.13
    MMC 1.4.17 at 16w
    Expecting #3, EDD 1.29.18

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  • michaela0704michaela0704 member
    A lot of my MoM friends deliver their twins on average about 34.5 weeks... but I know many that delivered earlier.  It always seems like a crap shoot on how long they stay in the NICU, sometimes it is very short and sometimes it is awhile (especially with lung development issues).  I do have a few that delivered around 35/36 weeks and had no NICU time so that is always a chance too!

    I would say, just support her any way you feel that you can and she needs.  Maybe the stress will impact her milk coming in/supply (if she wants to breastfeed even) so maybe be there for her to talk to or make nursing cookies/pick up nursing tea (if she's allowed to have it per the NICU), she'll probably be at the hospital as long as she can... depending on her commute to and from the hospital as well as the hours she can be there she may have very little time to take care of postpartum self so a meal/casserole that reheats easily so she finds time to eat.  If she has other children, offering to watch them or pick them up so she isn't running around like crazy.  Think through things like that, that may fit her situation.
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  • slssls member
    Having been induced early for health issues (38 weeks, so not a preemie, but she took her time coming out): take the epidural as soon as possible--surviving a day of labor without painkillers is one thing, but slowly being induced over several days is killer on your body. And don't stress over your milk not coming in--mine didn't right away and I felt like I had failed. That wasn't it, though. Your body just isn't ready when induced that early sometimes.
    Me: 35 | DH: 46
    MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks)
    DD: Born 8/22/14
    Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17
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  • ama7165ama7165 member
    I had my son at 33 weeks. I do think the steroid shots really help with lung development, I had 2 injections before he was born and he had no breathing difficulties. He did stay in the nicu for a little over 2 weeks. The NICU is HARD. Rest, don't beat yourself up for not being there every second, she needs to take care of her self too. Be supportive. It took me a long time to get over the stress and trauma of everything and I second @harpyogi about the therapy
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  • Waiting4FredWaiting4Fred member
    My girls were born at 34w. 12 days in NICU and home on oxygen for about two months but totally healthy and thriving now! I will say, though, that the scans they did the day I delivered were a full pound off of their estimates for both girls. 



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    Married 7/11/09 TTC #1 Since 05/10
    BFP #1 09/20/10 Natural m/c 10/05/10
    BFP! #2 04/21/11... Beta 16 DPO: 437, 18 DPO:1446 Ultrasound 6w6d TWINS!
    Annabel & Sophia Born 11/28/11 at 34w6d
    BFP #3 10/4/16... Beta 13 DPO: 145, 15 DPO: 367 12/1/16 It's a GIRL!

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  • arrowmamaarrowmama member
    Thanks everyone. This induction is definitely slow! Poor girl, she's only st 3cm since Saturday at 1am.... 

    We live about 2.5 hours away and my sister and I came down and cleaned and organized their entire house. Finished the nursery and are visiting as she labors. 

    We've talked to my brother about therapy and ppd and to be aware and supportive. 

    Thanks all for your feedback and suggestions!
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