Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks? ***UPDATE - she had the baby!!****

My girlfriend's water broke last night and she's 33 weeks today. If you delivered this early, how was your DC? She's having a and will have an amnio later today to check the fluid level and see how her little lungs are. They think the baby's about 5 pounds, so that's great!

The neo-natal doctors told her they'd "feel better" if the baby stayed in another week.

Any insight would be great.

***** Update 3/23*******

She had the baby this morning!!! She's 4 lbs, 9 oz and 18 inches!!! My friend's DH said they're both doing well. I'll get more info later on the baby!! Today is my late brother's birthday - I knew he'd be watching over them!!

Thanks everyone!!

Message edited 3/23/2007 9:39:41 AM.

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

I thought the baby had to come out within 24 hours if the water breaks?
for a healthy baby...

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

Posted by ARIELSMOM

I thought the baby had to come out within 24 hours if the water breaks?
for a healthy baby...

Message edited 3/23/2007 3:40:37 PM.

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

I almost delivered at 32 weeks, luckily DS was able to stay in. However, they did give me two rounds of steroids and said there was a GREAT chance that he would be completely fine. The steroids prepare their lungs.
There was a slim chance that he would have minor bleeding of the brain even with a c-section but at 32 weeks it shouldnt leave lasting effects. The other thing that really concerned me was that he would probably have to stay in the hospital for 4-6 weeks afterwards. Knowing that he would be there broke my heart but I knew he would be getting the best care.
To your friend and her .

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

Posted by apb17

I almost delivered at 32 weeks, luckily DS was able to stay in. However, they did give me two rounds of steroids and said there was a GREAT chance that he would be completely fine. The steroids prepare their lungs.
There was a slim chance that he would have minor bleeding of the brain even with a c-section but at 32 weeks it shouldnt leave lasting effects. The other thing that really concerned me was that he would probably have to stay in the hospital for 4-6 weeks afterwards. Knowing that he would be there broke my heart but I knew he would be getting the best care.
To your friend and her .

Message edited 3/20/2007 10:35:50 AM.

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

Posted by My2Boys

Posted by apb17

I almost delivered at 32 weeks, luckily DS was able to stay in. However, they did give me two rounds of steroids and said there was a GREAT chance that he would be completely fine. The steroids prepare their lungs.
There was a slim chance that he would have minor bleeding of the brain even with a c-section but at 32 weeks it shouldnt leave lasting effects. The other thing that really concerned me was that he would probably have to stay in the hospital for 4-6 weeks afterwards. Knowing that he would be there broke my heart but I knew he would be getting the best care.
To your friend and her .

Thank you. The doctors have told her they're obviously most concerned about her lung development and that she will most likely have difficulty swalowing.

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

I delivered at 33 weeks...completly unexpectedly my water broke. Within 2 hours, baby was here...no time for them to try to stop anything...no time for an epi, nothing.

My DD was born at 4lbs 2oz and is doing great! She is 6 months and about 13lbs and no developmental issues. She was in the NICU for 2 weeks and came home at her birth weight after she lost a little after birth.

I don't know how true it is...or if they were just telling me this in the hospital to make me feel better...but they said that girls do better than boys if they are preemie. I don't think it's true, as there were plenty of boys in the NICU doing just fine while we were there...I think they said that to comfort me because I was freaking out al ittle

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

Posted by luvsun27

I delivered at 33 weeks...completly unexpectedly my water broke. Within 2 hours, baby was here...no time for them to try to stop anything...no time for an epi, nothing.

My DD was born at 4lbs 2oz and is doing great! She is 6 months and about 13lbs and no developmental issues. She was in the NICU for 2 weeks and came home at her birth weight after she lost a little after birth.

I don't know how true it is...or if they were just telling me this in the hospital to make me feel better...but they said that girls do better than boys if they are preemie. I don't think it's true, as there were plenty of boys in the NICU doing just fine while we were there...I think they said that to comfort me because I was freaking out al ittle

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

Message edited 3/20/2007 10:49:49 AM.

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

Posted by ARIELSMOM

I thought the baby had to come out within 24 hours if the water breaks?
for a healthy baby...

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

a 33 weeker has a great chance of coming out and only needing minimal oxygen and pressure to keep the lungs open. premature babies are born without surfactant which makes their lungs stick and not enough air be able to enter the branches.the oxygen whether it is nasal cannulas, Nasal Cpap , or a ventilator assist delivers a flow of pressure to help open the lungs. Every week counts for lung development. as far as swallowing goes, babies don't develop the suck, swallow, breathe reflex until about 34 - 36 weeks so they are normally fed with a tube until then. they are also prone to apnea of prematurity and they need to be on a monitor until they are at least 35 weeks.. HTH..FM if you have questions!!

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

I delivered at 29 1/2 weeks and my girls are doing great..so tell her not to worry once you hit 30 weeks you are pretty much safe. And she is having a girl they say girls do much better.

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

Posted by luvsun27


I don't know how true it is...or if they were just telling me this in the hospital to make me feel better...but they said that girls do better than boys if they are preemie. I don't think it's true, as there were plenty of boys in the NICU doing just fine while we were there...I think they said that to comfort me because I was freaking out al ittle

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

I was a bit later, at 35 weeks, but they say girls are better then boys to be born early.

Jospeh had a feeding tube since he could not swallow effectively, he would fall asleep doing it since it took so much energy to eat.

I will keep your friend in my thoughts!

Where is she delivering? I knwo that if I was at my local hospital they could not take babies samller then a certain weight, so I would make sure she goes ot a hospital where her baby can stay so they will not be seperated.

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

My sil did. Baby was about 3.5 lbs today he is a very active perfectly healthy 7 year old!

He did have to be in the nicu for a bit.

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

Thanks again, ladies!

Stephanie - 29 1/2 weeks?! That's awesome that your girls are doing so well!!

Michelle - I remember that Joseph had a feeding tube, but Mattingly didn't, right? I kinow they're doing great now! BTW, she's at Winthrop.

Message edited 3/20/2007 10:59:46 AM.

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

Posted by My2Boys

Thanks again, ladies!

Stephanie - 29 1/2 weeks?! That's awesome that your girls are doing so well!!

Michelle - I remember that Joseoh had a feeding tube, but Mattingly didn't, right? I kinow they're doing great now! BTW, she's at Winthrop.

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

I delivered at 33 weeks and my boys are healthy and doing great! They were small and needed some time in NICU, but they were home in a few weeks. I will keep your friend in my thoughts, try not to worry too much! Baby will be great!

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

Posted by Disneygirl

Posted by My2Boys

Thanks again, ladies!

Stephanie - 29 1/2 weeks?! That's awesome that your girls are doing so well!!

Michelle - I remember that Joseoh had a feeding tube, but Mattingly didn't, right? I kinow they're doing great now! BTW, she's at Winthrop.

That's where I work actually. I'm an L&D nurse there. Rest assure she is getting the best care there. The NICU is amazing! FM me if you have any questions.

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

My friend had twins at 28 weeks 5 years ago and they are fine and healthy today!!

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

Posted by My2Boys

Thanks again, ladies!

Stephanie - 29 1/2 weeks?! That's awesome that your girls are doing so well!!

Michelle - I remember that Joseph had a feeding tube, but Mattingly didn't, right? I kinow they're doing great now! BTW, she's at Winthrop.

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

I delivered at 33 1/2 weeks - boys were in the NICU for 8 and 10 days and they are happy, healthy 6 1/2 month olds with no issues stemming from their prematurity! Good luck and and for your friend and her baby

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

Posted by My2Boys

Posted by luvsun27

I delivered at 33 weeks...completly unexpectedly my water broke. Within 2 hours, baby was here...no time for them to try to stop anything...no time for an epi, nothing.

My DD was born at 4lbs 2oz and is doing great! She is 6 months and about 13lbs and no developmental issues. She was in the NICU for 2 weeks and came home at her birth weight after she lost a little after birth.

I don't know how true it is...or if they were just telling me this in the hospital to make me feel better...but they said that girls do better than boys if they are preemie. I don't think it's true, as there were plenty of boys in the NICU doing just fine while we were there...I think they said that to comfort me because I was freaking out al ittle

It actually is true that girl preemies do better than boys! Their lungs seem to develop faster. Works for me! My boys had to be evicted by induction because they never wanted to come out.

Thanks for sharing. I feel good about the outcome and can't wait to meet my future DIL!

Re: Did anyone deliver at 33 weeks?

aww Melissa, your friend's girls are gorgeous!

KAthy, I hope all goes well for your friend and her baby