Did anyone deliver their LO at 34 weeks?

We are probably going to be scheduling a c-section around 34 weeks due to complications and was just wondering what to expect as far as the health of the baby at that point....

Im gearing myself up for the baby to be in NICU but wondering what medical issues are common at that point.

Also - is it better to have a preemie in a bassinet? We never got a bassinet and were just gonna have LO sleep in the crib from start - we will have the angel care monitor set up (not sure if you can use that in a bassinet)

Any other advice about preemies appreciated.

Thanks

Message edited 3/19/2011 4:14:27 PM.

Re: Did anyone delivery their LO at 34 weeks?

My DS was born at 34 weeks. I think each child is VERY different and I know the nurses didn't anticipate him being in the NICU that long. That said, he did have some issues with apnea and came home on an apnea monitor. Basically he had some trouble remembering to breath---but he is 100% fine now. He also had some jaundice as well. I don't want to scare you because I know other babies born around the same weeks who didn't spend long in the NICU at all. GL

Re: Did anyone delivery their LO at 34 weeks?

DS was born at 34 1/2 weeks due to low amniotic fluid. My ped and perintoligist never expected me to go full term with all my issues (high blood pressure, fibroids, low fluid, etc.) so at 32 weeks they give me the steriod shot to speed up his lungs. DS weighed 5lb7oz and was 20 1/2" long. Aside from some slight jaundice and a minor concern that he was not keeping up his own body temperature, he was perfectly healthy and never spent any time in the NICU.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!!!!!

Re: Did anyone delivery their LO at 34 weeks?

my DS was born at 31 weeks and the neonatologist went over all the possible complications at each stage....he kept using 34 weeks as a landmark....at 34 weeks their lungs should be fully mature so apnea theoretically shouldn't be a problem...at 34 weeks the breathe, suck, swallow reflex should be intact so eating with a bottle (or on the breast) also shouldn't be a problem....at 34 weeks they should be able to maintain their temperature but may have a little trouble based on size.....at any time jaundice could occur so not really a preemie concern. Where are you delivering? I delivered at Winthrop and I can't say enough about the NICU doctors and nurses there. They have been extremely helpful thus far. If your lo does end up in the NICU and I can help answer any other questions or if you just need someone to talk to, please feel free to FM me

Re: Did anyone delivery their LO at 34 weeks?

My DD was born at 34wks 6 days and came home with me after 2 days and was totally fine. No nicu, no nothing. Every baby is different though.

Re: Did anyone delivery their LO at 34 weeks?

We had a week stay in the hospital (born at 34.5 weeks). Problems were maintaining body weight, poor sucking reflex (so you had to swirl the bottle to fix the tongue position).

Otherwise no major complications. At 3 months, he came down with RSV so you may want to look into the shot in case that's a concern.

The back & forth to the hospital is tough on you, mainly because post partum emotions are hard to cope with combined with not bringing home the baby.

I hope you have an easy delivery. Take care of yourself (eat & sleep) while they take care of the baby because you want to be healthy & not worn out when they come home.

We did bassinets for both children (one premature, the other at 39 weeks).

Re: Did anyone delivery their LO at 34 weeks?

My water broke at 33w6d and DS was born the next day at 34 weeks. I agree with everyone else that each baby is different. DS was in the NICU for 16 days. He was jaundice, needed to maintain temp and was tube fed for the first week or so. He would've been home sooner but he had Apnea of Prematurity. That was the only thing keeping him there so went home on a monitor. He was on it for almost 5 months. He's 14 months now and perfectly fine.

Re: Did anyone delivery their LO at 34 weeks?

My twins were born at 33 weeks 6 days. DD did great- just some issues with her body temp and jaundice. DS was on cpap for a few days followed by o2 by nasal canula. He also had issues with jaundice and needed to be under the lights. As they ate more their jaundice improved. When they were born they told us they would be there for 10 days to 2 weeks. They were discharged after 10 days. They are 9 weeks now and doing GREAT!

I agree every child is different, but my high risk dr told us after 32 weeks there are no long term complications of prematurity.

Good luck! and congratulations!

Re: Did anyone delivery their LO at 34 weeks?

DD was born just shy of 33 weeks. She was breathing on her own fine and had no problems eating. But she did have to stay in the NICU for 2 weeks for observation and to ensure she was gaining weight.

Good luck

Re: Did anyone deliver their LO at 34 weeks?

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I have already received the steroid shots at 31 weeks so im hoping that will help.

We will be delivering at Stonybrook so if anyone has any specific comments about NICU there id appreciate it.

Re: Did anyone deliver their LO at 34 weeks?

Re: Did anyone deliver their LO at 34 weeks?

I delivered my son at Stony Brook at 33 weeks exactly and he was in the NICU for 2 weeks. He was on CPAP for 2 days, nasal cannula for 5 days, had a feeding tube for 8 days and was under the lights for a week. I cannot say enough wonderful things about all of the doctors and nurses. They answered any question I had and I probably asked the same questions over and over They encouraged Kangaroo care . . . one night me and my husband were there late for a feeding and when my son was done eating we did Kangaroo care and the nurse turned the lights down and besides all of the beeping it seemed like we were the only 3 people in the room . . . I will never forget it!!!

Re: Did anyone deliver their LO at 34 weeks?

My second DS was born at 32w6d & like others have said, all babies are different but I do remember the neonatologist telling us that if DS could have waited until 34 weeks, it would have been better.

With that said, my DS had minor complications with his early delivery. He did not require help breathing for more then 24 hours & it was technically all room air but was still hooked to the sepap. His main issue was learning to eat & that took him sometime. He had a feeding tube for 2 of the weeks he was in the NICU. DS was there for a total of 4 weeks & came home just shy of being a month old.

We put him immediately into his crib the first night home & did not have any angel care monitors. We just have your Summer Infant Video monitor. I was nervous at first but that quickly wore away. We swaddled him so he was nicely & snuggly & had no issues whatsoever...