For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

How many weeks were you when you delivered and was the baby okay, and able to breathe on his own? I am 33 weeks 2 days and the doctor is pretty sure I will have the baby before 37 weeks, so I am just wondering what his chances of not going into NICU are......TIA!

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

DD was born at 35 weeks 6 days and was perfectly healthy. Initially they wanted the NICU team to be in the room, but they said it wasn't necessary and I delivered without them there.

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

I delivered at 36 and a half weeks. My DD had jaundice and received photo-light therapy for 3 days. Other than that, she was fine. Sometimes if you deliver early jaundice can occur more frequently than delivering full term.

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

I delivered at 33 weeks. DD was in the NICU for 2 weeks. She was breathing on her own by day 3. Had photolight therapy for jaundice, and basically she just had to gain weight before they would let her come home.

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

I delivered my DS at 36 weeks and 5 days and he was able to breathe on his own. Initially when he was born he was not breathing or crying and they gave him some oxygen and some positive pressure into his lungs and he perked up.
His complications were not really related to being early, but more to the fact that the cord was around his neck very tight and he had a bad reaction to the magnesium that I was on. The NICU team was there and waiting when he was born. He also had jaundice and got phototherapy in the NICU.

When I found out I was being induced early I was sooooo nervous and scared about how the baby was going to be and thankfully everything worked out.
to you and your little one!!

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

I was just 32 weeks when I had Jack. He was in the NICU for 73 days. He was assisted with his breathing for quite some time but that was due to other complications that I had. The nicu is an amazing place.

Did your doctor mention to you about the steroid shots for the baby' s lungs? I would ask about them...they said if they end up not needing them but already had the shots it doesnt harm them.

I want to add that I have a healthy happy 4 month old!

FM me for anything. Good luck

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

DS was born at 35 1/2 weeks. He was perfectly fine (Thank God ) with zero breathing problems. The only problem I had with him was feeding. He lost almost a pound in the first week but he quickly made up for it. I had to constantly wake him up to eat and supplement with formula. We were very blessed

for you and your little one!!

ETA: He also had some jaundice but it cleared up well on it's own. No need for light therapy.

Message edited 5/16/2007 9:03:06 PM.

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

DD was born exactly on her 34th week. She was only 3lbs 1oz when she was born but she didn't need breathing help. She was jaundiced so she was under the light for about 4 days. She stayed in the hospital for about 3 weeks (10 days in NICU, rest in regular nursery) to gain weight, maintain her body temperature and to not have any problem drinking milk.

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

I've heard twins are better prepared to be delivered early, so I'm not sure if you can go by me. I delivered at 36w1d. DDs were perfectly fine - no NICU time at all, breathed fine, ate (for the most part) fine and came home with me. One DD was only 4 lbs 15 oz and came home with us. Good luck to you!

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

Thank you ladies.....I have been so nervous about the baby not being able to breathe or having to stay in the NICU. You made me feel alot better about this little guy coming early. I hope I can make it at least another week or so. I am still on medication to stop my contractions, but I still get them, and I lost my mucus plug yesterday, so I know he will most likely be here in the next couple of weeks.

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

I had my boys at 36 weeks exactly and they both needed no NICU time and came home with me from the hospital. I did get the steriod injections at 35 weeks.

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

At my hospital the policy is any baby born before 35 weeks automatically goes to NICU regardless for at least observation. At 35wks some babies go to regular nursery some go to NICU. The hardest problem they usually have at this age is maintaining body temp. and gaining weight. At 36wks or more I have found most go to the regular nursery unless there is a problem not necessarily due to them being premature.

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

34.5 weeks.

Special care unit time: 1 week
Difficulties with: feeding, maintaining body temperature & weight.

He's totally fine now.

The March of Dimes has invaluable information on preemies.

PreTerm Labor

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

my son was born at 35 weeks and went to the regular nursery but we get even full term babies in the NICU.. as a rule of thumb if your baby is less than 35 weeks and under 4 pounds he/she will go to the NICU.. FM me if you have any questions!!

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

I have my DD at 34 1/2 weeks. She has to be in the NICU for a week. First she was on a respirator for a few days then on just oxygen.

Re: For mommies who delivered before 37 weeks......

My DS was born at 36 weeks....he was breathing on his own but swallowed some fluid, so he had to go to the NICU to be watched...he was out in 2 days!