I am currently 32 weeks and have started premature labor. The labor has been stopped at this time and is being help off by drugs for the time being. The doctor's are trying to get at least 2 more weeks before delivery. I was wondering what to expect if we make it to 34 weeks, or not. How long will the baby stay in the NICU, what will it be like trying to bond with the baby? Will we be able to hold the baby much, will my two younger children, 3 and almost 2, be allowed to see her as well? Touch her? What about nursing? ETC... any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you to all the wonderful women who gave such excellent and conforting advice. I will be sure to keep everyone posted...only 11 days until I reach the 34 week point.
My first child was born 6 weeks early and no complications at all and he weighed 5 lbs6 oz. We got to go home just like any other normal delivery. But the baby does have to weigh 5 lbs before they let them go home, unless they have changed that weight goal.
My oldest was born at 34 almost 35 weeks. She was actually healthier then me at that point. She was not placed in the NICU except for a couple of hours to see if she would continue breathing fine and she did and got to go to teh regular nursery. THis was because she weighed exactly 5lbs which is what is required to go to the regular nursery.We did stay in the hospital for a week but she was great. I did take steriods the last month of my pregnancy to make sure her lungs would be okay and thats what I think made her well enough to go home in a week.but my neice was born at 34 weeks and spent two weeks in the NICU and another week in the regular nursery before she got to go home.My sister was able to breastfeed her and see hold, and touch her as much as she wanted. As for kids in the NICU no one under 16 was allowed in there.
Hi A.. My water broke at 32 weeks and I was put int he hospital and monitored for 2 weeks but my son was born at 34 weeks. He was only in the NICU for a week and a couple of days. I was able to go in and hold him and even breat feed him untill I started running a fever. That was hard on me and when they sent me home without him was even harder. He was a big boy weighing 7lbs 5oz at birth but had to stay in NICU for some sleep apenia. The younger children will not be aloud in the NICU so alot a picture's are important, those you can take. Good Luck and don't worry everything will be OK.
A.,
I don't have the experience and I don't know the answer. But one of my friend delivered her baby at 32 weeks. The baby was fine. He had to be in the NICU for awhile. Right now, the boy is 3 yearsold and I wouldn't be able to tell that he's a premature baby. Just relax and take it easy. Your baby will be fine.
We'll keep you in our prayer.
P.
My son was born at 34 weeks after my labor was induced due to preeclampsia( high blood pressure) and everything happened so fast I did not know what to expect. He was born 4lbs 12oz with no complications. I was not able to hold him after he was born because they wanted to make sure he was breathing on his own okay. He stayed in the NICU for 8 days only because he had to pass the meds they gave me during labor to lower my blood pressure. He is 5 now 46lbs and 4feet tall you'd never know he was premature. Hang in there everything will be okay.
You will be able to nurse your baby.
I would recommend contacting your local LLL leader to get a better idea of what will be needed for a baby that preemie.
http://www.lllusa.org/AROK/oklahoma.html
Even if there's not a meeting/leader super close to you, a phone call can accomplish all that you'd need at this point in time. Congrats on your little one and you will by in my thoughts and prayers
K. H, mama to
Catherine, 4y
Samuel, 15m
Mine was born at 34 weeks. He was fine and healthy, no need for special care at all. he stayed with me the whole time i was in the hospital.
Hi!!
I saw your message and thought I would respond to it... I don't have any answers but , I just wanted to let you know that your in my prays as I had a miscarrige back in December with my first baby... I was right at 19 weeks.... If your at 32 weeks now, I am sure everything will be just great for you and baby...
B.
I don't know about your two other children being allowed in the NICU, but I do know that other adults will be. My stepdaughter was born at 30 weeks, she was in NICU for about 7 weeks, her mom was able to breastfeed her there, she would pump for the times when she could not be there (during the night). My husband and his ex-wife were able to go and hold her and bond with her, even her grandparents could go. At 34 weeks your baby would have an even better chance and need less time :) . I'll say a prayer for your little one, but I'm sure you both will be just fine!
My niece was born at 33 weeks. My sis-in-law's water broke at 29 weeks and they were able to keep her from delivering for 4 weeks. They kept stopping labor until 33 wks b/c she spiked a fever so then it was safer for both of them to deliver. She was 4 lbs, but now she's almost 8 and caught up in size. She does have asthma that is probably related to her lungs not being fully develped. Also, be careful about the steroids that they give you (they help baby develop her lungs). Some of them can cause hearing problems, so ask lots of questions and decide about risks vs. benefits. She was so tiny that they were not able to establish nursing because she couldn't latch on and had to be bottle-fed. We did get to hold her, but not very much. They had rockers in the NICU so moms could sit with their babies. I hope everything goes good. Even tho you are scared, try to stay calm for your baby's sake.
