Has anyone had to give birth at 20 weeks? UPDATE

I went in for my routine 20 week ultrasound yesterday and found out that my baby is going to have to be delivered because it has no amniotic fluid surrounding it and it's brain/head has something wrong and the kidneys are extreemly enlarged.

The doctor recommended that I end the pregnancy immediately but suggested I go to a perinatalogist first. I have an appointment tomorrow morning but the doctor pretty much said that I have to deliver it soon.

I am so devistated and raw and in so much pain. I'm 33 and this was going to be my first baby. I was so dumb and happy walking into that ultrasound yesterday because I thought I'd see my baby healthy and swimming around.

So now I hve to go to labor and delivery and give birth to a baby that will either die during delivery or immediately afterward. The doctor said that they can fix so many things but this is one of those things they just can't do anything about. The baby cannot mature w/o amniotic fluid and there is something very wrong with this baby, like it has some sort of 'syndrome' or chromosomal abnormality.

Has anyone heard of this or has anyone gone through this so late in pregnancy?

I'm sorry to say that I've never heard of a 20 week premi surviving. However, I have heard of a 22 week premi surviving and she's doing very well right now. Just hang in there and pray. And if it feels right to you, go to another doctor and get another opinion.

I hate the thought of delivering at that early... I wish you the best of luck.

well ive heard of a 24 week old surviving

i think u should put this in Gods hands it is a very sad situation(sp) and im so sorry that u have to be going through this <3 again im so sorry

I'm praying for you...my friend just had to end her pregnancy and she was 19 weeks along....I'm so sorry

a woman gave birth to the youngest premature baby in october 06, she was 21 and 6 days pregnant and the baby was 10 ounces and 9 1/2 inches long, the baby survived and she is now 4 1/2 punds and 25 1/2 inches long. Miracles can happen

im so sorry that you have to go through this, my thoughts are with you

I am so sorry you have to go through this too. I am praying for you and your baby. Remember with god all things are possible so try to be brave through this rough time you never know what can happen.

tparke

I know what you are going through I lost one baby at 18 weeks and the next one at 17 weeks with the same thing my water broke. Do what your heart is telling you to do though don't go by anything else I had a choice witgh my second one and my choice was to let her become and angel like she was. I couldn't imagin brining a baby into this world that might have something wrong with her or him and it was my choice. I will prey for you and when you want to try again there are many things they can do for you. I am living proof of that I am now 26 weeks pregnant and everthing is going wonderful and I have a team of dr's that is right there when ever I have any questions. If you need to talk Im here.

A lady I used to work with at the daycare had to give birth to her 20 week fetus when it suddenly died in the womb. It was a terrible time for her because she went through induction, labor, and delivery for naught. It's so sad that they can't just surgically remove it instead of making them give birth.

I'm praying for you and your baby, hon.

I'm very sorry to hear about your situation.

Around this time last year I went in for my routine 20 week ultrasound and the baby had hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain), an abnormal heart and a few other problems. I was sent to a perinatalogist and he performed a level 2 ultrasound and an amniocentesis on me. About a week later, he phoned me with the results that the baby had a chromosomal abnormality and would probably not make it out of the womb alive or would die soon after. I ended up having to be induced at 23 weeks, went through a normal labor and had to give birth to my son, who had passed before my labor was even over.

It was an absolutely terrible experience, but I think the best thing I ever did was hold him and spend time with him after I had delivered. He looked just like a normal baby, albeit much smaller and with very thin skin. They even let me bathe him. I found that, although so hard, it really gave me some closure and I wouldn't have done it any other way.

Everything will be okay, I promise. A couple months later I found out that I was pregnant again, and this time everything is 100% perfect. I know nothing could ever take the place of my son, but I know in my heart that he is at peace, and so am I.

I hope this helped at least a little, knowing that you're not alone. I'm here to talk if you need someone.

i am very sorry. God bless you and your baby. . .how soon do they have to do the delivery?

I am very very sorry to hear what your going through ((HUGS)) My prayers and thoughts are with you and your baby.

my baby was stillborn at 26 weeks, but i am not sure y i lost him. they took so much blood and took a piece of skin off of my baby's foot, but could not find out what was wrong. it was so painful to go through the delivery bc he was not ready to come out. my thoughts and prayers are with u. this is the hardest thing in life to go through when u have to bury your baby. i was able to hold him in my arms but i had to let him go 2 hours later. that was so hard.

I am so sorry you have to go through that pain. I have experienced it. I gave birth to twins at 20 weeks and 6 days, a boy and a girl for the same reason you have to. That was 4 years ago and not a day goes by when i dont think of them and wishing they were here. but wat made it harder was I held them both in my arms as they tried to fight for lives, taking slow breaths until they finally stopped breathing. I spent the night with them and had a funeral a couple of days later.
Until this day, i still think the hospital staff could have done something as they were both breathing but maybe not because they were so young and their brains still hadn't fully developed. I think I was just looking for some one to blame.
Maybe you should get a second opinion? because i have heard of baby's at that age survivng. As they say "miracles do happen" It is very hard to have to let your baby go and my thoughts and prayers are with you.