re: UPDATE: 34w3d & in early labor. Preemie moms??

Quoting pattylocs:“ WOW, Sarah listen to your Dr. not these girls . Known of these girls on here went to med school. I went ... [snip!] ... can care for her propoerly, if she is stuck inside of you and needs to come out you run a risk of infection with all the exams.”

You make a very good point! Who knows what the mess used to stop labor is doing aside from it's job.
I had my baby girl Friday, at 36 weeks 1 day. I went into labor and my OB let me go. I was in there about an hour and a half with bad contractions when they called a section. (Hydrating me didn't work.)
She spent the night and some of the next day in the NICU for a common breathing problem (she didn't pass through the birth canal so her lungs didn't clear out.) They kept her in the NICU for observation and her lungs cleared out on their own. She's been home with us since Sunday and is doing amazing!!
AND, at 36 weeks 1 day she weighed 6 lbs 11 oz and is 19 inches long.

well I don' t personally know your case here but I go to one of the best doctors in my area and I am delivering at the best hospital around and my doctor said if i went into labor at 34 weeks which i am now 34 weeks and 4 days, she would not stop my labor, most doctors won't because the survival rate is 90% which is like any newborn. I have had preterm labor since 23 weeks as well, and I have been dialated and effaced then so making it this far is by far a miracle, and if the doctor is worried they can test to see if the babies lungs are ready and give you some steroids if not, everyone and every body is diffrent including your child, my best friend had her baby at 28 weeks they tried numerous times to stop her labor and she went from 1cm to 7 in one hour, her daughter did fantasic and she has no problems whatsoever, and that just normally isn't seen when someone has a baby that early, just hope for the best and keep in contact with your doctor and if you make it to full term be happy but if not be happy you made it that far and that she has a better chance because you held her in longer

Quoting Kaylee+Kaelin'sMommy:“ well I don' t personally know your case here but I go to one of the best doctors in my area and I am ... [snip!] ... to full term be happy but if not be happy you made it that far and that she has a better chance because you held her in longer”

I'd be very concerned if the "best" doctor in your area thinks the survival rate of a "34 weeker and all other newborns is 90%". That's a pretty shockingly wrong/innaccurate thing to say. The fact you think that's acceptable for your own childis even more worrying.

Quoting S a r a h:“ You make a very good point! Who knows what the mess used to stop labor is doing aside from it's job. ... [snip!] ... been home with us since Sunday and is doing amazing!! AND, at 36 weeks 1 day she weighed 6 lbs 11 oz and is 19 inches long.”

I had my son Friday as well. He was due July 26. Measuring 5lbs 14 oz and 19.5 in. He was fine and came home with me Sunday.

Quoting Collegefresh08:“ I had my son Friday as well. He was due July 26. Measuring 5lbs 14 oz and 19.5 in. He was fine and came home with me Sunday.”

that's creepy!! I was due July 23rd. =]

Quoting Mama on bedrest *29 weeks:“ I'd be very concerned if the "best" doctor in your area thinks the survival rate of a "34 weeker ... [snip!] ... pretty shockingly wrong/innaccurate thing to say. The fact you think that's acceptable for your own childis even more worrying.”

why don't you go to march of dimes website and look it up, i pretty much think they know, even if my doctor don't so go there and look to see what they say, and if you don't believe the people who are trying to stop premature labor then i guess it's pointless telling someone who knows it all

Oh and even I was wrong March of Dimes gives babies born at 34 weeks 99% survival rate....read
What happens when babies are born at less than 28 weeks?
Fewer than 1 percent of babies in this country are born this early, but they have the most complications (1). Most of these babies are born at extremely low birthweight (less than 2 pounds, 3 ounces). Almost all require treatment with oxygen, surfactant and mechanical assistance to help them breathe.
These babies are too immature to suck, swallow and breathe at the same time, so they must be fed through a vein (intravenously) until they develop these skills. They often cannot cry (or you cannot hear them due to the tube in their throat) and they sleep most of the day. These tiny babies have little muscle tone, and most move very little.
Babies born this early look very different than full-term babies. Their skin is wrinkled and reddish-purple in color and is so thin that the blood vessels underneath can be seen. Their face and body are covered in soft hair called lanugo. Because these babies have not had time to put on fat, they appear very thin. Most likely, their eyes are closed, and they have no eyelashes.
These babies are at high risk for one or more of the complications discussed above. However, most babies born after about 26 weeks gestation do survive (about 80 percent at 26 weeks), although they may face an extended stay in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) (13).
Survival rates can vary greatly depending on factors other than gestational age. Factors that can improve survival rates include higher birthweight, female sex, history of prenatal treatment with corticosteroids (drugs that speed lung development) and singleton birth (not part of a twin or other multiple birth) (14). Unfortunately, about 25 percent of these very premature babies develop serious lasting disabilities, and up to half may have milder problems, such as learning and behavioral problems (15).
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What about babies born at 28 to 31 weeks gestation?
These babies look quite similar to babies born earlier, although they are larger (usually between 2 and 4 pounds) and even more likely to survive (about 96 percent) (13). Many require treatment with oxygen, surfactant and assistance to help them breathe. Some of these babies can be fed breastmilk or formula through a tube placed through their nose or mouth into the stomach, although others need to be fed intravenously.
Some of these babies can cry. They can move, although their movements may be jerky. A baby born at this time can grasp a person?s finger. These babies can open their eyes, and they begin to stay awake and alert for short periods.
Babies born at 28 to 31 weeks are at risk for the complications discussed above. When complications occur, however, they may not be as severe as in babies born earlier. Babies born with very low birthweight (less than 3 pounds, 4 ounces) remain at risk for serious disabilities.
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What about babies born at 32 to 33 weeks gestation?
About 98 percent of babies born at this time survive (13). Most weigh between 3 and 5 pounds and appear thinner than full-term babies. Many need supplemental oxygen to help them breathe, although some can breathe on their own. Some can breast- or bottle-feed, but those who have breathing difficulties probably need tube-feeding. Babies born at this time are less likely than babies born earlier to develop serious disabilities caused by premature birth, though they remain at increased risk for learning and behavioral problems.
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Are babies born at 34 to 36 weeks gestation (late preterm) at risk for medical problems?
Late preterm infants are usually healthier than babies born earlier. More than 99 percent of these babies survive, though they are (16):

• 6 times more likely than full-term infants to die in the first week of life (2.8 per 1,000 vs. 0.5 per 1,000) 3 times more likely to die in the first year of life (7.9 per 1,000 vs. 2.4 per 1,000)

Late preterm babies often weigh between 4? and 6 pounds, and they may appear thinner than full-term babies. These babies remain at higher risk than full-term babies for newborn health problems, including breathing and feeding problems, difficulties regulating body temperature, and jaundice (17). These problems are usually mild. Most of these babies can breast- or bottle-feed, although some (especially those with mild breathing problems) may need tube-feeding for a brief time.
A baby?s brain at 35 weeks weighs only two-thirds of what it will weigh at 40 weeks (17). Because their brain development is not complete, these babies may be at increased risk for learning and behavioral problems (17). Most do not develop serious disabilities resulting from premature birth.
A recent study, however, found that late preterm infants are more than 3 times as likely to develop cerebral palsy and are slightly more likely to have developmental delays than babies born full term (1 . Another study found that adults who were born at 34 to 36 weeks gestation may be more likely than those born full-term to have mild disabilities and to earn lower long-term wages (19).




oh and yes it is hard for them, but less than say a 25weeks or 32 weeks old baby, so maybe people should just read the facts

Quoting Kaylee+Kaelin'sMommy:“ why don't you go to march of dimes website and look it up, i pretty much think they know, even if my ... [snip!] ... don't believe the people who are trying to stop premature labor then i guess it's pointless telling someone who knows it all”

You said 90%... i don't know who you're trying to 'educate' here, but you were wrong and the fact you think that that low survival statistic is acceptable was worrying to me that was all.

I certainly don't need to see the facts from you, having given birth 3 times to 4 babies in the second trimester, and spending months in 2 NICU's, not to mention all the time on hospital wards and therapy clinics after this. I've witnesses and gone through more than you could imagine in terms of preemies and the experience of how gestation at birth effects an infant and as they grow into toddlers and children.

If you read through your little cut and paste effort, you will see that my previous comments on the thread actually point out this information about preemies and preterm babies, however my info wasn't a guess, it's from actual experience and living through it.

As for "if you don't believe the people who are trying to stop premature labor", i have no idea what you're referring to.

Perhaps it's you who ought to get your facts straight and actually read what people say.

Quoting Mama on bedrest *29 weeks:“ You said 90%... i don't know who you're trying to 'educate' here, but you were wrong and the fact ... [snip!] ... no idea what you're referring to. Perhaps it's you who ought to get your facts straight and actually read what people say.”

well i am so sorry that the hostitals around there must suck, but I do haver personal experience with preemies, and I said i was wrong, but the fact is the survival rate is better, so before you go blabbing off about how I have no experience with a preemie, why don't you ask me first, no I havent given birth to a preemie, but my 2 best friends did, one at 20 weeks, and the other at 28, and both are alive and well and it didn't even take drastic help from the NICU not as much as some of the other babies, and I was up there everyday trying to help them through when they couldnt do it alone, I took classes with them, and all kinds of stuff...so thanks a lot miss know it all

Quoting Kaylee+Kaelin'sMommy:“ well i am so sorry that the hostitals around there must suck, but I do haver personal experience with ... [snip!] ... no I havent given birth to a preemie, but my 2 best friends did, one at 20 weeks, and the other at 28, and both are alive and well and it didn't even take drastic help from the NICU”

rightttt sure.

So the 28 weeker (because no baby survives at 20 weeks)never required any life support   I suppose since you think 1 in 10 babies dying is acceptable, "drastic help" probably means something very different to you then anyone else who faces invasive breathing and feeding assistance for their newborn baby.

When real mothers are facing something as important and life changing as a preemie it's important to give accurate information... not come in here talking nonsense that apparantly came from your "personal experience" and "the best doctor" in your area (which is totally ridiculous) and dissing the factual information from those who have been through it.

Quoting Mama on bedrest *29 weeks:“ rightttt sure. So the 28 weeker (because no baby survives at 20 weeks)never required any life ... [snip!] ... doctor" in your area (which is totally ridiculous) and dissing the factual information from those who have been through it.”

ok so no baby lives at 20 weeks ill make sure next time i see Ember's mom that i will let her know that her child didn't make it even though she is 4 and in preschool, and only requires glasses because her eyes are bad from being born that early, I would really like for you to tell that to her mom, she didn't even know what she was having yet, and Ember was sooo tiny she fit in the palm of your hand and only had to be on oxygen for a month, some babies survive at that age it is not impossible, oh and the 28 weeker (my goddaughter) Allyissa she got to leave in a month, she was 1lb 3oz when born and got to 4lbs in a month, she was only on oxygen for a little while and could suck so she was bottle fed at 1 week of age, that baby has no serious health issues, she has had an ear infection that's about it, she's big, happy and healthy, and the 1 in 10 babies dying thing is not acceptable, but SIDS takes more lifes than that, perfectly healthy babies...so I don't know where you get off thinking you know about exactly everyones babies, but all the preemies I know survived and that's what counts, ohhh and the drastic support thing, neither of those babies had to be resesitated, that's what I call drastic, bringing someone back to life, Allyissa came out breathing on her own they just had to make sure her oxygen didn't drop, and the 20 weeks old babies don't survive thing is bullshit and it just pissed me off you think that every baby born that early dies, have you ever heard of optimism??? I really wish I had a picture of Ember to show you...but I don't have to prove that to you because that little girl has already proved to the world that she was meant to be here.

oh and before we have to have a math lesson 1 in 10 babies surviving would only be a 10% survival rate, so before you spout out about SIDS and what I said know that you need to check your math. The simple fact is no child should die, but it's better to know the facts if something was to ever happen, educate yourself, that's what my friends doctors told them. But until they have made a miraculous break through in science that's was us parents have to deal with it happens. Don't assume (making an ass out of you and me) that I think that thatis acceptable it's not. No mother or father should lose their child period. But like I said it's something everyone needs to be aware of that happens. Not only premature babies dying, but stillbirth, and SIDS and a numerous amount of other things that can't be prevented. Just because you have been through it means nothing, everyones experience is diffrent, some children thrive others do not. Genetics, how early, and a whole other list of things goes into play, including the health facility you are at. And I can be proud enough to say that Erlanger Medical has the best NICU. No not every baby survives, but they don't lose every single one. And the "real" mothers thing, I don't know what you are trying to get at but I am a real mother, I'm sorry that I never had a preemie personally and had to deal with that, my daughter was born at 37 weeks, so my bad on having a healthy pregnancy. But by no means are you a bettermother than me because I don't have that issue.

Quoting Kaylee+Kaelin'sMommy:“ ok so no baby lives at 20 weeks ill make sure next time i see Ember's mom that i will let her know that ... [snip!] ... I don't have to prove that to you because that little girl has already proved to the world that she was meant to be here.”

20 weeks?! That's amazing!
I almost had my daughter at 23.5 weeks and at that time the survival rate was like 60%-70%. (Don't quote me on that... I don't remember exactly).
I'm glad she's okay. Surviving after being born that early isn't totally unheard of, but is a miracle none the less.

Quoting S a r a h:“ 20 weeks?! That's amazing! I almost had my daughter at 23.5 weeks and at that time the survival rate ... [snip!] ... exactly). I'm glad she's okay. Surviving after being born that early isn't totally unheard of, but is a miracle none the less.”

That's why I am sick of arguing about this with her, in my first post on the subject I even said my friends baby who was born at28 weeks doing so well is far from being normal, and yes the 20 weeker was really lucky, but she had a stong will. She's really smart too! All i was trying to say in my original message was that your baby at 34 weeks had a bettr chance than a 28 weeker...but people don't read...

Quoting Kaylee+Kaelin'sMommy:“ ok so no baby lives at 20 weeks ill make sure next time i see Ember's mom that i will let her know that ... [snip!] ... I don't have to prove that to you because that little girl has already proved to the world that she was meant to be here.”

A baby would NEVER come off all respiratory support/oxygen at 24 weeks. It is physically impossible. A 20 weeker has no alveoli. Get your facts straight before you try telling those with experience. And i don't need to see a pic, i've had 18-22 weekersso i'm well aware of how they look.

And a baby would NOT go home at 32 weeks gestational age. They can't even take full feeds at that age, let alone at 29 weeks. It burns too many calories for it to be sustainable.