Nervous about my early delivery - 34/35 weeks

[Anonymous]

I have the early signs of pre -e and looks like I will definitely deliver early. They are monitoring me closely to see if I can get to 37 weeks, but at this point I will feel lucky to get to 35. I am 33.5 right now.
Any positive stories to make me feel better? I got the steroid shot today, to help the lungs develop. It's a girl.

[Anonymous]

A good friend had pre-e and delivered at 31 weeks. Her baby did stay in the nicu for about a month, but He is almost 1 and doing amazing! Meeting all milestones etc.

My first DS was born at 35 weeks and came home from the hospital with me.

Hugs OP. I know this is scary.

[Anonymous]

Girls do better! And getting the steroid shots is excellent. And 34-35 weeks isn't too bad. With 35 weeks, you might even miss the NICU, especially since you got the shots and have a girl. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

One of my friends had placenta previa that was causing bleeds and possible IUGR and ended up delivering at 35 weeks. They had given the baby steroid shots starting with an earlier bleed episode. Her son ended up coming out at 5 pounds even, and spent only a few hours in the NICU before being able to room in the hospital with mom! Hope that's reassuring.

Another friend delivered her girl (also due to previa) at 35 weeks and she spent a little less than a week in the NICU. Nothing serious, just trying to make sure she could feed on her own well and was gaining weight. Happy little baby girl now!

[Anonymous]

So very grateful for these positive stories!!

[Anonymous]

I delivered at 35 weeks. Perfectly healthy baby. I ended up with a c-section , but the baby came home with me

Sending good thoughts your way!

[Anonymous]

35.5 weeks for my daughter, I had cervix issues/premature labor. she got a couple extra tests/chest xrays for breathing a little funny, but roomed in with me and was totally fine.
if you are almost at 34 weeks with the great care around here you will be fine. stop stressing!! watch some movies and just chill out if you can.

[Anonymous]

35 weeks is almost in the clear. You've gotten the steroids. Best thing to do is put your feet up and breathe and take every hour as a blessing.

[Anonymous]

My twins were born at 34w4d, due to HELLP. I had gotten the steroid shots during the two days before delivery. They weighed each around 5lbs., spent 2 and 3 days in the NICU (respectively) and came home with us. They have been thriving ever since (1yo now).

I also have a friend whose daughter was born at 35 weeks, no NICU time, now a thriving elementary schooler.

Your baby will likely be fine!

[Anonymous]

Mom of 29 weeker, whose twins are thriving at 1 year old. Doing better than their singleton brother who was a late baby.

By 34-35 weeks your kiddo is either at or a skip and a jump away from the necessary skills to come home (maintaining body temp, breathing without assistance, coordinating sucking and breathing so they can eat by mouth)

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who had pre-e and both of her kids were delivered at 35/36 weeks. No problems with either.
Girls also do better with early delivery. If you are AA, then the odds are even better.

[Anonymous]

35 weeks even.
Had the steroid shot.
No NICU time.
Baby (girl) came home with me at 2 days old.

[Anonymous]

I'm not the OP, but I'll also be delivering at 34-35 weeks. Two questions:

What's AA? (See PP)

Would you get a booster steroid shot at 33-34 weeks? I had steroid shots at 25 weeks in case I needed to deliver super early. I didn't. I've heard mixed opinions on getting a 3rd shot.

[Anonymous]

The sweet, smiling, healthy 8 month old boy who is half-suckling, half-sleeping at my boob right now was born at 34w1d due to my pre-e. it's nice you have a few days to prepare. Get Dr Sears' Premature Baby Book. We got that a few weeks in and I wish I had it Day 1. The Fourth Trimester was great, too.

I won't sugarcoat it...magnesium during delivery was hell. Baby in NICU for 10 days=terrifying, harrowing, exhausting, sad. (Didn't feel joy for a long time; I just felt so sad for the poor little guy.)

Now, he's fine. Delightful, easy, happy, healthy, beautiful.

The best advice I got was to remember that your little girl is essentially still a fetus, so focus on testing and keeping her environment as stress-free and womb-like as possible. Cuddle, sing, smile, but don't stimulate too much--preemies are v easily overstimulated. They don't need to be stroked, rocked, and talked to simultaneously, as a 3 month old might enjoy. Don't worry about creating bad habits or doing tummy time or anything. Just take it easy, relax, and keep it easy for her.

Best wishes!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not the OP, but I'll also be delivering at 34-35 weeks. Two questions:

What's AA? (See PP)

Would you get a booster steroid shot at 33-34 weeks? I had steroid shots at 25 weeks in case I needed to deliver super early. I didn't. I've heard mixed opinions on getting a 3rd shot.

African-American. There are actually racial differences in how preemies do, and AA girls do best. Caucasian boys statistically do worst (there is the saying of "wimpy white boys"), but obviously, that's not always the case - my 34-weeker twins (I posted above) did great.