Scheduled C at 34 weeks

[Anonymous]

I had my first 2 kiddos at 37.0 and 35.4. Both water broke spotaniously. I now have complete previa and since my body tends to go into labor early my Dr is suggesting a section at 34 weeks. I also have a visible subchroionic hemmorage so he really does not want my body to "approach labor at all" and wants to "be completely in control and ahead of the situation." Dr is suggesting steroid shots but is optamstic about prematurity/nicu time. My middle child had iugr and spent 10 days in NICU. This baby has no signs of IUGR and also is female so those two things are in her favor. Basically just reaching out to see if anyone had a similar experience? This is my first section and bc of the previa and hemmorage will be a vertical incision. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I had two horizontal C sections and recovery was no big deal. I heard vertical ones are even easier. Also, at 34 your DD should be fine with minimal NICU stay (if at all)... good luck!

[Anonymous]

At 34 weeks, better safe than sorry. As PP said, the NUCU stay should be short. And if it’s not clear, an SCH can be a precursor to a placental abruption. Go get that kid out. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I had a vertical (technically a T-cut) c-section on my due date with DC1 after being in active labor for more than a day. Before the C-section, the doctor attempted delivery with forceps and I had an episiotomy. It took 3 months before I could walk without pain. What part of that was due to the T-cut, and which part was due to the events preceding it, I don't know.

I had a horizontal cut with DC2. Felt so good I thought I could run a marathon after, and I only run if I'm being chased.
I had I had a horizontal cut with DC3. He was breech. The first three days were painful, but by a week out I felt much better.

[Anonymous]

I've just had my third at 34 weeks, 3 days via a C-section. My first two were full term and delivered vaginally. The baby was completely fine - breathed on his own, ate on his own. Spent two weeks in the special care nursery (I don't think they even call it a NICU at this age). I did have two steroid shots to help his lungs open before delivery.

All that is to say that 34-weekers tend to do well. They spend minimal time at the NICU. One thing you'll have to work on (if that's important to you) is breastfeeding because at this age they are too weak to nurse properly and will have to be formula fed. I had to pump for a week and he built up strength to nurse more gradually.

In your case it sounds like the dr wants the baby out for safety reasons so I would go ahead and get him out.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know about the vertical incision, but wanted to chime in to say the fact that you’re getting steroids and that it’s a girl are good as far as the early delivery. Take good care of the scar and minimize sun exposure!

[Anonymous]

I have had friends with 34 week singletons and they spent 7-14 days in the NICU. At a year old, they were all indistinguishable from full term babies. Even at 6 months old, most of them were well on the growth charts for 6 month old chronological age children, and were hitting milestones on the later end, but still within normal range for full term babies. I think your child will be fine. Good luck OP!

[Anonymous]

I had a 34 weeker. She was in the NICU for 11 days. She had some delays and received occupational therapy starting at 4 months. She “graduated” from early intervention at about 9 months and has been doing great ever since! At three, she’s taller and more verbal than many of her peers. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I would do it in your case. We are delivering at 36 weeks via planned c-sec for medical reasons, our pediatrician said that with steroid shot chance of NICU time is less than 5% (I also make babies on the bigger side, that might be part of it). Risks for myself and baby go up after that, so I’m confident this is the best choice. The 34 weekers I’ve known have all had short NICU stays, but all have gone on to have successful nursing relationships etc (assuming you want that).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do it in your case. We are delivering at 36 weeks via planned c-sec for medical reasons, our pediatrician said that with steroid shot chance of NICU time is less than 5% (I also make babies on the bigger side, that might be part of it). Risks for myself and baby go up after that, so I’m confident this is the best choice. The 34 weekers I’ve known have all had short NICU stays, but all have gone on to have successful nursing relationships etc (assuming you want that).

This is such an odd response bc it implied OP had any say or choice in the situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do it in your case. We are delivering at 36 weeks via planned c-sec for medical reasons, our pediatrician said that with steroid shot chance of NICU time is less than 5% (I also make babies on the bigger side, that might be part of it). Risks for myself and baby go up after that, so I’m confident this is the best choice. The 34 weekers I’ve known have all had short NICU stays, but all have gone on to have successful nursing relationships etc (assuming you want that).

This is such an odd response bc it implied OP had any say or choice in the situation.

I’m the PP and I did not mean to imply that in any way, I can totally see how it came across that way though. Probably just projecting some of my own stuff on to her situation. I don’t have a choice either re: 36 week c section, but I did want to feel comfortable re: the risks/benefits of earlier delivery and my care team was very reassuring. Apologies if my contribution was confusing.

[Anonymous]

I had a complete previa with my firstborn and had a scheduled horizontal c section at 36 weeks 5 days. Wondering why you need a vertical. Is it because of the position of the hematoma?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a 34 weeker. She was in the NICU for 11 days. She had some delays and received occupational therapy starting at 4 months. She “graduated” from early intervention at about 9 months and has been doing great ever since! At three, she’s taller and more verbal than many of her peers. Good luck!

My. 34 weeker was in the nicu for 3 or so weeks. She’s getting speech services now through EI at the age of 2. She made gross motor milestones early but not others. All Babies are different. You have real reason to not go to term. Listen to your OB. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

My 35 week girl (had steroids at 32 weeks because of complete previa) did not have any nicu time. I had a placental abruption a week before my scheduled c-section so had to call 911 and have an emergency c-section. I refer to the time between waking up with gushing blood and having the baby as 90 minutes of terror. I was lucky and didn't need a blood transfusion.

Anyway, get the steroids. Baby being a girl is definitely in your favor, everyone told me that as well. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 35 week girl (had steroids at 32 weeks because of complete previa) did not have any nicu time. I had a placental abruption a week before my scheduled c-section so had to call 911 and have an emergency c-section. I refer to the time between waking up with gushing blood and having the baby as 90 minutes of terror. I was lucky and didn't need a blood transfusion.

Anyway, get the steroids. Baby being a girl is definitely in your favor, everyone told me that as well. Good luck!

PP again. Also, 18 months out my child is meeting all milestones. She was a bit delayed early on (didn't smile until 9ish weeks), but was meeting milestones then based on adjusted age. All is well now, I hope the same for your baby and you!