if a woman went into labor at 21 weeks, would baby survive?

Question

IF NOT, WHAT HAS BEEN THE YOUNGEST VIABLE BABY (AT WHAT WEEKS)?

Answer 1

What is the outlook for babies born at less than 28 weeks?
Fewer than 1 percent of babies in this country are born this early, but these babies have the most complications. Most of these babies are born at very low birthweight (less than 3 pounds, 4 ounces). Those born at less than 26 weeks are likely to weigh only 1 to 2 pounds. Almost all will 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 yet 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 at this time look very different than full-term babies. Their skin is wrinkled and reddish-purple in color, and is so thin that you can see the blood vessels underneath. 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 to one year (about 80 percent at 26 weeks and about 87 percent at 27 weeks), although they may face an extended stay in the NICU. Unfortunately, about 20 to 40 percent of the very lowest birthweight babies develop serious lasting disabilities.


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 5 pounds) and even more likely to survive (about 90 to 95 percent). Most require treatment with oxygen, surfactant, and mechanical assistance to help them breathe. Some of these babies can be fed breast milk or formula through a tube placed through their nose or mouth into the stomach, although others will need to be fed intravenously.

Some of these babies can cry. They can move more, although their movements may be jerky. A baby born at this time can grasp your 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 some of the complications discussed above; however, when complications occur, they may not be as severe. Babies born with very low birthweight remain at risk for serious disabilities.


What about babies born at 32 to 35 weeks gestation?
More than 98 percent of babies born at this time survive. Most weigh between 3 and 7 pounds, and most appear thinner than full-term babies. Some can breathe on their own, and many others just need supplemental oxygen to help them breathe. Some can be breast- or bottle-fed, although babies born at less than 34 weeks or having breathing difficulties will probably need tube-feeding. Babies born after about 34 weeks are unlikely to develop serious disabilities resulting from premature birth, though they may remain at increased risk of subtle learning and behavioral problems.

Answer 2

At 23 weeks gestation is when the capillaries begin forming along the lungs to the rest of the circlitory system. It also depends on if the mother was given any steroids to help the lungs develope faster. I have a 6 year old that was born at 23 weeks without steroids and they told me when she was born that she would have a 10% chance of survival with major issues. She is in kindergarden now ad doing fine. a little behind but not sure if it was because she was a premie. We also had a 30 weeker that is doing great. 20 weeks is pretty darn small but you never know.

Answer 3

The baby would die. The earliest is 24 weeks and the likely hood of the baby living is very low. I had 3 babies early my last one was almost delivered at 25 weeks and the doctors told me he would of died within hours. I was able to carry him to 32 wks. and he almost died then. Certain babies depending on the ethnic background have higher chance. A black baby girl has best chance of living for some reason there genetic make up makes it that way.

Answer 4

My sister-in-law baby was born at 20 weeks and hes 4 almost 5 now so the do survive but he is small for his age and gets sick a lot but the do make it.

Answer 5

The survival rate for a 21 week old fetus is minimal. There's less than a 50% chance of survival, but it is possible.

Answer 6

l think the youngest baby to survive was at about 23-24 weeks, but l'm not 100% sure, l think 21 weeks is quite young, but these days they can work miracles.

Answer 7

24 weeks is when a child has the best chance at life if it is born early. In about less than one percent of cases where children are born earlier than that they live and go on to have healthy lifes.

Answer 8

the viability of the fetus is depending on the maturity of the lungs. if the fetus is 27 weeks but the lungs is matured enough to survive then the baby will live with the help of the incubator. but sometimes if the fetus' lungs is immature even if he/she is 0 weeks, she/he will not survive.

Answer 9

I was in a car accident at 22 weeks with my second child. Thankfully, we were both fine. But they told me that if there were any problems they would probably have not been able to save her.

Answer 10

i had one at 22 weeks and she was too tiny and too early to live she never took a breath the earliest i have heard was about 26 weeksand thenm its no guarentee they will live