when will lungs fully develope?

Question

If a baby is born at 30 weeks does it take 10 more weeks for lungs to fully develope? Or does it just depend on the baby? My baby was born at 30 weeks. He has no known problems and was never on any machines when sent home.I think he was on a vent for about 4 days and then cpap for a couple hours but that was it. If anyone has expierence with this please let me know. I've thought about asking the dr for a lung x-ray or some test that might show but didnt know if that was something the dr would feel nessesary to do?

Answer 1

Talk to your doctor and it will put your mind at ease. Usually the lungs complete their development in the last month. Sometimes if they suspect you are going to deliver early they will give you something that is supposed to speed the lung development. I'd ask the doctor for the x-ray. If he feels that it's not necessary he'll tell you. They may have already done some test to show that the lungs were developed. Good luck.

Answer 2

Your baby is probably fine or you would have known it. When the lungs are not fully develop children have many respiratory problems and you would be in and out of the hospital. Lungs typically are fully developed the last month of pregnancy, however, remember that for most people, the date of conception is a calculation and you could be off a couple of weeks. Also, if they gave you a cortisone shot when you went into pre-term labor that could have helped your baby reach the necessary maturity lebvel before being born. I got that shot at 31 weeks and well, my son drives the whole neighborhood deaf with his screams. His pediatrician says he could not do that if he had weak lungs. Can your baby scream well?

Answer 3

Usually after 36-37 weeks there is not much of a risk for babies. But ALL are different, just like after they are born, they develop at different rates. You are lucky though, it's unusual for a baby to have little to no problems at that young of a stage. If you feel you need to check to make sure the baby's lungs are OK, then don't let them tell you other wise, but Dr.s can usually tell just by listening to their lungs, and at that early, I'm Sure he checked. If not, GET A NEW DR.!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Clinically speaking at 36 weeks we lungs are fully developed. Thanks to artificial surfactant children born prematurely now do not need to be aggressively ventilated how they use to a few years back. My son was born a month premature I had to have steroid shots to promote his lung and vital organ development while I was pregnant because due to my history we KNEW he'd be early. If the Dr felt your child still had respiratory issues it would have never been sent home and it surely would now have been successfully taken off of artificial support. My daughter age 13 now was a micro preemie my son as I said was born a month early. Due to the steroid shots though he had no breathing issues and was sent home with me.. A chest xray would be a waste of your money unless the child is having problems.

Answer 5

Your babies lungs fully develope in the last few weeks of pregnancy. About 32-35 weeks. That is the last organ to develope during pregnancy.

Answer 6

There is a substance which the body naturally prduced, called surfactant, in utero there are 2 "washing" which naturally occur, that prepare the baby for breathing outside the mother.
These washing occur at 28 weeks and 32 weeks respectively. The surfactant reduces aveolar tension and helps the air sacs to remain open for proper O2 and CO2 exchange. You baby should of had one, since he/she was 30 weeks. It is possible that after birth your baby was also given surfactant, depending on the discretion of your doctor.
If your baby is not showing symptoms, it is unlikely they will run any further test after discharge from the hospital. Just watch for and signs of increased work of breathing.. i.e. nasal flaring, grunting, or use of abdominal muscles to breath.

Answer 7

usually after 26 weeks the lungs begin to near their functional stage. Its different with each baby though.