I am 31 weeks pregnant, but the doctor says that all the signs point that I will be in labor by Christmas! My little girl's estimated weight is about 4 lbs, so I've been told that the complications will probably be minimal, but I'm still afraid! Does anyone have any experience with premature babies that you could share with me?
2006-12-20 14:09:04 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Yes, I am on bed rest. As far as medicines go, my doctor says we will discuss that when the time comes.
2006-12-20 14:15:09 · update #1
Girls mature more quickly than boys so she will probably be fine with minimal intervention.
Depending on her suck reflex, they may have to feed her with a tube through her nose until the reflex develops.
She will be sensitive to sound and touch and will only be able to tolerate small amounts of either for awhile. (my son had this problem) She will be the happiest to be swaddled as tightly as possible.
She may need some assistance breathing, but at 33 weeks or so if she needs it at all she will probably only need oxygen. She'll be in an incubator until she demonstrates that she can maintain her own body temperature.
Above all, pump, pump, pump!!! Breastmilk will be her greatest defense against any and all bugs that come down the pike.
Also...no coughing anybody should be anywhere near your baby until she receives her whooping cough vaccine. Adults can carry the whooping cough and not even know it, and breathing ailments of any kind are very hard on preemies.
Technology and know how has come so far. I'm sure she'll be fine. She'll just be a cute little kewpie doll for awhile.
2006-12-20 14:18:14 · answer #1 · answered by dakirk123 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well my nephew, who I take care of, was born at 32 weeks and he was 3 lbs 4 oz. He had to be fed through and IV for about a week or so because he hadn't developed the sucking reflex. A few days after being born he developed jaundice. The just put him under a special light for a few days. He was free to go home in 2 weeks after he mastered drinking from a bottle. He was a little over 4 lbs at that point. Since he has been doing well, but he did develop RSV at 4 months but I'm sure he got that from daycare. You have to be very careful about anyone who is sick being around the baby. The RSV isn't that bad and it will go away when flu season ends. Developmentally he is right where he should be. He's a very happy baby.
You may want to ask your doctor about the shot for RSV since your baby will be at high risk. It's a once a month shot until the season ends.
2006-12-20 22:27:15 · answer #2 · answered by Ndpndnt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I started going into labor at 29 weeks and stayed dilated till I had her at 35 ( I was a 4 for a week) I think they need to have you on breathine if you are having contractions...you have to be if he thinks you are going to deliver by Christmas. anyways my daughter was fine she needed oxygen for a few hours and I will tell you she is fine now but I think we have experienced colic and gas/stomach issues and still are ( she is almost 1 on the 30th) I will tell you they need to do steroids for the baby's lungs if they know you will deliver early ( mine did not I have no clue why) I will tell you you need to be prepared she might have to stay in the hospital for a while but they have a great chance!! My daughter weighed 5 lbs.7 oz. ( I was born 6 weeks early and I was 5 lbs 6 oz. ) I will also tell you you need to be prepared for your baby to be sick a lot I think it is because of the preemie...not sure why I guess just because they were not completely developed. I go to the doc like 2x's a month she has had tubes put in for repeated ear infections and numerous colds and she has RSV a few months ago ( no as serious because she was older) I had no clue that a preemie is more susceptible to getting sick!! Good Luck
!!
Ps. she had jondus too
PSS why do they think you will go into labor early?
2006-12-20 23:08:20 · answer #3 · answered by mommy of 2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell them that you do not want to deliver that soon. my doctor had to stop my labor twice with medication and she was still pissed when i went unto labor at 36 weeks. preemie babies can have all kinds of lungs problems. a baby that young will more than likely have to stay in the hospital for at least a week. 32 weeks is early to deliver a baby. it will live, but it might have some problems.
2006-12-20 22:14:36 · answer #4 · answered by redpeach_mi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why aren't they doing anything to keep you from going into labor? There is medicines that they can give you. Are you at least on bed rest? With technology today, babies can survive better then before.
2006-12-20 22:12:32 · answer #5 · answered by Amy D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't worry about it. so relax listen to your doctor, alot of women these days give birth to preemies and they are all fine. so relax and enjoy. you are bringing in this world a special gift. have a merry christmas.. and what a better christmas present you will have. a brand new daughter or son, and you will be fine and so will your baby
2006-12-20 22:20:55 · answer #6 · answered by misty blue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have 3 preemies,1 at 24 weeks 4lbs-6oz,2nd at 26 weeks 4lbs-5oz,3rd at 32 weeks 4lbs-15oz. i did the bed rest also,just follow your doctors instructions.you wouldn't believe it until you see it how fast they catch up in growth.in time they get along just as well as full term babies. at least mine keep up with rest of them. good luck to you,think positive thoughts,now is not the time to stress you or the baby out.
2006-12-20 23:03:20 · answer #7 · answered by chocodille 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My best friend's last baby was 6 wks early, her water broke so they couldn't stop it, her daughters lungs weren't mature yet so she had to be in an incubator for 2 wks but other than that she was a healthy baby(she weighed 5lbs 6oz at birth)
2006-12-20 22:15:38 · answer #8 · answered by mdoud01 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i myself am a preemie... don be worried everything will be fine.
2006-12-20 22:14:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋