my friend is 34 weeks pregnant?

Question

she was wondering if her water broke now would the baby be okay. Her doctor told her that if she delivered earlier then 36 weeks then he would not take her she would have to go to another hospital does that sound right.

Answer 1

At 34 weeks the baby's lungs are not fully developed. If your friend should go into labor, they would most likely try to slow it down and give her an injection that will help the baby's lungs mature quickly enough so that it can survive and have a better quality of life long term. It would be safe to say the child will probably survive, but there can potentially be many, many mental and physical complications due to an early birth. 36 Weeks is a much better time to be born, and most 36 weekers are able to be delivered and remain at a regular hospital.
Most babies who are born at 34 weeks tend to need the expertise of a Neonatologist, neonatal nurses and Therapists, and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to stay in (and their specialized equipment).. Her Doctor may not have privs. at the hospital where she would need to go in order to allow her child the best chance of survival.
So basically, the doctor is actually acting in the best interests of her and her baby!- dd

Answer 2

some hospitals aren't set up for premature babies, even other wise healthy babies need NICU, before 36 weeks, babies have a hard time maintaining their body temp, and when they are tring so hard to stay warm, some times they won't eat. So she need not worry, her baby would more than likely be fine at this point, Her doctor is right to let her know she would need to go somewhere else if the baby need medical attention his hospital couldn't provide. I worked in L&D for 3 years,we didn't have NICU, and saw many Doctors climb into the ambulance to ride with a mom to a hospital that had NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). Her doctor is responsable for her care until another dotor takes over her care. She needs to find out what other hospital she would be sent to. Ask questions, if she knows what could happen, she won't be as scared.

Answer 3

Why would he not take her if she delivered early? He's been her doctor the whole pregnancy? That doesn't sound normal. If she delivered at 34 weeks, the baby would have a great chance of being totally normal. It would be small, and may have to stay in the hospital for a little longer than normal, but probably no major problems. Just help her to stay calm and rested, maybe help her by doing things for her--running errands, getting groceries, etc.

Answer 4

Yes the baby would be fine... babies that are born earlier then 36 weeks... will have extra care... possibly breathing assistance in some cases and as long as everything goes ok during the birth and the baby is a healthy baby... it would be fine. As far as her dr saying she would have to goto another hospital.. possibly the one that the dr works at doesn't have the neonatle unit ( a until for preterm babies, with all the equipment and staffing for that reason).... congrats to her and the up coming birth! And she only has 2 more weeks to go till she is 36.. I had my 2nd at 36 weeks.. and he was just fine :)

Answer 5

There's a chance that the baby might not be fully developed. Including its lugs and digestive track. its best to listen to the doctors. The baby could survive. its amazing what the doctors can do now a days with a premature baby. The doctor can't refuse to care for your friend. Maybe she misinterpreted the doctor. there are ways to stopping labor if your friend goes into labor to early. they will give her a shot not sure what its called and it will stop the contraction. It happened to me. If her water breaks depending on if its a gush of water or a little trickle of water the doctor may put her into a hospital and monitor the baby until its safe to deliver the baby. Don't worry to much and tell your friend good luck and congrats

Answer 6

If her hospital doesn't have a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), they will probably try to transfer her to a hospital that does. At this point, they wouldn't try to stop labor, but they probably wouldn't encourage it either. 34 weekers generally do ok, but often need respiratory assistance, like oxygen or sometimes a ventilator. Preterm babies generally do not suck as well as term babies, they don't hold their temperature as well, and they are more prone to infection. They can also have trouble regulating their blood sugar, which can leads to all sorts of problems. so yes, in the long run, the baby would probably be OK, but there would likely be several hurdles to cross first.

Answer 7

chances are the baby would be okay. He may have to bake a little while longer in an incubator for his lungs to mature. Anything prior to 36 weeks is still considered high risk though and he may not have the training necessary or the hospital may not be able to care for a preemie. The doc is just looking out for all those involved.

Answer 8

Just because the water breaks, does not necessarily mean you will deliver. The doctor can give her medicine that will allow the contractions to stop. She will probably have to be on bed rest though until the delivery cannot be delayed any more. She may have to go to a special hospital that handles premature births though.

Answer 9

some hospitals are not qualified to care for premature babies...what he probably meant was... that any sooner than 36 weeks....that she would have to go to one that can give proper care to the baby, because the baby would be premature.

Also, if your friend has fluid she needs to call the doctor so that they can tell her what to watch for...and whether she ought to come in or go to the hospital.

Answer 10

Her hospital probably doesn't have a neonatal intensive care unit. Her doctor would probably transfer her to a larger hospital while in labor. The larger hospital would have the facilities to care for such a delivery.