My doctor told me the chance of a baby surviving at 31 weeks is low?

Question

I went to the doctors yesterday cause I was afraid my water was leaking (first pregnancy so I am a lil nervous) As soon as one of my doctors came in I have four differnet ones. The first thing that came out of her mouth was the babys rate of survival is really low if the baby was born now.She was really rude! This is the first time I have seen her so she doesnt know anything about the health of my baby I just had a sonogram done last week and he was four and half pounds.I love all the other doctors that work there but I cant stand her. I dont even think that is true I have heard and read at 31 weeks the baby has a 85 percent chance of survurving. Anyone of the doctors could delevier my baby is there any way to prevent her from deleveing mine? I really dont want to have to switch. But I just thought she was rude and why would you say that to someone who is worried!

Answer 1

The chances are different with each hospital. The hospital that I work at and where I will be delivering at has an excellent record with 26 weekers and a very good record with 24 weekers. We have a NICU on-site and that goes a long way in determining the success rate with the micro-preemies.

I would definitely talk with another doctor and get their opinion. then I would make someone (office manager or clinic manager) aware of the treatment you received at the hands of this very rude and asinine person.

Good luck and best wishes!

Answer 2

If they estimate that your babies size is already 4 1/2 # . You're in good shape the larger the baby is if premature the better off they are. They won't let babies go home from the hospital unless they are a certain weight, normally over 5 pounds. Most babies that are born that young may have developmental complications due to underdevelopment of vital organs. I have two nieces both premature when born. One had no health issues except needed to gain a lot of weight before she could go home, but they didn't think she would survive when she was born. The other one had a multitude of complications from under development. She had fluid on the brain and had a shunt put in, the fluid caused brain damage, and she will never be able to stand-up, she's confined to a wheelchair for life. They didn't think she would survive either.

Answer 3

Absolutely change doctors if you don't like the attitude of the one you have!

But while I agree she was rude, she was also practicing good medicine, if not good people skills. Yes, change doctors - but try considering what the message is, not the manner in which it was given. It happens to be true that a pre-term birth at 31 weeks is very, very risky for the baby. You should know that even without her telling you.

Take heart, too - a friend of mine delivered at 28 weeks, and it was touch and go to be sure, with the child in an incubator for 3 months. But today, she has a healthy 3-year-old boy!

Answer 4

That was very rude honey and I would not even give what she said another thought. Each pregnancy is different and unique. Baby's have survived being born way less than that. So I would not worry. I know it is your first and we are all so scared with our first. Gee I was nervous with all of my children. You want everything to work out and when something does not feel right you get scared and need answers. People like that make bad names of Doctors and other nursing staff and they should be ashamed to call themselves medical staff. I am really sorry you had that experience. Congratulations on the up coming birth of your angel.

Answer 5

You do not have to have her if you do not wish her on you case.
Tell those in authority you want another doctor - not her!

Now, that statement she made about the low survival rate at 31 weeks is totally untrue. My mother had a son in 1956 - he was six months on the way - that is 24 weeks. His birth was premature but successful and, he lived till he was 45. His death resulted from an aneurysm which was not properly treated at the hospital. In essence, the surgeon botched the job and he bled to death.

Stop worrying about that foolish statement/person who ought to know better - as a caregiver - to comfort her patients and treat delicately with such matters.

Yes, she was rude and insensitive, but stop worrying, okay!

Answer 6

I watched a documentary last week on a baby born at 23 weeks that survived. He had lots of tests and some ops but he made it. the longer it stays in the better chance it has. But to tell you what she told you is rude and distressing which will do you no good. Make sure you dont see her again. Every day longer the baby has a much better chance.

Im sure you will be fine.

Answer 7

Theres really not a way to avoid one doctor or the other. its generally an on-call basis as to who's there on any given day/night.

I dont like doctors for this very reason, and instead sought the services of midwives practicing through a local hospital. Its a much more natural experience than the medical field makes it. Much healthier and less stressful.

While she is right, that the survival rate is low for a baby at 31 weeks (its not the weight of the baby, its the development of their lungs, nervous system, kidneys and liver, thats not based on weight at all), she should not have compounded an already stressful frightning experience with that useless information. Dealing with things as they expose themselves is a much better plan, instead of her jumping to conclusions.

You still have a couple months left, and if you think you cant, why not look for a midwifery practice that can see you at the hospital instead of seeing a doctor? Its such a better experience. They have to defer you to the doctor on call if issues arise during your pregnancy or labor, but they can see you for everything normal. My midwives can even continue working with their patients if they have toxemia or preeclampsia, just by referring all practice and care through the doctor there.

There isnt an excuse for rude doctors in my opinion. Theres just not. Theyre doing US a service, not them.

Answer 8

If there are several doctors in your OB practice, then she should have conferred with the other physicians first before giving you her "professional opinion", especially since it was her first time seeing you.

The same thing happened to me (my baby turned out fine-in fact everything went the opposite of what he said).

The only way you can avoid having her deliver your baby is if you go into labor when she is not on-call. As far as the prenatal visits...you only really have to see her once and from now on...when you make your appointments, ask the office staff to schedule your appointments when she isn't there. That's what I did.

Answer 9

My nephew was born at 32 weeks. He was in the hospital for a month, but you wouldn't be able to tell now. He turned 1 in August and he is like 20 pounds. He is a little slow in some areas, but he is quicker in others. With modern medicine your baby has a chance more than they did 20 years ago. I hope it works out for you. You will have some obstacles to overcome, but with love it is possible. Good Luck

Answer 10

go to a different doc. depends on your checkups for sure, but 31 weeks isnt too bad. 27 you'd be a little worried about. do to a different doc. report this one that was so rude.