What will happen with my baby I am 20 weeks and in labor?

Question

I have been in the hospital for about 1 week now and they have not been able to stop labor. My doctors have given me plenty of steroids and other medication to help the baby mature. They are trying to keep me from delivering right now as it wont be good for the baby. I was in the hospital for a few days about a month ago for bleeding and preterm labor (they were able to stop). I have no idea what to do or think. The doctors are talking positivly, like she will be born they will hook her up to machines and fight like hell to save her life. Everytime I ask about what she will look like, what her probability of surviving are I get stupid answers like we will cross that bridge when it comes, or lets not think of that, and my favorite was "If you think like that then it will happen." I just want to prepare myself for the things to come. If she is born alive how long will she live, or will she be born dead? Please any advice woudl be appreciated. I am so sad/depressed right now.

Answer 1

there are plenty of babies born prematurely that have great outcomes. They will probably have a team in the delivery room with you so that when you deliver the baby they will immediately take her to a table with warming lights and asses the situation. depending on how she acts when she comes out they will then decide what course of treatment to take. Expect that she will be in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) for a couple of weeks. they like the baby to be at least 5 pounds before they let them go home. The one very important thing to remember is not to stress. It just makes the situation worse. Sit back relax and just let things go the way they are going to go. I'm sure that your baby will be okay. I know that alot of people are telling you otherwise but YOU have to be strong for that baby. I know that they say its a slim chance but you know what , believing that the baby is going to not survive just makes it worse. And the other thing so what if the baby has problems it can be delt with after the fact. My little boy had a lot of problems and he is now 3 years old and basically a normal kid so don't worry to much whatever happens it is out of your hands now. ~~ I wish you and your baby the best of luck!!

Answer 2

First off "Stay positive" even though it's tough. I have been in a similar situation in March. I found out at 19 weeks that I was 3 cm dilated. If you haven't spoken with a perinatologist, I would asking to speak with one. They are people who are going to be caring for your baby if she makes to roughly 24 weeks. They have to give you all your options if your baby comes early. Most hospitals wont do anything for a baby before 24 weeks, when they consider them viable. If she is born before 24 weeks there is a high risk of mental and breathing issues. I had my girl at 22 weeks and 2 days. She was 1lb 1oz. She lived for about an hour, but was too small for them to do anything. She was pretty much developed. Her hands and feet were perfect, but tiny, the same for rest of her, but her ears. She didn't look like an alien or anything. To be honest, she was perfect to me. You will be able to see her veins as she won't have much fat on her body. I hate to tell you, but from I know and experienced, if she was born now, things don't look good. I know this is probably hard to hard to read, but I had to let you know. I recommend holding your baby if she comes early. It gave me a lot of closure in the situation, knowing that I made all the right decisions when she was born. Stay strong and positive, some people have contractions for months while pregnant. My thoughts and prays are you during these tough times. Email if you want to talk.

Answer 3

They do have a point when they tell you "we'll cross that bridge when it comes". These doctors are doing what's appropriate for the situation which is taking it one step at a time becuae there is an order. Our minds are linked to our bodies (sometimes more than we even are aware) and if you think positively and think you'll get through it and really just do what you can in the moment to survive, the outcome can be much better. I know you want to know what will happen, but your role as a mother right now is to fight to keep her healthy and inside you. I'm sorry, it's scary! But you gotta be strong right now becuase she depends on you. Usually the safe point for babies is 24 wks, but they may be able to do something for her at 20 wks to keep her alive- there are a lot of things available to us nowadays to help babies. There are lots of other stories here that have proven that babies born this early do have a chance. Have confidence in yourself and your doctors. I wish you the best and I empathize w/ you.

Answer 4

I think the best thing right now is to think positively. I have a good friend who was in "preterm" labor from 20 weeks on. She was on bed rest for the entirety of her pregnancy. She wound up being able to hold off until about 30 weeks. It was tough and the medications they gave her made her sick as a dog but now the twins are doing great, they weren't even in the NICU all that long when they were born because of all the steroids they gave her to try to get the babies mature.

Good Luck, my family will pray for yours!

Answer 5

I am so sorry you have to go through this. I am sorry to tell you this but at 20 weeks, they will probably not be able to do anything. The usual cut off is 24 weeks. My water broke when I was 23 weeks and 5 days. Due to his extreme prematurity, they did not try to keep him alive. He died after 43 minutes. Just be prepared there may be a chance that your child will be born alive. Also be prepared to make funeral or cremation arrangements. When I was in the hospital with my son, no one mentioned that until I was able to be discharged. I had to find a funeral home and collect 4,500 for funeral cost in two days.
It's going to be hard. Your probably going to be in emotional shock for a while. At some point your going to be angry, very angry. That is normal and part of the grieving process.The only thing that helped me grieve was holding him, taking pictures and talking about it. I actually have a picture of him on my desk and his name tattooed with my other child. It helped me to not to pretend it never happened and be able to deal with it.
I wish the best for you and hope that you are able to make it to the magic 24 week mark. My prayers will be with you.

Answer 6

No one can really tell you that.
Your baby will have a long ard road to recover and depending her strength she has, she will give it her all.

You stressing out will not help her at all, your body producing those stress chemicals do affect her adn she feels all the emotions your going through. I have no lue on how you feel, but remember your baby can feel the stess you are going through. So please try to relax as much as possible, stay in bed. Consider breast feeding cause your body will procude special milk for your baby, it will have the extra nutrioin and more it will need to survive.

Your baby will need every ounce of stregth, so be there for her and always have someone by her. Your voce may even help her survive.

Answer 7

I had alot of problems with my first 2 babies. I was in and out of the hospital with my second I dilate to 4 at 17 weeks and carried him to 36 weeks. you need to relax that is what is best for you and your child I know that is so hard right now. I had my oldest dd at 30 weeks. I was in labor with her for 4 1/2 days. the did the steroids and she is 12 and doing awesome. she had a chest tube at 2 days as her lung collapse but no lung problems. my neighbor had twins at 22 weeks and they are 2 and doing great. they have surgeries but thats expected that early, just stay in bed rest and relax. and don't rush to go home. your in the best p[lace you can be..good luck sweetie I know its so hard.

Answer 8

I had a cousin who was born around that early they said she would have a ton of health problems for the rest of her life, well she is 16 years old and has not had asthma since she was 4 years old and she is very healthy,perfectly formed in fact she is very beautiful.
so even if they tell you there will be long term fall outs if you have her early, things can still get much better than what they say.
but hopefully they will be able to keep the baby inside you as long as possible.

Answer 9

I have a friend who delivered at 23 weeks and she is now 7 years old and doing great! She was under a pound when she was born, but she wanted to live and everyone faught for her.

Keep positive. You never know how it will turn out, but remember one thing, EVERYTHING happens for a reason and it is not your fault if things go the wrong way.

We are all thinking of you and hoping for the best.

Answer 10

At 20 weeks they won't even try to save the baby's life, because there is a 0% chance of survival. Some 20 weekers are born alive and live anywhere from a minute to a couple of hours. When you get to 24 weeks then there is about a 50% chance of survival, and they will try to save the baby's life. In between that, 21-23 weeks, it depends on the hospital. I have worked with a 23 weeker who survived, but she had many medical and cognitive issues. Hopefully you will be able to get much further in your pregnancy so your baby will have a chance. good luck.