anyone ever have there baby at 32 weeks and.....?

Question

got to take them home when they went home stories please.. I have gestational diabetes and anemia and the doctor says I'm measuring a big baby our goal is 32 weeks and I want to know if I will be able to take her home soon after I deliver?

I know they don't just go by weight and I know they're going to keep it there until she's healthy enough to return home with me but I just wanna know if anyone has ever taken a baby home that early without it having to go to the nicu?

fyi my doctors goal is 32 weeks is for other reasons then weight just to clarify and I am prepared to have my baby stay in the nicu as heart-breaking as it may be I just wanted to know if it was possible thats all.

Answer 1

I work in Labor & Delivery, and I have never seen a 32 week baby go home with the mother when she is discharged from the hospital. The baby usually is in a Level II nursery (step down from a NICU), so that they can make sure baby can maintain a stable temperature, breathe effectively, and work on feeding - we call these babies "feeders and growers", because those are the main two things they need to work on. At 32 weeks most babies don't have a well developed suck-swallow reflex and may need to be tube fed for a week or so until that reflex develops. You can expect that typically the baby will go home at around the 35-37 week gestational mark if everything is well and baby is stable, but could possibly be a bit earlier if baby does REALLY well.

Answer 2

I work with premature babies. Babies do not go home until they have reached 36 weeks gestation. Even if the baby came out and seemed perfectly fine, they can not send the baby home from the hospital because it's in the first 24 hours that issues arise. The baby has to be eating on their own and not burning too many calories when doing so. They have to show that they are gaining weight as well. They also usually have to go 4 days without any apnea spells before going home as well, some hospitals wait 7 days. My best friend had her baby at 34 weeks and he came home 10 days later, right at 36 weeks gestation.

So no, at 32 weeks there is no way they would send the baby home. There are too many complications that can arise and all hospitals have guidelines to use when sending babies home.

Answer 3

The biggest obstacle you would face w/ a 32 week premie is eating. Sometimes their suck-swallow-breath patterns are off and they like to choke on their food and then their oxygen levels go down. Some babies at this gestation have a hard time even figuring out the whole eating thing and poop out and have to be partially fed through a tube through their mouth or nose into their stomach to supplement the food that they are eating. I have seen babies go home after about 5 days after birth at 32-33 weeks, and a few that have gone home w/ mom.

Gestational diabetes changes things a bit, though, especially if your baby is measuring big. Some babies that are bigger have trouble w/ breathing b/c their lungs are not as mature as their bodies are big and sometimes they require oxygen.

All babies are different though. So yes, there is a chance you could take your baby home w/ you when you are discharged, but I would prepare myself, if I were you, that he's probably going to have to stay for at least a few days to a couple weeks after you go home.

Good luck and congratulations

Answer 4

I totally understand your fears.

My son was born april 25th of this year. 8 weeks early and 3 lbs.
He was able to come home after 2 weeks of being in nicu

Babies born that early, it doesnt matter how much they way. Its their development. There were two babies at the nicu my son was at that were 6 and 7 lbs, but because of their lungs and being so premature, they had to stay.

So he may be measuring big. But his lungs are underdeveloped. He may need oxygen, hes going to most likel have to be iv'd and tubed and transitioned into feeding.
Also there is the risk of jaundice and getting sick quicker. Also babies born this early are very sensitive. their nerves are still developing. So they can be overstimulated VERY easy.
They can't hear certain sound that a term baby can hear, only certain pitches and eye sight goes the same way.

They wil lmost likely take him to the nicu and evaluate him.

I was in preterm labor since 21 weeks. I had to take medication every 4 hours and go into l&d CONSTANTLY. Our goal was to try and make it to 34 weeks, but eventually my water broke.

They will most likely try to abstain you labor as long as possible so that you can get in rounds of antibiotics just in case of gbs and they need to get in at least two shots of steriods to help his lungs mature quicker. The longer you can abstain the better. They will probably give you magnesium trough an iv which I warn you makes you feel like your skin is on fire.

It may have to stay in nicu and even though its hard and very heart breaking. (my staying in the maternity ward was hell, hearing all the other babies and knowing mine was floors up hooked to tubes)
but its much better to let him stay there, get the care that he needs and know that when you bring him home that hes safe and sound and healthy rather than taking him home and something bad happening.
and nicu's usually offer round the clock visitation. with a few breaks for drs to do their rounds.

I really hope this helps.

Answer 5

I highly doubt it. I am having a hard time figuring out why the goal is 32 wks, gestational diabetes and a big baby are no reason to deliver that early. especially with diabetes as the lungs are a little slower to develop.

Answer 6

I had gestational diabetes and my son was born at 38 weeks. So I would say that it depends on the childs health. Are you on pills or shots or what also does your health look like? Because if you don't take care of yourself that puts the baby at more risk. My best friend baby was born at 32 week and came home 2 weeks later. She had the same issues as you so please take care.

Answer 7

I went into premature labor and my son was born at 31 weeks. He was 2 months in NICU before he came home to us. Just because they are big doesn't mean they are more mature. The baby still has under-developed lungs.

Answer 8

they will keep the baby until they feel she can thrive on her own. in most cases its 3 to 5 weeks for a super premmie baby. but you know i wouldn't worry alot about the baby cuz i saw back like 6 7 months ago a story on the news about a 22 week gestational age baby living. its amazing how far people have came.

Answer 9

thats awfully early. They dont just go by weight when you get to take the baby home. They look at a lot of different things like, lung maturity and jaundice. Just play it by ear, and the hospital will keep your baby for as long as it takes, after all safety is key.

Answer 10

I'm sure if you deliver now you won't be able to take the baby home for another month or so. Depending on how well developed your baby is when it comes out.