They want to deliver my baby early?

Question

I am 33wks 6 days pregnant. I am on complete bedrest (yuck!) until my baby is delivered because of my blood pressure. Right now i just have pregnancy induced hypertension, but I am getting the early signs of preeclampsia. (had it with my first son) Anyway they finally had to put me on blood pressure medication because even with bedrest my BP was still out of control. I am seeing my doctor twice a week until the baby is born. My last appointment was on Tuesday and the doctor starting talking about maybe delivering the baby next week, I will only be 34 going on 35 weeks. They gave me a steroid shot to help mature his lungs, but i am just worried. He said there could be a chance that his lungs wont be mature enough and he may have to be transported to another hospital. I am just wondering if anyone out there has had a baby this early, after recieving a steriod shot? How did your baby do? I just need something to help ease my mind.

Answer 1

I have two friends that suffered from pre-eclampsia. One of which delivered at 25 weeks and 3 days - her son is fine now. He spent 2 months in NICU. She was not induced, though so they did not have the opp to give steriods. She didn't take bed rest seriously. As a matter of fact - I took her to the hospital from our office the day she delivered. The other friend was induced at 36 weeks with baby #1 - 2 years ago. She had the steriod shots first and when he was delivered he was able to go home in the normal 2-3 day time period. Her second - now just 3 months old - was induced at 34 weeks. Steriods were also given this time around. He did spend 1.5 weeks in the hospital. Not in NICU though. They only held him because he was not taking enough by bottle so they were having to administer tube feedings until he would feed correctly. His lungs were fully functional, etc.

I think the docs normally know what they are doing. With pre-emclampsia it mainly is harmful to just you. If it goes on long enough though it can lead to decreased oxygen to the baby. This can cause the placenta to spread out over the uterus to attempt to increase blood intake from you therefore increasing O2 to the baby. This can lead to placenta previa, etc., which makes a vaginal delivery difficult - potentially harmful/deadly to the baby.

That being known, they are just trying to do what is best for you and him/her. You have definitly passed the point of viability and the little one has a VERY good chance at survival. I wouldn't worry. Afterall - after 36 weeks it is nolonger considered preterm labor if you were to start to have your child.

Answer 2

hi, so sorry you are going thru so much stress. I am a midwife who looks after babies like yours, and it is amazing how many babies born after 34 weeks do really well with their breathing. Yes, there is the real risk that things wont go as planned and the baby might need higher levels of care, but this might also not happen. Steroids are always given to mum's in your situation to speed up the baby's lung development. It is possible that your baby will need some oxygen therapy once born (possibly in his/her humidicrib) as yes, the lungs are less mature than a full term baby. He/she may have an intravenous fluid drip (very common) and will need help with feeding via a tube into his/her stomach until he/she is around 36 weeks corrected gestation in age - you can \still put baby to the breast if wanting to breastfeed, but they are not usually strong enough to suck for very long and will need all their energy for basic growing. There is also a chance your baby will need (blue light) phototherapy for jaundice (very common). Also you can expect your baby to be nursed in a humidcrib (isolette) until he/she is able to maintain their own temperature and no longer needs oxygen (if it is needed at all, not all of the premmies need it). This doesn't mean no cuddles! Just re-read what I have written, sorry if I have scared the pants off you, but I am just trying to prepare you for what is a likely situation. From then it is fattening up in preparation for going home within a couple weeks, all being well!! Hope it all goes really well for you.

Answer 3

Generally babies do O.K at this gestation if they have had steroids. Obviously every baby is different. However, Drs will generally only deliver babies early if they, or their mum is at risk if the pregnancy continues, so it may well be that your baby will be safer being born at 34-35 weeks rather than left. Significantly raised BP or pre-eclampsia restricts blood flow to the placenta which may affect your baby's growth and sadly can lead to stillbirth. I have cared for babies born at 33 weeks with no steroids that have done well, I have also cared for 35 weekers that have gone home within a week after birth. Even if your baby is not as good as that, the steroids reduce the incidence of RDS so he or she will likely make a good and speedy recovery. Good luck to you both.

Answer 4

These doctors nowadays have a lot of experience dealing with these issues. A lot of babies born at 35-36 weeks do just fine with a little help from the people in the NICU.

I know your nervous now, but please follow any advice your doctor gives you. Try to take your mind off of things while on bed rest too. Rent your favorite movies or read some really good books to help lower your anxiety. That will also help lower your blood pressure. Also meditate, pray, and do plenty of breathing exercises.

Good Luck and God Bless.........I'll be praying for you and that beautiful baby to be healthy and happy :-)

Answer 5

Well my sister actually had her baby at 35 weeks without a shot and her baby was healthy and 2 days after she was born they both got to go home. She was induced. Not a problem in the world with her lungs. I think that your baby will be fine ......I mean if my neice can make it without a shot.......then surely you will be okay. Your doctor probaly just told you that because it is a possibility that your baby will have to be transported but I think that it is unlikely.

Good luck to you and your baby in any event! I wish the best for you and you are in my prayers!

Answer 6

My husband just signed my 3 year old up for hockey (he was my little preemie :) He was born at 33 1/2 weeks and doing great now. He was in the NICU for 3 weeks, but just the normal infant colds after that.

What I would check on is if you can deliver at this other hospital. If you're still in the hospital recovering, you will want to be at the same one the baby is at.

Answer 7

I had my son 5 weeks early without a shot and he did have to be transferred to the NICU at another hospital but he is healthy as he could be. He just turned 5 this August and loves to get in trouble so don't worry; even if he does have to be transferred to another hospital he will probably be fine healthy and running around like mine.

Answer 8

I had my daughter on the first day of my 35th week...no steroid shot though...And she actually weighed 5 pounds 12 ounces...and she only stayed at the hospital as long as i was...(2 days)....and shes a very healthy 6 year old now :)
I hope everything works out wonderfully with you and your new baby!!!!
I wish you the best of luck!!!!

Answer 9

It can rely on your expert and in which you reside (what nation). My final little one was once meant to be tremendous, I had a size experiment performed at 36 weeks to determine and notice how significant. My Ob mentioned that the scans are improper 33% of the time besides and likewise simply by feeling the little one is not any warranty both. My ob desired me to have a cesarean, and I didn't desire to. we compromised on an induction on my due date. My son became out to be 8lb 5oz, rather common for a moment little one and a boy. Don't get to stuck up with the "my little one is tremendous, what do I do" you're 6ft, so no longer tiny (although your body is small) and lots of ladies have effectually introduced healthful significant infants with none situation.

Answer 10

i haven't, but just keep in mind that your doctor is going to do what is best for you and the baby. if he feels now's the time, and he's taken the precautions possible to prepare your little one, then trust that everything is going to be ok and that your baby needs to come now.
high bp and preeclampsia can be dangerous, as you well know i'm sure, so your doctor is just watching out for you and your baby.
if you feel like you need a second opinion from a different ob, get it, you are entitled to that. but if it were me, i'd just trust my doc now (but i have good doctors that i really do trust)