complications with the placenta how long after?

Question

My sister is 29 weeks. We found out 3 days ago at her last ultra sound she has holes and calcium deposits in her placenta. Which means it is dying, which could kill the baby if it does die. Through my research i've found this usuall causes premature delivery. The baby is 3lbs and the doctor said it will live if born. My sister is also a iv drug user. she uses heroin. When the baby is born my mother and I will be taking gaurdianship of her until my sister is concidered a fit parent how every long that will be is unknown. My question is Have you had similar complications? what happened? How long after did you deliver? How many weeks were you when you delivered? The baby is already going to have to withdrawl after shes born. From what I understand she will be put on a morphine drip iv. Please no comments on my sister it has nothing to do with the questions I asked. I have very strong feelings on how wrong it is what shes been doing. I appreciate any information you can give me.

Its a beautiful baby girl, and despite the drug use the doctors have said she will be healthy other than severe withdrawls, and may have development problems. Cameron Deanna will be the name of this gift from god

Thank you all ladies!! except ryans mom ...being a mother how could you say such cold things? you should do some reading your self not all addicted babies have such serious problems theres only a chance. Your son could have the same problems...

Answer 1

calcification's in the placenta means it is aging and eventually will not supply the needed perfusion to the baby she needs to to monitored closely with ultra sounds as the baby will start to develop IUGR ( intra uterine growth restriction) she should be given 2 doses of betamethazone shots to help develop the lungs now and delivered when the Doctors feel the outside environment is better than the inside environment. good luck and congratulation on your beautiful baby niece.. PS.. I work in a high risk center for OB and have seen many of preterm drug addicted babies in 22 yrs. and there is no way to say that the baby will have long term problems!! Many go on to lead normal lives no problems with love and nurturing anything can be overcome. And let's all remember that addiction is a disease that this woman does not want to hurt her baby it's just the addiction is too great to overcome at this point in her life, she needs support and understanding trust me beneath her exterior is some one who is regretful and scared

Answer 2

First I have to say, thank you for stepping up to the plate and taking on your niece or nephew!!! You must be an amazing woman!

I am not sure about the calcium deposits or holes in the placenta, but if it is killing the placenta, they need to get that baby out of there ASAP!

After 28 weeks the chances of survival are GREAT for a baby! I am not sure on the exact number but its some where around 90% survival rate. Every day after that is even better. My guess is they will give your sister some steriod injections, these make her "more pregnant" and make the baby develop faster and lungs mature. They will probably give her at least one round if not two (depending on how much time they have)! I dont know how long it will take for the placenta to fully deteriorate, it would depend on how it is now, but they should be closely monitoring her and probably have her admitted into the hospital to monitor the babies condition. More than likely the baby is going to have to spend some time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit)... good luck!!!

P.S. Shame on the first person for saying that stuff!!! There is no way to tell if a child is going to be sick or health and that is a horrible thing to say!

Answer 3

God bless you and your mom for stepping in to care for this child. He or she will likely need some special care and attention once they arrive.

My step daughter had an issue with her placenta AND didn't have enough amniotic fluid. Her baby wasn't getting enough nutrition and wasn't growing as she should. The doctors followed her VERY closely for the past several weeks of her pregnancy. Beginning at around 30 weeks, she saw two doctors each week; her regular OB and a specialist. The Dr's monitored the baby's growth and my daughter's amniotic fluid level. Each week, they'd make a decision about whether or not to let her go another week.

A little more than 5 weeks before her due date, the doctors decided it was time to bring her into the world. The baby had stopped growing. The docs could provide her with nourishment via IV and bottle once she was here. She arrived weighing 4 lbs, 4 ozs.

Now, at five months, she has tripled her birth weight and is doing great. Healthy, on target with her development. She needed to be fed every 2 hours for the first several weeks. So be sure you get support where you can. You'll be TIRED.

The added complication of mom's drug use will cause some extra challenges. Be sure to get in touch with a baby development specialist to help moniter the baby's development and provide practical support, like occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, etc., as needed.

Check in with your local Easter Seals. They provide testing and therapy, as well as emotional support for the family.

Keeping you all in my prayers!

Answer 4

That poor baby is going to have nothing but problems. My son was born at 29 weeks and is now a completely healthy, active 3 year-old with no delays at all. Your niece/nephew will most likely have severe developmental delays due to her drug use. The baby will be born drug addicted. When there are problems with the placenta it means that the baby is not receiving all of the oxygen that they need and that can cause Cerebral Palsy, ADD/ADHD, mental retardation, and that is just the short list of what could be wrong with them.

Answer 5

Gee sweetie, all I can say is my son was born at 26 weeks and weighed 1lb. 13 oz.
He is now 15 years old ,completely normal, not even glasses!
Doing great in school too. My pride and joy......

Never give up.