x-post: UC between 35-36 weeks?

[hac1224]

We're planning our 1st homebirth (4th baby) with this one, but my MW only said she was comfortable with a HB 36weeks+. I'm 35-1 today and have had a lot of pre-labor signs (increase cervical pressure, some dilation & effacement). My other 3 were came on their own healthy and a good weight at 37-4, 37-1, & 37-3. If I go into labor this week and my MW isn't comfortable with attending, should I just UC and have her check us out later as long as all is going well? I'm in a non-HB-friendly state where the HB MW's are under the radar and technically not legal to practice in state. I do not want to deal with the hospital unless absolutely necessary because I know what I'll be facing. I know most 35 week babies do fine except for occasional minor feeding issues which can be taken care of at home as easily as in a hospital and more rarely breathing difficulties. If you were in my shoes, WWYD? Anyone had a successful HB or UC between 35 & 36 weeks?

[Kidzaplenty]

If I were in your shoes, I would UC at 35wks. I have also had a 35 wker, perfectly healthy.

[WindyCityMom]

I'm wondering this as well- My DD was 41w2d and 7lbs,7oz, and healthy. I'm still trying to decide on my "safe zone" as far as UCing. I'll be reading to see if this thread gets more replies

Good luck mama, hope babe holds out a little longer for ya!

[Kidzaplenty]

Yes, I am glad your MW has agreed to come now! So you can have your HB.

[Happiestever]

Well you know better than I do about babies being early and perfectly healthy. I can't say that I would UC myself at 35 weeks, but then I have only experienced 41 weekers. So having a baby that early would scare me, but seeing as your other children were all born around 37 weeks, it would be like me having a baby at 39 weeks. You know better than anyone what's right for you and your family. Best wishes mama.

[MyBoysBlue]

It really depends on how sure you are of your due date. My first son was born at 36 weeks. I had two ultra sounds and we were really sure of the date. At least we thought. He was born at 36 weeks and was 7 pounds. He had very little vernix left and was perfectly healthy in every way. There was no way he was early at all. My second son was a UC and he was born at 39 weeks 4 days was 7 pounds 4 oz. So my guess is I was really closer to 39 weeks then 36 for my first son.

[SoCaliMommy]

For me personally i would UC then....My daughter was born at 35wks6days by lmp edd and was 7bs 13oz 20". She was caked in vernix, had some jaundice problems but that was because tested + for coombs direct. *she was a hospital birth*

[onelilguysmommy]

I think you answered your question. I hope the baby stays put a few more days so you don't have to worry about it through laboring though!

[JessicaS]

I removed some posts complaining about "anti-UC posts"

If someone has a concern with a situation they can certain post to express that as long as they stay within the UA.

[LAWoman]

I tend to be a cautious person but I would personally not be comfortable birthing a pre-term, even a late preterm baby, at home. Babies born at 34 to 36 weeks are roughly 6 times more likely than full-term infants to die in the first week of life (2.8 per 1,000 vs. 0.5 per 1,000 according to the March of Dimes). Even though that number is still quite small, it's a significant enough increase that it would be outside of my comfort zone to birth at home, even with a midwife attending (although that would certainly be preferable to alone in my opinion).

Of course the majority of 35 weekers will do just fine, but the thing with breathing problems is that they often come on very quickly, and escalate very quickly. My nephew was born (in the hospital) less than a week shy of full term. He was a good size (over 6 pounds) had perfect Apgars at birth but within a few hours was struggling for breath and was airlifted to a nearby hospital with a higher level NICU in severe respiratory distress. He spent almost 3 weeks in the NICU. Before that, I didn't really understand the risks of late preterm birth. Of course you could transport with issues, but the thought of my little one struggling for breath without assistance even one second longer than absolutely necessary is just not something I would want to contemplate.

Hope the babe stays put and you get the home birth you are hoping for. Congratulations!