How early can a baby be safely born? - Page 2

[Pinoikoi]

Originally Posted by mrzmeg

It's possible for babies to survive as early as (I think) 24 weeks, though they often have major long-term health problems.

I hate to say this, but actually, it depends on where you live. Some areas' medical facilities are much more advanced and can better deal with preemies than others. Even within my state, it depends on what town you live in. Hate to be blunt about this, but it is true.

[sleet76]

From what I know, long-term survival and health/disability outcomes (percentages) are the same at 34 weeks as they are at full term. However, many (most?) 34-weekers need a little help in the hospital and can't come home right away. Personally, I felt a big sigh of relief when I passed that 34 week point.

[AmyG]

I gave birth at 35 weeks. (Went into labor at 34 wks 6 days, delivered the next day.) He went home with me 2 days later and only spent a few hours in the regular nursery, not the NICU, on oxygen monitors to see if he was getting enough oxygen. He had a bit of indrawing, but it turned out that it was fine. He did have trouble regulating his temp, but I took his temp 5 times/day and used kangaroo care to keep him warm when he needed it. I also had to set an alarm to wake him to feed during the night, and occassionally I had to give him expressed milk with a syringe because I couldn't get him to nurse long enough.

[BoobyJuice]

Originally Posted by alaskanteach

I hate to say this, but actually, it depends on where you live. Some areas' medical facilities are much more advanced and can better deal with preemies than others. Even within my state, it depends on what town you live in. Hate to be blunt about this, but it is true.

Definitely true. I live 30 minutes from the regional hospital. It is tiny. They have 3 ob nurses - total. They keep one on at all times but she works the general floor unless someone comes in in labor. Not only isn't there a NICU, they don't even have a nursery since that would require another nurse to watch over the baby. If I go into labor before 36 weeks it means being flown 100 miles by helicopter.

I'm 35 weeks now so I've made it over the really tough parts. The good, but strange, news is that my contractions have stopped. After having them from 28 weeks until 34, they stopped a few days ago. I'm still having braxton-hicks like mad, but the cervix cramping, back aching ones having just diappeared. Wierd. I keep waiting for them to start again.

Thanks again for all the info. I definitly makes me feel better knowing that if, not likely, but if anything happens odds are good it'll be OK.

[danaalex]

OMG you make me think of a friend of mine that went into preterm labor at 30 weeks. she was hospitalized, medicated until her cx would slow down. well she was pulled out of work and kept on bedrest. she cont to have frequent cx from 30 weeks till she hit 40 weeks, then they stopped LOL!!!! a week later she was induced for oligohydramnios, but really all they had to do was break her water and out came the babe LOL. we all found it really ironic that she was in PTL for 10 weeks then had to be induced.