35+5 and waters have broken.

[Oysterbabe]

I'm not due until 30th January but woke up at 4am to breaking waters. I'm in hospital now and they said head is engaged but I'm not in labour but they want to induce as soon as there is a room free because of it being pre-term and the risk of infection.
Will the baby be OK this early? Do you think the induction might be easier as the process has sort of started on its own? I'm having mild back pain and periodlike feelings but apparently the cervix is closed.
Ftm and its all just come as a bit of a shock.

[Barbie1]

My waters broke at 33 weeks and I was rushed in for my third emergency section.

My son is currently exhausted after an hour at soft play and is napping next to me. He is 14 months now and apart from the three weeks in neonatal at birth you wouldn't k ow about his shaky start.

Good luck op

[ThomasRichard]

I think you're close enough to term that the baby will be ok. I know several children who were born at 34 weeks and they are all fine. Prepare for baby to be a bit skinny, but they soon fatten up :)

Have they given steroid injections to mature the baby's lungs? I'm not sure if they'll be needed this far along though.

Good luck x

[SauvignonPlonker]

I had my little girl at 35+6, I was told it was 50-50 whether she would need scbu. In fact she did, due to jaundice, feeding difficulties & temperature regulation issues (all common in prems of that gestation). She was in for 8 days & I expressed milk for her. She was 5lb 3oz.

Have you had steroids? A breast pump? A nice blanket.

Boots, Asda & mothercare, mamas & papas do early baby clothes. Plus m&s.

Sorry this is garbled, am out on soft play with DD who is now nearly 3.

Please feel free to ask any questions good luck X

[Oysterbabe]

Thanks all.
There's been no mention of steroids so assume I don't need them. They just said as soon as there's a room free they'll start induction if I'm not in labour. I think this will be pessaries to try and open the cervix. Really hope it starts happening on its own.
I'm supposed to be driving 200 miles visiting family and picking up the crib and other bits tomorrow! I was hoping I wouldn't need a breast pump but I guess I'd better get one.
Impatient baby ruining my plans!

[SauvignonPlonker]

Steroids are usually given in deliveries before 39 weeks, it's 2 injections given 24 hrs apart - please ask about them as it will really help a baby's lungs. Perhaps they'll do them when you're admitted?

[Oysterbabe]

Ok I'll mention it. They won't be able to do two 24 hours apart though as they're planning to induce asap and I've had nothing so far. I'm on a ward waiting for a delivery room to become free.

[Iammad]

They don't tend to give steroids after 35 weeks unless it's a c section before 39 weeks.
My eldest was born after waters going at 35 weeks, was induced 24 hours after and he was 5lb and only had to stay in a day so was very lucky.
Your only a week from term so baby might just need help with feeding and or keeping there temp regulated.
Good luck hope all goes well.

[Raxacoricofallapatorius]

My waters broke out of the blue with both of mine due to their unfavourable positions. DC2 was a 36 weeker. He was treated no different to a full term baby. He was undeniably early, covered in vernix and curled up tightly for a few weeks, refusing to acknowledge the world but physically fine.

[MrsJK]

Wishing you all the best

I was also told that steroids wouldn't be given after 35 wks at my hospital but worth asking the question.

Good luck

[Newlywed123]

Baby has a fantastic chance of survival, steroids aren't usually given after 35 weeks as babies lungs are usually matured.

Good luck

[tinyme135]

for you hun. my OH cousin was born at 28 weeks and he's now a very tall 11 yo. if you didn't know about his past you'd think he was born full term. try not to worry hope it all goes well for you.

[OvO]

I wish I'd asked for steroids when my DS3 was born at 35+5. He developed RDS and I think he might have been okay if I'd had the steroids. But I have T2 diabetes which can mean babies lungs are a little behind developmentally.

My DS3 spent 2 weeks in hospital but he also developed a collapsed lung - likes to do things in style! He's a happy healthy 8 year old now.

Most babies born around 36 weeks won't need extra care so don't worry too much. Some do need a bit of time in hospital but not normally very long. Just saying it so you're a little prepared iykwim. I'd say don't worry but of course you will. Good luck!

[LouLou030783]

My friends little boy was 5 years early and was only in care for 24-48 hours he was just over 5lb I think.

I wish u all the best let us know how u get on and how ur little one is

[JE1234]

I am also 35 weeks and have been seen a few times for reduced movement. They have suggested just getting the baby out if it happens again so I've quizzed them about this. The doctor was pretty confident that at 35 weeks the baby would be strong enough to be ok. He did say he might spend a short time in SCBU but chances are he would be ok to breathe on his own and feed. He thought he would only need an additional week or two monitoring. At 35 weeks they are pretty close to being ready and you may be 36 weeks by the time he emerges. Good luck and I hope your LO arrived safe and well.

[AnotherStitchInTime]

Ds was 34.5 weeks born by ELCS. Didn't need SCBU but did have tachypnoea (rapid breathing due to fluid on lungs more common for c section babies) for a while afterwards. He was 6.5lbs and breastfed as soon as I was able. We were home within 5 days once I was better. He is now a strapping 2 year old with no further problems.

DNiece born at 35weeks after a natural labour was home after 2 days.

I hope your induction and labour goes well.

[Scarydinosaurs]

Good luck, I hope the induction goes well.

Have you got your DP with you?

[WillowinGloves]

There's something about picking up cots ... I made a special trip to collect a Moses basket for DD, mostly so that DS could have a nap while I drove, as it wasn't urgent. My waters broke that night, three weeks early. The first thing I did, before going to hospital, was take the packaging off to let it air! That was after trimming my fringe in front of the mirror, as I was due for my pre-birth cut the next day. Funny thing is, DD's been late for everything ever since ... Good luck, Oysterbabe.

[AwfulBeryl]

Try not to worry 35+5 is a good gestation. My dts are ex 30 weekers and are just fine.
Good luck.

[JasperDamerel]

Good luck! Although your baby might need a bit of extra care, from 34 weeks onward babies have as good a chance of survival and long term good health as if they were born at full term.

[Takeparacetamolandstopmoaning]

Good luck for the next few hours/ days.

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

My 12 year old arrived at 36 ish weeks (can't believe I can't remember!!!) after waters breaking but labour not starting.

With both my pregnancies, my waters broke but labour never started on its own and in spite of sweeps and induction and so on my cervix remained firmly clamped shut. I ended up with 2 unplanned c-sections and 2 healthy babies (now strapping children). Apparently I am one of a small percentage of women for whom labour is not triggered by waters breaking. In fact for DD2 we waited about 3-4 days until the consultant decided that there was no way this baby was going to make an appearance on her own... it was the risk of infection that meant we shouldn't wait any longer.

BTW I refuse to say "emergency" c-section because there was nothing of an emergency about it either time - nothing wrong with the baby or me, and to me the term "emergency c-section" conjures up images of an awful scary possibly dangerous time for mum and baby that we did not have to endure. (luckily).

OP try not to worry, I am sure you are in excellent hands. And however it unfolds, any birth that results in a healthy mum and healthy baby is a successful one.

[Graciescotland]

I had twins bang on 36 weeks and they were fine; I was given steroids though when I was 35+4 so definitely worth asking

[jaime123]

My daughter was born at 35+5 and is fine. She was in scbu for a couple of nights for jaundice but that was it. I was also told I wasnt in labour until about 20 minutes before she came!

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

DS was born at 36+1 and is now fine, 15 months old.
I had the steroids and his lungs were fine. Personally I would ask for these, there's probably time to get at least one injection in if you want it.
He was 'big' for a preemie - 6lb 9 but had issues with jaundice, feeding and we had an 8 day stay. Developmentally he's been a bit behind - smiled, sat, rolled, crawled etc very late but has done it all eventually and is now completely caught up.
At 35 weeks your baby should be fine but there's massive variety. Some have a stay of a few weeks and medical care, others go straight home! Good luck x