Tell me the reality of delivering your baby “early” (37w)

[PaulHollywoodsSexGut]

Morning

I need your tales of (semi) voluntary “early” delivery of your babies.

I’m 36+3 today and I have an underlying heart condition that hospitalised me last week and I nearly had to deliver at 35+5. My last two babies have been 40w+.

I’ve now been discharged with drugs that are suppressing the massive arrythmias and they are heavy duty. Whilst in hospital time and again they showed that they were not affecting my baby I’m a bit scared of what the effect of taking them for the next 4 weeks could be.

If I have ONE more fierce arrythmia attack then I have to present at A&E and have been told I will be given a CS under general anaesthetic.

The other thing is the side effects of the drugs are hideous. I’ve got migraines and congestion but touched by paracetamol, I don’t sleep and I feel really “drugged up”; lethargic, in pain, tearful, unable to parent my own children. DH is on sabbatical now and is amazing, I want for nothing and he is kind and understanding.

I have an appointment on Thursday with the obstetric consultant. Considering I feel like absolute fucking shite, with the sword of Damocles hanging over me regarding risk of a crash CS I might request delivery at 37w, which for me is Monday 20 May.

I’m so so so so so scared. My family are all late bakers, I’m scared of compromising my baby both in utero (drugs) and ex utero (delivering too early, long term effects of that).

Have any of you had to make a decision to deliver early based on medical reasons and if so what was the outcome? How was baby? How did you feel?

Ideally I’d like to know from those who delivered from 35w and who basically made the decision themselves without hard core direction from medics.

I’m so scared, and am wittering. But any words help.

I had an induction at 37 weeks. Very positive experience for me, quick process and all was fine.

I think if you wanted an elective c section at 37 weeks though they’d want you to have steroid injections to mature the baby’s lungs (or at least they did with me)

37 weeks is not early. That’s considered full term.

For a csection at that time you will need consultant approval. At most hospitals ELCS before 39 weeks has to be justified to Board. You therefore may not get an elective before this in request or you may get a compromise of 38 weeks.

I had my third at ELCS for health reasons at 38 weeks. There’s a slightly higher risk of breathing problems. She was 8lbs and absolutely fine. Came home next day.

Anything over 37 weeks is counted as term so I really wouldn't worry about any negative effects on the baby of it being "early". It sounds like you would be better off with a planned section if you are potentially unstable from a cardiac POV- I am surprised they are not going down that path anyway. I should think a planned section would be much safer than an emergency one...
Plus then you can get off the drugs and feel a bit more normal again and get on with parenting! And stop worrying about the effect of the meds (although it sounds like they are safe and the thing that is keeping you alive and therefore the baby alive so try not to worry too much about that)
I think it is worth asking and I would not be surprised if the consultant was supportive. Good luck

My first waters broke at 37 weeks but I didn’t go in to labor so was induced at 37+2
I could have stayed in bed rest and waited but I like you worried about what was going on in there and thought better out than in.

He was 7lbs and perfect.
He spent one night in NICU to keep an eye on him.

would definitely deliver early over being in pain and anxious about the baby.

My first two were 40+12 and 40+8 naturally. My last was 37 +2 weeks though not induced, but brought on by a sweep (I had cholestasis of pregnancy)
She was snuffly for a couple of days and much more sleepy as a newborn than my late baked babies. No long term ill effects - she's fine developmentally, walked and talked on time etc.

I had my ds at 37 weeks spontaneous labour. It's considered full albeit early term. He was very jandiced and had to be readmitted for light therapy which I think is more common for 37 weekers, but obviously no big deal in the grand scheme of things

I was booked for a C-section at 39 weeks, they don't like to do it before then but they where happy to give me a C-section when I went into labour naturally (Ds had other ideas and popped out on his own!)

I had dd at 36 weeks (my first) - I'd had steroid injections as I'd had bleeding throughout the pg so he was expected early. I went into spontaneous labour, but they didn't feel any need to try and prevent it (which had been discussed earlier in the pg) He went to be checked over, but then was with me - no need to go to SCBU. He was teeny (5lb4) and quite hairy but otherwise totally fine! Getting breastfeeding established was slightly hard as his suck reflex hadn't quite established but lots of skin to skin and we got there. He was slightly slow on his physical milestones, but spoke (lots!) very early. Not strictly relevant, but HTH!

Mine was EMCS at 35 weeks but was just going to say speak to them about steroids for baby's lungs. 37 is just term, and honestly it needs to be what's best for you both which means a safe Mum. Good luck x

Sorry, I should make this less drip-feedy...I’m not long out of hospital. They steroid injected me on Friday and Saturday as it looked like I might have to have an emergency CS that weekend. I was admitted on the Thursday and they kept me in for 4 nights. It took them two to three days to stop my heart involuntarily going nuts.

The hospital fully supports whatever decision I take, both obstetrics and cardio consultants have said so as I’m not a common case.

It would be a CS as I’ve had two before (I really wanted to try a VBAC this time but not an option now)

I know 37w is term but my other babies have been late and my mother, mother’s mother etc had 42w+ deliveries.

Just wracked with fear of doing the “wrong” thing, ending up with a poorly baby and regretting it.

But also feeling that it may be better to decide now lest I end up in a true emergency situation and the decision is kind of removed from me.

Mine was induced at 35weeks due to pre eclampsia, back to back delivery with forceps. She was tiny but otherwise born healthy with no issues. 37wks isn't too early, their concern is obviously your health in these circumstances. I can understand the stress you are going through, they wouldn't induce me until as late as they thought they could reasonably get away with, they probably consider your baby as ready to be born.

So, so sorry to hear how you are feeling and what's happened - I was more concerned by your description of the side effects of both the condition and the treatment that are making you feel so bad and so afraid. I would hate this and it would be a huge extra unwanted stressor.

Only had 1 DD so cannot compare lengths of pregnancy but had her in a very fast labour just before 37w, possibly after falling on my hands and knees the day before although never really proved. During the labour they planned to try ventouse due to signs of distress although in the end it was so quick there was no time for this.

She was born looking cross and 'with it', small (6lb and a fraction - now a strapping but little powerhouse 8 yo.). Stayed in a couple of days and she was a bit jaundiced, hearing tests had to be repeated and she has had a bit of ear trouble on one side ever since which has been treated, but those were the only issues. No other dangerous difficulties although I think that you & the medics would be able to know and help with what they may face once 'out', and these can also happen to bigger and full-term babies too so maturity is only one factor.

Whatever you decide or have to go with, I hope you soon have him/her snuggled on your lap in a life of riley and you feel relieved and happy (and not too pulled about!)

Oh, also - in a more cynical vein, a Monday would probably be good in terms of hospital staffing, activity etc, and a May birthday is probably quite a good one compared to having an early baby in the winter; not so many bugs going around. Trying to find some positives in case the 20th ends up being the big day.

Both mine were 37 weeks due to pre eclampsia.
Were teeny but absolutely fully formed.
Didn’t need any additional support, went home without SCBU input.
C section with both.

They were both hungry little buggers, fed day and night to catch up weight wise, but fine.
My 37 week eldest who weighed 5lbs 4oz is now almost 6ft tall, hoovers our the fridge on a daily basis and is fabulous!

Will be fine , honestly 😁

The outcomes for babies at 35+ weeks are excellent. Most high risk pregnancies which need to be induced are done at about 37-8weeks. Don't panic, it's important to think about your own health too.

37 weeks is term. Both mine were both at 38 weeks naturally and both fine with birth and weight etc.
Good luck with it all

Guys thank you, especially @FloatingthroughSpace as it’s interesting to hear from a late baker who’s had to go early IYSWIM.

I’m going to talk this over with DH today; the other thing that I need to consider is my family as is because we are not swimming in readily available support and being coldly pragmatic it would be better for us all to end up with a planned procedure vs another 999 admission.

You know it’s bad when you are anticipating dealing with another newborn via CS as a “break” and a “chance to feel normal again”.

Christ.

I had ds at 37+ 4 due to preeclampsia.i had 4 days whilst they tried induction and then went to emergency cs.
Ds was 7lb 5 oz and came straight to the ward with me . He had mild jaundice and trouble with feeding (fell asleep every time we tried!) We never properly established breast feeding and after expressing round the clock for 6 weeks I switched fully to formula at 8 weeks.
He is now 5 and bright, happy and healthy with no on going effects and has always been ahead developmentally.
In your position I would take the cs as a planned procedure rather than run the risk of an emergency one. I think the risks of leaving it outweigh the risks of delivering baby now. Good Luck.

Yeah I'd request a planned section as soon as they can fit you in OP. On the balance of everything it sounds safer for the baby and much less stressful for you.

I opted to have a c section at 37 weeks and consultant supported this, despite the hospital’s preference of 39 weeks. I had steroids and baby came out screaming. Due to the mucus and being the early end of term there was a bit of vomiting to begin with as well as sleepiness and jaundice. No long term problems at all.

My second was born at 37+2. Waters broke on their own at 37+1, baby was born less than 3 hours later (early hours) at a healthy weight, only 3oz less than my first who was born at 39+2!

No issues other than jaundice an reflux that resulted in losing a little more weight than they liked at the start and taking a while to gain it back.

Baby is now a healthy weight (chubby ) toddler!

I had a c section at 38 weeks due to medical reasons. My son has asthma, however that runs in the family. He is otherwise healthy and happy.

Dc3 was induced at 37wks, he was very tiny all through pg and they didn’t know why, then fluid reduced at 36wks. First 2 DC born around 40wks, natural births, one in birthing centre, one at home. Induction was not fun, obviously highly medicalised due to the situation and DS2 was definitely not keen on coming out! I’d advise to request epidural on standby for if you want it. The most important thing though - DS2 was totally fine apart from a bit of jaundice. He weighed 1.9kg!

I was induced at 38 weeks. My DC has just one kidney and they had been monitoring him all throughout my pregnancy. The consultant was concerned that he hadn't grown since my last scan (at 36 weeks) and she was worried about the fluid, so I was brought in early.

The induction didn't actually work and I never went into labour (I'd been in hospital for 4 days at this point, with the nurses trying induction 3 times!) so I ended up having a C-section. My DC is now 5 and he is absolutely fine and very very healthy. He was under the consultant for 2 years due to his kidney, but he was discharged early as they were pleased with his progress.

Thanks for the responses, just a question for @allfourofthem

Due to the mucus and being the early end of term there was a bit of vomiting to begin with as well as sleepiness and jaundice

So this is what my DS was like when delivered ELCS at 40w and it scared the shit out of me as he basically didn’t breathe “out” for two days before bringing up stringy mucusy goo all over the ward floor 48h later.

How long did it take your baby to “clear” their lungs?

I have 4dc. The first was induced at t +10. He had jaundice. The second and third were electively induced at 39 weeks due to fast labours and it being unlikely I’d make it to hospital. No health problems. The 4th was induced at 37 weeks (had planned to at 39 anyway) due to growth slowing/ me panicking about growth slowing (consultant was happy to wait). I haemhorraged in labour due to placental abrubtion, but dc was fine. He needed an incubator for 24hours because he couldn’t maintain his temperature but that wasn’t because of being 37 weeks apparently, just one of those things. No health problems, over 6.5lb.