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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

How poorly would a baby be born at 34 weeks?

134 replies

NatalieJane · 13/10/2006 17:39

I do have reasons for asking this, but is it really too early, or is it just preferable to go a bit further?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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TheBlonde · 14/10/2006 10:43

NJ - you should call your midwife team or hospital and get checked out

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/10/2006 10:51

No, I really don't think anything is happening. The contractions are now starting to get further apart, and I am sure it will all settle down just in time for it start again this evening, besides, after the trouble I had getting DH to agree to go out to work this morning (bearing in mind he is normally out of the door like a shot for a work!), there is no way I am calling him back now!! Bless him, he was worried last night LOL

OP posts:

2pumpkin2pumpkin1 · 14/10/2006 11:05

If you have pain at 34 wks I would get checked. The pain could be something else which does need checked.

shhhh · 14/10/2006 11:11

My friend is a nurse in scbu and says that a baby born at 30 weeks has a very good chance of survival so obviously 34 weeks is even better.

It does depends on how the baby is as some may need resussitation at birth and some dont as well as some being poorly. Overall though chances look good.

The bit about lungs not being fully developed..if you go into labour or show signs of it don't they inject you with steroids (?) to mature baby's lungs..?

Obviously the longer you can "hold on" the better.

Good luck. xx

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/10/2006 11:39

Thanks but the contractions really are easing off now, and the baby is still moving and I feel fine. It is like I said, I could have up to 8 weeks of this, I have already had a week of on/off contractions, I can't be going to the hospital everytime they start can I? It was only with the addition of the show that got me thinking about going, but even that has stopped coming out so often now.

Believe me I am a big wuss when it comes to pain, if I thought I was starting for real, I would be down the hospital quicker than you can say epidural

OP posts:

mum2monkeys · 14/10/2006 13:25

NJ really think you should speak to mw/ get yourself checked over to make sure there isn't anything else is going on, probably nothing to worry about but really better to be safe than sorry..........

dejags · 14/10/2006 13:41

I think a bit later would be preferable. But I do have two very recent positive stories:

Friends 1: Gave birth to a 32+4 weeker, baby did not need assistance breathing, was fed by tube for two weeks in SCBU and then allowed home.

Friends 2: Had a 33+1 weeker. Baby did not need asstance breathing or feeding. Was incubated in SCBU for 3 weeks and then allowed home.

So it doesn't necessarily mean bad things.

MrsTittleMouse · 14/10/2006 14:24

Hi NJ,
I had a "scare" at about the same time (but without a show and with reduced foetal movement). The MW advised me to go in, and hooked me up to a monitor. Sure enough, the contractions were very uneven, so I went home reassured. But if yours aren't a scare and it's the real deal, then they can put you on steroids to aid the lung development, and that's the only major concern as you're 34 weeks. I've had friends in the USA go into labour much much earlier, and as soon as they reached 30 weeks without delivering all the medical people breathed a huge sigh of relief. So nothing to worry about, as long as you get it checked out in case you need the steroids in my opinion.
Good luck!
MrsT-M

Original poster

NatalieJane · 14/10/2006 18:30

Hello, thanks for all of your advice everyone. We have decided to leave it for now. I have a possible 8 weeks left to go, and if this carries on for all of that time I can't be back and forwards to the hospital everytime. The contractions did completely dissapear for the afternoon and have only started again this evening, but this seems to be the pattern they have followed all week.

If something happens that means real labour is on the way then I will get to the hospital as quickly as possible, but for now, for my own bloody sanity, I need to relax a bit and just let things happen as they are going to.

I am sure I will be back for more advice before this pregnancy is over

OP posts:

earlysbird · 14/10/2006 20:56

I had my twins at 35 weeks, but its quite common for multiples to be early though. They were fine, a bit on the skinny side but otherwise ok and you'd never know it to see them now!

jajas · 14/10/2006 21:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

NatalieJane · 15/10/2006 04:25

Well, as you will see from the timing of this post, I am awake with contractions again.

I have changed my mind and decided I will make an appointmnt to see the midwife, I think she is only available on Monday and Tuesdays, so I will try to get in this week, if not it is likely to be next. I don't know if I feel any better for deciding to go, it sort of turns it into a reality, but I can't keep on like this, I have now had two night of hardly any sleep, and that has surely got to be as much of a problem for the baby as anything else?

OP posts:

DebbsyandBibby · 15/10/2006 05:09

oh nj you need to ring them sooner rather than later dont you think? ((((hugs))))

Original poster

NatalieJane · 15/10/2006 05:17

Hiya Debbsy, I am still here, eating mini swiss rolls and pringles I am too tired to peel an orange!! LOL

I can't get to see the M/W before Monday, that would mean going to hospital which is even worse than going to the M/W!! The baby is still moving about and hiccuping, I am fine (except being almost asleep on my feet, and the contractions!) so I don't think there is any need for a great rush to see her.

OP posts:

DebbsyandBibby · 15/10/2006 05:21

well you take care of yourself make sure you get plenty of rest xx
says me ive been watching tv since 2 lol

Original poster

NatalieJane · 15/10/2006 05:26

Can't sleep? It's a bugger isn't it?!

Not sure how you put up with late night telly for all of this time though, it would send me bloody doolally!

OP posts:

DebbsyandBibby · 15/10/2006 05:29

no just wide awake baby not really active though,as he normally is at this time feel a bit sick and got a bit of heartburn,but everytime i close my eyes they just flirt open again.lol

Original poster

NatalieJane · 15/10/2006 05:33

They always slow down towards the end, just run out of room.

How long do you have left?

OP posts:

DebbsyandBibby · 15/10/2006 05:37

im due 2 days after you the 27th getting really excited now are you?
im sure you and bub will be fine you know your just having a bad time of it with braxton hicks,and im sure if something was going to happen after the show it would have started by now hun dont you think?

Original poster

NatalieJane · 15/10/2006 05:44

The contractions I get at night aren't just BH, I get BH on and off all day, normally when I am moving about etc. they don't hurt, the ones at night bloody hurt!! But, I said the same thing earlier, I think if the show was going to be the first sign of labour for me, then something else would have happened by now. Having said that, I have been pretty much convinced all along that it wasn't the start of the labour, just the start of another possible 8 weeks of contractions that are getting me nowhere!

Are you all ready for the baby? I was looking at some pictures of new borns earlier and it has made me all excited again! LOL

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DebbsyandBibby · 15/10/2006 05:52

oh right sorry i dont know with this being my first,lol.
yes nearly we have brought tons of stuff lol
and just getting jobs done in the house had my new wood floor down yesterday in the hall living room to be done next sat then new carpet on landing and in bedroom week after.
are you ready?

Original poster

NatalieJane · 15/10/2006 06:00

We are ready in as much as if the baby does come now we would be fine, but I bought some shelves to put up in his room, and the curtain pole today - all of the planning for his nursery and then we went to put the curtains up and realised we didn't have a pole to put them on! LOL Also DH has promised to have all of the painting finished in the hall and kitchen before the due date, another reason for him hanging on in there for a bit yet!

Other than that I need to buy the monitors, changing bag, some big pants for me for after the birth, and just sort out things like a list of phone numbers of friends and family so DH can ring them, a load of change for the phone and car parking etc.

I suppose I should start putting the hospital bag together properly and getting all of his bedding and clothes washed and freshened up, most of them have been sat there for the best part of 7 months! LOL I did start buying way too early!

OP posts:

DebbsyandBibby · 15/10/2006 06:03

lol me too started after the 12 week scan...coyldnt help ourselves well im going to try and go back to bed cos me tapping away will wake dh up soon,speak to you later get some rest x

Original poster

NatalieJane · 15/10/2006 06:06

LOL I don't think I even made it to the scan before I was buying

I think I might go and try to get some sleep before DS wakes up.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, TC xxx

OP posts:

DebbsyandBibby · 15/10/2006 06:10

and u x

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