terrified at probable early arrival - anyone with experience that can reassure?

[olivo]

I got a shock a couple of days ago when i went for my appt and was told that the baby may arrive any time. I am just 34 weeks. I was diagnosed with GD and polyhydramnios about 4 weeks ago, have been managing my blood sugars with diet but my fluid has continued to increase. Growth scans show baby is on the big side of average but within normal range. I have now been given steroids to help mature the baby's lungs and advice on what to do if labour starts, but i am terrified and not ready. I feel so out of control. I'm worried about the health of the baby, and what might happen.

can anyone offer words of experience or reassurance please?

Hi Olivo - poor you, it is a worrying time. If it helps, I have insulin dependant diabetes and I had similar situation with DC3 - my diabetes was well controlled but the growth scans started to go a bit mad from 28 weeks - I was huge and measuring 8 weeks ahead. I was also ketotic with my diabetes and was in and out of hospital. I had steroids at around 32 weeks and because of the acclerated growth, my health and signs of distress I had a CS at 34 weeks. DD was born a huge 9lb 6oz! She spent a few hours on special care having her blood sugars monitored but then she was with me on the ward. She struggled to feed so had help with a nasal tube. We were in hospital a few weeks which was really difficult as I also have DS (age 3) and DD (age 5). Baby is now 8 months and she is doing really well. 34+ weeks is early but you have had the steroids - have they said when they will deliver?

they have said they wont let me go beyond 38 weeks but are expecting my waters to break in the next couple of weeks. they said if i go into labour now i can attempt a natural one ( had been hoping for a planned section after a traumatic birth ending in em cs and poorly DD 3 years ago) but with a low threshold before CS. i have another scan tomorrow and an appt on thurs with my consultant.
glad to hear your DD is doing well now, bojangles.

I read recently that babies born at 35 weeks have the same outcome as those born at term. Even if they do initially need a bit of extra help maintaining body temp/ sugar / breathing. That said, I know a couple of people with prem babies (34 and 35 weeks) who didn't need any special care at all.

Sorry it was a few weeks ago and I can't find the ref for this.

hi olivo, my dd was born at exactly 36 weeks & she was fine , she was very small at only 5lb she was kept in an incubator overnight as she had low blood sugar levels & had difficulty keeping warm , i had a cs & thankfully we got to take her home 4days after she was born .
oh & i never got the steroids to mature her lungs . best of luck , try not to stress yourself out too much

Try not to worry. I have twins, who were born by c-section at 37 weeks. They're thriving, bright and in perfect health. I'm a member of our local twins group, and the vast majority were born early - some as early as 32 weeks, although about 35 or 36 seems to be average. No one has any major problems, and most of us were told that, for twins, 37 weeks is considered full term, and that any time after 34 would very likely involve no serious issues with babies. If it's the case for twins, then surely it's also true for singletons?? Try not to worry - chances are it will be absolutely fine.

thank you for your reassurances and your positive stories. i have done some things to physically prepare for the babe today, and now just have to get mny head around it. I am glad i know a little about scbu; dd was in there for a week despite being full term, and the staff there are lovely.

hopefully, it will hang on at least another week, even though i am so uncomfortable!

hi - I had a baby at 34 weeks due to pre-eclampsia. I was warned he would be tiny due to IUGR as the pre-eclampsia meant the placenta wasn't functioning properly and that he would be in SCBU for 6 weeks at least.

However, he was born 4 lb 9 oz, and in SCBU for 10 days, he was going to come home after 5 days but he then developed jaundice so stayed in for another 5.

I wasn't given any steroid injections at all and my baby was just fine, in fact he is 10 years old next month!

All the best!

Hi my baby was born at 36 weeks, no warning and prolapse cord so emergency CS - no steriods, no nothing - not even a baby bag!

All fine, DS initially lost weight and a bit jaundiced, but home after 5 days, no special treatment and he has thrived - now 3 and you'd never know (apart from my scar )

I know it's worrying but good luck

so reassured to hear of your stories, thank you. feel a little more positive today. daisy, i have been warned about prolapse, sounds scary! have another scan today, he was 5 1/2 lbs at 33 wks so now 10 days on.