Waters broke at 34 weeks

[bellainthemiddle]

To cut a long story short, my waters broke last night - I didn't actually realise for a bit because it happened as a leak rather than a gush and I thought I'd just leaked a bit of wee to start with (sorry tmi!). OH is away for work (although now he's very quickly on the way back!) but luckily my best pal was over for the evening and drove me to the hospital. I ended up being kept in overnight, but baby was fine and not in distress but they sent me home with antibiotics this morning (and a raft of strict instructions which include taking my temperature every 3 hours!). BUT, they've told me to come back in tomorrow morning as it's apparently safer at this stage to induce early than to risk infection by hanging on.

I'm in a total state! Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it really ok for the baby to be born at 34 weeks? I know that technically it is (and I'm sure they know what they're talking about!) but I feel like I'm failing the baby - sorry if that sounds a bit weird!

None of my friends have had this experience, so I'd be soooooo grateful for any advice or shared experiences.

Xx

This happened to me at 35+1. Clearly different hospitals have different policies as mine said they would not induce until 37 weeks unless there were any symptoms of infection, said it was better for baby to stay inside! So you could question them about this. In my case I went into labour and baby was born within 24 hours anyway. She was absolutely fine - needed a feeding tube for 10 days and a bit of jaundice treatment, but didn't have to go to NICU. Obviously a week earlier yours may need a bit more help. But the vast majority born at 34-35 weeks do really fine with no long term difficulties. Don't blame yourself, there's nothing you could have done to stop it! Hope all goes well.

My sisters were born at 28+3. They are nearly 16 now. You wouldn't know they were early.

Also my best friends baby was born recently at 35 weeks. Baby was home within a week of birth. Good luck!

I'm currently 34 weeks and wouldn't be concerned or overly worried if baby came now.

Thank you for the replies! I have a slightly heightened risk of infection because I have a low white blood cell count, so that might be why they are keen to induce. I know 34(+5) should be totally fine, but I still feel guilty!! Nervous first-time mum (in case you hadn't realised!).

They also warned that labour might start spontaneously, so I am on tenterhooks!

Please try not to worry - easier said than done I know! My friend’s twins were born at 34 weeks and were absolutely fine. Feeding tube for a week or so and home within 2 weeks.

Good luck! Hope everything is ok for you all

My 34 weeker is now a toddler. Left hospital 48 hours after he was born. He didn't need any feeding input etc and we went to a normal ward.

Practicalities - I'd get some size 0 nappies and some small baby clothes. Can your friend help with this? Normal newborn size drowned my 5 lb 11 daughter at first. If you plan to breastfeed - when you go back to hospital ask about harvesting colostrum, if your baby is not able to feed effectively (normal at this gestation) you.may be able to syringe feed him/her colostrum, which will help them have the energy to start feeding properly.

Yep, my back started hurting at 33 weeks and my waters leaked and broke at 34. I got given steroids for babies lungs and they tried to send me home but i refused and they induced me. He was 4lb 13oz and perfect. Had jaundice 3 times and in nicu a day short of 2 weeks. Hes 5 now and the biggest in his class. Wouldn't know looking at him, developed fine and wasnt behind at all x

I had my daughter 4 weeks ago at 34+2 after my waters broke and I went into spontaneous labour later that day.
She had to stay in NICU for 2 weeks for jaundice treatment and to put on weight but she is now home and thriving.

It is scary but the nurses in NICU were amazing and really helped us settle in to the role of parents.

Emcs at 35 weeks. No nicu and bf on the second day. Jaundice and under a lamp for a week them home.

Thanks so much for the reassurance and practical advice! I hadn't even thought about the size of the clothes, so that was really helpful. My friend (who has been absolutely amazing and has basically given up the whole weekend for me!) has just gone on a little shopping trip for me. Luckily we have Westfield very nearby :)

I've just called up my line manager to explain that I won't be in work (unfortunately I had some major pre-maternity leave tying up of loose ends to do next week) and you would have thought from her reaction that I had arranged this purely to inconvenience her. It was actually quite funny!

My back is really achey and I'm getting super paranoid that it's a sign, but otherwise nothing is happening at the moment...

I had mine at 34 weeks. By c section because my placenta was failing and they didn't think she would survive a vaginal birth. She had been growth restricted and was smaller than the average 34 weeker at 3'6 but is now a petite but strong and lively four year old. She was in nicu for three weeks, mostly to learn to feed and to put on some weight. It's a scary prospect but most drs won't bat an eyelid at 34 weeker.

Very reassured by all the positive stories, thank you!

At 34wks your baby will be fine ,i had one at 28wks & another at 33wks i was only in hospital for 3wks with my 33wk one ,so dont worry x

After a straightforward, easy pregnancy I went into spontaneous labour at exactly 34 weeks. Like you I just thought I'd reached the point of poor bladder control and wee'd a little bit. Turns out that was my waters breaking and he was born 4 hours later! He was a good size at 5'13 but we spent almost 3 weeks in NICU as it took a while to clear up his jaundice which meant he was too sleepy to feed well. Other than that though he was healthy and we managed to EBF despite the initial difficulties. He's now a VERY energetic and healthy 15 month old! Congratulations and good luck! X

Honestly, you don't know how much calmer I'm feeling as a result of all your positive stories. Thank you so much!

My back is really achey (kind of period pain achey, if that makes sense) and I've got a bit of an upset stomach, but I'm not sure if it's a sign or just nerves. No contractions, except the BH I've been having for weeks, but I've just called in to ask for advice just in case. But I think I might be being a bit paranoid!!

Some people feel all their contractions in their back, so this could well be it. Make sure your bags are packed! Definitely call in, better to be over cautious than under cautious with early babies.

Pack your bags, yes. Mine was born at 26 weeks (and one at full term).
From my time in the NICU some 34 weekers may need a little bit of oxygen by nasal cannula (unusual but might happen). And they may not have their suck reflex yet so might need an NG tube till the suck reflex fully kicks in. You will still be able to breastfeed (if that’s what you choose) but the baby might need a few top ups.

It might also be that their age is corrected a bit. This means that their age is adjusted from their due date. So they will have a ‘real’ age and a ‘corrected’ age and some of the early milestones might be based on the corrected age not real age. So as an example, a baby born at 34 weeks reaches 40 weeks (term) at 6 weeks. They may/may not smile for another 6 weeks till they are 6 weeks past their due date. Most late pre term babies will catch up with their actual age both in terms of feeding and developmental milestones. It is absolutely nothing to worry about- just don’t stress in those early days!

One of my cousins was born at 26 weeks. They weren't sure if he would survive. He is 18 now and going to uni. No issues once he was out of the hospital.

Thank you so much for all the positive stories x

I did call and they've told me to come back in - so I'm flapping and trying to pack and my friend is going to drive me. OH still not back!

I'm feeling much calmer thanks to all your reassurances - so really, thank you! I'm just not feeling ready. I thought I was going to have at least another month to get prepared!

Good luck op, it's the surprise and feeling of being unprepared that is hardest in this situation I think!! By 32 weeks babies are more or less finished and are then growing and gaining fat for the last 2 months so outcomes for babies born after 32 weeks are generally very good. My 7 year old ds was born just before 31 weeks. In hospital for a month but everything went very smoothly. You can't tell at all now. He's just like every other 7 year old boy
Sending keep us posted.

This happened to me! Firstly, try not to panic - you and baby are in safe hands. Big hand-hold for you though, it's scary! I also totally understand that feeling of failure - I had it too, really badly, but this is absolutely not your fault at all!

My waters broke at 34+5. I was kept in hospital for 48 hours and was told to prepare myself for baby to arrive, but I didn't go into labour. My hospital obviously had a different policy to yours - I was sent home with a course of antibiotics and I had to take my temperature every 4 hours to make sure I didn't have an infection. I went back in for regular monitoring, and they took a very precautionary approach with me - I basically had the maternity triage on speed-dial. Might be worth querying or challenging their policy, assuming you don't go into labour and you're reluctant to be induced early?

I was due to be induced at 37 weeks but I went into labour 3 days before my induction date. After my waters broke, I had painful Braxton Hicks every day and a very achey back - I think I just went into labour really slowly. I had a normal delivery - I was so anxious about it (had hoped for waterbirth on MLU. Hah!) but it was perfect really, especially given the circumstances. DD was very sleepy and developed quite bad jaundice, but other than that she was absolutely fine. She's 6 months old now and is a very happy, smiley little thing.

I really feel for you - it's a horribly uncertain situation to be in - but try to stay calm and think positively. I was lucky that DD stayed put as long as she did, but the outcome for babies born at 34/35 weeks is good!

Good luck x

Good luck op. Your baby should fine x

Good luck Bella. DS was born at 35 weeks after waters went. The birth was quite straightforward and he was skinny but fine and weighed 5lb13 - am somewhat relieved I didn’t carry to term 🤣. It’s a scary thing suddenly veering off the path of ‘uncomplicated’ onto quite another track. A big change and hard to get your head round. No one can say how things will be but take heart that this can and does end well for plenty of people. I even had most of my labour in the dark and quiet like I wanted. And the baby just needs you, it won’t care if the nursery is still a mess Crossing my fingers for you x

Good luck I'm sure all will be fine