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

In terms of being unprepared - don't worry! If your baby is born in the next few days you are likely to be in hospital for a week or so, so you can get your partner/family/friends to do all the sorting out and last minute shopping while you're in.

Good luck op ❤️🥰

Good luck!

I had my baby early, only two weeks but a lot smaller than predicted, so dh had to go and buy smaller clothes .

Good luck OP my waters broke at 35 weeks we had 2 weeks in NICU as both baby and I had an infection- they let me wait too long after water breaking which led to the infection- but PFB is a giant strapping 19 month old now often mistaken for a 3/4 year old - heaven help me with the clothing as he gets older . Best of luck

My SIL is a neonatal nurse who deals with really premature babies.

She said once you hit 30 weeks there is 90% rate of survival which shows how quickly things progress as it's only 40% at 24 so try not to worry too much as you're so many weeks over that.

After week 30 the lungs are developed and so babies have far less issues once born compared to earlier.

My waters broke at 33+5 and I went into labour at 35+5, although I think it's more usual for women to go into labour within 24 hours of waters breaking. My son was fine when he was born. He had a bit of trouble regulating his body temperature so had to be in an incubator in my room for a day but I could take him out and cuddle him no problem. We got discharged after two days and baby is now a healthy two year old.

It was a very worrying time though. Please try not to feel guilty, it's nothing that you've done.

Good luck. My 26 weeker is 2 and is already fully caught up with his full term peers (and even ahead in some areas despite a brain bleed at birth). He’s spent the afternoon thoroughly outwitting his older brother who was born full term!

I have a 32 weeker currently trying to read over my shoulder 9 years later. Good luck

This happened to me. I was bleeding when I was checked too, I'd tested positive for strep b and I was in total panic. I was 34+4 was induced the next day. Baby absolutely fine. There was a team of docs in delivery room when I was nearly there and checked her over. She was 7lb11 (was measuring big all way through) and no need for incubator but she was quite bad jaundice so we were kept in a week but ultimately absolutely fine! Hope this calms you xx

Thank you everyone, once again!

Lia Rose arrived VERY quickly yesterday at 6.30pm. She's tiny but healthy and we are both doing well :)

Great news. We'll done op

Great news. Congratulations! Come and join us on the Parents of Preemies Support UK FB group if you want to! We are a friendly bunch and lots of late term preemie mums to help you with any questions you have!

Congratulations!!

Da was a 32 weeker and was up to 7lbs by his due date , towers over his dad and has no problems at all.

Ah congratulations op! Glad you’re both ok

Congratulations!
I was born at 34 weeks myself, after 10 days in the hospital with jaundice I never had any after effects.

Congratulations from me and my (almost 7 year old) 34 weeker! He was 5lb 1oz and we only spent 2 nights in hospital.

Did your OH make it in time?

Congratulations.

Hope you're both home soon.

Brilliant news congratulations OP

Huge congrats

Congratulations

Thanks for all the congrats! OH didn't make it in time, sadly - I think he's a bit cut up about it! But he's back now and has taken the week off, which is lovely. I was sad that he couldn't be there, but it all happened so fast that it feels like a bit of a blur if I'm honest! DD is doing very well, but has needed a feeding tube. I bled quite a lot after the birth (which is apparently not uncommon with a very fast labour) and my BP is still very low, so I'm basically not allowed to do anything at all, which is already getting a bit boring!!

Congratulations! Glad to hear you're both doing well.
I know it's frustrating but you'll appreciate the rest once you're in the thick of babyhood! Lol xxx

Haha, I can imagine! I've been so sleepy anyway that I only seem to be able to stay awake for about an hour at a time! I cannot imagine how the Kate Middletons of this world manage to appear perfectly groomed for a photo call a few hours after giving birth!!