Premature baby - 34 vs 36 weeks

[Lalla525]

Hi, I'm looking for information about the difference (in birth outcomes as well as later in life problems) depending on how premature a baby is.

In particular, I am interested in knowing if there is a significant difference between 34 and 36 weeks.

Does anybody have some reference (or personal experience) they can/would like to share?

Thanks very much!!

I would expect most 36 weekers to not need extra help in the neonatal period. I would expect most 34 weekers to need extra help with feeding, and some to need help with breathing, but only the small minority to need major intervention. I would expect the vast majority of both to have an excellent long term outlook.

For vasa praevia I personally would be tempted to go for the 34 weeks, knowing they would probably need some time on SCBU, but avoiding the catastrophe of natural labour. I presume they're going to give you steroids to try to mature up the lungs before delivery?

Yes - I will get steroids. What I dont understand (probably because I'm not a doctor) is why can't they monitor continuously to predict labour. There must be some sign before, no? Or it's just from one second to another your water breaks?

I'm so confused. But I'm also edging towards earlier rather than later...

I have had both a 33+4 weeker and a 35+2 weeker. (Very similar spontaneous deliveries). The 35+2 weeker needed no help with breathing or temperature regulation, didn't need to go to NICU but stayed with me on the ward. Had a feeding tube for the first 13 days of life (sent home at day 10 with tube still in). Needed 24 hours of jaundice treatment.

The 33+4 weeker needed some respiratory support for first 3 days though I'd had the steroids. Was taken to NICU v soon after birth and was there for 16 days. Needed more jaundice treatment and was much harder to get him off his feeding tube and establish oral feeding, though looking at the other premature babies we saw around us he was a bit unusual in this respect.

Both went on to be exclusively breastfed (if that's something you're interested in) and absolutely fine. Was a slower road with the 33 weeker but no serious concerns at any time.

My DS came at 36 weeks by c section, he was very sleepy and not interested in feeding and full of mucous. But we went home after 2 nights. He is now an thriving chunky 9 month old!
We always knew I was at high risk of preterm labour and my waters went at 32 weeks and I tested positive for preterm labour so I spent a lot of time in and out of hospital and was monitored 3X a week. The consultant who was amazing throughout said he wanted us to get to 36 weeks because it's better for baby, less help needed etc, he was really reluctant to deliver at 34 weeks. We got there but it wasn't easy. I really feel for you, the continuous worry can be quite exhausting and every twinge feels worse.

I had my daughter at 34 weeks exactly due to placenta issues. I was terrified so I understand your fears. She was 3lb6 at birth and was in nicu for 3 weeks and 1 day. She needed a few hours of cpap, treatment for jaundice and got two hospital acquired infections which needed to be treated, but the main issue was getting strong enough to feed so her ng tube could be removed and reaching the hospital's minimum weight for discharge.

It was a shitty few weeks but she is fine now (5 years old).

I had mine at 31+6, absolutely no issues other than he was tiny. 4lbs 7oz.

Best friend has had her three at 36+1, 34+0, and 39+6. Her 34 weeker had jaundice but no major issues. All babies were healthy weight over 6lbs.

Can you opt for somewhere in the middle?

Also I had zero indication. From nothing, to waters breaking, to intense contractions 3 min later. Baby out in a couple hours.

No OP I'm home now!

I was admitted at 25 weeks for 72 hours and then discharged! I am in the hospital twice a Week every week every week until I deliver for CTG monitoring

I have to say being in hospital was not a bad as I thought It was going to be! My husband was allowed in for a bit and otherwise I just got loads of snacks and watched stuff on my iPad and read! The midwives were also so so lovely so it genuinely wasn't so bad!

Is it no visitors what so ever??

Just to warn you, those steroid injections... if they're in your butt cheek... Jesus H Christ!! I have never ever felt pain like that before! Tbf I've never had a baby and I'm a whimp but fuck me I was totally unprepared for that!!! It only last for like 2 mins though thankfully xx

@Lalla525
They can do a fetal fibronectin test which can help predict the probability of going into labour. BUT it is not a perfect test. If It is negative it’s supposed to be really helpful at saying you won’t go into labour in the next 2 weeks, however mine was negative and I was in labour within a few hours of having the test so in my experience I definitely wouldn’t rely on that to predict labour. And I especially wouldn’t rely on that test in your case when if you did go into labour the consequences could be catastrophic. Sorry I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but I can’t think of another way to phrase that without downplaying the risk.

DS was born at 33+6. I had pre-eclampsia, so time for steroids, I was induced but ended up with a section. He was in SCBU for a week, feeding tube until bf established, and a day or so of light treatment for jaundice. No breathing problems at all. He was 4lb 5oz, has always been on the small side, development has tended to be at the late end of normal, even with correcting for prematurity, but he is as healthy as anything and a great little boy - 3 on Sunday.
I'm currently 33+ with the next one and hoping to get further this time.