Waters broken at 35+4 - feeling scared

[Sarahlouise86]

So my waters have broken tonight while I was asleep and currently in hospital and been told they expect me to give birth in the next 24 hours.

Not at all prepared to be this early. Doctors don't seem concerned about giving birth at this stage but I was already being monitoring for having a small baby and now he's early too.

On top of that nothing is ready! The crib isn't up, I've only managed to bring a half packed hospital bag with me and the car seat etc is all at the house still.

Has anyone had a baby at this stage, did things turn out ok? Did you have a long stay in hospital? Feeling panicked to say the least.

If baby is small and nearly 5 weeks early, he may have to stay a week or two...

You wont be able to stay, so gives you the possibility to go home and sort everything out....

But hopefully his a good weight and able to leave straight away, Your be in a pickle but will cope fine...

35+4 isn't to early at all.

Good luck

Hi OP, I've not had a baby at that time but a colleague of mine recently did and there was no issues at all. I had mine induced recently at 37 weeks due to medical issues. In my experience, if the doctors aren't worried you shouldn't be either.

As for the crib not being up, my newborn is now six weeks and has refused to sleep in her crib so far, so you may have some time!

Try to get some sleep and good luck, you are in good hands.

My friend always had babies earlier....

The earliest was 26 weeks, the latest was 30 weeks...
They are all fine, Running around, Driving her mad

You'll both be fine OP. Everything else will fall into place. You're finally going to meet your baby, congratulations!

Congratulations Xxx

Focus on getting through this..the crib and prep at home will get sorted. The baby just wants you!

I had my son in April at 35+4. Similar story to you, rushed to hospital expecting I'd just be monitored but they did a csection that day. It's a huge shock, I know.

Baby spent 2 nights in NICU but was fine and we spent 4 nights in hospital before being discharged. They had clothes and nappies for us to use as like you, we didn't have his bag packed. I had to do a quick online delivery of tiny baby clothes, as he was only 5lbs.

Good luck, babies are very resilient and you are in the best place now.

My DD3 was born ai that stage. It really isn't that early when you consider that 37 weeks onwards is considered full term.

Mine was an emergency c-section and spent a couple of days in SCBU, but other than that was fine. She will be 18 in a few days and off to uni later this year.

Thanks everyone, feeling like I have gotten over the initial shock and feeling a bit happier about it now. Contractions have started so sleep is probably not going to happen but my husband is happily snoring away on the floor next to me.

We stupidly left the hospital bag in the car as I honestly didn't think it was my waters breaking (thought I'd probably just wet myself, oh the joys of pregnancy!) but now they don't want to let husband back out to get it. And all my comfy clothes are in there 😭

They would probably allow someone else to come get the bag and drop it to the ward door (if that's possible for you!). It will all be over soon enough and you will have a beautiful baby! Good luck

Sending a handhold OP, i am 36 weeks and can imagine the shock.
However, it's still a good gestation and I'm sure all will be fine. Are they giving you steroid injections?
Your little one obviously just couldn't wait any longer to meet you!

I've had one at 35+2 and one at 33+4. The 35 weeker was born 24 hours after waters broke and we stayed in hospital 10 days as she needed to be tube fed, they often do at this gestation. 35 weeker avoided NICU but 33 weeker was in NICU for 2.5 weeks. Don't worry about things not being set up at home, it's likely you'll be in hospital at least a few days. The vast vast majority do absolutely fine at that gestation, feeding is the main thing they need to get established. Thinking of you.

He arrived after a very quick labour and he's doing brilliantly, despite being just under 5lbs! Feeling grateful how well we both are doing after such a surprise

Well done you!

Many congratulations. 😃

Ah, congratulations

Congratulations! Wonderful news. And well done!