Born at 38 weeks - is this safe?

[emmalinewre]

Hi!
Medical reasons mean I may have to have a c-section this week (38 weeks and two days)

I'm worried delivering early may harm the baby in the long run.
Does anyone have any experience of this kind of term and whether baby is ok short and long term/needs NICU/meets milestones later on etc.

Thanks!

38 weeks is term but there is evidence that a caesarean under 39 weeks does slightly increase the chance of respiratory distress when compared to vaginal birth. However, it's not a guarantee and many babies don't need any NICU support when born by LSCS at that stage

Baby’s lungs will me matured enough by 37 weeks for this not to be an issue. Babies born prior to 37 weeks are given steroids to help mature the lungs. 38 weeks is absolutely fine. All mine were born at 37 and are fine :)

My dd was born at 36+6 18 years ago and she was fine needed no intervention from special care (nicu). 18 years ago those needing a c section were usually carried out at 38weeks.

37 weeks is full term and labour starting from around then isn't premature as baby is fully developed, after the point they are mostly just gaining weight.

C-section may increase the chances of respiratory condition that used to be called 'wet lung'- my ds had it (38 weeks and 9lbs) and our old school consultant called it that but essentially sometimes fluid that would be squeezed out during vaginal delivery isn't during a section but he was fine shortly after birth. One of those things that might happen but if a c-section is recommended then it's likely safer than whatever means the doctors have identified as the risk factor against spontaneous labour/vaginal birth.

34 weeks here, 5lb 5oz
left hospital 2 days later.

was in smaller size clothes for a while. ( months not years )

Mid 20's now, and is well and always has been.

One of mines was 37+5.
Perfectly normal but a bit thin and sleepy so needed to:
Wake baby up to actually feed
Cuddle more
Feed more often
Baby thrived better when it was next to me on bed/sofa than sleeping alone in a cot as it woke up more naturally when I moved.
I spent solid three weeks just attached and than it was no longer needed.
Now it's very enegetic and talkative child, above expected development as I am told.
Still loves cuddling with me tho :)

My 37 weeker is 17 years old soon. He was exactly 2.5kg and no health concerns so didn't have to stay in hospital. Never behind, just a normal child.
In some countries they don't give you a due date, just a due month, 38-42 weeks.

38 weeks is absoloutly fine, Dr wouldn't do it if it wasn't.

My DS was 36 weeks (technically just premature) due to PPROM because my body tried to violently expel him and he is absoloutly fine (I nearly died but he was ok). He need no help and is the healthiest person I ever met (amazing given how medically unhealthy I am).

My other DS was induced at nearly 39 weeks because I had months of bleeding, he had scares and heart issues, started labor, my labor stalled and his heart was struggling and spend a week in the NICU.

Better out than in by that point, once they fully developed they can get any medical help they need once out but can't while inside.

Being born actually premature does, but a child is not premature after 37 weeks. At 37 weeks the baby would be fully mature in terms of development, so things that really premature babies suffer from like their lungs being under developed which might lead to breathing problems, wouldn't apply. At 37 weeks they might be lower birth weight than they would have been at 40 weeks, but if they have grown normally they are unlikely to be tiny. Basically, they are unlikely to have any problems at 37 weeks that would correct themselves before 40 weeks, so unless they were going to have health issues or disabilities anyway, they should be fine. Good Luck

My ds was born at 36+5 by emcs, he is 21 next month & at university, he is bright as a button.

My DD was born at 32 weeks and 5 days - no medical - physical or otherwise as a result she is just fine

38 is more than term and honestly if they are considering planned c section there really must be good reason.

Being born full term which 38 weeks is, is completely normal

This is not accurate. You should be offered them if baby is going to be born before 35 weeks. There is less evidence that steroids are helpful after 35 weeks. After 35 weeks, they may cause low blood sugars. If given steroids beyond 37 weeks, there is evidence that suggests an impact on mental wellbeing and not doing as well at school.

source: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/corticosteroids-in-pregnancy-to-reduce-complications-from-being-born-prematurely/

My baby was born at 36+2 by c section. No steroids, no breathing issues, no nicu, hitting all milestones to his adjusted age.

I had pre eclampsia and DD1 was born by c-section at exactly 38 weeks.
No complications, discharged within 24 hours and she's now a very healthy 4.5 year old.

I was also born at 38 weeks on the dot (natural birth), and I'm now 42.

The absolutely huge thing here is that you're having the c section at that date for medical reasons. This means the risk of baby staying in is higher than them coming out.

I was induced at 38+2. Born six hours later. Bit hairy still but otherwise exactly the same as my son who was born at 39+4.

Eldest was born 37+4. I had to be induced and they were trying to get me as far as possible for baby to develop before it became necessary for me to get baby out. When they checked him at 37+2 they told me he was a good size and would be absolutely fine to come out and that my blood pressure was getting dangerous. He's 4.5 now and we've had no problems at all with him. He's a lovely brilliant kid.

My second came naturally at bang on 39 weeks. The way he climbs and runs and jumps, absolutely nothing wrong with him either 😁

Your baby will be just fine

No, it's totally normal, quite common even without c-section, I was born naturally at 38 weeks (as is not uncommon with 2nd or more children, I was my mum's 3rd). Had both mine with C-section at 38 weeks due to muscular-skeletal issues, although I actually started labour 8 hours before my youngest was due to be delivered.

As people have said, they do C-sections at 38 weeks for a reason and wouldn't do it if it were a problem, and it is really full term.

DC was born in Aug, due in October. Honestly, 38 weeks is fine

A full term baby.

I had a 38 weeker (who came out screaming!) and a 42 weeker. Only a slight weight difference and absolutely no difference development wise.

I was born at 36 weeks, 53 years ago. I was put in an incubator for an hour or two because I had taken almost two days to arrive, but went home the next morning, and have been completely unremarkable ever since. An early walker, talker and reader, no issues whatsoever.

No. Baby is full term at 37 weeks. Earlier than this is premature

Actually, if you're interested 39 weeks is actually the safest week to deliver a healthy baby. Babies born at 40-42 weeks have a marginally higher risk of complications.

So 38 weeks is totally fine. It's full term!

Ds was the same but 32 weeks , he's 6ft4 now and you'd never know.

I had both of my children at 38 weeks and they're healthy and functional adults.

I was induced at 38 weeks..

it was considered the safest option for my Ds ..
As others said they are considered full term.. the doctors do balance what is best for mum and baby