What to expect when you give birth at 34 weeks?

[Flyingkites123]

Hi,

My little girl was born at 34w4d. She's now 6 weeks old, so just a few days past her due date.

My question is, if you gave birth at a similar gestation stage, how is your baby doing now?

Only just now does she seem to be able to see and register me. Did your baby smile later? How were they in putting on weight?

Please try not to worry and enjoy your little one - I know it’s easier said than done, I am an Olympic-level worrier! I just wish I could go back and do so many things differently.

If your child does have some developmental issues (which is less likely than them being a typical child) you can’t change it - all you’d be able to do if you had that information from the beginning is early intervention type stuff but that’s all stuff that a) you’re probably doing instinctively to some degree and b) benefits any child, not just children with developmental issues, since it’s about encouraging early communication, socialisation, etc. Games like peekaboo, tickling, ready steady go, building anticipation and waiting for eye contact etc are things we all do anyway.

The only thing i wish I could change is putting CBeebies on so much, but with twins and health issues and everything else I felt like I was just putting out fires every day to be honest!

Don’t worry about milestones so much since prematurity absolutely affects when those happen - are you under OT or physio due to prematurity? We found them really helpful with our smaller twin but he was fine and signed off by them a month before his regression!

Ds didn't smile until he was 3 months,it was a long wait but I imagine he was concentrating on growing rather than entertaining

Hi I had twins at 33 weeks. They are completely fine. Now age 13 you'd never know they were premature. Very brainy, not the smallest in the class, very sporty.

@sinkgirl, she's under the pediatrician and we're getting her bloods done to see if she's got hypothyroidism tomorrow. Friday we see the consultant to see if she's got eye sight issues. My OH isn't so worried.

With her reflux keeping us up all night then getting up at 6am to look after my 15mo son, it's not easy at the mo. Maybe when we have all the answers and know what we're dealing with it will be easier

Thanks for your responses everybody. They are reassuring

35 weeks abit slow to feed but after that absolutely perfect in every way now tallest in her class no health issues whatsoever (10 now )

My son was born at 34 weeks because of pre eclampsia. He was in the SCU for 2 weeks, first week without me. He was a July baby so very young in his school year. If he had been born full term he would have been in the next school year. I think this has been more of an issue than the fact he was born at 34 weeks needing help to breath. He is now nearly 17, nearly 6 foot tall and is in his first year of A levels wanting to join the police or RAF. He has no development issues. Good luck OP.

Yes the reflux was very hard and mine never once managed to latch on breastfeeding didn't happen.

DS was born at 34 weeks, but was 3kilos. He was in the SCBU for 48 hours for observation. He never learned to latch so breastfeeding fizzled out after 6 weeks. Only late milestone was talking, but he's 7 now and I wish he would shut up. Really after about the year mark, any milestone delays cleared up and you'd never know he was born early.

I had twins at 35 weeks
Problems with reflux and eczema
But they are now 4 and meting all their targets. Doing amazing

It does get better once the reflux is sorted and push for specialist for skin

I was glad to read this post. I have a nearly 3 year old who was born at 35+1. Our experiences mirror the others here - I think he was about 12 weeks old before he smiled. Sat up at 7 months and crawled at 10 months. Walked at 15 months.

He was quite a sicky baby (but pretty happy with it), seems to always have a runny nose, and has glue ear. I think he may be a bit speech delayed as his pronunciation isn't very clear but otherwise he seems right on track.

Thanks for all your feedback about your little ones, it really was reassuring to read. DS is now 12 weeks old, and as you reassured me, she is really coming on. She is smiling and has a little giggle. She really watches her big brother and even her hearing seems much better now. I feel like we've turned a corner.

That's fantastic! I'm so glad to hear everything is going well x