About to have a c-section at 34 weeks

[HerculesMulligan]

If you've been where I am, what do you know now that you wish you knew then?
How long before you could bring yours home?

(I've got pancreatitis which is causing problems so the hospital thinks it's better and safer to manage the baby's growth separately to my recovery).

My DS, who's 5, was born at 42 weeks so I have no experience of such small or new babies. The section's likely to be at 10am tomorrow morning.

Bump

No experience op but wanted to wish you good luck 34 weeks is quite a good age and i am sure your in good hands

No advice I'm afraid but I want to wish you good luck

My DD was born at 32 weeks; she was in SCBU for 2.5 weeks. It would have been longer but as I’d been given steroids she didn’t need any help with breathing.
I was told beforehand just to take one day at a time which did really help. I would personally say ask questions, make the most of support from the nurses and do as much of the care of your baby as you can.
Also make sure you look after yourself; eat as well as you can, sleep and if you can get family and friends to help with everything else. My family did food shopping for us and bought nappies and the premature baby clothes so that I could focus on time with my baby

Hope all went ok OP. These days babies born at 32 weeks do really well. That said, DH was born at 31 weeks over 30 years ago and was just fine.

Just seen this. Hope all is ok OP. My DS was born at 31 weeks by EMCS and was relatively fine. Small yes but only in hospital for 5 weeks. Good luck.

Hope things are going well for you and your baby, OP. Obviously all babies are different, but those born at 34 weeks mostly need to grow some more and will need to learn the sucking reflex and be able to control their own temperature. Hope all is going well and your SCBU journey is short and straightforward. x

Thanks all. It was about to happen because I was having health problems and almost needed to go into intensive care, but at the 11th hour my blood results improved and so we are now expecting a section at 36 weeks, maybe slightly earlier. Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts and advice.

That's brilliant. Every day makes a difference and 36 weeks is usually a really good gestation. Hope all goes well.

Great news OP I went into premature labour at 35 had a csection on the cusp of 36 weeks baby did have breathing issues and went straight to NICU. In total we were in for 11 days but that was extended as DS got jaundice. My top tip is take the painkillers regularly I was so preoccupied with DS I kept forgetting to take them on time and would then be in difficulty walking until I remembered I need to take them 🤦🏻‍♀️. Best of luck!

I had my first at 35 weeks exactly, by c section. He was small but otherwise fine, didn’t need scbu and we went home on day 3. Fingers crossed you can wait a little longer but if not then the outcome at 34 should be excellent.

❤️

I was born at 36 weeks and I was absolutely fine, little bit of jaundice but the they sorted that right out. I weighed 5lb6 and have no further health concerns. Mum said she was worried of course but there was no need. Wishing you all the best with your little one.

My babies were born at 34 weeks and they were in SCBU for 12 days just to get to grips with feeding and get a bit bigger. You'd never know now.

DD was born at 34 weeks.
My waters went and I was given some steroids to strengthen her lungs, but they left me for too long and she got an infection.

She was in NICU for 2 weeks but if she'd been born quicker, she could've come home with me.
She was small (4lb) and quite sleepy (had to wake her every few hours for a feed - setting an alarm through the night!)
But you'd never know now - 4 years on!

Good Luck! Every day inside is a day stronger.
I hope you feel better soon.
Take Care.