Baby coming at 36+5

[WolfMother326]

I've been in the hospital for 1 week due to bleeding from a low lying placenta. My baby will be delivered by c section tomorrow at 36+5. I'm wondering if anyone can share their experiences of babies around the same gestation and whether/how long they needed oxygen or other support. I know it's almost term but I feel nervous (only about him being well) and I'm trying to wrap my head around the possibilities.

I had twins at 37.0
Small babies (5.5 lbs) but didn't require any special care at all. Breastfeeding took a while to establish, so they had to be tube fed for a couple of days as their temperatures kept dipping, and we spent 5 nights in hospital but they were absolutely fine. Good luck OP

My DD was born at 34 weeks. Came out fighting fit, didn't need any oxygen or intervention (except 12 hours of light therapy for jaundice a couple of days later).

Are they doing regular checks and is baby doing ok?

Likewise, same gestation.

My daughter 36 weeks 4lb 5 didn't need any oxygen or light therapy but did need an NG tube for feeding for a month. Other than that all healthy and fine 😊 good luck!!

I had twins at 36+5. Good weights, No NICU needed just had some issues with glucose levels, but only had a night in hospital.
best of luck OP hope all is ok.

My son was born at exactly 37 weeks - 6lb 13oz, no intervention needed. A touch of jaundice a few days later, but that was sorted at home.

DD1 was born at 37 +0 and DD2 was born at 36+0
Neither could suckle properly and I had to express and cup feed for a while.
DD2 needed phototherapy for a bit. Otherwise they were absolutely fine,

My eldest was born at 35+5. Spent 17 days in SCBU. Mostly due to feeding issues but also a couple of dusky episodes. Absolutely fine now.

That's really reassuring. Yes they're confident baby seems well. He's moving a ton, strong heart rate, good size (scan last week estimated 6 lbs 2 oz). Honestly everyone is more worried about me but I'm having trouble wrapping my head around whether he'll be ok.

Twins born at 36+5. Absolutely fine, they were 4,14 and 5,4 but able to be on the ward with me. Low glucose and needed the lights for jaundice, one had a feeding tube for a couple of days. But all done next to me on the ward. Expect several heel pricks, and for baby to be given more layers of clothes and blankets than you’d expect as they don’t regulate their temp v well at that age. Plus maybe vitamins for a few months, just to help. Oh and they slept nearly round the clock for a few weeks which was really good in establishing a routine, had to wake to feed as they were constantly sleepy.
Good luck and enjoy meeting little one tomorrow 😊

Have you been given steroid injection?

My 5th was born at 36+6 with neonatal sepsis because my waters had been broken for 9 says but they wanted me to be 37 weeks before induction. Weighed 7lb 6oz with apgar scores of 6 and then 7. He was taken to nicu to be put on a ventilator, although he just needed cpap in the end. He was in nicu for 5 days and then on the ward with me for another 3. He was tube fed completely for the first 2 days I think and then a mixture of tube and breastfeeding for another 2 days before being completely breastfeeding. He was treated for jaundice on days 1 and 2, then days 6-8.

My 4th was born at 35+5. He was ok at first but then he started struggling to breathe at about 20 minutes old. I got a very brief cuddle and dh was allowed to take a photo before he was taken to nicu. He weighed 7lb 2oz. He was in nicu on cpap for 24 hours and then in scbu for 4 weeks. Mostly with feeding issues but he also had enlarged ventricles in his brain, low muscle tone and global development delay.

36 weeker, first baby, 6.5lb who needed absolutely no intervention, nothing wrong at all! We were shipped off home the next day, I hope it's the same for you.

I had DD on 4 July at 36+2 unexpectedly. Absolutely perfect and healthy, we went home less than 24h later.

@3within3 I haven't been given steroids because they don't think he needs them at this stage so close to 37 weeks.

I had a baby born at 36+5 and 37+0. One was small, one was large and both were home within 24 hours of birth with no additional help needed. Last baby needed 24 hours in hospital under the lamps for jaundice at three days old but then was absolutely fine.

No steroids needed for both, 36+5 was 6lb13oz and 37+0 was 8lb13oz.

37.0 baby weighed 6lbs, low glucose and the developed jaundice. Everything else was brilliant apgar of 8 then 9. Fed brilliantly from the off, but was combined fed. Slept a lot expect for at night for the first 4wks.

I think from 34 weeks chances for baby are as good as full term in long run, even if needs a little help to begin with. I know a 35 weeker that was absolutely fine, no incubator or anything!

I had DS at 36 week (spontaneously), he was 6lb 9 and didn't need any help at all, we were kept in 24 hours but that's it.

DD was born at 37 weeks (induced) was 7lb 2 and again didn't need any help at all with anything.

@WolfMother326

They kept us in a week because she was so tiny (barely 5lbs) and they wanted to see her gaining weight before they'd let us go home.

From what you've said, things sound positive. Try to stick with the positive because in all honesty, you won't know anything for sure until baby's here.

Try to focus on getting him here safely and then tackle the next bit. You'll be meeting your baby soon - excited for you!

Hope your delivery goes well and hope you have plenty of support. Be sure to take care of yourself too, the first few days after a section can be tricky x

Thanks @spicysamosahotcupoftea thanks for this, it's helpful perspective. I had an EMCS 3 years ago so I know a little what my recovery will be like but I also have some additional complications this time (risk of bleeding more) so I hope it all goes smoothly. I am for some reason hung up on not being able to have him on my chest/hold him after, as that's really what made the whole experience feel ok and bearable last time. I will try to think positively, just had too much time sitting around in the antenatal to think. Hopefully only a few more hours to go and we'll be on the other side.

I was induced because baby was small at 36+5. She actually arrived (via section) at 37+0. She was fine, no need for any extra support and she and I were out of hospital in under 48 hours. I got to hold her almost straight away - she was checked quickly by a paediatrican and was back to me well before they'd finished sewing me up.

All the best today! @WolfMother326 you got this

Good luck today! I had twins at 36+6 and both totally healthy. DT1 needed a night in nicu to help shift some fluid (because of the c section not the gestation).

My son at 35 + 1 - he was 6lb 10oz and needed no help. I thank god he wasn't full term but he was CS (emergency)

He's now 6'2" 🙂