tell me about your baby - expect to deliver at 34 weeks

[buliej]

Due to a diagnosis of vasa praevia, it looks like I will be hospitalized at 32 weeks and if all goes to plan, deliver soon-to-be-baby (nicknamed B2 (as in Baby2) by DH and myself) by C-section at 34 weeks. I'm wondering what to expect in terms of B2. DS was almost 4 weeks early (2706 grams) and he didn't require special care, but we worked very hard at feeding him (initially breast with bottle top ups and then exclusively breast - but it wasn't easy as he was a very sleeping baby). His sucking reflex was initially just so-so, he was jaundiced (2nd hospital stay required), and had reflux for 7 months. Once diagnosed, losec helped tremendously. Anyway, how different will a 34 week baby be? OB2 is measuring in the 50%-ile and is predicted to be about 5 pounds at birth. I know I'll have steroid injections as well. Also, will I be able to hold B2 after delivery? I was so excited because although I was able to hold DS after delivery, during recovery (from C-section) policy was that DS couldn't be with me so DS was with DH. Hospital has changed policy and I was so excited that I'd be able to spend recovery holding B2. I'm seeing my OB on Wed, but wanted to start collecting information prior to appointment (I just returned from ultrasound confirming vasa praevia diagnosis). thanks!

[Onelittleprincess]

Dd2 came naturally at 34 weeks so ill answer as best as I can

B2 will likely be in a Humdi crib as thy need to be kept warm and can't quite regulate thier temperature as yet

In relation to holding baby it will depend on your hospital n baby. If bubs is ok and doctors do the ok then yes you will be able to. However be prepared to also not be able to. I saw 3 babies come at 34 weeks 2 could be held and 1 couldn't.

They won't have a strong suck reflex do another week or so. But watch as they'll click all of a sudden. Whenever they look like they are searching allow them to try but not be annoyed if nurses top up.

Expect them to be in the nursery for 3-4 weeks

[Charlotte91]

My daughter had serious issues, but was born at 34 weeks. She had no sucking reflex, so even if you don't like them, a dummy might help.
34weekers will struggle to hold body temp. DD was in a isolette until 38w corrected.
Invest in a pump if you want to breastfeed.
Bub may have a tube down his nose because of not being able to suck.
Not sure how long a normal bub would be in hospital, but DD was in 7 weeks. But she's special

Good luck for the coming week!

[RockingBaker]

My triplets were born at 33+6 and they had had steroids in utero. DD2 and 3 had jaundice so did a day under lights. All 3 had NGtubes. All were moved to open air cots on day 3 and I was able to hold them from day 2 for brief periods. They were attempting BF from day 3/4. DD1 came home after 21 days, DD2 and 3 stayed until day 25.

[frog]

Just want to say good luck, I was faced with early delivery because of some complications picked up at 32 weeks. We will deliver at 36+6 (this Thursday) so not as early as what you are looking at.

We toured the special care nursery, where they explained the process to us, where baby would be at different stages (intensive care room, high dependency, fattening room and the almost ready to go home room, where baby started out would depend on GA and what was needed). They explained the milestones- temp regulation, sucking etc and what they do depending on which reflexes baby doesn't have yet. It was really comforting, because we felt prepared just in case and they told me that I can sleep next to baby once it goes into the fattening room and I have been discharged myself. They also had me start expressing colostrum to have some stocked to feed baby with in case it couldn't breast feed, or if it needed supp feeds. Are they getting you to do that? I started at 33 weeks, not sure how early they can start that though. They also told me that if baby had no breathing problems or anything that required emergency treatment that I may be able to touch or hold baby before they took it to special care. They also made it clear that they encourage (and expect) that you will participate in any opportunity to touch or hold baby and feed baby while it is in special care.

I found that the special care nurses were best equipped to answer our questions, so if you are able to go there for a tour I would recommend it.

Hope it all goes well for you, and that both you and your baby have a short stay and can start your new life at home nice and quickly

[Onelittleprincess]

Jaundice is highly likely.

Dummies are great - even if you ask for it only to be during feed times for the suck/full tummy concept.

Hospital pumps hurt me and I could never get much out so I used Avent manual one

[teresa]

hi!

DS was born at 34 weeks. He was in the isolette for the first 36 hours to help with his oxygen and his body temp. after that he was in an open cot. they were worried a few times about jaudice but he always came back clear. i dont think the lime green blanket we put on him helped! lol

our main issues was feeding and sucking. we took him home from the nursery at 36 weeks after his sucking reflex developed and he was good with feeding. we took him home on bf's and bottle top ups. i would definately encourage a dummy tho. helps with the sucking reflex

if you have any other questions please feel free to PM me. its hard to leave them there and go home each day without them. invest in a good pump too! DH got me the tommee tippee closer to nature manual pump and i found it great to use!

good luck xx

[buliej]

Thanks everyone - really great advice here.

Frog - I'm going to ask my OB about talking to special care nurses...actually, I'll have plenty of time to talk to them while I "hang out" in the hospital for 2 weeks doing nothing other than missing DS (and DH)...I'm sure by the time B2 arrives they will know how much I want to hold B2 as much as possible and how much I want to BF. DS would never take a dummy, but I'll try with B2 if that will help develop the sucking reflex. I hope your delivery goes well on Thursday.

I rented a medela symphony with DS and will make sure DH picks one up for me before scheduled delivery.

Teresa - so, were you released as per "normal" meaning 5 days or so post-delivery and then had to come back & forth from home? I can't imagine how hard that must be, but I'll guess I will see as I'll have no choice. It is going to be an exhausting time - going back and forth (40 min each way) after a c-section with a toddler at home.

[Onelittleprincess]

I had a normal delivery and was discharged a few days later. Went back and forth a few times a day to hospital (half hour trip each way and at least once a day round trip with 2 yr old).

Ask if the hospital has any volunteers or play therapists that might be able to help keep your little one happy while you visit.

Talking to other special care mums will help. Also jump onto miracle babies foundation and look for a support group in your area

[teresa]

i had a c section. all up i was in hospital for 8 days. i was admitted sunday for bleeding. had DS tuesday night and was released the following monday. they let me stay a couple of days longer as they had no one needing the room and i begged my ob to let me stay LOL.

we lived almost an hour away from the hospital. we only had to do the trip for 3 days before we had DS transferred to the scn closer to home.

[buliej]

Thanks again everyone. One more question, how about baby clothes? DS was 2.7 kgs and the 0000's were too big for him so I imagine that they will be huge on a 2-2.2 kg baby (5 lbs). Should I buy some premie clothes?

[Charlotte91]

I would buy maybe 4-5 00000 (Target is best). Not to many incase your bub is on the bigger side for a 34weeker.

[Onelittleprincess]

My dd2 was 2765g born. She only fitted 0000 for a few weeks then into 000. Look into bonds night dresses as the nursing staff like easy to put on/off clothes. Most will have outfits u can use so u dont loose yours

[teresa]

the scn provided the outfits for DS when he was in hospital. i would wait until you have baby to see how big they are first and how long they are in hospital for.

[buliej]

OK - good to know that the hospital provides (I'll double check during my 2 week stay as well as ask my OB if he knows). I have a feeling the SCN nurses/midwives will know me well before I even have B2!

[Onelittleprincess]

I also found I clicked and bonded to some nurses while others drove me up the wall (especially those that didnt want to listen or be flexible). try and bond with a few nurses - dont dismiss the younger ones or those training as I found they were awesome and willing to let you do what was needed. THey also were great at explaining things and are used to mums on the 'emotinal rollercoaster'

Remember to listen to the doctors as they do the rounds ask questions and a little pushy always helps. And make sure they document everything down in the babies notes. I had a nurse refuse to help me attach my DD2 on the breast as according to the nurse I was only meant to be doing 2 breastfeeds a day (she didnt take into account that it was all i was able to be in for) and by trying a third it would be a waste of time. This was even though DD2 was searching and trying. The next day i made the doctor note that she could be on alternate feeds and top ups as required as well as suck feeds if the staff feel she is searching.

[mrscricket]

I agree with OnelittePrincess - we LOVED our younger scn nurses. They seemed more willing to listen (and didn't mind me breaking down on a few occasions), and allowed me to try things where as some of the older ones were pretty set in their own ways. One thing I found hard was the guilt when the nurses went me off to sleep - I felt like I should be with the babies like I would be at home. I realise now that it is their job and you do need the rest.

Our twins were born at 35weeks 2 days but they were tiny little things, so we spent 3 weeks in the special care nursery fattening them up. They had nasal feeding tubes for about 2 weeks, but we did breastfeed from a few days in. The tubes were used for top ups and for when they were too tired to breastfeed. I spent 1 night in our local hospital (they were transfered to a larger hospital about an hour away), and one night in the same hospital as them. Then I was discharged. It was extremly hard - I stayed with a family member closer to their hospital but leaving DS at home with DH was the hardest thing I have ever done. I was extremly torn between wanting to be with the babies, but also wanting to be with my DS who had been my world for 3 years (getting teary thinking of it now!). It is a super hard thing to do, but the SC nursery was the best place for the girls, and 3 weeks felt like forever, but 20 months later, it all seems like a blur. Good luck with everything honey!

** Clothes - the special care nursery provided all clothes for us. Apparently it makes it easier than worrying about things getting lost or bub's running out of clothes if mum's not there. I'd buy a few 00000 things, and if you have any family or friends around, send them out to get stuff for you once bubba has arrived.

[Onelittleprincess]

I agree with OnelittePrincess - we LOVED our younger scn nurses. They seemed more willing to listen (and didn't mind me breaking down on a few occasions), and allowed me to try things where as some of the older ones were pretty set in their own ways. .

DEFINATLY!!!! I had one night (my first rooming in night before taking her home) Where she wouldnt wake at the 3 hourly mark for a feed - it was 10pm at night. THe Student Nurse asked what I'd do at hime to which i replied "its night time, id let her sleep. If it was during the day id push waking her". Her response was fine we will do that, its up to you now. (I will add my girl was a great size). The older nurse said no she cant do that we have to wake her in an hour or we will need to look at tube feeding her. Thankfully she woke up half hour later - just as i got in the shower of course lol