Babies born between 36 and 37 weeks?

Ok so I'm 36w 4d today! I've been told that my baby feels a little bit smaller than that but my Ob wasn't really concerned by it he just said there's no way I'm having a huge baby, but it shouldn't be 'too' small... Labour has been lurking and all the signs are showing that I could pop any day now... I have SPD in my pelvis so it is very weak and I am starting to suffer alot of pain from it now that I'm getting close to the end. I was actually really excited at first that the baby might be coming early, as I aqm completely over the uncomfortable feeling of the end of pregnancy. Also my my previous baby was a c-section and I want to have a natural birth this time so I don't want to wait until my pelvis is too useless because I am already at higher risk for repeat c-section... Can anyone please tell me if they have had a baby between 36 and 37 weeks, or if you know of anyone who has? And if there was any problems, minor/major, and what they were?? It would be so much APPRECIATED! Thanks.
Samaraxx

I'm certainly no expert - but 36-37 weeks is not considered premature.

I would consider 36-37weeks preterm although most babies born then require no assistance with feeding etc. My last baby was born at 36+3 and she was floppy, lacked good tone and very sleepy. She needed waking and encouraging to feed as she tired quickly. I did have an extra 2nights in hospital because of this then I planned to. I wouldn't consider 36weeks pretemr in comparison to other gestations but technically they aren't as mature of you would like when born at this stage.

The things that are most likely to happen if you do have your bub now is it can take a little longer to get feeding established as bubs still aren't as mature as a term baby so tend to sleep more and not wake as well for feeds. They are also more proned to been jaundice due to been a little immature and finding it harder to break down the billirubin then a term baby. They can drop there blood sugars and have low temps.

We still see a large percent of babies born at this stage admitted to the SCN for assistance with establishing feeding. I'd certainly prefer to have bub after this gestation to avoid the chances bub could end up having a longer stay in hospital. Even a week would make a huge difference.

Thanks for the comments guys, I agree that even a week makes all the difference, it is even said to increase a baby's chance of survival by 2% every day they stay in the womb over 26 weeks gestation, even though I don't have to worry about being that preterm, still I am sure every day will help prepare bub more for life on the outside!
Still would love to hear more stories! : )
So please more comments ladies!

My boy was born bang on 36 weeks. He spent 10 days in SCN and was tube fed for a while as he learned to suck.

Initially I was quite excited and relieved when my waters broke and labour began, but having lived through it, I would never again want to have a baby before 37 weeks.

That said, while we were in hospital a baby was born at 37 weeks and had similar issues, so I guess there is no guarantee that your baby will be completely fine even if you make it to 37 weeks, but there is certainly a much greater chance that bub will be ok. I have also heard of babies born at 35 weeks who have had less time in hospital than my boy did as well as 36 weekers that have no issues at all.

BW

I have had a baby at 36 and 37 weeks..

One was tiny (36weeks and 6lb 12oz small for me) 37 weeker was 9lb 14oz.. My biggest

DD was well apart from low blood sugars (I had GD) and had a little trouble maintaining her temp..

DS was very well at birth. He had other health issues though but at birth he was 100% perfect health wise

My friend just had her daughter at 34 weeks with no complications she went home 3 days later she was 5lb 8oz.

I had my son one day short of 37 weeks so 36 weeks + 6 days he was 5lb 15oz and perfect.

DS was born 36+6 and he was all good apart from having a weak suck which affected our breastfeeding relationship. Oh his BSL were a bit low for the first few days and he spent some time under the warmers in SCN.

Well it's good to know that most babies do really well when born at this stage! I'm very lucky I've made it to my 38th week today! And still pregnant :) Sometimes the doctors can have you worried for no reason! I'm more than happy for baby to arrive any day now!

Good luck Samaraxx!! Wonderful news you made it to 38 weeks!! Bub will well and truly fine should he/she arrive any time from now. I was 37 weeks yesterday so feeling very ready to have bub any time now...sooooooo much pain!! Hope your little one arrives soon. :D

Best of luck hun. DS2 was born at 36w3d and was just fine. They were over cautious with him, insisting he feed every 2 hours the first night but that was all. He was still 6pd8oz so not tiny, and was able to breathe and feed on his own etc.