When is a premi not a premi

Hi

I am going to be TTC in June and had a few questions. My DS was born by Emergency Caesarean due to a liver condition that I had (Obstetric Cholestasis)almost full term. I have been advised that any future pregnancies have a high chance of this happening again an that the baby would need to be born at 36weeks. Is a baby born at 36weeks considered premature? Would it need special care? Do babies born at this stage with no complications get to go home quickly?

Figured I better prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Any advice would be greatly received.

Lolly

It's sort of like asking 'how long is a piece of string?' LOL.

I'm no expert, but it is my belief that yes, most babies born at 36 weeks would need some time in SCN, varying greatly in how long. Also, the sort of help they would need would vary quite a lot.

FWIW, my DS was born at 35 weeks, spent 24 hours in SCN, and came home with us five days after birth. He has had very few complications as a result of being prem. We are so lucky :) However, I know a couple of babies who were born around 36-37 weeks, who had to stay in SCN for a couple of weeks post-birth, needing help with breathing and feeding. At almost 12 months they are absolutely fine though, you'd never know. Although it was traumatic for their parents, it is now a distant memory :D

Good luck with your next pg, I hope you find that you don't need this information!

Bub is consdiered term at 37 weeks.
But there is no saying a baby at 37 weeks wont need special care and that a baby at 36 will.
Although were talking 21 years ago, i was born at 36 weeks and went home when mum did on day five.
It really will depend on the d'ment of YOUR baby.

My DS was born at 34 weeks but was in respiratory distress so ended up spending 2 weeks in SCN. There were babies there that were born at 36 weeks but were only in SCN as they had jaundice and were able to go home about 5 days after birth. I suppose it will all depend on how your bub is breathing and feeding that will determine whether a stay in SCN is necessary. I hope all goes well for u :)

I have had 4 children born before their due dates 2 @ 37 weeks, 1 @ 38 weeks and 1 @ 35 weeks.
All of them have had to spend time in the SCN unit due to complications and to me they are considered to be premature. My youngest daughter (3 now) was born in Melb at 37 weeks, due to a medical condition that could of killed her, now even though she was born after what the medical profession call "term, she was regarded in the NICU/SCN unit as being prem because she came before she was due.
I class my kids as prem because that is what they were prem...I didn't have everything ready and they came before I was prepared.
Hope that helps.

Lolly, I would imagine that if your caregiver plans on birthing your baby at 36wks it will be just that....Planned.

There are loads of things that will be taken into consideration prior to your little ones birth!

As most of the previous threads state, some of the reasons that babies are in the SCN are due to breathing issues. Your baby is likely to be better "prepped" for a premi birth with the doctors likely to administer you with steroid shots to help the baby's lungs to develop etc.

Your baby and indeed your pregnancy is likely to be more closely monitored than other peoples.....including most mothers who have "unexpected prem births". Which means that there are likely to be plans in place to ensure an optimal outcome for your darling baby prior to any "planned arrival".

As I am sure you are no doubt aware, modern medicine and monitoring has come a long long way in the last decade. These days babies are routinely considered viable from 26 weeks! A baby born at 36 weeks while technically prem, especially one who is planned to arrive at 36 wks should get off to a great start!

Yes there may be a period of time that bubby needs monitoring and time in the SCN, but that could happen to any newborn, and you are best off saving yourself from the stress of something that can not be predicted.

Impossible to say hun.
My DD was born at 36 weeks - no issues at all except for mild jaundice (which I just fed her through, no lights needed or anything) and she came home with me on day 3. She was in SCN for a few hours but that was because I had insulin dependent GD and a pretty long drawn out labour so they wanted to watch her blood sugar for a bit.

Although term in considered 37 weeks there are definitely babes that are born at that gestation that can have breathing and / feeding issues too. 35-37 weeks is a bit of a grey area. Most babies will cope just fine but there will be the odd one that will need some extra help.
I know my besties DS was born at 35w and he had 2 weeks in SCN because his suck reflex hadn't developed yet.

theres no way to know if bubs would need to go to SCN or not, my DS born 31 weeks spent 6 weeks in nicu and scn, DD born 35 weeks didnt even go there for a minute, came home 4 days after emerg csect.

Emily was born at 35 weeks, she was 5 pounds.
After 2 days in SCN and 4 days on the ward with me she came home.
She has been thriving, has suffered no set backs at all. Our precious little girl is doing everything a normal 4 moth old baby would be. (Emily breast feed really well from day 2).
We are TTC #7, we have been told there maybe a chance that we could have another premmie, so they will keep an eye on me.

Ashton was considered Prem being born at exactly 36wks. He was 5lb 13oz. He spent his hospital time in the NICU but we were both discharged 2 days after the birth, much to one head nurses disgust at Ashton being discharged. She said as we were walking out that we would probably end up back there by the end of the week, and we nearly were as Ashton lost way over 10% of his birth weight, but on his final weigh in he had put a good amount back on, so we were let off the hook.

Love

Theres been some good replies here.

Term is considered 37wks+, but as some have mentioned even 37wkrs have some difficulties.

Naomi, made a good point that you will be monitored and you will have everything "planned". Although unexpected... Brendan's early arival was known. My waters broke at 28wks, so they were ready for his early arrival.

All the best for TTC. *sending baby dust*

Thanks for your input ladies. I am just going to hope for the best and roll with it if it happens.

Lolly