What point are DC lungs fully developed

being on bedrest has me a little nervous that at any time things could change. IM 30w1d and just curious at what point can you have a healthy baby? What was the earliest anyone has ever heard of. Im just soooo nervous.

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

I believe they want you to get to at least 32 weeks BUT 37 weeks is considered full term. You will be okay. Hang in there!

Message edited 12/6/2008 9:04:26 AM.

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

about 37 weeks.

My sister delivered at 36 weeks and they gave her a steroid shot at around 35 weeks to develop the babys lungs (they knew she'd go into labor any day and she held out to 36 weeks)

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

I got steroids at around 24 weeks to develop the baby's lungs. I think what to expect says around 30-32 weeks.

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

Fully developed really depends...I had my twins at 35 weeks. Their lungs were fully developed (twins tend to develope faster inutero)...I had my daughter at 36 weeks and so were hers....

At 30 weeks, if you had your baby, he'd have to stay in the NICU for a bit, but he'd be OK....

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

I had the steroid shots at the end of my 30th week. I was told when I was in the hospital they wanted to see me make it to at least 34 weeks. I know that my docs will be taking me off the meds that are stopping my contractions at 36 weeks. I know after 34 weeks the chances of having a healthy baby with no issues goes much higher. But in terms of lung development, its different for all babies. I know with twins its earlier than for singletons. They don't really know the reason for this, they think it may have something to do with stress in the womb because of competition for space.

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

Without a steroid injection series, your babies lungs are not considered fully developed until term, 38 weeks.. 23-24 weeks is considered viable and the baby would be in the NICU for a stretch of time.

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

some baby's lungs are not even fully developed at 38 weeks.. that 's why they do the late amnio to determine if they are. My son was born at 35 weeks and had no problems initially... but he has asthma now so i doubt his lungs were fully developed at birth.

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

37 is considered full term

i was on bed rest from weeks 33-36

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

37 weeks, but many babies do just fine if they are born earlier, esp if you are given the steroid shot.

I had my DD just at 36 weeks. They wanted to do an amnio to check her lungs but could not do it due to low amniotic fluid. But she was just fine, was only in NICU as precautionary measure and b/c she had fluid in her lungs b/c of the csection (not being early).

She is a big baby, I don't know if htat means anything but she is a good eater and they told me that means her lungs are likely in good shape. So far, no problems.

Message edited 12/6/2008 11:48:13 AM.

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

don't know when the lungs are fully developed but if god forbid you go into labor, they give you a shot to speed up the development of the lungs.

ETA: I had my baby at 29 weeks 6 days and although he was in the NICU for a while,he is a very healthy and happy 1 year old with no major medical issues to speak of (knock on wood)

Message edited 12/6/2008 12:06:42 PM.

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

I'm not sure when lungs are developed but I think babies can survive after 28 weeks. You are already past that point.

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

everything I've read says the baby is considered full term at 37 weeks, but I think all babies are different as far as development.

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

It completely varies from person to person. I thought for sure my DD would be ready to go at 36 1/2 weeks, but the amnio showed that she still needed another week or so for her lungs to fully mature.

On the other hand, a family member of mine just had her baby VERY premature at 23 weeks and miraculously, she is breathing on her own

As others said, if early delivery is a concern, there is a shot they can give you to help the baby's lungs mature.

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

from what I have read, I believe your baby's lungs are fully developed and ready for life outside when you go into labor. When the baby's lungs are developed, the baby releases a chemical that begins your labor.

Re: What point are DC lungs fully developed

I've read that by 28 weeks your baby has a very good chance of surviving outside of the womb. Obviously, a baby born that early would need intensive NICU, but I've read that's considered the "point of viabillity." I know someone who was induced at around 7 months or so because she was developing pre-encelmpsia -- her baby did well and was out of the NICU within a month.