Gestation Question

I am sorry if this sounds stupid. I am 24 weeks pregnant. So my baby is only 22 weeks gestational age, right? When is the earliest a baby can survive premature...with help from the nicu?

Re: Gestation Question

Found this:

Completed Weeks of Gestation at Birth
(Using last menstrual period) Survival
21 weeks and less
0%
22 weeks 0-10%*
23 weeks 10-40%
24 weeks 40-70%
25 weeks 50-80%
26 weeks 80-90%
27 weeks >90%
30 weeks >95%
34 weeks >98%

*Most babies at 22 weeks are not recuscitated because survival without major disability is so rare.

Re: Gestation Question

I do know someone at work whos wife had twins at 22 weeks. Unfortunately one did not survive (but mulitples is a different story-birth weights are much lower) and his som survived. He spent many months in the NICU but he is so healthy and beautiful (10 months old now) and is growing just as a "normal" child would be. He is normal. He's adorable and fine. It's always so scary. I also believe that any baby born before the 32 week mark automaticall will spend some time in the NICU. I had a full term baby and because of a fever he was in the NICU for two days (and he was fine). I hope this helps. You're fine!!

Message edited 8/26/2006 9:22:08 PM.

Re: Gestation Question

Gestational age is calculated from the beginning of the pregnancy (the most commonly used date is that date of your last menstrual cycle, not conception date).

1% of babies are born earlier than 28 weeks. Your doctor would probably put you in the hospital & on a magnesium based drug to stop labor.

For prematurity, the March of Dimes website has the most up-to-date, accurate information.
To reduce your chances of premature labor