if you go a few weeks early......

how do i u know the babys lungs will be okay?


the reason i ask is this. today my peri doc said he doesnt want me to be induced until 39 weeks because at that point they know for sure that the lungs are mature
if i wanted to be induced a week or two early bc of pain or discomfort that htey legally have to do an amnio to check the lungs.

when he said this i got nervous and said omg what if i go into labor on my own before 39w? will the baby be ok?

and he said if i go on my own the baby will be fine...but if i PLAN to go early they have to make sure due to malpractice etc.

okay so what i forgot to ask is...lets say i am 38 weeks and my protien goes high and have signs of pre e or something like that and they want to either induce or c section...do i have to amnio even then???? the idea is making me little bit nervous.

tia!

Re: if you go a few weeks early......

I had my baby last month at 37 weeks. He was taken early by c/s because I had developed pre-eclampsia, had high blood pressure the whole pregnancy and had GD. (I could not be induced because I've already had a c/s before).

The baby had no issues at all. I did not have to have an amnio. He was actually a nice size for being early (he was 7 lbs 12 oz). However, since 30 weeks pregnant, I was having weekly non-stress tests and biophysical profiles. And from 36 weeks on, I was having them 2x a week. They always told me the baby was completely fine, it was me with all the issues!

Message edited 3/26/2012 7:01:29 PM.

Re: if you go a few weeks early......

Re: if you go a few weeks early......

I had my DS at 37 weeks. He came on his own and no one even mentioned him not being ready as far as his lungs. At 37 weeks they are full term and my guy was 6lbs and 11oz.....not a single issue.

I had NST every week from 29 weeks due to my blood clots and then every other week I had the biophysical.

Re: if you go a few weeks early......

Ds was born at exactly 38 weeks. I was induced because he was having trouble maintaining his fluid. I did not have lung maturity checked. Dd was induced at 38.5 weeks almost 39 and I didn't need one for her either. She was due to size and the difficulty I had birthing ds. Both came out crying and neither had any lung or breathing issues.

Message edited 3/26/2012 9:06:52 PM.

Re: if you go a few weeks early......

DD was born at 37 weeks I had recieved steroids to help mature her lungs when I was 31 weeks because I had a shortening cervix that was shortening very quickly. I am recieving them this pregnancy as well as a precaution. The fear is that babies born before 37 weeks can have lung issues but babes born after 32 weeks have a very good chance of survival even with under developed lungs. I'm sure if your drs were very concerened you wouldn't make it to 37 weeks they would give you steroids for the baby's lungs.

Re: if you go a few weeks early......

I went into labor on my own with both pregnancies and gave birth at 36w6d (both times)
My daughters were both 6lb3oz and healthy as can be! No issues whatsoever

Re: if you go a few weeks early......

37 weeks is considered fully developed.......

I had to be induced at 36w1d because of preeclampsia - ds was in the NICU for 10 day - then healthy since.(knock on wood)

Re: if you go a few weeks early......

My dd was a 33weeker. Since I was admitted for Pre-e on hospital bedrest I had time to get the steroid shots. Dd was on the vent/cpap for one day in the NICU but she was born crying and ultimately was breathing room air in one day. She has normal lungs and a very loud screech now at 10m.

If you go into labor and don't have time for steroid shots ( which they prob don't give after 35w or so anyway) there's nothing you can do. It is what it is. Babies grow and heal. And after 36w or so the lungs are usually developed enough for the baby to do well on the outside without much or any help.

Re: if you go a few weeks early......

I was induced at 38 weeks for toxemia. I didn't have an amnio. DS had no issues with his lungs.

Re: if you go a few weeks early......

I was in and out of L&D from 26 weeks on due to contractions. I was tested every 2 weeks to see if I would go into pre-term labor since all tests came back negative the doctor never gave me the steriod shots. He told me they do not worry about it once you hit 36 weeks.
Good luck!!

Re: if you go a few weeks early......

The lungs are the last thing to develop, so it's possible with premies that they are immature. If so they are given betamethasone to increase the surfectant as well as oxygen. Usually they are okay :)