34 week question...

my peri said his goal was to keep me pregnant until 34 weeks.
once 34 weeks approaches, how developed are the babys lungs? are they always developed or would they still require NICU time.

 

Many babies born at 34 weeks require NICU care, but not necessarily for lung immaturity. A lot of 34 weekers are "feeder/growers"; they stay in the hospital for a few days to a few weeks learning to regulate their temperature and how to suck and swallow while breathing effectively. That said, there are 34 week babies that go right home, but at least from what I've seen and read here on TS, most spend at least a few days in the hospital.

 

Every preemie is different, and 34 weeks is definitely considered premature. I agree with the pp in that most 34 weekers usually have to stay just as feeder growers, but some also may have more serious issues. it really just depends on the babies.

 

I've known 34 weekers to go home with mom after staying a couple of days in the NICU and then I've know 34 weekers to stay about 2 weeks in the NICU. It all depends on their overall development and weights... each child is different!

 

so does weight have an affect? or there is no set-poundage that allows a child to go home.

 

Mine were 34 weekers and stayed 3 weeks in the NICU as feeder growers. They really need to be above about 4 pounds in order to maintain their body temperature, so until then they usually stay in an isolette (the covered up bassinet). After that, when they come home depends on how strong they are. They have to be able to take all feedings by bottle before they are allowed to come home. Preemies get tired really easily and feeding by bottle really takes a lot out of them (although it's easier for them than breastfeeding, when they're so young), which is why it can take days or weeks for them to build up that strength.

 

My boys spent 1 week in the nicu as feeders. They were decent sizes so growing wasn't an issue. They also had to regulate body temps, which was fine after the first couple days. I was there 6/7 of the days so i only had to leave them one night. Their lungs were fine, they came out screaming.

 

My 34 weekers spent 2 weeks in the NICU. I had steriod shots at 30 weeks to help with lung development (when I was in PTL- but they were able to slow it down). I think this really helped my girls. Meara was on O2 and a CPAP for about 12 hours and Ana had no breathing issues at all. Both were kind of small, so they had to gain weight to maintain body temp, learn how to suck, swallow and breathe, and then they were able to come home. Both came home a little over 4lbs each.

 

yup, all babies are different. My cousins boys were 37 weeks and 1 still needed NICU time. You never know.