Encouragement needed

Hi Everyone,
I am new here, but I thought this would be a great site to get some advice/encouragement!

I am almost 33 weeks pregnant with b/g twins. At 25 weeks, I was put on strict bed rest due to an
incompetent cervix. My doctor thought I was too far along for a cerclage so I got the steroid shots
and was sent home. Only .9 cm of my cervix was closed so no one thought I would make it this far.

Anyhow, if I deliver at 33 weeks is there a good chance that things would be okay for my twins?
I have this weird feeling that it's going to be soon and I thought 32 weeks was an important milestone to hit
but I wasn't sure. The babies are at least 4lbs each according to my peri.

Any thoughts? Thanks so much!! Your posts have been so helpful.
Beth

 

:sign0016: to Twinstuff! and congratulations on making it to 33 wks! That is a GREAT milestone.
If you haven't already, be sure to look at the "sticky" at the top of the Expecting forum page that has information about NICU stays by gestation and other good tidbits. I think if your twins were born now, they would definately be in NICU for a few weeks, but if you've gotten the steroid shots, they might avoid respiratory or cardiac problems. The good news is they have good weights and it sounds like you're doing a great job. Just stay on bedrest!

There are lots of mommies here who had their babies at 33 wks or sooner. You might also check out our NICU forum to read some of those stories.

Keep hanging in there! We're glad you found us!

 

Wow you have done so great keeping those babies in for so long-I was just put on bedrest last Thursday for contractions and dilating already, and it is tough!
My doctor has been very positive and optimistic about the babies out comes if born this early-although NICU time is pretty much something that would be happening.
I wish you luck-maybe you will make it another week and that would be even better! I am thinking of you!

 

Congrats on making it this far! What an accomplishment.

I was on bedrest starting at 24 weeks for a short cervix, and by 28 weeks it was down to .9cm. I did not deliver until 34w4d, and my kids did not need any NICU time. 33 weeks is wonderful, and although your children might stay in the NICU, most likely at that stage it would be do to feeding issues and maintaining body temp.

Keep us updated!

 

Welcome to TS Don't really know about your question, but just wanted to say welcome.

Dianna

 

I'm on bedrest too, I know it's scary! First, that is GREAT that you have made it this far! Hopefully your cervix will behave for a couple more weeks! Every appt when I get a look at my cervical length, I leave terrified and I'm convinced that there is no way I'll make it to 36 wks and I've been trying to remind myself that if the babies would come now, at least I have made it so much further than I expected. That said, I pray that all of our babies just stay put for awhile

 

welcome! hang in there 33 wks is a great start!

 

Thank you so much for your encouragement. I hope to make it to at least 34 weeks, which is only a week away now.
It helps a great deal to know there are others experiencing the same challenges and fears.

As much as bed rest has been hard, I am so happy these babies have been cookin' for 8 weeks longer than I thought
they would.

It's also great to hear from others who have had perterm labor/cervical issues!!
Beth

 

My twins were born at 33.2 weeks after 35 days on hospital bedrest. I, too, received 2 rounds of steroid shots. Emma spent 10 days in the nursery learning to feed and to gain weight. She could have been released at 8 days but the hospital did us a favor and kept her in since her brother was being pokey. Alex spent 36 hours in the NICU. He didn't cry when he was first born but ended up being fine. He was sent to the nursery where he spent the rest of his 12 days.

33 weeks is great especially since you have had your steroid shots. Emma was 4lbs. 12oz and Alex was 4lbs. They are now crazy, healthy, happy, developmetally appropriate 3.5 year olds!

Good luck!
Tracy

 

I really am unexperienced with the birth of twins, but want to wish you the best and to remind you that yes, 32 weeks is a very important milemarker and the fact that (so I've read) twins develop faster than singletons, you have a very good chance that things will be great. (((HUGS))) and best of luck!

 

My boys were born at 33 wk and 1 day. After spending a month in the NICU they are doing great! They are small but very healthy. Jake was 3lbs 11ozs and is now (as of two weeks ago) 8lbs 1oz. Ryan (an IUGR baby) was 3lbs 3ozs and is now 8lbs 6ozs. I know they are bigger than that now since we just moved into 0-3 month clothes today.

The NICU experience was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but there are some benefits (aside from the great care for the babies). My boys were on a strict eat/sleep schedule because that's what they did in the NICU. They sleep through everything since it was so loud there as well. They are also great about being held by a variety of people.

I had a gut feeling too. My friends were throwing a baby shower and I told them we better have it on the 8th (32 wk mark) so I wouldn't miss it. So glad we did! My water broke and the contractions came fast. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

Megan

 

You're doing great! Keep up the good work, mama

 

33 weeks is awesome, and statistically, your babies would have an excellent chance of having no major, or even minor issues, after their NICU stay. Just keep up the good work and stay on that couch/bed!

 

33 weeks is a good milestone. I am 33 weeks as well. I don't think at this point that there will be any major issues regarding the nicu department. You are doing well.

 

I had 32 weekers. They were 4# 6oz and 4# 9 oz at birth. I did get the steroid shots as I was on hospital bedrest for pre-e. They were feeder/growers in the NICU for just under 3 weeks and just celebrated a first birthday and are just about to walk!! Congrats on making it to 33 weeks. Hang in there.

 

I guess I have another question, then, about the NICU stay....
If the babies are between 4lb and 5lbs do they always need a NICU stay? Do they base NICU on weight and
ability to maintain body temperature and feed at this point? When does weight become less of a factor --
after they hit 5lbs or does it go by weeks of gestation? I feel like I know so little about the NICU...maybe it's time for
me to do some reading!!!

It's so reassuring that many of you have experienced or are experiencing the same fears and excitement!
Thank you for your replies.

Beth

 

QUOTE(eewelks @ Dec 19 2007, 01:06 AM) [snapback]539706[/snapback]
I guess I have another question, then, about the NICU stay....
If the babies are between 4lb and 5lbs do they always need a NICU stay? Do they base NICU on weight and
ability to maintain body temperature and feed at this point? When does weight become less of a factor --
after they hit 5lbs or does it go by weeks of gestation? I feel like I know so little about the NICU...maybe it's time for
me to do some reading!!!

It's so reassuring that many of you have experienced or are experiencing the same fears and excitement!
Thank you for your replies.

Beth


I think, typically babies born before 34 weeks and some after do not have the capability to suck, swallow, and breathe (the coordination to self feed) so they need to be tube fed until the feat can be accomplished. In order for our boys to leave the NICU they had to be 5#, take all their feeds from a bottle or breast, pass the car seat challenge (able to maintain adequate oxygen levels while seated in the seat for I think at least 30 mins), able to regulate their own body temp, and have no apneas or bradycardias for a week. Ours had some bradys so they had to come home on apnea monitors but nothing when they came home. My cousin had twins at 37 weeks and had one at just under 4 pounds and she had no NICU time so I think it also depends on the Dr. Hope this helps.

 

I am no expert but 33 weeks is a great milestone!! Congrats on making it this far, you're doing so well.
Here's an article I found about prematurity, if you scroll down it talks about how the risks go down at various stages of gestation
I can tell you though that my peri said that twins born at 34 weeks will likely spend time in the NICU but are not at much greater risk long-term than a full-term single baby!!

http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1157.asp

 

It is absolutely awesome that you have made it to 33 weeks. My girls were born at 28 weeks and are perfectly fine! Good Luck!!

 

I know (from personal experience) that don't worry is easier said then done. SO, what i'll say is have FAITH that all will turn out well, and it will. What these babies need most is a mom that isn't stressed out and BELIEVES that everything is going to be alright!

You and your babies are in my thoughts and prayers.
angel

 

Sounds like you are doing great despite the odds!!! Congrats on making it this far! I think your twins have an AWESOME chance if born right now. Mine were born at 34 weeks and stayed in teh NICU for 17 days each...just as growers and feeders. I had one born under 4 lbs. so she had trouble keeping up her body temp...the other was a horrible eater (suck/swallow/breathe function is a big factor usually as 33/34 weeks, they either have it or they don't). But, I had steriod shots at 30 weeks. They were born with GREAT apgars and needed no further medical intervention...just need to learn to eat and gain some weight.

GOODLUCK!

 

Congratulations and :sign0016: to twinstuff! WTG for holding on so long!! You have done a fantstic job getting to 33 weeks. I wasnt on bedrest at all in fact i had a near perfect pregnancy but at 32.4 weeks my babies decided that they were ready to come. They scored perfect apgars and there was nothing seriously wrong with them they just had to learn to feed and grow a little. I Hope everyones stories have helped put your mind at rest a little! x