strict hospital bedrest

Hi ladies,

after seein my Dr. on Wednesday 11th of February, he told me that I am 1 cm dilated, have a shortened cervix of 1.3 cm and even the membrane of one of the babies appear in vaginal scan. So he told me to go quickly to hospital where I will stay until delivery (i.e. for at least 4 weeks).

I would appreciate to know from experience how long would babies stay in NICU if born 28-29 weeks gestational. Also is there any risk of survival for babies if delivered at this stage of 28-29 weeks gestational.

Thanks a bunch for all your replies.

 

I'm on hospital bedrest as well at 29 weeks and I asked the doctor the same thing. The answer was that they would survive and since we are over 28 weeks the risks of long term problems has diminished by quite a bit. I have a cousin who is a NICU nurse and she said that babies born at over 28 weeks do great. We also talked to a neonatologist who told us that the best place for the babies is in the womb because we just can't mimic Mother Nature so they are encouraging us to do all we can to make sure these babies don't come any earlier than they have to. So hang in there and it will all be ok. Just try to get them as close to full term as you can.

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Something I heard when I was pregnant was "every day in the womb is 3 less days in the NICU". That really helped me make it through each week. I made it to 33wks 1 day and the boys were in the NICU for 4 weeks. It is really hard having to leave without them, so although bedrest sounds awful now, it will save you a lot of heartache in the next few months. :hug:

 

"I made it to 33wks 1 day and the boys were in the NICU for 4 weeks."

You really surprised me with your reply Mommymeg. if your babies made it to 33 weeks and they stayed 4 weeks in NICU. then mine who might be born probably at 29 weeks gestational, how long will they stay in the NICU??

On the other hand, by 33 weeks, do you mean 33 weeks gestational?

By the way your boys look awesome and very cute

 

Usually the babies will be in the NICU until around your due date. It's a long road - good luck

 

My SIL is in the hospital now on bedrest as well. She's 33 weeks today, and they told her a day or two ago that IF the babies came today (a few days ago) they would be in the hospital NICU for about a month. FWIW...There's really no telling as everyone's experience is different.

I'm wishing you the best and hope you keep on COOKIN'!!! :hug:

 

QUOTE(Jocasta @ Feb 22 2009, 01:28 PM) [snapback]1200371[/snapback]
Usually the babies will be in the NICU until around your due date.


I have also heard that is the general rule of thumb, although some may go home sooner. Hang in there. :hug:

 

You are in a good position being at 28 weeks. I was at 24 weeks when the same thing happened to me. 24-28 weeks was crucial. I was allowed to go home (from hospital) on strict bedrest at 28 weeks. Did they do the fetofibronectin (fFN) test on you? This is a good indicator (if negative) that you won't deliver in the next two weeks. At 24 and 28 weeks mine was negative. I made it to 34 weeks. Stay in bed and keep those babies cooking!!! Like pp said, expect them to be in until their due date. The nurses and neonatologists told me to expect them to be in NICU until due date. Mine were in for 2 weeks, so they came home when I would have been 36-37 weeks. The girl next to me delivered her twins at 24 weeks and they came home just after their due date.

 

My nephews were born at 28 weeks. ( 14 years ago) and they are now happy healthy smart and strong young men....

They were in nicu till their due date too.

 

My girls were born at 28 weeks 1 day (I noticed on your siggy, that is where you are today). You can see how long they spent in the NICU and their stats in my siggy. Kaylyn came home at 37 weeks gestational age, and Kylee at 38. They are now 16 months old and perfectly healthy with no lingering problems from being premature. They are already caught up to their actual age. The pp is correct, and everyday you can keep them in your tummy is 3 days they don't have to be in the NICU.

I was admitted on strict hospital bedrest at 24 weeks for similar problems that you are having. It was so hard, but so worth it. Keep up the good work Momma! If you have any questions feel free to PM me. Good Luck!!

 

QUOTE(atina @ Feb 22 2009, 04:21 AM) [snapback]1200017[/snapback]
Hi ladies,

after seein my Dr. on Wednesday 11th of February, he told me that I am 1 cm dilated, have a shortened cervix of 1.3 cm and even the membrane of one of the babies appear in vaginal scan. So he told me to go quickly to hospital where I will stay until delivery (i.e. for at least 4 weeks).

I would appreciate to know from experience how long would babies stay in NICU if born 28-29 weeks gestational. Also is there any risk of survival for babies if delivered at this stage of 28-29 weeks gestational.

Thanks a bunch for all your replies.


Hello! Sorry you're on hospital bedrest. It sucks, but it can get you SO much further than bedrest at home, generally speaking. I delivered my babies at 31.5 weeks and they were in the NICU for 30 days. I brought them home the middle of July and our due date was not until August 13th, so you never know. I know that being dilated is scary, but you CAN make it longer. As far as your second question, we were told that the survival rate at 28 weeks is 90%.

There was a girl on here (Brooklyne) who was dilated about 3cm and made it to 33weeks. I'm pretty sure she was somewhere around 26 weeks when she discovered she was dilated, but I'm not sure. You can do a search for her story on here and it should brind you some hope. GL and keep us posted!

 

Thank you ladies for all your supportive and inspiring replies.

I am currently at 26 weeks four days gestational. I did ask my Dr. yesterday how long does he expects to deliver me. He answered that as long as the water doesn't break I am expecting not to deliver you before 32 gestational if not more.

I will definitely ask him today about the fetofibronectin test.

however I am curious to know more from your experiences if any of the babies' water can break while on complete bedrest???

Thanks in advance for all your replies.

 

QUOTE(atina @ Feb 22 2009, 12:34 PM) [snapback]1200341[/snapback]
"I made it to 33wks 1 day and the boys were in the NICU for 4 weeks."

You really surprised me with your reply Mommymeg. if your babies made it to 33 weeks and they stayed 4 weeks in NICU. then mine who might be born probably at 29 weeks gestational, how long will they stay in the NICU??

On the other hand, by 33 weeks, do you mean 33 weeks gestational?

By the way your boys look awesome and very cute



My boys came home at what would have been 37 weeks gestational. Different races and sexes also have different lengths of NICU time. White boys tend to stay in the NICU the longest. If you haven't gotten steroid shots yet, you should ask for them. I really think they helped get my boys home sooner than later.

 

I second the steroid shots.

I just wanted to offer encouragement to you. I was on hospital bedrest for a long time, but it was worth. In the end we surprised everyone and made it to 36wks. It's tough being away from your home and family, hang in there!

 

QUOTE(atina @ Feb 26 2009, 01:00 AM) [snapback]1205922[/snapback]
Thank you ladies for all your supportive and inspiring replies.

I am currently at 26 weeks four days gestational. I did ask my Dr. yesterday how long does he expects to deliver me. He answered that as long as the water doesn't break I am expecting not to deliver you before 32 gestational if not more.

I will definitely ask him today about the fetofibronectin test.

however I am curious to know more from your experiences if any of the babies' water can break while on complete bedrest???

Thanks in advance for all your replies.


It seems like the stories where I hear of the water breaking on complete bedrest end up with an infection, like to the bag of waters or something. That's really the problem with being dilated is the risk of infection is so much higher. But that's also why being in the hospital is the best place you can be! I would keep an eye out for any infection "down there" you might think you have. Even a simple yeast infection can cause problems. I think that is what ultimately put me in labor after 11 weeks of bedrest, but even so, the peri still had to break baby A's bag of waters. GL!

 

Atina! Hang in there!! I know it's hard and lonely in the hospital! :hug:

 

I am also on strict hospital bedrest and this news is all very encouraging. We're currently at 25w6d.

 

Thanks again ladies :wavey: . I'm beginning to be tired of hospital. but that's nothing compared to the big blessing of having a family at last.

 

Try not to worry too much and be very strict with yourself on your bedrest. You may suprise yourself and your doctor by getting much further along than anyone expects. I was on hospital bedrest for 4 wks fully effaced and dilated to 2 with baby A's head at +1 station and the Dr. ended up having to schedule me a c-section! It's amazing what can happen with a little luck and a lot of determination. It was also kinda nice to have such a good relationship with the nurses and staff that took care of me and my babies. I felt really safe with them after a month! Good luck!

 

QUOTE(Pegs @ Mar 17 2009, 04:42 AM) [snapback]1231892[/snapback]
Try not to worry too much and be very strict with yourself on your bedrest. You may suprise yourself and your doctor by getting much further along than anyone expects. I was on hospital bedrest for 4 wks fully effaced and dilated to 2 with baby A's head at +1 station and the Dr. ended up having to schedule me a c-section! It's amazing what can happen with a little luck and a lot of determination. It was also kinda nice to have such a good relationship with the nurses and staff that took care of me and my babies. I felt really safe with them after a month! Good luck!



Thanks! and congratulations for your newborn babies.