Please complete this hypothetical, preemie discussion:

[StressedDad2Be]

I appreciate the numerous replies I've gotten on my original thread from the nursing professionals on this board. Thanks everyone. I'm very curious to hear some honest replies based on 1st hand experience to the following, hypothetical conversation.

You: So there's a mom that was just admitted with pre-term labor?

Co-worker: Yes

You: How many weeks?

Co-worker: She's X weeks along

You: Oh, that's not bad at all. We seldom have any problems with preemies born at X weeks, they almost always turn out perfectly fine and can go home with mom right away.

You: In fact, as long as they're at least Y weeks along they usually turn out just fine...although they may have a few minor bumps in the road the first week or two (with a short stay in the NICU just to be sure).

So, in your opinion, what is X and Y?

[SmilingBluEyes]

guilt is a common thing, yes. I felt enormous guilt when my water broke at 33 weeks. I had to be convinced I did nothing wrong. And that took doing. GREAT point, prmenrs.

[riern]

The problem here is that we never know. I've seen a 32 weeker come out screaming, pink, perfect except for being tiny and needing to grow(mom had several shots of celestone)...and I've seen a full term 39 weeker come out and end up in NICU for a month. There are no definites here.....the only person who knows what will happen with your baby and any other baby is God.

The birth of a baby is a true miracle in every sense of the word and I'm afraid the easy answer your looking for isn't here.

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

I'm going to have to agree here. There is no definate X and Y answer.A nurse or doctor that tells you diferent is no good.

I've seen both ends of the spectrum as well. 34 weekers that go home with mom and 36 weekers that take a month to get it together. A baby is delivered when it needs to be delivered. Be it for mom, baby or both. I would take comfort in knowing that a planned delivery is well controlled and everyone knows what to expect so hopefully it goes smooth and the baby is by the book.

[Mimi2RN, ASN, RN]

From my experience, what I have seen in my particular hospital,my "X" here is 34 weeks and my "Y" is 33. To me that fits the bill--33 weekers almost always turn out fine, albeit with a short stay in the NICU. Most of our 34 weekers are in the NICU for only a day or so. I had a 34 week/1 day baby last weekend who was in the NICU for all of 3 hours. And then I have my own personal experience with my own children who were 34 weekers who went home with me right away when I was discharged.

Of course, I feel obliged to say, StressedDadtoBe, that (and you know this of course) we can't ever be certain until baby is out. Sadly, there are some cases where even 36 weekers(or more) have trouble. But, from my experience, we barely blink anymore at 34-35 weeks.

In my experience, any 34 weeker that is able to go home with mom is probably closer to 36 weeks.

Also, the clueless 36 week twins we had for three weeks were probably 34 weekers. BTW, that c/s was for "term twins in labor".

That couple of weeks either way can make quite a difference!