Whats the youngest baby you've seen survive???

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2003

The youngest possible, physically, is about 23 weeks. Any earlier than that and the organs just are NOT developed enough for the baby to be viable at all. Even 23 weekers, though, need tremendous intervention and many (not all, but I'd guess that a good majority of them) suffer long-term developmental and physical disabilities. At that point, even a single day can make a huge difference in their outcome. Please don't fret over the horror stories other people tell you- this board is perhaps not the best place for a pregnant mom to be! Try to stay calm, stress-free, and please take care of yourself. I hope everything goes well for you and that you deliver a healthy baby! Congratulations!

SHELLYBELLYRN · Mar 12, 2003

Well, I'm not an OB/NICU nurse, but my friend delivered at 26 weeks and has a beautiful 2-year-old now. Only lasting complication is some trouble with her vision. She had several eye surgeries when still in NICU. Now she just wears glasses. Very lucky little girl!

AlaskaKat · Mar 12, 2003

I am also about 21 weeks along with my 2nd, and as with my first am entering my least favorite part of pregnancy. Being an ex NICU nurse and currently in L&D I have seen too many problems with really early babies. I will sigh a breath of relief when I hit 28 weeks. But, to answer the question I have seen 23 weekers survive but have also seen 23 weekers not survive. The ones that do that young almost always have long term complications. There is the occasional miracle baby" that is that young and makes it through unscathed. Congratulations!

RN2B2005 · Mar 12, 2003

A couple that my husband and I know socially had twin boys delivered at 23 weeks due to placenta abruptio. The boys weighed 1 lb. 11 oz. and 1 lb. 3 oz., which is positively insane.

They were in the NICU for about four months, and then went home. They both had some bleeding in the brain, but had lots of physical therapy and other intervention. One twin is legally blind, but besides that, no mental deficits are apparent, and they're approaching 4 years old now. They're wonderful, happy, playful boys.

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2003

The difference between 23, 24 and 25 weeks is amazing, don't you guys think?

DeniseLDRN · Mar 13, 2003

Hi there to all!

I am a mother of twin boys that were born at 28 weeks gestation and they are doing just fine, other than some behavior problems and learning disabilities. I was always under the impression that babies born at 21-24 week would not survive, or would be severely disabled. This year I joined a parent support group called PREEMIE CHILD, and I was very shocked to find out how many 21-25 weekers there were, and that they were not disabled at all. I know of 3-4 people in our support group that have children that were born at 21-22 weeks, and they are doing just fine.

:cool:

Respectfully

Deniseldrn

CraftyLPN · Mar 13, 2003

i work w/ pair of twins who were born about 23 weks early... I think g'ma said they weighed about 1lb 5oz.........wow you should see them now.so big....:)

Cheerio · Mar 13, 2003

24wks is the youngest I've heard of. He's now doing wonderful.

emily_mom · Mar 13, 2003

The earliest I've seen is 23 wk 1 day. My twin nephews were born at 28 weeks. Ben was 3 lb 2 oz and Sam was 2 lb 7 oz. They stayed in NICU for 6 weeks and seem to be OK (they are 16 months). They say some words but were late to walk. Love them to death...

Kristy

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2003

DeniseLDRN,

The 21 week babies were probably 23+ weekers who's mom's were off on the dates. 21 weeks can't survive. Unless I'm mistaken, they don't even have alveoli.

Texagain · Mar 13, 2003

My specialty hospital has had about three 22+ week survivors. They are not 'healthy' babies. I myself have a boy who was 23.5 weeks, 1 1/2 lbs., now 5 without any deficits. We were VERY fortunate.