At what gestation would YOU want YOUR baby saved?

nekhismom · Apr 24, 2004

Isn't it funny what a difference a day can make??

I say if it was MY kid, NO WAY at 23 weeks. Yet, I had a pt. who had a 23 weeker, and I see how badly she is upset by her baby's illnesses. She tries so hard to be strong, but when looking into her eyes, I can see her pain. *sigh* I just wish there was some magic trick to make it all better, ya know??

I definately think it's better to nurse the premie than to nurse the premie's mom. THe premie doesn't have all the sadness and the sense of failure that the mom has.

It's definately a very gray area, as others have said. But I stick by my original statement.

neominder · Jun 11, 2004

annasmomrntobe said:
just a question, is there a gestational age where you are required to do everything you can, no matter what the parent says? for example, if the child was born at 38 weeks and needed a ventilator? could the parent say no?

In az if the infant is >24 weeks and makes any attempt to breathe we have to resusitate. which then leaves the parents the terrible decision of withdrawing support if the damage we have done is great. I wouldn't want to go to the hospital under 26 weeks. but I luckily will not have to make that decision, I had 3 healthy full term kids! and I don't plan on anymore.

NICUhopeful87 · Jun 11, 2004

I was born at 24-25 weeks at 1.10 lbs, in 1987 in Baltimore, MD; and i turned out perfectly normal and healthy. And the fact that i was born so early is one of the reasons i'd like to work in NICU.

Mags4711, RN · Jun 19, 2004

What a tough question. NICUhopeful87 you are a rare case, indeed. But a great success story to hear! I am going to guess that you are female? Makes a huge difference. Boys are generally wimpier. EGA save for me? Likely not below 29-30wks. Not with Gr II or above, certainly not with CDH (and premie), Left Hypoplast, Gastroschesis. I am sure there are others. It is so painful to watch and to do what we do every day to some of the poor babies.

Faith

Energizer Bunny · Jun 19, 2004

It won't ever be an issue with me since I am done having babies, but I have to say 28 weeks, unless one born sooner was doing EXCEPTIONALLY well....

I am of the mind that God has His reasons for everything and would put it firmly in His hands.

mac23 · Jun 19, 2004

I don't think you ever know what you'd do until you are in the situation. I didn't think I'd want heroic measures done to save a 23 weeker but when I was faced with it with my own child, the thought to not save her never crossed my mind and I'd been working NICU long enough to know what the odds were. Also factor in how your husband/family feels and it's not cut and dry about what to do. I wouldn't change a thing about our decision to save our daughters life.

nurseiam · Jun 20, 2004

I don't think that anyone really knows until they are in that situation. And you have to remember that term or closer to it does not mean the baby is not at risk. I have a 37 week IUGR that is developmentally delayed. They knew I had a grade 3 placenta from 29 week. Over the next 8 weeks she only gained 2 pounds. I was never given a choice and I didn't know what the out come could be. A baby can regrow lung tissue, brain damage lasts a lifetime!

My friends daughter was a healthy term baby, at a year she started to limp...she has CP!

You just never know!

anglenwhiteshoes · Jun 21, 2006

It would really depend on the situation....

My cousin just had a baby boy at 24 weeks, and he is doing OUTSTANDING.... no vent.... and looks great! So... I think it really depends on the situation.

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jun 21, 2006

fergus51 said:
Depends on the situation (how long was I ruptured, did I get steroids, what were the apgars...). I would probably say 26 weeks.
DEFINITELY not 22-23 weeks. It should be a criminal offense to torture those children the way we do. I work on them when the parents choose it, because it is their choice and not mine, but I would NEVER let my child be treated at that gestation.

This makes me very sad. I had a 23w/480gm daughter. They did give me the choice of what to do. They also told me the possible outcomes. She is not a happily ever after story, but she is a joy. She has CP, she had bleeds, and got NEC. I watched her code twice, they did it right in front of me. I wouldn't take it back either. She has a lot of challenges and so does our family. But she has brought my husband and myself closer together. She is progressing along her own curve. Since I have a preemie, I have met a lot of people who have preemies. There are a lot of 24 weekers who do just fine. For this reason I have chosen to want to be in the NICU. I want to support the parents in their decision whichever it may be and care for that 23-24 weeker. I believe that the choice to go all out on these little ones should be on a case by case basis. There should not be a black and white. JMHO

fergus51 · Jun 22, 2006

I'm sorry my comment made you sad and I am glad your daughter has been a blessing in your life RNNow. I have looked after plenty of those babies and I do support the parents in their choice because like I said in that old post, it is THEIR choice and not mine. I even became the primary nurse for a family with a 23 weeker who insisted on treatment despite the docs telling them it was a lost cause (she did survive and her parents love her to bits). I agree with you that the decision to rescucitate should be black and white for someone else's baby, but the question was what would I want. I've been in the NICU for a few years and I still would never want MY baby treated at 22 or 23 weeks. I've seen too much and it breaks my heart.

t2000JC · Jun 22, 2006

Anyone know how the George Bush Born Alive Protection Act works into this? Thanks!

overlyrn · Jun 22, 2006

As the mother of a 27 weeker, now a healthy and beautiful 10 yr old, I can't really give a number, but I know that my husband and I were very blessed to have our daughter grow up with very little effects from her rocky start.