37 weeker NICU stay possible...

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Ok so I was a NICU nurse, but the NICU I worked in was at a children's hospital so none of the babies were born there and they came to our NICU because they needed surgeries or had problems beyond what the NICU at the other hospital could care for. So the baies were all different weekers from 24 - 40+, you get the idea. But none of them were there just because of lung immaturity.

Ok, so I am 37 weeks tomorrow, this is my first baby, I am 25 years old, I am being induced Sunday night because I may have Cholestasis but the tests take a while to come back and it is best to deliver before 38 weeks to reduce risk of stillbirth. So my question is how often do you all see 37 weekers in the NICU for lung issues. WHat type of outcomes do you usually see? what is the normal length of stay? Are they usually just o2 support or vented, ect? I am worried esp becuase he is a boy and I have read white baby boys are the slowest to mature their lungs. I am also scared to death to end up a c-section cause of the induction, but that is a whole seperate issue. My main concern is for the baby.

99% fine considered full term where I work and go home with mom.

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Specializes in MedSurg-1yr, MotherBaby-6yrs NICU 4/07.

At our hospital babies have to be 35 weeks and 4#8oz to go to the term nursery. Rarely does a 37 weeker go to NICU for resp issues. Really no more than any other term baby. At that point it is more of the transition to the extrauterine environment that sometimes causes respiratory problems vs. actual immaturity of the fetal lung. When we do have a 35+ weeker in NICU for respiratory problems it is for TTN (transitional tachypnea of the newborn - it's temporary and rarely needs anything more than several hours monitoring and some blowby O2 PRN.)

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Thanks for all the responses. Liam was born healthy and happy on April 7th! He decided to come on his own rather than have mama be induced, such a sweet little boy ;). But yeah, no resp problems at all. Did have jaundice from ABO incapability but was under bili lights in my room with me and his daddy, so no NICU stay! He is all good now.

Thanks again for the replies

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Congratulations!

Thank you so much for taking the time to post and let us know about your baby's healthy arrival!

There is nothing so gratifying to a NICU nurse than to know that a baby and family do NOT need our care.

Enjoy your precious bundle!

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Congratulations! So glad you weren't induced or sectioned. Enjoy him!

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Congrats!!! I'll be having a scheduled c-section between 36/37 weeks so i'm in the same "wondering boat" that you were in. Glad everything turned out well, and enjoy your little baby boy.

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Specializes in NICU.
Thanks for all the responses. Liam was born healthy and happy on April 7th! He decided to come on his own rather than have mama be induced, such a sweet little boy ;). But yeah, no resp problems at all. Did have jaundice from ABO incapability but was under bili lights in my room with me and his daddy, so no NICU stay! He is all good now.

Thanks again for the replies

Congratulations on your new little boy! It's wonderful that they were able to do the bili lights in your room - most of the time kids have to be in the nursery for that. Sounds like your hospital was very family friendly. :)

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