5 weeks early?

The last couple of days I've been having some real contractions. Not BH. It only happens when I'm up walking around for more than a few minutes. For the most part I've been taking it easy but I'm a mom and wife, and thus I can't just lay around all day for the next 5 weeks lol (although it would be nice).

At this point it's generally considered safe for the baby to come... but what could I expect? I plan to ask my doc at my next appointment, but that's not for another week. She'd just be a little on the skinny side, right? No NICU?

I've not been there yet, but I know at my last appt(I'm a little behind you) the doctor mentioned that the baby was a good size(she is 5.5lbs) so that if she came now, she would be okay but would have to stay in NICU for a little while for her age.  I think the concern at this stage(even at your stage) is the lungs maturity.  If the baby is doing okay, they might just keep them for a few days til they can keep themselves warm...otherwise it is just so that the organs are mature enough I believe. 

The only thing my dr. mentioned was after 34 weeks they wouldn't try to stop my little one from coming (I am 35 and 2 days).  Approx 35 weeks is when lungs typically mature enough to not require alot of breathing help; however, every baby of course is different.  The only experience information I have about this is my nephew was born at 34 weeks.  He spent four days in the NICU and went home and had no complications.    He was a little shy of four pounds and that is what he had to be before they would release him...So he went home with Mom for the most part.  His lungs were not as strong as a 40 weeker, but were strong enough to do it on his own.  He did require more shots during his first year than others, but other than that he is a spit fire four year old now.  Hope this helps...and you and your little one are doing well...

Thanks-Stacey

My son was born at 35 weeks. Had grunting(breathing issues). Had his right lung collapse and had pnemonia and then jaundice. Had issues keeping sugars normal. He was in NICU 7 days and still had some issues at home. When he was born he was 7 pounds 3 ounces so size was not the issue. That being said I have always gone through contractions from about 29-30 weeks on with all 3 of my kids. My oldest born 3 days early middle was 5 weeks early and Hayvann was 3 weeks early so contractions can just keep going as long as they are not getting worse and regular just keep drinking rest when you can and put your feet up when you can

jayson was a 35 weeker... healthy .. no nicu time... 6 lb 1 oz..

Lung maturity at this point is the big one...

My daughter was 38 weeks/1 day and was perfect.  My son was 38 weeks/5 days and spent 2 weeks in NICU, 1 week on oxygen.  My dr. did say boys lungs mature slower than girls.  Girls lungs are usually ready a week earlier than boys lungs. 

Debbie

I think it depends on the baby, I have a friend who had twin girls at exactly 35 weeks and they came home with her, never saw the inside of NICU. My 37 weeker was in the NICU for 11 days because his lungs where not ready and he had issues clearning them after birth. SO you just never know. I would take it easy and be careful, every day you keep her in the better.

I agree with pp that it really depends on the baby.  With that said I will share my experience with a bigger preemie. 

It is true that they typically will not stop labor when you are after 34 weeks, but I suppose anything can happen.  I went into labor with my son at 33w 5d and they did give me mag sulfate in an attempt to stop labor.  It slowed labor enough for me to get steriod shots to help mature his lungs.  My son ended up being born at exactly 34 weeks.  He had apnea for the first night and required oxygen for about 2 days.  After that he remained in the hospital for another 4 days because he was jaundice.  Now the hospital he was born at they don't have a NICU.  He was in what they called a special care nursery.  I was informed they were able to take care of bigger preemies, breathing problems, etc.  If there was something more serious he would have been taken by ambulance to children's hospital. 

Hope this helps.  Best of luck to you!!

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I want to keep her in for as long as possible! I'd feel more comfortable with her coming 2-3 weeks early, but not so much with 5.

Do you think it would do any good for me to take the day off work tomorrow and relax at home? I mean, if it's just going to keep her from coming out tomorrow then it wouldn't be much good because I can't do that every day.

You never know. At 40 weeks they can go to the NICU. At 36 weeks they can go to the NICU, or at 36 weeks they can be totally normal. But to reassure you, if they were the real thing, they would be regular and not stop, get closer together, dilate you and you would deliver. But since they are stopping, that's a good sign that it's not the real thing yet. You're probably getting ready. If you have more than 6 an hour, it's a good idea to go ahead and go to L&D to be checked.