Babies born at 38 weeks?

[Jaylynne]

Mine was born at 32 weeks and came home when he would have been 35 1/2 weeks gestation. He's a white boy too . I know your short maternity leave sucks but it's better safe than sorry.

 

[AP]

I get that your maternity leave is short but its seriously not worth contemplating going against what nature intends. I get that it is "term" but its better to wait til it's his time It is true that boys mature slower than girls however.

 

[AngelUK]

My twins were born by elective c-section at 37 weeks. They had a tiny little bit of jaundice but didn't need light therapy, other than a bit of sunlight when we got home. They were fine otherwise with a weight that would have been good and healthy even in a singleton. xx

 

[Housecat]

My DD decided to be born at 38+5 and she was fine! She had slight jaundice, but didn't need anything for it

 

[midori1999]

Well, only my first child was born at term. (due date) Subsequent babies (not including my extremely premature twin girls, born at 24 weeks who we sadly lost) were:

38 weeks, boy, 10lb, absolutely fine
37+3, boy, 6lb 14oz, Downs Syndrome, but absolutely fine
37+6, girl, absolutely fine, despite me having had gestational diabetes.

However, I went into labour naturally with all of them, which obviously means they were ready to be born. Babies that are born after 37 weeks, but induced or delivered by c-section are much more likely to have problems than babies where the Mum goes spontaneously into labour, if delivered 'artificially' at 37 weeks then they could have actually not been ready to be born for another 5 whole weeks. that's a lot!

I speak from experience when I say that nothing you do will induce labour. I tried everything with my first, long walks, bumpy car rides, sex, hot curry. Heck, I even went on a fairground the day before my due date! Much better to just relax and wait, because sure as anything, once that baby is out, you'll wish it was back inside so you could get some rest!

 

[maria2611]

My son was born at 38 weeks and he was fine, just had a little bit of jaundice on day 3 and had one day of light therapy.

 

[SabrinaKat]

Finn was born at 36wks, so a bit earlier than you (due to my pre-eclampsia), he spent 13 days in NICU (C-pak for wet on lungs, which appears normal in emergency c-section) for two days and then ten days feeding slowly/sleepy, but we changed to larger teat and he was home the next day), so came home at 38wks -- he was 6lbs. 11 oz at birth, so big-ish and developmentally is on target for chronological age (except for tummy time), in fact, HV was here today -- pleased with how he is thriving, weight gain, socialisation, etc., so please do not worry! Also, it IS better than you are resting now as even if LO has to spend a day or two in neonatal, YOU need some rest and recuperation!

best wishes

 

[babyhopes2010]

Its better for them to be born within few days of due date. But at 38 weeks babies are usually fine x

 

[bellaxgee]

i was induced at 38 weeks exactly and alexa was perfectly fine and home with me 2 days later. they did do many scans first before they began the induction to make sure she was ready.

 

[whit.]

I know that it's unfortunate about your maternity leave but you really should weigh your options. Is it worth the possibility of something being wrong?

I think your body will let it happen when it's suppose to anyway, I don't think there's much you can do to really induce yourself.

 

[smiler123]

Our first was 38 weeks and a very healthy 7lb7oz he was perfectly fine. With our 2nd I started all the usual things to encourage like curries and walking etc and nothing worked and baby arrived at 41+4. I think baby will only arrive when ready, no eviction methods will work if they are not (in my opinion)

 

[happythought]

Had my son at 38+6 but I was induced. I know the last few weeks are so difficult but you will forget it all when you are holding your baby:0)

 

[tallrach]

I had my LO naturally at 38 +4 weeks. He weighed 8lb 4oz and was fine. Glad he came early as he might have hit 9lb if I had gone full term.

 

[stardust599]

My LO was 38.2 and induced. She was low birth weight, 5lb8, and was also in hospital with jaundice that wouldnt clear. She had severe colic and reflux throughout her first year. And was also behind in development and had a weak immune system. All problems were because she wasnt ready and had an immature digestive system. Many babies are ready and come at 38wks but please dont risk it as yours could be one of the babies who isnt ready and suffers many problems. You cant turn back the clock if baby isnt ready X

 

[TigerLils]

I was induced at 38weeks because of GD and it was the worst thing to happen to me and LO. The labour was extremely difficult becaue neither LO nor my body was ready and although LO was mostly fine after the very long labour, her heart rate failed badly during later stages of labour because she wasn't keen on coming out. She had bad jaundice and was very unresponsive for a few days after birth and it was heartbreaking to see her like this.

I know most of the little home 'labour-inducing' techniques don't tend to work but personally I wouldn't risk it because like many pps have said when LO is ready LO will come.

I'm not saying this to be mean or to scare you but I remember when I was 37 weeks pregnant I would have done anything to get LO out because I had such a horrible pregnancy and I never thought there could be any problems because LO was measuring on time (and a bit ahead actually) and I naively assumed the 37weeks meant LO was 'cooked'.

I know situation doesn't sound ideal for you with your maternity leave being so short but you will be pleased to have your LO healthy and well in your arms and I know you would never forgive yourself if labour induction worked and LO wasn't fully ready. But I understand wanting LO here sonner rather than later,

 

[Mrs_X]

i had charlie 37+0 and he was fine, but i had PROM at 36+5 and had to be drip induced x

 

[Green Lady]

There is some evidence to suggest that babies born around that time may have a higher chance of health problems and asthma later in life. Babies will come when they come, but if I had a choice I personally wouldn't risk it. Every week in the womb is important and their lungs are still developing at that stage. I didn't have high BP but I know how uncomfortable that last phase of pregnancy is, and I can't blame you for wanting it to end! Just hang in there though, your little guy will be here before you know it.

 

[michelle1985]

All 3 of mine I have had between 36-38 weeks I have been induced with all 3 (well an arm induction were they just break your waters) all 3 were bbetween 6 lb and 7lb and Perfectly healthy my daughter who I had at 36+3 came out of hospital 7 hours after giving birth walking round asda with her

 

[Angharad87]

My George was born at 37+6 after my waters broke early on their own 3 day before. He couldn't breastfeed for 3 weeks (or wouldn't, whichever) and I think it's cos he was too small/weak to feed. He was very, very close to being under the UV lights as he was pretty jaundiced, but fortunately we avoided that (had us moved to a bed with a window while the drs were uhming and aahing). He is now about to be checked for a floppy larynx which I'm told is due to an immaturity issue. Other than that he's strong and happy and healthy. I don't know if these would have happened even of he was born to term though.

 

[Clo]

My lo was born at 37+5 (went into labour naturally but had to have a c-section as he was breech) and he was 8lb 3oz and absolutely fine.

I also had sky high bp, gestational diabetes and a lot of pelvic pain...plus mega heartburn and pain in my ribs as lo was breech and his head was wedged right up under my ribs so I know how it feels to want baby out asap x