What if baby comes at 31 weeks

Photo credit: iStock. How early can a baby be born and survive? Outlook for a baby born at 26 to 28 weeks Outlook for a baby born at 28 to 32 weeks Outlook for a baby born at 32 to 33 weeks Outlook for a baby born at 34 to just under 37 weeks. Preterm babies fall into four main categories: Extremely preterm: Babies born before 28 weeks Very preterm: Babies born between 28 weeks and 31 weeks, 6 days Moderately preterm: Babies born between 32 weeks and 33 weeks, 6 days Late preterm: Babies born between 34 and 36 weeks, 6 days Preterm babies are also categorized by how much they weigh at birth: Extremely low birth weight: Less than 2 pounds, 3 ounces 1 kg Very low birth weight: Between 2 pounds, 3 ounces 1 kg and 3 pounds, 4.

Outlook for a baby born at 26 to 28 weeks Average weight: 1 pound, 12 ounces 0. Here's what to expect: Most extremely preterm babies are born at extremely low birth weight. They look very different than full-term babies. Their skin is wrinkled and reddish-purple in color, and so thin that you can see the blood vessels underneath.

Their face and body are covered in soft hair called lanugo. They appear very thin, because they haven't had time to put on fat. Most likely, their eyes are closed and they have no eyelashes. These tiny babies have little muscle tone, and most move very little.

Almost all require treatment with oxygen, surfactant, and mechanical assistance to help them breathe. These babies are too immature to suck, swallow, and breathe at the same time, so they must be fed through a vein intravenously until they develop these skills. They often can't yet cry or you can't hear them due to the tube in their throat , and they sleep most of the day. Here's what to expect: Very preterm babies look quite similar to babies born earlier, but they're usually larger.

Most require treatment with oxygen, surfactant, and mechanical assistance to help them breathe. Some of these babies can be fed breast milk or formula through a tube threaded through their nose or mouth into the stomach, although others will need to be fed intravenously. Some of these babies can cry. They can move more, although their movements may be jerky. They can grasp a finger and turn their head from side to side. These babies can open their eyes, and they begin to stay awake and alert for short periods.

Outlook for a baby born at 32 to 33 weeks Weight: Between 3 pounds, 11 ounces 1. Here's what to expect: Moderately preterm babies usually weigh less and appear thinner than full-term babies. They can sometimes breathe on their own, and many just need supplemental oxygen to help them breathe. They can sometimes be breastfed or bottle-fed.

However, those who have breathing difficulties will probably need tube feeding. Outlook for a baby born at 34 to just under 37 weeks Weight: Between 4 pounds, 11 ounces 2 kg and 6 pounds, 7 ounces 3 kg Length: Between 17 inches 44 cm and 19 inches 48 cm Head circumference : Between 12 inches 31 cm and 13 inches 33 cm About 70 percent of preterm babies are born late preterm.

Here's what to expect: Late preterm babies may still appear thinner than full-term babies. These babies remain at higher risk than full-term babies for newborn health problems, including breathing and feeding problems, difficulties regulating body temperature, and jaundice.

These problems are usually mild, and most babies make a quick recovery. Most of these babies can be breastfed or bottle-fed, although some especially those with mild breathing problems may need tube feeding for a brief time. Because of this, no one intervention or treatment can prevent all preterm births.

Recent studies have shown that treatment with a hormone named progesterone can lower the rate of preterm birth by as much as 30—50 percent. Progesterone is a steroid hormone. Pregnant women naturally produce this hormone on their own.

Some obstetricians prescribe corticosteroids to speed up lung development and prevent other complications in growing fetuses that are at risk of being born early. When and how a fetus gets these corticosteroids in the womb is something that doctors determine on a case-by-case basis.

Early evaluation and consultation in our clinic will help you start this process. Getting medical care early on in your pregnancy will reduce your chances of having a preterm birth. Any woman who is pregnant should have an appointment during the first 12 weeks of her pregnancy, regardless of her chances of having a preterm birth.

Your first visit in the Utah Preterm Birth Prevention Clinic should take place between 10 and 18 weeks gestation. This helps doctors estimate your due date and give you a physical exam to identify risk factors, including any risks that are caused by earlier preterm deliveries. Coming to our clinic when you are 10 to 18 weeks pregnant also lets us detect any inflammation or infection. This will help us lower your chances of having another preterm birth.

You could ask your current physician for a referral to our clinic, and we would be happy to see you. For women over the age of 40 looking to get pregnant, it is important to start working with a fertility specialist sooner than later.

The treatment options available become more limited as we age, so finding the right do What You Need to Know About Fertility Treatments: Between Age 35 to 40 If you and your partner have been tying to get pregnant between 35 and 40, you may want to speak with a fertility specialist.

Very premature babies are at a higher risk of developmental problems. It is possible for babies born at 23 to 24 weeks to survive, but it is risky. Most babies born before 32 weeks, and those weighing 2. Babies born between 32 and 37 weeks may need care in a special care nursery SCN. The cause of premature birth is unknown in about half of all cases. However, some of the reasons babies are born prematurely include:. It may be possible to slow down or stop the labour.

But each day the baby stays inside your womb, the greater their chance of survival. It is best for very premature babies to be born at a hospital that has an NICU. If the hospital where the baby is born does not have an NICU, you and your baby may be transferred to another hospital. When you are in labour, you may be given medicines to stop the contractions for a while. This allows you to be transferred to another hospital if necessary.

Premature babies can be born very quickly. They will usually be born through the vagina. However, in some cases the doctor may decide it is safest to deliver the baby via caesarean.

Your doctor will discuss this decision with you. A medical team from the neonatal newborn unit will be there for the birth. As soon as your baby is born, they will care for the baby in your room, possibly using a neonatal baby resuscitation bed. The team will keep your baby warm and help them to breathe with an oxygen mask or breathing tube, and possibly medicine. Some babies need help to keep their heart beating with cardio-pulmonary resuscitation CPR or an injection of adrenalin.

Babies born at 36 to 37 weeks usually look like small full-term babies. Very premature babies will be small perhaps fitting in your hand and look very fragile. Most premature babies will develop normally, but they are at higher risk of developmental problems so will need regular health and development checks at the hospital or with a paediatrician. For example, a 6-month-old baby who was born 2 months early would have a corrected age of 4 months.

That means they may only be doing the things that other 4-month-olds do. Most paediatricians recommend correcting age when assessing growth and development until your child is 2 years old. The hospital will not send your baby home until they are confident both the baby and you are ready. Staff will make sure you understand how to care for your baby at home. They will also show you how to use any equipment you may need. You will need appointments to see a neonatologist newborn baby doctor or paediatrician.