Pregnancy Info HOME

CodyKatie5, I'm sorry to hear of your loss, and I can only imagine how nervous you're getting as your due date draws nearer. I can understand your reluctance at taking your baby out too soon, but in reality a baby born anytime past 37 weeks is considered term. Therefore, at 38 weeks, the lungs should be fully developed, and if not there would probably only be minor help needed to breathe. Due to suspected growth restriction, I as well had to make the decision to have my baby earlier than I'd expected. My dd was born at 36w6d, and had no problems with her lungs whatsoever. I'd actually spoken to my OB about the lung issue a couple weeks prior to her birth, and he said that they don't even give steroids to mature the lungs past 33 or 34 weeks. If your ob just wants to do the amnio to make sure the baby's lungs are mature enough, but won't be doing anything other than waiting another week to do your c-section, I'd just go ahead and have your section at 38 weeks. I know for me, that because of the suspected growth restriction, there was potentially a greater chance of stillbirth, and it wasn't a risk I was willing to take. For the sake of a few days or a week (at this stage of pregnancy), I just decided to go for it! Does your dr. think that you're at risk of a stillbirth again, or was last year's incident isolated?

My first baby's stillbirth was caused by the cord being wrapped around her neck 3 times, and once around her whole body. I wasn't in labor or anything...she just passed away in my sleep. She was in a breech position which is why I had a c-section (and I also didn't want to have labor induced to deliver a dead,breech baby). With this pregnancy I am being VERY closely monitored (weekly u/s combined with twice weekly NST) for peace of mind. She's doing very well. If I do the amnio at 38 weeks and her lungs are developed, they would do a c-section then. But if her lungs are not developed, they will obviously wait until 39 weeks. I have heard that girls lungs statistically develop faster than boys. I'm also factoring in other issues. I am hoping to VBAC if she gets into a head down position. She probably won't settle into her birth position for another few weeks, but if she gets head down, I will most likely wait it out a little longer (provided her NSTs and u/s look good). If she decides to be breech like her sis though, I will be a little more anxious to get her out since I will know that a VBAC is out of the question then.

cody - I am so sorry for your loss! I think if I was in that situation I would just have the c-section !! My first baby was c - sec do to drop heart rate so I scheduled a c- sec for the second and my doc said that that usually schedule the c-sec at 38 weeks to reduce risk for the uterus. My daugther was perfectly fine. I am also scheduling this one for Feb 16th.

How did you know that your daughter was stillborn? Did she just stop moving? Did you feel like something was wrong? How as it discovered?

The reason I am asking is because I have been having bad anxiety lately thinking that the cord will be around hs neck and I wont have a clue and then his little life will be lost. I dont know why I am freaking like this!! It didnt even cross my mind with my first two! I just want him out asap safely so I know he is ok!! How far where you when your sweet lil angel passed?

So sorry for your loss, i cannot imagine. I have the same questions as breezieb. I had a 4d ultrasound at 32 weeks and the cord was right up there by her face. Needless to say i have been worried ever since.

Why is your doc concerned about her lungs not being developed at 38 weeks? I was induced at 38 weeks and my daughter was very healthy at birth.

Breezie-I was 40w4d when I lost my daughter. We discovered she was breech on my due date and I was scheduled to have a c-section the following week (doc was out of town that week). I woke up on Saturday morning not feeling any movement, and after not feeling ANYTHING for an hour, I just knew something was wrong. Mother's instinct. I went to L&D to get checked out, and they couldn't find a HB...then confirmed it w/an u/s. We didn't know until delivery that the cord was wrapped around her neck 3 times. I really want to have a VBAC for this baby simply because I feel like I was "robbed" of the birthing process. I associate my c-section w/my first delivery which obviously was not good. I recovered fine from my c-section, but I just want to experience that process of birth. There really is such a minimal risk for uterine rupture, especially with the type of incision I had and the fact that my c-section was pretty much elective (due to baby position). In my opinion, most repeat c-sections are due more to doctor's convenience than genuine health concerns. I also have a genetic mutation which makes my blood more susceptible to a blood clot after surgery, so that's also why I'm hoping not to have to have a c-section.

Newbaby- My doc is concerned about taking her out at 38 weeks because it would be a c-section, not an induction. Labor itself and the passing through the vaginal canal helps get all the fluid out of baby's lungs, whereas they don't get that chance w/a scheduled c-section. Most current statistics believe it is best for a baby to come out at 39 weeks by c-section.

If I can say anything to ease your fears about the cord: My high risk doctor says that 25% of all healthy babies born have the cord around their neck once at delivery. So it's pretty common. They become concerned when it is 2 or more times around as that can deplete their blood and oxygen flow. I have had 2 u/s in my 3rd tri so far. I actually get one every week now and I ask them to make sure the cord is not wrapped more than once around her neck. As of now, it's just floating by her head, but is not wrapped around it. I'm sure your babies are ok, but Breezie, follow your instinct if it's that strong. Doctors are hired FOR you. They work for you. If you want an u/s to check, I would kindly explain my concerns to my doc. Hopefully they would be willing to accomodate you. :)

CodyKatie5, I hope that you get to do your VBAC after all. I had a c-section with my first (when they took him out, the cord was loosely around his neck once, so it probably was a good thing that he didn't go through the birth canal), and was hoping for a VBAC the second time around. Since the dr. suspected growth restriction and I couldn't be induced (because of my previous c-section), I ended up having my dd via c-section at 36w6d. You're correct about the fluid and mucous being squeezed out via the birth canal, but from my experience this time around, dd didn't have any issues with her lungs or excess fluid and mucous and she wasn't quite term. I think you need to go with your gut. The likelihood of there being any problems with your baby's lungs at 38 weeks is so slight, but I completely understand your wanting a VBAC, especially given your clotting disorder. Hopefully, your baby will make the decision for you, and come at 38 weeks without a section or being induced!!!

Cody - Thank you for the info! I am going to request a u/s! I really hope you get your vbac! I know what you are saying about feeling like you miss out on the process with a c-section! But in the end as long as baby is health!!! I will say a prayer for you!

I am also wondering about the amnio. I am a type 1 diabetic and have been told that they will not let me go to term. My situation is that I actually have 3 doctors on my case because of the high risk. My regular ob wants an amnio done at 36 weeks to check for lung development... if everything is good he'll have me have the baby then. If the lungs arent developed he wants another amnio done at 37 weeks. I am not too happy at the thought of two procedures. Another ob at the hosptial where I will deliver wants me to only have one at 37 because the lungs will most definitely be developed then. Neither are really helping with the whole csection verses vaginal delivery though. I think it will depend on several factors; the baby's position, length of labor fo me (I doubt they will want a diabetic in too long of a labor), and the size of the baby as diabetics are known for big babies. I obviously would prefer vaginal, but I guess I will just take it as it rolls. I have asked previously if it was possible for me to have the baby when I go into natural labor if it is a healthy size and was told no due to higher risk of fetal death in diabetics.