Preterm birth and hospital stay

[worried2451]

I was at the hospital today for my non-stress test which went great. When I was talking to the nurse I asked about the length of stay in the hospital if I did deliver early now at 35 weeks. She said usually a baby will have to stay until the due date. Wow, that seemed really long to me, isn't 37 weeks considered full term? Anyone have experience with this? How long did your baby stay in the hospital? For what reason did the baby stay?

[worried2451]

Thanks everyone! I thought that nurse must be off her rocker! LOL!

[mum2beagain]

My first son was born at 32 weeks, he came home 2 weeks and 5 days after his birth. My second was born at 37 weeks, we went home 2 days later.
What is important is that the baby has stable oxygen levels, can feed and stay warm enough with out intervention from a medical team.

[SoCalTricia]

Ian was born at exactly 36 weeks, and we went home together after two days.

[waitn838]

i had my daughter at 32 weeks....she spent 15 days in nicu and came home....

the only issue we had was she had issues maintaining her body temp

[trying43]

I had a friend who had her son at 35 weeks, he only stayed 5 days because he had a little trouble feeding at first.

[pertykitty]

i dont know why that nurse would say that!  i had my second child at 34 weeks and we went home after my 3 day post c section stay.  she never needed oxy or any other treatment other than lights for a day or so with jaundice.

my third was born a few days earlier than my previous at 34 weeks and the only reason she stayed for 3.5 weeks is she has down syndrome and had a heart defect and had trouble eating.  not typical with most babies.  

there is no set time a baby must stay.  if they are able to keep their body temps regulated and can eat and breath without problems they can go home!  talk to your ob, that nurse seems to have her info mixed up and isnt a reliable source lol.  

there is the chance a baby born before 37 weeks could need oxygen or other help if they arent ready, but that isnt a done deal!  hang in there and stay positive!