I’ve been in the hospital for a week now, and have to stay until I deliver baby. (Severe preeclampsia) They are hoping I make it to 34 weeks. I have had 2 sets of steroid injections to help baby’s lungs, and was on a magnesium drip to help prevent seizures in myself, and help the baby’s brain development. Baby is estimated to weigh over 4 pounds as of last week, and we have 2 weeks until delivery. How was the NICU stay? What should I prepare for? This is my 3rd child and first time experiencing all of this. The Neonatologists have come and talked to me, but one said I should prepare for baby to be in the NiCU for 2 months, the other doctor (who has worked over 30 years at this hospital) has told me they are hopeful she will only need 2 weeks. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!
My baby was born 31 weeks and was in the nicu for 2 months and has hydrocephalus
My babe was born at 34 weeks. I had preeclampsia. His lungs were under developed. He was born with meningitis, pulmonary artery stenosis, and was septic. A 2 weeks NICU stay and we were home! It’s hard and in the beginning it feels like it’s never going to get better but I promise it does!
My niece was born at 34 weeks and went home 2 days after she was born. My mom was born at 41 weeks and spent a week in nicu. Everything is based off the baby and how baby is doing. Just listen to your baby’s team and stay positive.
My daughter was born at 26 weeks, 2 pounds 12 ounces, and my nicu was AMAZING!!!
My situation was pretty much identical. Spent 2 weeks in the hospital with severe pre-e, was induced right at 34 weeks, gave birth at 34 weeks 1 day. Baby was 4lbs 14oz and spent 17 days in NICU. He was slightly jaundice and was on a low dose of room air for a few days. Most of our time there was feed related.
My daughter was born at 34 weeks,I had a lot of complications go on through my pregnancy and I was at the hospital for a week before I delivered her. She spent about 3 weeks in the NICU and not gonna lie it was difficult but! The staff was absolutely amazing and I knew she was in great hands! If you go home before your baby gets to never be afraid to call them, I called consistently and felt so reassured everything was moving in the right direction. They never made me feel bad about calling to check on her. Biggest thing is being patient with yourself and try to relax the best you can. My daughter is 8 months now and doing absolutely fantastic!
My 35wker weighing in at 5lbs was in the NICU for 6 days. My 33wker weighing in at 4lbs was in the NICU for 20 days. It just depends on their breathing, holding their body temp, eating, and gaining weight. They need to do all those things on their own in order to go home. As long as there is no other health issues, I don’t see a 2 month stay, but it’s best to be prepared. It will be very hard to leave the hospital without baby no matter how short their NICU stay is. 
My son was born at 28 weeks. 2lbs 11 oz and 16 in long. We got 2 rounds of steroids and magnesium before delivery. His NICU stay was 54 days and he was actually home a month before his due date. I was told that this isn’t typical though and most babies are expected to stay in the NICU until their due dates. Some come home earlier, some later but the due date is the marker they aim for.
We spent 180 days, about 6 months in the NICU before coming home with my 2nd child. We were at 2 different children’s hospitals so the staff and hospitals were amazing. You just take it one day at a time.
Every baby is different, both my girls were 33 week preemies. My first only spent 6 days in the NICU while her little sister spent 31. The staff really were amazing, the hardest part will be the first time you have to leave the hospital without them but just remind yourself they’re in safe hands and being monitored 24/7. You both got this
My water broke at 31 & 6 I stayed in the hospital until they induced me at 34 weeks. We didn’t have any nicu stay. He was 5.5 & came home with me.
It’s possible baby will get to come home sooner if she is doing well. My twins were born the day they hit 34 weeks and one was 4lb 14oz and was released after 3 days and the other was 4lb 9oz and was released after 5 days.
My son was born at 31 weeks weighing in at exactly 3 lbs. He was delivered 22 hrs after our first steroid shot. He was released 30 days after his birth. He had issues with asthma and his legs formed a bit funny(severely duck footed now.) He was extremely small for a long time, like 5th percentile or smaller. He is now almost 11 and is 5’4” and 130lbs. Still has minor respiratory issues.
My 11yr old was born at 34 weeks and spent 14 days in the NICU. I went in twice a day to breast feed/drop off milk then spent his last night there with him and was able to bring him home the next morning
We spent 3months in nicu and I found it really hard mentally. I had my boy at 30+2, I found they kept moving the goal posts on me which I found super hard because to get through it I set goals I.e reach a certain weight to come out of the incubator etc. My best advice is to join a nicu group, in new Zealand it’s NZ NICU, SCBU and NNU parents support group because they’ve all been through it at various gestations and health issues too, they were my lifeline.
My daughter was born at 33 weeks. My water broke 1 week prior but they tried to keep her in as long as possible! So I was staying at the hospital for that period of time as well. She was a little under 4lbs. Her nicu stay was only 3 weeks! She had jaundice for a while and needed to be able to eat on her own. She’s been healthy ever since!
I had my little one at 34 weeks and he only stayed for 2 weeks they said until he becomes at least 2 kilos
He was born at 1.7
My daughter was born at 31+0 she spent 6 weeks in the nicu to grow. Your hospital will have someone come in and speak with you about what you can expect during your nicu stay
My twins were born at 32 weeks after I stayed a month in the hospital. They were in the NICU for 2 months. They have to gain a certain amount of weight before they leave, be able to be out of the warming basket things, and able to eat a certain amount on a specific schedule. If you plan to breast feed them you will have to work with a lactation specialist because babies that small have small mouths abd you will have to pump milk until they can figure out how to feed on their own. Plan to be there to visit for lots of skin on skin time and feedings if you plan on breast feeding. Also look into if the have help for gas money and free parking options or places to stay if the hospital isn’t super close to your home because that gets to be expensive. But it all depends on the baby and how well they are doing to how soon they get to go home. It’s better they stay incase something comes up rather then leave super soon and something happen.
They have to tell you that the baby will be there until their due date or even after incase of any unknown complications. They don’t want to give you a time frame that they can’t guarantee. Also I went through the same thing with my first! She was 3lbs 10oz. She’s 4 now and 42lbs! She was born at 32w and was released in under a month. She just had some jaundice and needed time to learn to eat. Every baby is different. After you’re off the mag drip and released they’ll most likely put you on some blood pressure meds for a bit and you’ll still feel some of the dizziness from the pre-e for a bit. It takes a few for your body to get back to regulating properly.
That’s so hard with 2 at home already! I hope you have a good support system!! I know 2 babies born at 25 weeks that are perfectly developed 7 and 2 yos. The NICU basically grows them outside your belly. Hopefully it’s short and baby graduates quickly!!
It all depends. Baby needs to meet certain milestones before they are sent home. 2 friends had premature babies. One at 33 weeks and the other at 34. And the one born at 33 weeks spent 3 weeks in nicu but the 34 week one stayed 6 weeks
One of my babes, she’s 7 now was born at 27 weeks and we spent 2 months in the NICU. She was born 2lbs 11 oz.
My most recent baby was born at 32 weeks and we spent exactly 1 month in the NICU. Born at 32 weeks, 4 lbs. 1 oz.
You and baby will be just fine. The Lord has angels among you and the nurses they are there to protect you from harm. The Devil has been Rebuke from this time of joy and happiness. Do not worry my dear mother. Your baby will be in your arms soon safe and sound.
My water broke at 32 weeks. I had the two rounds of steroids and delivered at 34 weeks with both of those weeks on complete bed rest in the hospital not even allowed to get out of bed to use the restroom. My son weighed 6lbs even and spent no time in the NICU. He did stay 4 nights at the hospital when I was only allowed to stay 3 due to his bilirubin levels.
34 weeks - 8day nicu stay…
Feel free to message me! 32.6 weeker spent 3 weeks in the nicu, I was told it’d be a minimum of 9-12 weeks when I delivered. My story is long too much to type out but boys typically do take longer to recover than girls in the nicu. Kangaroo care & breastfeeding are the best things for bubs (assuming no milk allergies or special dietary problems) and it’s also been proven that singing and talking/reading to your baby in the nicu sparks their brain waves and helps them recover quicker.
probably won’t need much time depending on how things go and develop. Typically they expect no longer than staying til due date (which at 34 weeks would be 6 weeks) or full term anyways(37 weeks). 34 weeks gives you a great chance of baby having minimal time spent in Nicu. I definitely wouldn’t believe anything longer than 1 month.
They are already encouraging lung develop with the steroids so I would be optimistic at this time.
My son was a preemie, born 4lbs zero nicu time thanks to steroid shots and never even went to the nursery or anything! Lots of complications including a heart abnormality so don’t get yourself too down. Baby might not even end up in the nicu.
My daughters twins were born at 32 weeks. One stayed in the nicu for two weeks one stayed in for 12 weeks. Depends on the baby
My first born I was in the hospital from 25 weeks to 31 weeks when he was born 3lbs 6 Oz in nicu for a month I had severe eclampsia and developed HELLP syndrome While in labor with him.i also had steroid injections.
I have had 2 nicu stays, I also had pre-eclampsia with both pregnancies!! First and foremost the best advice is to remember while your child is in the NICU you still need to take time for yourself, when baby is asleep step out of the hospital and go out to eat or anything just to get out of the hospital for a bit. It can be very depressing and stressful and sitting in the hospital just waiting and waiting adds to it. My second child was on an EEG and feeding tube for the first 3 days of her life and I wasn’t even allowed to hold her or feed her and that alone was absolutely heart breaking. They never gave me an estimate of how long my babies would be in the NICU but they always said to expect a long stay but neither of mine had a very long stay, both were out within 2 weeks. They will set daily/weekly goals for baby and when baby reaches all goals they will be released. For example both of mine needed to be off oxygen completely, eat full bottles, but most importantly we needed to see weight gain, my smaller was just over 4lbs 13oz when I got to bring her home, she is now 3 and is still a tiny little thing hut she is thriving!!! The NICU will keep you very up to date on baby and they will encourage you to help in any way possible in bathing and feeding and anything that could be bonding time for you and baby. I hope your child has a fast short stay
My baby was born at 27 1/2 weeks, and weighed 2lbs 8oz. NICU was a six week stay. He came home at 4lbs 6oz almost a month before his actual due date. Usually if they can keep their body temp up in an open bed, breath, suck and swallow at the same time you’re good to go. It’s going to be okay. My son is 21 now.
If shes over 4lbs 2 weeks sounds more like it . In 2 months she wont fit in those tiny cribs…good luck…my 3rd was in there as she was 33weeks . I was sent home after q c section 12 days qfter her birth that was thehardest bit. That was a ling time ago tho and things have most likely changed a lot
My youngest daughter was born at 34 weeks. I was given the steroid shot before induction, and she was born with perfect lungs. She was never technically in the “nicu” but just the normal nursery in the hospital. She needed a feeding tube for a couple days, and went under the lights.at 3 days old for 24 hours because she became jaundice. But she was only in there for maybe 2 weeks.
All depends on how many steroid injection they can get into you, my friends 31 weeker
has come home after 2 weeks good luck
I got admitted at 18 weeks had my daughter at 28 weeks (1lb6oz) she spent 78 days in nicu ! She got out at 3lb12oz this is the day she graduated! She will be 7 in November
I was in myself for 4 weeks same as you are doing. Emergency c section at 31 weeks and 3 days, both at 3lbs 9oz and only spent 3 weeks in the nicu. At 34 weeks you are almost full term by nicu standards. Every baby is different so you won’t know until they’re born. But 2 months seems like an excessive guess at this point. Unless they are aware of something that you didn’t share or they aren’t telling you.
My daughter was born at 27 weeks due to preclampsia, u had HELLP syndrome. She stood there for almost 3 1/2 months. It helps to have a good support system.
They told me to always prepare to stay at least until baby’s actual due date. I can’t provide info for how far along you are. I delivered at 24 weeks, baby stayed in nicu for 98 days and came home 2 weeks before her due date. Just all depends on your babies lu g development, if the baby can hold body temp, and can take full feeds. Best of luck mama!
My twins were born at 32 weeks and we were told to prepare to stay until their due date (so about a 2 month stay). And some families did have to stay until due date or beyond, but due date wasn’t the actual release criteria. To be sent home each twin had to drink a certain amount of ounces without help, breathe without help, and have bowel movements without help, every day for a certain number of consecutive days. Both boys were out in 3 weeks, after entering with breathing and feeding tubes. So, it’s just about how ready the baby is- and you won’t know until they are here.
If it helps, I’ve rarely encountered a more compassionate, professional, caring, and competent group than those NICU staff. I was more worried about my boys’ safety when I was allowed to take them home!
Each NICU is different but my daughter’s stay nearly killed her because of a negligent nurse. She starved my baby for 6 hours causing her blood sugar to drop to 1 when she was already in there because her blood sugar wasn’t high enough. My suggestion is to be there at every feeding
My babies (twins) came at 33 weeks. They were in the nicu almost 3 weeks. One was in icu nicu other was in general. The general baby didn’t weigh 4 lbs so couldn’t take home. The other had a few issues breathing but was in general within days. The hardest part for me was leaving them there and also I would leave the room if the did shots or iv. Also prepare for how little they will be. At first I was afraid to hold the one that weighed 3.6 lbs. she was so little. Also if born before 35 weeks they can’t suck yet and will have to be tube fed with a shot. I started pumping right away once babies were born and got them donor milk to help them gain weight. They also gave my babies neosure which upset their tummies and did better when it was mixed with my milk. Once out of the hospital I went to another formula due to the tummy problem. Also when home after a feeding keep them propped up for a few minutes. Their tummies don’t close quickly and if put down after a feeding will spit up.
Prayers for you & baby in Jesus mighty name Amene
4 pounds is a great and healthy weight. Most doctors will say baby will be in nicu until due date. That’s a pretty standard statement/estimate. However, at 4 pounds and if otherwise healthy it really could be a very brief stay.
Just shy of 34 weeks, had steroids and only stayed 4 days… all babies are different. You have got this Momma!! Prayers for you and baby!
I’ve had one born at 33 weeks that stayed a month and a half labor was 3 days, I had a 34 week and labor was tops 3hrs, that was in the nicu for 1.5weeks and I have twins that were born at 35 weeks that stayed for a week, and labor was less than 11hrs. All boys. My 2 girls were born 1 week before their due date. My girls being the oldest.
My 37 weeker spent 4 days in NICU. His pancreas needed a boost waking up. I was threatening preterm labor starting at 29wks. They had me on Procardia and bedrest after one round of terbutaline. We were doing steroid shots every 2 weeks. I’m surprised I carried as long as I did.
I gave birth at 34+4 and he was perfectly healthy but small. He had a 10 day nicu stay until he gained some weight!
My first was 35 weeks and didn’t need anything, he went home as normal. My second was 36 weeks and was in NICU for 5 days for breathing. My third was 34 weeks and was in NICU for three weeks, no issues other than learning to eat.
I had one at 32 wks and one at 36wks both came home after 3days in the hospital. The 32wker had to have oxygen for 15.5hrs but he was ok after that. 36wker had blood sugar problems.
34 and 4 and 34 and 3 and they both stayed in for 5 days. It all depends on baby. My 31 weeker was 57 days .
33.4 weeks due to an abruption stayed 9 days
My 34 weeker had an 18 day NICU stay
Good luck
32 weeks I was in for 4 weeks x
My 34 week old son (15 years ago) stayed for a week in NICU
This kind of thing is too hard to predict. My 36 weeker was in the NICU for 6 days but my 37 weeker was in for over a month. Unfortunately it’s a wait and see game. You can read all of these different tales of times but ultimately you won’t know until baby is born and you know how they are doing. Hang in there
My son was 33 weeks and stayed 2 weeks in nicu
My 32 weeker spent 6 weeks in the NICU.
Twins at 34 wks, they both came home with me.
I was born at 34 weeks after my mum’s waters broke at 33weeks.
I didn’t have to stay in the NICU at all and that was in 1993.
So you literally don’t know until your baby is born as I had a bit of jaundice and that was it.
Hope your baby is born healthy and the rest of your labour journey is as easy as possible for you and baby.
Good luck
29.4 weeker stayed in NICU exactly 6 weeks.
They told me I had to stay until my son was at least considered 37 weeks. That was 6 full weeks of me being in lockdown without my daughter and I was livid lol
I was 34 with my oldest and youngest and neither went to NICU. But we also anticipated, so I had all the lung steroid shots before 34 weeks.
My first baby was born at 35 weeks and no nicu stay for us.just had to check in every other day
Mine was 40 weeks. Spent 14 days in NICU
Mine didn’t and I had twins at 34 weeks
My second was 36 weeks but he went to the nicu for not breathing and he had an infection bc my water broke at 35 weeks and they kept telling me I was peeing myself. Aside from that they sent him to different hospital nicu stay was a week but we ended back admitted the day after bc he couldn’t hold his temp
I had a 34 weeker with no NICU stay. A couple extra days in the hospital because of Jaundice, but that’s it.
33 weeks 12 days
34 weeks 7 days
34 weeks
Zero days,
All depends on how the baby is doing,
Good luck
Momma
35 weeks: 6 days
33 weeks: 20 days
31 weeks: 52 days
You may or may not have a NICU stay. Just depends on how baby is doing when born. But if you do, in my 3 time experience, the staff was great in taking care of my kiddos and me. It can be a little overwhelming at first but ask all the questions. They are happy to answer them.
My daughter was born at 34 weeks because I had severe preeclampsia and was hospitalized at 30 weeks.
She spent 33days in the NICU. She was perfectly healthy but was lazy about eating. It was scary, hard and stressful but our doctors and nurses were amazing.
Best of luck
Here is a picture of my Rylie at 5 days old.
My water broke at 32 weeks. I received the steroid shots and magnesium and they were able to hold off labor while I was on complete bed rest in the hospital with daily ultrasounds to monitor my amniotic fluid. I delivered at 34 weeks and he never entered the NICU. He did stay in the nursery for an extra day after they discharged me due to his bilirubin levels. I was discharged 3days pp and he he came home at 4 days old.
My boy came at 34 weeks, he stayed in NICU December 15 until January 11
It was the hardest thing in my life
But he is home, happy and healthy now💙
Pfciurdr we just want them home with us, I remember saying to the nurses 'however long he needs to be in here is going to suck, but ofcourse it’s the best and only option to keep him as safe and healthy until he is ready to come home… so however long he does need to stay in here for… its no problem I will be by his side every day watching him grow stronger"
33 weeks. Nicu for 44 days