Cord Resistance

Since you are going back in a few days... Write down every question you have and take that paper in with you. Make sure your OB gives you a clear picture of what is going on. Don't feel badly about taking up their time, they should have been more clear the first time around.

S., I know nothing about cord resistance. I will tell that everyday that your baby is in your womb is one more day of her growing, as long as your body isn't hurting her. If she can grow to 35 weeks, that will make a big difference.

They will probably give her something to help her lungs develop faster if they think that they will have to take her early. Get all your ducks together right now. If your nursery isn't ready, it's okay. She would probably be in the NICU for a while. I would leave most of her clothes in the boxes so that you aren't trying to deal with that. Have a list of email addresses ready and in your computer so that if the baby is born very early, someone can send out that email. Don't push yourself physically (maybe get someone to come in and clean your house?) If you could put together some casseroles and get them in the freezer, that would be there just in case. Write out your bills and get your paperwork together.

I hope that you can make it to 35 weeks, but have faith in your doctors that they are doing the best they can for your baby.

Dawn

I can't make any promises about her health, but I will tell you that my nephew was born at 4.5 lbs at 32 weeks gestation by emergency c-section (my sister got pre-eclampsia that was the worst kind you can get). Kid is a healthy 1 yr old now and just started walking. He spent three weeks in the NICU, and they had to be careful through the first RSV season, but he's been in daycare and doing well since. Stay monitored and if they say it's time to go, rest assured that many babies after 33 weeks do really well. My sister didn't have time to be treated with the steroids that would improve his lung function and likely you will be able to have that so she'll do even better than he did.

Hang in there. Ask questions. Be informed. Good luck.

Here is the little bit of stuff I was able to find:

http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/14625127155055525889

http://www.fetal.com/IUGR/concern.html

Some of the info in the second link is a little frightening, so maybe have someone else read that one and give you pertinent info. As for whether she can be delivered early, according to the statistics I found, at 33 weeks (or if you go by her measurements and go with 31 weeks) you're looking at a VERY high statistical rate of survival. If that's what your doctor says needs to happen, do it.

I don't know what cord resistance is, but please, please try not to worry. If there is anything you can do, the doctor will tell you. In the mean time try to relax. Read a book, watch a movie, get plenty of rest, drink water, etc. Try not to think about it too much.

Did your OB mention the possibility of delivering her early? If your OB has not mentioned it, then I wouldn't spend much time thinking about it. At 33 weeks it's certainly not ideal, but babies have been born at 33 weeks. Every week that you stay pregnant (every day, in fact) will give your baby a better start. At some point the doctor may believe that the baby will do better outside the womb than inside. If that is what your OB recommends, then that might really be what's best.

Again, try not to worry too much. Ask your doctor lots of questions. Do not be afraid to ask. Make sure you understand what the concerns are and what it is that he/she recommends and why. Knowledge is power. Keep asking questions.