Preemie Birth... Shortened 3rd Trimester

I guess some would call me lucky. I wasn't pregnant for 40 weeks (or 42 like a few people I know!) My daughter decided to come into the world full speed a whole 5 weeks early.

Certain things were a challenge... clothing and diapers first. The first time I changed her diaper, I was shocked at how tiny she was. I had to order special preemie sized diapers direct from the manufacturer.

Nurses suggested that I may have to buy doll clothes for the first few weeks. I did that, but didn't really use them because they were stiff and scratchy against her skin.

I was excited about my 3rd trimester but didn't get to experience much of it. Anyone else have stories to exchange? If yours was shortened, too, what challenges did you face? And did you have any warning that you may deliver early? I had *no* clue what to expect and it was a frightening time for a while until I knew what was going on.

Well I am currently in my third trimester for the third time. I am 35 weeks right now, and I have been having contractions off and on since 27 weeks. My first child was born at 36 weeks and I was pretty much on shock. She did weigh almost 6 lbs though so diapers at least fit, but newborn clothes swallowed her whole.

I am hoping that I can carry this one for at least a couple more weeks so that we don't have another preemie on our hands.

I hope you can go at least a couple of more weeks, too, Ally79! I know it's a relief to get to the point where all would be well with the baby, too, and 35 weeks seems to be around the time docs suggest would be that point, so congrats for reaching that point!

I surprised everyone by the birth so many weeks early... My daughter was already a few weeks old when my baby shower had been scheduled for... which made it real nice because the gifts were girly frillies and dresses instead of the customary neutral colors for those who chose not to know gender ahead of time.

My first son was born at 36 weeks. It was totally unexpected. I woke up and my water had broken, naively my husband and I called the hospital and they told us to come. I thought I would be able to go home but they said that I wasn't leaving without a baby. He was perfectly healthy weighing 5 lbs 4 oz. He didn't have his sucking reflex but his lungs were fully developed. It took about 3 months and he had gained a ton of weight and was chubby and fit into regular diapers. I can remember him peeing out of every diaper as the legs didn't fit. My milk never came in properly so I tried breastfeeding and he wasn't gaining weight. After a week of him being miserable and crying all the time the doctor finally told us to give him formula. He is now 13 and doing great. It was a rough start but you do get through it.

My little one was only a couple of weeks early, so not premature - but I was expecting her to be a couple of weeks late, so it threw me off track a little! I didn't have anything packed (pretty bad for a first timer, all of my friends were super organised and I wasn't!!) but in a way it worked out for the best, because I think it meant I didn't stress so much about the birth experience since she came early! Everything has a silver lining!

I have had two of my kids early, am currently pregnant with our 3rd and I'm 32 weeks, I had my first at 32 weeks and went into full labor at 27 weeks, however they were able to stop it. When they did want to start the labor I couldn't dilate, though I was having the contractions of full labor. I ended up having a c-section. My daughter had to spend a whole month in the NICU and it was super hard, I felt like I missed a lot of bonding time with her. My son was born at 35 weeks, his wasn't as hard on me as he only had to spend 2 weeks in the NICU and only wore preemie clothes for a month or two.
With this one we are trying hard to hold out until she is 35 weeks and the doctor said he didn't think she would need the NICU, which is awesome as she is growing above target.

ally79 said:
Well I am currently in my third trimester for the third time. I am 35 weeks right now, and I have been having contractions off and on since 27 weeks.

Ally79!!! Tell us, tell us! You wrote this four weeks ago, I see... were you able to carry the baby to term, or has another preemie blessed your life by now? I haven't been online for a few days, so maybe there's an announcement somewhere on the forum... sorry I missed it if that's the case!

I came across some of my daughter's preemie things a few days ago... it is *so* hard to imagine her having been that tiny! The preemie size specialty diapers especially.. .my goodness! She was 4 lb. 13 oz when born but 4 lb 10 oz when we came home from the hospital five days later.