Thursday, October 20, 2011

32 weeks!!!! And Autumn

Let me start off with Autumn, she has 2 teeth now!!!! OH and was it a hard few days before it came through (10/18). The night before she spent the whole night in bed with Matt and I, none of us slept good due to her tossing and turning. She was wake off and on the whole night and poor thing wet her diaper in a 5 minute time period and we even had to change her clothes! But we made it through the night that seemed to never end and now there are 2 buttom toofers (teeth) lol. Autumn is also making the effort to let go of things as she walks!!! She has taken a few steps but nothing more than 2 in a row. We are so proud of her and her efforts. I know she's an over-achviver already :). Her 1st Birthday is only 3 weeks away!

I'm 32 weeks today!!! Which makes this the end of 5 weeks of bed rest with 2 to 4 more to go. To think that I have maybe another whole month of nothing but laying sucks (and possibly not at home but in the hospital makes me very depressed). We did find out on Monday that Hunter is 4 pounds 4 ounces measuring 34 weeks. So at least he has weight on his side and hopefully his lungs are almost developed due to the shots I had 5 weeks ago. Matt and I have been doing some reading about what to expect at what weeks of when he's born. We found that March of Dimes has been the most informing and not scary place to get the scoop.
If you're wondering what we found out here it is.

Babies Born at 32 to 33 weeks
              About 98 percent of babies born at this time survive. Most weigh between 3 and 5 pounds and appear thinner than full-term babies. Many need supplemental oxygen to help them breathe, although some can breathe on their own. Some can breast- or bottle-feed, but those who have breathing difficulties probably need tube-feeding. Babies born at this time are less likely than babies born earlier to develop serious disabilities caused by premature birth, though they remain at increased risk for learning and behavioral problems.

Babies Born at 34 to 36 weeks
             Late preterm infants are usually healthier than babies born earlier. More than 99 percent of these babies survive, though they are:
        6 times more likely than full-term infants to die in the first week of life (2.8 per 1,000 vs. 0.5 per 1,000)
        3 times more likely to die in the first year of life (7.9 per 1,000 vs. 2.4 per 1,000)
Late preterm babies often weigh between 4½ and 6 pounds, and they may appear thinner than full-term babies. These babies remain at higher risk than full-term babies for newborn health problems, including breathing and feeding problems, difficulties regulating body temperature, and jaundice. These problems are usually mild. Most of these babies can breast- or bottle-feed, although some (especially those with mild breathing problems) may need tube-feeding for a brief time.
A baby's brain at 35 weeks weighs only two-thirds of what it will weigh at 40 weeks. Because their brain development is not complete, these babies may be at increased risk for learning and behavioral problems. Most do not develop serious disabilities resulting from premature birth.
A recent study, however, found that late preterm infants are more than 3 times as likely to develop cerebral palsy and are slightly more likely to have developmental delays than babies born full term. Another study found that adults who were born at 34 to 36 weeks gestation may be more likely than those born full-term to have mild disabilities and to earn lower long-term wages.

We have a lot fighting against us some days (or it seems that way) but whenever Hunter is born and whatever we may have to deal with, we will be a stronger family and make it through. We are very blessed to have made it this far and are very thankful for the extra time he's been inside me to grow bigger and stronger! Are hopes are to make it to 37 weeks which gives us the best chance of taking him home when we go home.

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