I'm so sorry you are scared. Do you feel that you and her are prepared for her labor & delivery if it does happen sooner-rather-than-later? It may help to have her bags packed and other things in order, so that you can feel as prepared as possible.
Whether your niece is 33 weeks or 37 weeks now, she is probably receiving great care, and you can continue advocating for her. The baby may be low for a while, and this can be OK, or she may deliver soon...and this can be OK, too. Women are having very healthy babies after 24-26 weeks of gestation. If she is further along and is 37 weeks, then she could be having a "full-term" delivery at close to 38 weeks which is considered ideal.
Have the doctors told her to rest better, since the baby is "so low"? The nurses and doctors will probably advise her conservatively (meaning, if she probably should rest, then they will tell her it is recommended, given her younger age and symptoms). She has not dilated yet, but loss of the mucous plug can mean that labor will most likely start within the next few weeks (or sooner), as this is an indicator of the cervix opening up.
Your niece sounds like she is doing well, the baby is at a healthy weight (the baby could probably be at least 4 pounds now, if s/he was 3 lbs. a month ago!). You are definitely not a worry wart---it is just going to be a stressful time for both of you. And, you would not be an "obnoxious patient advocate" to request her chart, if you are worried about this...it is quite normal and could put your mind at ease; a nurse could even talk you through it.
Best wishes, and please let us know how your niece is doing!
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I'm so sorry you are scared. Do you feel that you and her are prepared for her labor & delivery if it does happen sooner-rather-than-later? It may help to have her bags packed and other things in order, so that you can feel as prepared as possible.
Whether your niece is 33 weeks or 37 weeks now, she is probably receiving great care, and you can continue advocating for her. The baby may be low for a while, and this can be OK, or she may deliver soon...and this can be OK, too. Women are having very healthy babies after 24-26 weeks of gestation. If she is further along and is 37 weeks, then she could be having a "full-term" delivery at close to 38 weeks which is considered ideal.
Have the doctors told her to rest better, since the baby is "so low"? The nurses and doctors will probably advise her conservatively (meaning, if she probably should rest, then they will tell her it is recommended, given her younger age and symptoms). She has not dilated yet, but loss of the mucous plug can mean that labor will most likely start within the next few weeks (or sooner), as this is an indicator of the cervix opening up.
Your niece sounds like she is doing well, the baby is at a healthy weight (the baby could probably be at least 4 pounds now, if s/he was 3 lbs. a month ago!). You are definitely not a worry wart---it is just going to be a stressful time for both of you. And, you would not be an "obnoxious patient advocate" to request her chart, if you are worried about this...it is quite normal and could put your mind at ease; a nurse could even talk you through it.
Best wishes, and please let us know how your niece is doing!
August 6, 2009 - 1:49pmThis Comment
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