Is it normal to give birth at 32 weeks

By 27 weeks , premature babies are no longer considered micro-preemies. However, 27 and 28 weekers still require a lot of medical care and can be expected to stay in the NICU for long periods of time. Rapid eye development is occurring.

Premature babies born after 27 weeks can blink and no longer have fused eyelids. The retinas are still developing, which puts babies at risk for retinopathy of prematurity ROP. Their eyes can form images at this stage. By 29 to 30 weeks, a growing baby has matured a lot. Premature babies born between 29 and 30 weeks will still require long NICU stays, but their vital organs are much more developed than those of babies born earlier.

At 29 to 30 weeks, premature babies weigh about 3 pounds and are about 17 inches long. While they're still very small, 29 weekers and 30 weekers have more fat stored under their skin , making them look more like "real" babies. They are also starting to shed their lanugo the fine hair that covers a preemie's body.

Their eyes can now blink, but bright lights and loud noises are usually still uncomfortable. In addition to all of this outside maturity, the brain goes through a period of rapid growth as well. The brains of and week premature babies are starting to look grooved and wrinkled.

They are also mature enough to begin controlling body temperature. Also, at this time, their stomach and intestines are maturing and getting ready to digest milk.

In addition to using the pacifier, kangaroo care while being fed will help your baby thrive. It can also help you bond with your baby. That's almost as long as a baby born at term. Preterm babies can be born:. Although they're are still immature at birth and will require several weeks of NICU care, most infants born between 31 and 32 weeks quickly catch up to their peers and have few long-term effects of prematurity.

Between 31 and 32 weeks, babies gain a lot of body fat. Premature babies born at this age are starting to look plump and may be able to maintain good body temperature without the help of an incubator. They use all five senses to learn about their environments but still may get overstimulated by bright lights and loud noises. Overstimulation by their environment may be expressed through a hiccup, sneeze, or cry.

That being said, at this age, your baby will likely enjoy seeing your face up close. Parents usually want to know when their babies can come home from the NICU. Even though at this age, your baby looks like a tinier version of a full-term baby, your baby still needs special care, especially as their immune health continues to mature, and they develop their suck for feeding.

While your baby will be awake more, their sleep needs to be protected, so they can continue to thrive and grow. Before discharge, there are several milestones that premature babies must reach : They need to be able to eat, breathe, and stay warm without any help from NICU staff or equipment. Preemies born at 31 and 32 weeks may be able to do one or two of these things at birth, but it will take time to reach all three milestones.

Premature babies born between 33 and 34 weeks are called also called "moderately preterm babies. Although they are getting bigger, 33 and 34 weekers are still immature and may need to stay in the NICU for several weeks. Premature babies are almost fully developed by 33 and 34 weeks. Their bones are fully formed, their fingernails come to the ends of their fingertips, and in boys, the testicles are descending into the scrotum.

However, the respiratory system doesn't finish developing until the last weeks of pregnancy, and antibodies are only starting to pass from mom to baby—so their immune health is still a bit compromised. At 33 and 34 weeks, most premature babies will have fairly short NICU stays with only a few complications. They may need help breathing for a short time, but learning to eat may take the longest.

The suck-swallow-breathe reflex is not well-coordinated, and these babies may not be strong enough to take in enough nourishment to grow and gain weight. You may develop pelvic pain in pregnancy. This is not harmful to your baby, but it can cause severe pain and make it difficult for you to get around.

Find out about ways to tackle pelvic pain in pregnancy. Read about the benefits of breastfeeding for you and your baby.

It's never too early to start thinking about how you're going to feed your baby, and you do not have to make up your mind until your baby is born.

Start4Life has more about you and your baby at 32 weeks pregnant. In Australia, almost 1 in every 10 babies is born prematurely. Very premature babies are at a higher risk of developmental problems. It is possible for babies born at 23 to 24 weeks to survive, but it is risky. Most babies born before 32 weeks, and those weighing 2. Babies born between 32 and 37 weeks may need care in a special care nursery SCN. The cause of premature birth is unknown in about half of all cases. However, some of the reasons babies are born prematurely include:.

It may be possible to slow down or stop the labour. But each day the baby stays inside your womb, the greater their chance of survival. It is best for very premature babies to be born at a hospital that has an NICU. If the hospital where the baby is born does not have an NICU, you and your baby may be transferred to another hospital. When you are in labour, you may be given medicines to stop the contractions for a while. This allows you to be transferred to another hospital if necessary.

Premature babies can be born very quickly. They will usually be born through the vagina. However, in some cases the doctor may decide it is safest to deliver the baby via caesarean. Your doctor will discuss this decision with you. A medical team from the neonatal newborn unit will be there for the birth. As soon as your baby is born, they will care for the baby in your room, possibly using a neonatal baby resuscitation bed.

The team will keep your baby warm and help them to breathe with an oxygen mask or breathing tube, and possibly medicine. Some babies need help to keep their heart beating with cardio-pulmonary resuscitation CPR or an injection of adrenalin. Babies born at 36 to 37 weeks usually look like small full-term babies. Very premature babies will be small perhaps fitting in your hand and look very fragile. Most premature babies will develop normally, but they are at higher risk of developmental problems so will need regular health and development checks at the hospital or with a paediatrician.

For example, a 6-month-old baby who was born 2 months early would have a corrected age of 4 months. That means they may only be doing the things that other 4-month-olds do. Most paediatricians recommend correcting age when assessing growth and development until your child is 2 years old.

The hospital will not send your baby home until they are confident both the baby and you are ready. Staff will make sure you understand how to care for your baby at home. They will also show you how to use any equipment you may need.