Aa
baby delivered alive
when 21 weeks baby delivered alive with less movement but not cried, what should be the doctor do?
I checked into this, especially because of what momabear said, that is is horrible for a hospital to fail to help a baby born at less than 24 weeks' gestation. Here are some stats:
The youngest baby to be born and survive, was born at 21 weeks 6 days from conception, or a date that would be counted the medical way as 23 weeks 6 days. (The reason for the discrepancy was that they used IVF counting, which begins at the day of the embryo's creation, instead of medical counting, which begins the first day of the woman's last period, the latter being the way almost every pregnancy is dated.) This was called a "miracle baby" by the press.
When a baby reaches 24 weeks' development (counted the medical way) in the womb, it is considered to be viable enough to try with all the medical resources the hospital has, but even then a baby born at 24 weeks has only a 50% chance of survival. Even worse, a baby born so early faces breathing, heart, brain, temperature control, GI, blood, metabolism and immune system problems, and in the longer term there is high risk of cerebral palsy, impaired development, vision problems, blindness, hearing problems, chronic health issues, behavioral and psychological problems, and an increased chance of dying from SIDS.
I am not saying a hospital should fail to try to save a baby, but sometimes there is little that medicine can do. That is what I was told when I miscarried my twins -- there is really nothing a doctor can do to stop a miscarriage if it is caused by the embryo having a problem. And that is probably what the doctor would say in a case of a baby born at 21 weeks, tragic and sad though it is. A baby simply needs more time to 'cook' before it is developed enough to survive outside the loving growth environment of the womb.
I am so sorry for your loss.
The youngest baby to be born and survive, was born at 21 weeks 6 days from conception, or a date that would be counted the medical way as 23 weeks 6 days. (The reason for the discrepancy was that they used IVF counting, which begins at the day of the embryo's creation, instead of medical counting, which begins the first day of the woman's last period, the latter being the way almost every pregnancy is dated.) This was called a "miracle baby" by the press.
When a baby reaches 24 weeks' development (counted the medical way) in the womb, it is considered to be viable enough to try with all the medical resources the hospital has, but even then a baby born at 24 weeks has only a 50% chance of survival. Even worse, a baby born so early faces breathing, heart, brain, temperature control, GI, blood, metabolism and immune system problems, and in the longer term there is high risk of cerebral palsy, impaired development, vision problems, blindness, hearing problems, chronic health issues, behavioral and psychological problems, and an increased chance of dying from SIDS.
I am not saying a hospital should fail to try to save a baby, but sometimes there is little that medicine can do. That is what I was told when I miscarried my twins -- there is really nothing a doctor can do to stop a miscarriage if it is caused by the embryo having a problem. And that is probably what the doctor would say in a case of a baby born at 21 weeks, tragic and sad though it is. A baby simply needs more time to 'cook' before it is developed enough to survive outside the loving growth environment of the womb.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for this last year I deliver my baby at only 20 weeks and the doctor didn't do anything for my baby he pass away in my arms I can only imagine what your going true I am really sorry!!
I'm not sure but sadly a lot of hospitals won't help a baby born under 24 weeks, which I think is horrible.
Though lately there have been babies born earlier, usually 24 weeks is considered the earliest a baby can be helped to survive, and that is through the intensive care unit and being there for many weeks. Are you asking the question because the baby passed and you think the doctor should have done more? I think you have to trust your doctor's actions on this and really recall that very few babies survive who are born that early.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Pregnancy Community
Get information and tips on how to help you choose the right place to deliver your baby.
Get the facts on how twins and multiples are formed and your chance of carrying more than one baby at a time.
Learn about the risks and benefits of circumcision.
What to expect during the first hours after delivery.
Learn about early screening and test options for your pregnancy.
Learn about testing and treatment for GBS bacterium.
