Why would a baby born at 39 weeks need to be in the NICU after delivery?

Question

What are some reasons that infants would need to be in the nicu if they are full term (39 weeks)?
UPDATE: I am only asking because a friend of mine just had her baby a few days ago (she is a teen mom at 17 years old) and her baby is in the nicu but she said that she doesnt want to tell anyone what happened and why he is in the nicu. But I am just so confused as to why the baby would need to be in the nicu if he wasnt premature. And he was full term?🤷‍♀️

Answer

Every baby is different... just because they were 39 weeks doesn’t mean all the organs developed all the way.. or she could have had gestational diabetes and so baby has low blood sugar.  But if she doesn’t want to tell or talk about it don’t pry.

Answer

It all depends. My friends had their baby at 35 weeks & he didn’t need the NICU. There could be other issues going on.

Answer

Any number of things could have happened. Could be something the baby was born with or something that happened during or shortly after birth.

Answer

My oldest was 38 weeks, weighed 9 pounds, 5 1/2 ounces and spent 14 days in the NICU due to complications right before, during, and after delivery, which was by C-section. My 2nd child was 34 weeks, born by C-section, weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces, never saw the inside of the NICU and went home the next day. My 3rd child, born via C-section at 34 weeks, weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces and spent 4 days in the NICU for elevated bilirubin levels. My 4th child born, also born by C-section at 36 weeks spent 2 days in NICU for blood sugar regulation. Every baby, every delivery is different but gestational age is not necessarily the only reason or sometimes even a reason for a stay in the NICU. However, having your baby sent to the NICU is a very scary thing for any mother, but especially so for such a young first time mother. Whatever he reason may be for not wanting to let everyone know why her baby is there, you should respect her decision and just let her know that you are there for her no matter what!

Answer

I gave birth at 40 weeks and my daughter stayed in the nicu for having fluids in her lungs.

Answer

My kiddo was born at 40 wks and went to nicu. Had fluid in the lungs. Stayed there a week before being discharged

Answer

Because the baby isn’t full term,

Answer

There’s tons of reasons ! I was born at 39+6 and I was in the nicu for 5 days because I had trouble breathing so I needed help. 
My son was born at 37w and needed to be in the nicu as well for many issues , extremely jaundice , couldn’t suck to eat , blood sugar regulating and body temp regulation

Answer

My daughter was born at 40 weeks & 2 days, but had to go to the NICU due to breathing in and swallowing meconium before birth.

Answer

They could be born to a mother with diabetes or gestational diabetes and require the NICU to help maintain their glucose levels. Almost happened to my daughter but she started to regulate herself before she needed to be on a drip.

Why would a baby born at 39 weeks need to be in the NICU after delivery?

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