Baby coming early?

Question

I’ll be 36 weeks exactly tomorrow. I just got back from my doctors appointment and my doctor told me something a bit crazy. We did a quick ultrasound to confirm if he’s head down (which he is) and while doing the ultrasound she said he was practice breathing. I thought it was so cool to see on the screen, but the doctor said it might be an indicator he could come early? She said he’ll likely come closer to his due date than we are now, but it’s a great sign and that if I were to go into labor now, they wouldn’t do anything to slow it 😳 I don’t know if it’s just me but that kinda scared me a bit. We’re closing on our new home on the 19th and we’re planning on moving up until the week before he’s born…. Any thoughts or advice? I’m just freaking out about the idea of him being here in a few short weeks

Answer

No need to worry. I've been getting BBPs since 32 weeks and every time they make sure baby is practice breathing. Its a good sign that baby will do well IF they decide to come early but it doesn't mean baby WILL come early. Just means they won't need to be placed on CPAP in NICU and most OBs won't stop labor at 36 weeks bc babies usually do fine from this stage on. 37 is early term but it's not premature.

Answer

My midwife said that it’s not a sign he’s coming early just a good sign that if he did- they could comfortably move forward with delivery without major complications to our little guy. 
That said, babies come when they are ready lol best of luck :)

Answer

Practice breathing does not mean baby will come early. I  was being scanned at MFM last week and I was 31 weeks and 6 days, they checked for practice breathing but couldn’t see it when they looked. She said most babies will start around 32 weeks. It’s just something babies do, just like hiccups, swallowing, etc. They’re practicing using bodily functions before being born.

Answer

I wish drs would keep their thoughts to themselves… saying things like that just gets our hopes up 😞 while I hope you get to meet your baby sooner rather than later, just know that the only true indication is going to be your body actually going into labor! Try not to stress momma, you’re almost there! 🙂

Answer

I have ultrasounds every two weeks because I’m high risk, and he has been practice breathing for months. They’ve never said anything about him coming early. Granted we will be inducing early so maybe they weren’t worried because that’s the plan anyways? But I’ve never heard of that. I wouldn’t be too concerned.

Answer

Had my biophysical yesterday and baby was breathing but nobody said anything about that meaning he will come early. I’m being induced at 37 weeks so it’s a good thing for me.

Answer

that’s odd…. i saw mine practice breathing at my 32 weeks appointment and him coming early was ever mentioned! i’ve never heard of that. all babies do it

Answer

I had to have a biophysical sonogram at 34 weeks because my son wasn’t cooperating with the NST and they pointed out him practice breathing but no one mentioned it having to do with him coming early. I am now 36+4 and there still really no signs of him coming yet

Answer

I’ve been seeing the “practiced breathing” for weeks now on ultrasound and I’m only at 34 now, so it’s weird to me that they think that means baby is going to come early. Same with being head down - her head has been down since early June. 
But both are great pieces of information for you and your doctor. 
I wouldn’t worry too much about going into labor like tomorrow or something

Baby coming early?

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