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Your grandchild has been using that placenta for 37 weeks. A pregnant body is only made to be that way for so long. As you know there are times that it is better to deliver a child through c-section. The doctors can decide if her body is ready to deliver naturaly or otherwise. As others have said there can be some life threatening problems when the placenta isn't functioning at full capacity. I hope you are able to trust your daughters doctors and support your daughter in preparing for all eventualities. So many have emergency c-sections and feel that they have lost the experience they should have had or feel disassociated from their child. You are in an incredible possition to ease her concerns and be a real support in whatever happens. We'll all be thinking about your family, sending our love and well wishes/prayers.

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37 weeks is actually considered term. If you are worried about baby being "early", don't. I'm a labor and delivery nurse and we're happy with 35 weekers, they generally go to our term nursery. sounds like your daughter is getting good care and she is in good hands. congrats on 2nd grandbaby!

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The baby will be fine at 37 weeks. I would advise her to deliver now. Our friends just had a baby girl and she went to 40 weeks. While she was pushing, the placenta came out in peices and they had to rush her into emergency c-section. The baby barely made it as it was deprived of oxygen for more than 10 minutes. It was horrible. This can be really serious so not to scare you but she should deliver before that happens. The baby made it but they have no idea what kind of brain damage she may have suffered.
Babies are totally fine at 37 weeks. I know as a mom you may have little say and she might be irritated by your input but you could share this story with her. I am sure she has good doctors and will listen to them.
Good luck.

I had 2 preemies. I am 26 years old. My first daughter stopped growing at 24-25 weeks, and I had her by C/S at 31 weeks-- she was 1 pound 5 ounces.. My second was slowing on growth at 26 weeks, I had her at 29 weeks, she was 1 pound 15 ounces..Both cases my placenta was not functioning properly and I had high BP (pregnancy induced). I was on bedrest and BP meds, neither really helped long term! Both of my girls are healthy, 3 years old and 1 year old!

They both were considered IUGR (my first was a severe severe case)-- intrauterine growth restriction-- which is typically caused by improperly functioning placenta..

In most cases, it is more common in young, first time mom's and then it never happens again! My case is just unique as my life wouldn't allow it any other way, lol!

Hang in there! Have her ask the doctor about baby aspirin!

EDIT: I missed the part that she is 37 weeks.. 37 weeks is considered term! :)

37 weeks is considered full term so there shouldn't be a problem. If the baby isn't getting what he/she needs from the placenta that could be dangerous so they probably determined that it's best for the baby to come now.

37 weeks is golden. I had 28 weekers, they were in the NICU for over 2 months. I wish they were born at 37. She and baby are going to be just fine. Placentas start to deteriorate toward the end of the pregnancy, thats why they dont let you go too overdue. Sounds like your are unnecessarily worrying yourself. Now the c-section--that is the worst part of your daughters delemma.

Hope everyone is happy and Healthy...Sorry for the late responce. But this matter scared me. I had a friend who'e placenta ruptured around 39 weeks, and lost the baby. This was aweful. I had placenta privia around 3 months with my first boy, and was put on bed rest. He also came 6 weeks early. And was big and healthy. Your daughters baby can be born VERY safely at this time. Good Luck!

Hi I.,
I don't know anything about placentas not making it, but at 37 weeks, your daughter is considered full term. I had preeclampsia with my pregnancy and when my blood pressure was 200/107, they took my son via c-section at 36 weeks. He was 6 pounds, 4 ounces and perfectly healthy. The neonatologist checked him out immediately when he was born because at 36 weeks he was still considered a "preemie", but declared him fine and he didn't even spend the night in the NICU. I was up and around following the c-section in just a couple of days... by the time I went home, I felt great! Point is, you're daughter and her baby will likely be fine. Hang in there and congratulations on your soon-to-be grandchild!

Hi I.,
Don't worry and stay positive! This happened to me as well and everything turned out fine. They thought I may have to be put on bed rest, but didn't. My daughter is nine and a half months and a total spit fire. They took her Emergency C-section, two days before the scheduled C-section.
What will probably happen is they will schedule a C-section and monitor (ultra sound and doppler) her and the baby every day and if anything seems concerning they'll send her to labor and delivery to take the baby. Your grandchild and daughter will be absolutely fine!!
Congratulations,
S. G.

I have 3 kids-#1 came on his due date, after he came out, and the nurse was looking at the placenta it was falling apart. I can't remember exactly what she called it-but, he only weighed 6 lbs, and the dr thinks he lost weight in utero, because of the placenta. I had 2 more babies, and neither one of them had that issue, so, it doesn't mean it is going to happen again. 37 weeks is fantastic! And, on the bright side, who wants to be pregnant those last couple weeks? yuk.

I.,
I'm sure your daughter is being closely monitored by her doctors. I have been told by my doctors that the placenta can begin to weaken during the last weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes it doesn't work as efficiently during this time and it can be better for the baby to come early in order to receive better care than the placenta can provide. Regardless, with your love, your daughter and grandchild will make it through any thing that might happen in the weeks to come. Good luck to all of you.

I had my first baby by C-sxn at 38 weeks, and am about to have the second the same way. According to my OB, statistically, 38-week babies actually fare even better than 40-week babies do.

It sounds to me like your daughter's doc is being careful and conservative in his approach, and you should try not to worry - although I know it's a mother's job to worry anyway!

Planned C-sections are really quite safe, and the baby is a full week past what is considered full term.

I don't know much about the placenta, but I had one of my boys at 37 weeks and the other at 38, and they were both healthy and normal - not treated like a preemie. Good luck and best wishes to you and your daughter.

Hi I.,

I don't have experience with placenta issues but I can tell yuo that at 37 weeks and 38 weeks, your grandchild will be just fine being born a couple of weeks early. My daughter was born at 32 weeks and was still healthy, stayed in the NICU for three weeks before we brought her home. We were fortunate though. Our son was born last year, due October 15th and I asked for another C-Section so we scheduled it and the soonest I was allowed to schedule was 2 weeks early, so we planned for October 1st. He was born 9lbs 2oz, perfectly healthy.

I am sure your daughter is in good hands and that baby will come out just fine. I can imagine how scary this is though. Good luck!! Please keep us posted!

-Char

You've already gotten a lot of great responses, but I will add in mine too! My 3 children where all born early- 2 of them at 37 weeks and my last was recently born at 32 weeks. ALL were strong, and healthy. At 37 weeks, the baby is considered full term and his lungs, etc are all developed just fine. My 32 week baby was PERFECT, and only stayed in the NICU for 3 weeks, just to grow and stabilize his temps. DON'T WORRY Grandma!!! The baby will be good. If she has any more babies in the future, they will most likely watch her placenta very close to avoid any situations. Congrats!!! :) Oh, and tell your daughter to go home and REST!!! She will need to store up her energy for the birth, and for when the baby comes home. REST, REST, REST!! :)

Hi I.,

I, too, had signs that my placenta was starting to not hold out any longer. My fluid level would raise and lower. Long story short, I delivered my son naturally at 39 weeks. However, after delivering the placenta and taking a look at it, it had begun to calcify or harden up. This is actually normal from what my Dr. told me. Each placenta is different and their lifespans vary. Some make it to the end of a pregnancy and some don't. The dr. will need to deliver early because if the placenta stops working or even has trouble it can/will cut off the blood supply to the baby. Rest assured, your daughters doctor knows what they are talking about and your daughter and baby will be fine. MAYBE they will induce her within the next week or two and she can have a vaginal delivery..I'd ask for it!!! At 37 weeks, the baby should be just fine if he/she needs to enter this world.
Best of luck and congratulations!!!

Aloha, I.!

I wouldn't worry too much. As long as a baby reaches 36 weeks, he/she is not considered a preemie. My daughter was born at 37 weeks. She was less than 5 lbs, but she was so healthy, she didn't have to stay at the hospital. She came home with me and my husband right on schedule. As for a c-section, my sister and sister-in-law had c-sections and everything was fine. The healing after the c-section was a little hard on them, but babies and moms are doing fabulous.

Hi, My daughter came 10 days late after 2.5 days of back labor. When she finally did come out, the doctors were shocked to see that the placenta was hardening. They were going to take her that night via c-section if she hadn't come on her own and they said it was exceelent that she did come when she did because with the baby descended they wouldn't have been able to tell about the placenta. As a result I'm being monitored closely on my current pregnancy (I'm 33 weeks) to ensure this doesn't happen again! I rather deliver early, than risk losing a baby just because you want to make 40 weeks. Modern medicine is wonderful!!

Hi I.,

I don't know much about your daughter's condition, but I would not make yourself sick with worry. My son was born on September 21 with a due date of October22. In my situation I had to have an emergency c section because of extremem toximia. He was in the NICU for 10 days. We just celebrated his 10th birthday on Sunday. He is 100% fine in all categories!

Your daughter sounds like her doctors are on top of it. I am sure they are monitoring the baby. Our son's issue was the maturity of the lungs. Since your daughter's doctors know the possibility of an early birth I am sure they will be checking lung maturity. And by knowing ahead of time, they can give her steroids if necessary so the lungs will be ready at the birth.

Take a deep breath, and I know it is scary. 37 weeks is not 30 weeks. Your grandchild will be fine. If anything the baby will just be a tiny bit smaller.

Take care.

Don't stress! It's perfectly normal and safe to deliver at 37 weeks. If they don't go in and take the baby now, she'll just have checkups probably 2-3 times a week to make sure everything is still okay with the baby. Here's to hoping you get to hold your healthy grandbaby soon!

Hi,
No worries. It is just fine to deliever at 37 weeks.
I had this same situation. I was put on bed rest at 37 weeks because my placenta was wearing out and I had less fluid. After a week on bed rest, I went back for a check up and it was decided that I needed to deliver the baby right away, or risk having problems the longer she stayed in there. So, I went in to get induced. Things didn't go as planned though...while on the monitors at the hospital, it was decided that either the cord was around my baby's neck, or there wasn't enough fluid...as her heart beat would drop with every contraction. SO...I ended up having a c-section anyway, at 38 weeks. She is now a beautiful, 5 month old amazing little girl...who is growing and developing at just the right rate.
So, try not to worry. Everything will be fine. Of course, none of us want to have a c-section...but if that's the safest way to get that baby out, then I'll take it.
Good luck! Keep us posted on how it turns out. And, congrats on your 2nd grand baby!

I've had several friends who have had this issue, and everything turned out fine. One baby was born 3 weeks early, the other 2 weeks early, In both cases the doctor said they would probably be born much earlier, but they hung in there. They are both very healthy kids. Congratulations on your new grandbaby!!! Grandkids are the best invention ever, aren't they?

Good Morning,

My grandson was born at 34 weeks and he stayed in the NICU for two weeks, he is now a happy, healty 8 month old and has had no ill affects from being born early.. I think its safe to say your grandbaby will be just fine, and your daughter will probably need more tlc from having a c-section than the baby will.

Good luck and congratulations!!!

M.

I know it is hard to but please dont worry... your daughter will be fine. I delivered my first baby @ 37 weeks due to preeclamsia and he is a thriving beautiful 2 year old boy and I had no complications other than a long labor. He was 6 lbs when he was born. I was just like your daughter... working like crazy until the last minute...Please... Please... tell her to talk to her doctor and get excused from work to bedrest.

I am 36 weeks on my 2nd baby (and 39yrs old) and we are taking no chances this time and I leave on bedrest this Thursday! This is a rare lifetime experience, she should relax and enjoy these last few moment of being pregnant. Work will still be there and will continue with out us... I know, hard for us workaholoics to admit. I sure am glad I am going to this time! Best of luck and Congratulations.

I'm kind of surprised that they didn't just send her to labor and delivery then...they probably don't feel like the baby is getting what it needs from the placenta at this point. If it continues, the baby would grow less and possibly die which is why they would do the c-section and intervene. Your daughter should be fine, the real risk here is for the baby unless they are talking about some sort of possible abruption of the placenta from the uterine wall. In that case, your daughter would be at risk too. BUT, at 37 weeks, all is good...there is no problem going in now and taking the baby. She/he should be fully ready and is actually considered full term.

Congrats!

-M

Don't worry... the baby is early but generally it's considered pretty safe after 35 weeks. The baby may need to go to the NICU for awhile for observation/tests, but usually at that stage their lungs are developed enough to breathe on their own (unless something is wrong). And C-sections these days are so common. I was grateful mine was planned (my son was breech) so I didn't have to go through any labor at all beforehand, and it sounds like your daughter will get to miss out on all the labor pains too. ;) The healing from it is tough, but I'm sure she'll be fine.

I...it will be fine. I had a c-section 17 years ago due to placenta previa. The placenta was wrapped around my daughter's neck. She was delivered at 33 weeks. Looking at her you would never be able to tell. She is taller than me, extremely healthy and has no telltale signs. She did have lung problems at first, due to them not being fully developed, but not so much now. She has asthma, but nothing severe. I also have a 16 month old and a 5 month old delivered by c-sections. They were both born at 36 weeks. They are both thriving. My body just could not hold babies to full term. I have all girls and love them all. I went into labor at 20-26 weeks with all of them and ended up on bedrest as soon as labor started and on medications to help control the contractions. The placenta is how the babies get their nutrition from the mothers. If it is thinning, there could be problems with the baby getting food. But, with her being 37 weeks, it will be fine delivering them this early and there not being any complications. Best of luck!

I.,
A placenta is designed to work about 40-42 weeks, but some risk factors make it give out before, ie smoking. Doctors grade placenta's by looking at calcifications on them through ultrasound. If they have a lot of calcifications, they are classified as, I believe, a grade 4. This may be what your daughter's doctor is talking about. When there are more calcifications on a placenta, the baby doesn't as good of oxygen flow as they once did. Because of this, the stress of labor may be too much and the baby may need to be delivered by c/section. Hope this helps! -an l&d rn

I have had 2 c-sections... the first because I had complications and it was an emergency, and the 2nd was planned. Both my babies were born at over 8 pounds each, developed perfectly and healthy.

C-sections, in my case per my Doctor, are routinely 'planned' about 2 weeks before the projected due date...so that to avoid the "going into labor" which can complicate things if there is a concern... if a woman goes into labor early, unexpectedly, and has a "risky" pregnancy...the woman can possibly hemorrhage and this bleeding and rupturing can put the Mother AND baby at risk/death.

So take heart... a Doctor knows what they are doing.
A baby being born at 37 weeks is fine... and in the "safe" zone. The baby is sufficiently "developed" at this point... and it should be fine. They will take proper care of the baby after birth... and make sure all is well with baby and Mom.

The Doctor can address any concerns of the Mom.

Just provide any support if she asks.... pray for her, and all will be well. I'm sure she and her husband must be wondering about it too. If the doctor is prescribing bed-rest... then she would and should do that.

Main thing also, is to try and make sure she is not feeling "bad" or disappointed about having a c-section versus a vaginal birth. For some Moms, this can affect them. A birth is a birth... vaginally or via c-section. We all bring life and our babies into this world, and it is a special time for a woman. No matter what method.

After her c-section... let her and Hubby enjoy and recover as they need to. For you as Grandma... just be sure you let your dear daughter know, that you can help in any way SHE needs to, and to just ask you. There is a recovery time after a c-section... typically 2 weeks of "rest"... although each woman recovers differently. Research c-sections, and this can give you knowledge on what to expect afterward. My Hubby for example, stayed home with me for the first week, and then the 2nd week my Mom stayed home with me to help. They both took turns to help drive me around to my follow-up Doctor appointments and baby check-ups (since after a c-section a woman can't drive). No matter what or how your daughter and Hubby want to handle it... let them adjust in their own way, since it is their 1st child. You sound like a dear Mom... and don't worry, your girl will be fine. This is what I & my Hubby did after my c-sections. It worked out well. The recovery time was fine.

All the best, and take care,
Susan

Take heart...a baby born at 37 weeks is fully developed and healthy.

Hi I.,

It is difficult to tell what is actually going on with your daughter's placenta without knowing the doctor's diagnosis. Just know that there are a number of things that can happen with the placenta. It is not unusual.

The most important thing for you to know at this point is that these days, we understand a whole lot more about fetal development, and that a baby born at 37 weeks or later is considered FULL TERM! Your daughter's baby will be healthy, and because the doctors are watching the placenta, your daughter will also be fine.

congratulations!

Really, if she is 37 weeks, and she is having plroblems, it is probably better to get the baby out. Her dr will tell her that a baby is considered "FULL TERM" at 37 weeks. So, the chances of the baby having issues is really low.

My son was not growing well inside me, so they tried to induce me at 37.5 weeks. Well, the induction didn't work, so I had a c setion. I had an awesome recovery and a very small scar. I really don't think that there is anything to be scared of. I was freaked out about having the baby early too. My major concern was that the baby was going to need to stay at the hospital after I went home. The dr's assured me that that wouldn't happen. And it didn't.

The dr's told me, if the placenta isn't doing well, the baby isn't getting the nutrients that it needs, and that can lead to more problems. So, it is best to get the baby out, so that the baby can be given the care that it needs.

I know that I was super upset when I was told that I had to deliver early. But now looking back, if I have to deliver another baby at 37 weeks.....that is fine.

Good luck!