This picture is a photo of the two baby outfits that Antoinette has picked for little Billy to come home from the hospital in. We're taking a poll on which one you think he should wear. Just reply back to the email if you want to vote. The consensus is that he'll be wearing blue, so when he comes out bald, which is still my guess, there shouldn't be any doubt as to his masculinity. Personally, I think his bulging biceps and six pack should be enough to sort that out, but Antoinette just rolls her eyes at that. Not sure why. What?
On to babies that are born at this point in pregnancy. Quietly, Billy has passed another crucial phase of development. Babies that are born after Week 32 are far less likely to suffer from major complications that typically are associated with premature birth. 84% of premature births occur from Week 32 to Week 37 (from Week 37 to Week 40, a baby is considered full term). The 16% that are born prior to Week 32 are more likely to suffer from health conditions. Survival rates on a baby born in Week 32 or 33 are a bit higher than 95%.
There are many reasons that the chance of preterm delivery can be increased. Antoinette seems to not be experiencing any of these. Some of the major issues include previous preterm delivery, a birth consisting of multiples (twins, triplets, etc.), and uterine or cervical abnormalities. Antoinette has none of these. There are also lifestyle choices that can lead to preterm delivery. They include lack of prenatal care, smoking, drinking, drugs, exposure to the drug DES, domestic violence, lack of social support, high levels of stress, and long working hours that include long periods of standing. Antoinette has none of these. Finally, certain medical conditions during pregnancy can increase the chances of preterm labor. They include infections, high blood pressure, diabetes, clotting disorders, being severely underweight prior to pregnancy, obesity, short window between pregnancies, in-vitro fertilization, birth defects, and unusual bleeding. Antoinette has none of these. Ultimately, she has no symptoms, lifestyle choices, or categories she fits into that would indicate this is a strong possibility. Based on that, she has about a 98% chance she will take this pregnancy to full term (Week 37-Week 40).
Among the laundry list of potential health issues that little Billy may have dodged already by making it to Week 32 are Intraventricular Hemorrhage, Retinopathy of Prematurity, and a host of various infections. Most babies born at this point will not even need a respirator. Some do and typically they are not on it for very long. While babies born this early are less likely to have physical issues, they are still at risk for things like behavioral disorders. Some other developments that close out Week 32 include his bladder continuing to process fluids more efficiently and his lanugo (baby hair covering his body) continuing to fall off.
Finally, women at this stage of pregnancy need to know the symptoms of Preclampsia, which can cause high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Symptoms include severe headaches, seeing spots or flashing lights while resting, increased facial swelling, stomach pain, and nausea, vomiting, or generally just "feeling sick". Preclampsia is a serious condition, so Antoinette and I will be paying close attention for that stuff. That being said, she has no odd symptoms that fit that description and has a doctor's appointment on Wednesday to cover some of the new symptoms that have popped up (like the sternum tingling). That is the same day that Antoinette's Mother, Charlotte, is coming to town. I can't wait to see her face when she gets her first in-person view of her daughter's expanding belly.
Tomorrow begins Week 33. I'll get out an update immediately so that we are all caught up and before things get busier around here with company in town.
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