Hi ladies, does anyone know the “skinny” on baby’s lung development and delivery dates? I’m 37 weeks (yay!!!) and just when I thought we were “safe”, I had someone mention that mamas with DM sometimes have babies whose lungs take longer to develop. This means, apparently that “term” for a diabetic mommy could be later than a non-diabetic one. Anyone heard this before? When can we breathe our own sighs of relief knowing that our baby will stand the best chance of an uneventful arrival?
My daughter was born at 34 weeks and they told me the same thing. Orginally they told me she would be in the nicu for 6 weeks on a vent and feeding tube. She was out of the nicu in 6 days not even supplemental oxygen.
My first OB (whom I went to for pre-conception counseling and then he retired) said the opposite. He said that usually DMs’ babies’ lungs mature more quickly because of the rapid growth in the final trimester. My current OB and I didn’t discuss it because we were pretty much on schedule for 38 wks. So you’ve got me. I hope someone is able to give you a definitive answer.
Hi! I’m glad you and baby are doing well, Tziporah!!! 
My twins were 100% ready to be born at 34 weeks and 3 days. No oxygen needed at all. I think if your control is good, you can expect development to be similar to a non-D pregnancy.
Well, I have to say, this is all super reassuring! I feel more and more ready pretty much every day for this little one to arrive, (or at least to have my physiology back!) and it’s nice to know I’m inching closer to a time when it’s safe for both of us. We’ll see what our OB says this week… thanks Mamas!
Crazy you bring this up… I just had an appointment this morning and I was talking about this with my doctor.
supposively their is a small (very small risk) in type 1 diabetics that lung development takes slightly longer… I am having an amnio this week to see if my babies lungs are good to go… if they are I will deliver on Saturday… I will be 36 weeks exactly.
Wow…so close! I hope all goes well with the amnio, and the DELIVERY!!! Part of me wishes my OB would just deliver this baby already, but if she’s still happy cooking in there, I suppose thats good. Let us know how it goes!
I know the feeling the only reason they are willing to deliver early was because my baby is breeched… and i need to have a c-section. If the lungs are developed their really is no point in waiting… I will totally let everyone know how it goes
I had my son via c-section at 38 weeks, (just 10 weeks ago) and all went well. I had a previous Doctor that wanted to do a amnio at 37 weeks then proceed with a c-section the next day if lungs were ok.
I switched Doctors at 32 weeks, because I was uncomfortable with this line of thinking.
I’m so glad I did. Good luck! You’ll do great and so will your baby.
Heidi
Are you asking because you are afraid you are going into labor? I may be too late in my reply, then! I was sent for an amnio at 35 weeks for that very reason - to check lung development. I developed chloreostasis (a liver condition that is not associated with being diabetic) diagnosed at week 34 and if I were not a diabetic, the resolution would have been to induce labor to be sure the baby’s liver would be ok. However, because I am diabetic they were concerned that the baby’s lungs would not be developed and thus I was sent for the amnio so they could figure out what to do with us … needless to say, I never got the amnio because when I arrived at that amnio appointment, a quick check showed I was 5 cm dilated and they told me to head right to the hospital!!! She was born the next day and her lungs were perfectly fine.
No, I’m not in labor yet. I’m reasonably sure about this, mostly because I still feel this little girl up in my rib cage and no signs of her descent. I have been struggling with high blood pressure but luckily no other signs of pre-e. Just enough to keep me on my toes, or rather, off of them. As the pressures have been high, I’ve figured it was just a matter of time before our OB says, “ok, it’s time…NOW”, not because of my being in labor but because the PIH turns into something else. I can only imagine what it may be like to arrive at the hospital so far dilated! Actually, I’ve fantasized that I’d be *that mama" who doesn’t even really feel contractions or anything until I’m, oh, I don’t know, 8 cm. I can dream, right?
Thanks for all the support, ladies. Much appreciated! So far so good all around with this pregnancy, and with this baby; today’s biophysical shows her head down, big cheeks, full head of hair, and six and a half pounds!
Hey Tziporah - I was 5 cm and did not know the difference from the week before, in terms of discomfort. It can happen! I remember being at the hospital and being close to 10 cm and thinking “piece of cake” till I got the really strong contraction that made me yell “I need the drug!”
Wow, this is reassuring. Honestly, I can only hope my labor mimics yours in this regard. We’ll see, I guess… think I’ve got an official dilation/effacement check this week, so that will help me know what’s happening, too. Thanks Donna and I hope you’re super-enjoying that little girl of yours! She’s a cutie!
I think this can vary as much for any mother - my son was born at 35 weeks and he was completely fine. We even had exact conception and due dates so there was no doubt. He cried and has had no breathing issues at all. Good luck for delivery and enjoy your little bundle
Thanks for weighing in. It’s so interesting how “variable” all of this really is! It’s as if you have as many answers as physicians (read: decision makers) you ask. I have thought, “ok, make it to 38 weeks and then we’re good to go”, mostly because of some gestational hypertension that’s been cramping my style. So now I’m 38w3d and my OB won’t induce because she says that really, the risks for poor lung maturity in a diabetic mama go down after 39 weeks. ugh. meanwhile, this kiddo gets bigger and bigger, and i get more and more awkward. I guess it’s all good if they’re not panicking and saying, “WHOA we have to get this baby out right now!” but at the same time, I’m already further along than I thought I’d be for this pregnancy. It’s interesting having a pretty “normal” pregnancy, diabetes notwithstanding… though I wouldn’t have minded some differently special treatment.
I thought I would share with everyone. My baby Girl Adina was born on Friday, October 15th. via c-section. She was 37 weeks and 6 days. Her lungs were a little immature.
However, even though she had a bumpy start and was placed in the nicu… a few hours later she was breathing 100% on her own and crying up a storm
Congratulations Lindsay! Enjoy your time getting to know Adina!
Congratulations, Lindsay!!!
Congrats, Lindsay! How wonderful that her lungs were ready so quickly!!