Thursday, April 19, 2007

Clarification on the post below

I want to explain why the doctors are not keen on us flying back this weekend.

1) Flying back anytime before Robert is born has some risk that Kelly could go into labor on the flight. More specifically, Kelly sat in a sofa for 30 minutes and has been on a car ride for about 30 minutes. Going home will require a 1:15 drive to the airport trasferring her to a wheelchair, checking in, going through security, sitting while we wait, getting on the plane and then sitting in the plane seat for probably 4 hours (3.5 hour flight). All that is MUCH more than Kelly has experienced in the past 2 weeks and that much motion and disturbance might trigger labor.
2) Robert is at 33 weeks today. Babies are considered full term between 37 and 40 weeks.
3) Nothing magical happens at 34 weeks, but even an extra half week lowers the chances that there could be problems
4) If Robert was born today, odds are that everything would be okay. At this stage about 10% of babies have problems associated with prematurity. White male premature babies tend to fare then worst.
5) If you overlay the 10% chance that he might have a problem with the unlikely odds that Kelly would give birth on the plane, the odds are small, but we want to minimize the risks.
6) We have repeatedly heard 34+ weeks as a stage where the doctors (Kelly's OB and 2 neonatologists) would be more comfortable.

Hopefully that explains all the thoughts.

We had prayed for very clear guidance in the doctor visit this morning and we feel we got it. So as long as things hold stable, we are planning on coming back April 28, four weeks to the day after we left for vacation....

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Glenn,

For what it is worth, I think you and Kelly are making the right decision. Regardless of how hard it is on you guys, you have done and need to continue to do what is best for Robert. Please let me know if we can do anything for you.

- Keith

Emilia said...

Thanks for the extra info. Those doctors usually know what they are talking about!