Thanks all for the info. The cramping I was having has settled down. I'm 36 weeks today and all's well so far but this is good info to have just in case.

Had suspected rupture of membrane at 32 weeks - had both steroid injections at that time. Managed to resist induction and DD arrived in her own good time at 39+6!

No ill effects of steroids to her or me - she is going to be three next month. Eeek!

Ds born at 33 weeks. 2 steriod injections 24 hours apart (was in labour for the second injection). Ds on oxygen and then CPAP for a while although I think that had more to do with underlying health issues than lung development. SCBU for nearly 4 weeks.

DD born 36 weeks induced due to pre eclampsia. I didn't get the injection (although they had talked about it when consdiering incducing me at 34 weeks).
She seemed fine but blood sugar and body temperate were low a very hours after birth so she went in a hot cot and had top ups of formula for a couple of days but no SCBU.

DD2 - prem labour at 33 weeks, steroids given but labour stopped with drugs. Delivered at 35+4, due to IUGR, avoided special care at first, but jaundiced so some light therapy.

DD3 - Steroids at 35 weeks, delivered at 38+5.

DS was born at just on 35 weeks - I was advised that they did not give steroids at that gestation, but he would have only got one dose anyway, as he was born the night after my waters broke

He was admitted to SCBU straightaway as he was grunting, had blood sugar issues, couldn't control body temp and then had jaundice. But he had 5 days in there and was then discharged straight home, fully bfed

I had steroid injections at 25 weeks at 31 weeks during my twin pregnancy. Both given when I went into early labour that was blocked by drugs. In the end, I had my babies at 35 weeks and they were born very healthy with no issues. In fact, the steroids meant that their lungs were well developed and they both avoided special care as they were able to breathe unaided and regulate their temperature.

Had I not had the steroids I'm fairly certain that they would have ended up in SCBU when they were born at 35 weeks.

They are worth having simply because they decrease the likelihood of the baby requiring a stay in SCBU. My consultant explained to me that SCBU was wonderful if they needed it but it tended to slow them down - premmie babies took longer to catch up if they had a stay in SCBU than a premmie baby that avoided the unit and went straight to the postnatal ward.

My babies are in very good health and so I'm very glad I had the steroid shots. I've no doubt they helped hugely.

Hope this helps.
K

Hi, an alternative view, my DS was born emergency CSection with prolapsed cord at 36 weeks + 4. No time to do anything to anyone - him or me - so no steroids but he never needed help breathing and was fine

Thanks all, do steroid injections to mature the lungs have any downsides that are known about?

I had DD1 at 32 weeks. Had the steroid injection but contractions started and she arrived before there was time for the second injection. SHe occasionally had oxygen in the incubator during the first three weeks but always breathed independently.

I had DD2 at 35 weeks. Same thing, water went but no contractions. Debate between doctor and consultant and NICU re steroid injection. I had it - at request of NICU - and again, baby came too soon for second injection to be given. She needed no assistance with breathing.

Both girls (now 2.9yo and 6mo) are absolutely fine.

Good Luck