Antenatal steroids for planned section

[Gracie7]

Hi,

So I’m currently pregnant with twins and as twin 1 is breach I’m having a planned section at 36 weeks (MCDANIEL twins). My consultant has recommended I have steroids a few days before to help the lung development.

Apparently because they aren’t being born naturally and because they are preterm they will need an extra bit of help. However, after doing some research I’m concerned about the long term impacts of antenatal steroids, including increased risk of behaviour disorders, brain development problems and other physical side effects too.

I just wanted to know if anyone had any thoughts on this? And also if you’ve had a section at 36 weeks or before without steroids?

[Mumoftwo1994]

@Gracie7

Hi,

So I’m currently pregnant with twins and as twin 1 is breach I’m having a planned section at 36 weeks (MCDANIEL twins). My consultant has recommended I have steroids a few days before to help the lung development.

Apparently because they aren’t being born naturally and because they are preterm they will need an extra bit of help. However, after doing some research I’m concerned about the long term impacts of antenatal steroids, including increased risk of behaviour disorders, brain development problems and other physical side effects too.

I just wanted to know if anyone had any thoughts on this? And also if you’ve had a section at 36 weeks or before without steroids?

I was in the exact same position as you. I ended having 4 lots of steroid injections and my girls seem absolutely fine, no issues so far.
I mean they're 7 months now so too early to tell I guess but they need it for their lungs etc so I wasn't going to argue.
Hope this helps.

[Ayupmeduck]

I had 2 lots of steroids at 37 weeks. My DS has no issues whatsoever. To be honest I had no idea about the issues you mention but even if I had it wouldn't have changed my decision. I would trust the medical professionals to have balanced the risks.

[bonzo77]

I had steroids prior to the CS delivery of 2 of my 3 children, at 35 and 37 weeks. Despite the steroids, the 35 weaker had breathing problems. Maybe they would have been worse without them. They’re nearly 8 and 5 now. No concerns with either.

[Bobbieblu]

I’m booked in for a c-section at 37 weeks for twins and opting not to have steroids. There is a recent French study that shows a correlation between steroids and long term behavioural issues, and whilst steroids roughly cut the risk of breathing issues in half, they do not completely eliminate them. At 37 weeks, the risk without steroids is estimated to be 5% - 8%, and with steroids 2.5% -4%. Based on that, for me the risk does not outweigh the potential upside, but we are aware that it may mean that one or both may have to spend some time in the NICU. That said, I don’t know if we would have made a different decision of expected c-section was at 36 weeks. Can your consultant give you more information on the risks at 36 weeks?