Steroid injections

[Flowerpower]

Hi, I'm new to mumsnet so hope I've posted in the right thread!

So I'm 36 weeks pregnant and type 1 diabetic. I'm having a planned c section at 38 weeks due to the size of my baby. They are taking me into hospital at 37 weeks for steroid injections to help with the babies lungs.
I'm wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation? They advised I will have to stay in hospital after the steroid injections for 1 night, possibly 2 as the injections will affect my blood sugars.
I'm a bit nervous about this all and looking for hopefully positive stories!

Hi Flowerpower!
I can't give you personal experience, only to say that this is very normal, and nothing to be nervous about beyond the discomfort of the injections and the boring hospital stay.

Babies born vaginally release steroids naturally because of the slight degree of stress labour gives them (they can cope with it!), and their lungs get a good squeezing out too. Babies born by c-section don't get either of these, and don't always have enough of a particular substance (surfactant) in their lungs immediately, which can lead to breathing trouble. So, we give them steroids to "mature" their lungs ahead of time.

If babies are born vaginally before about 35 weeks, they get steroids too, but there's evidence that babies born by c-section benefit from them up until 39 weeks.

Because these steroids affect your sugars, you're likely to go hyperglycaemic unless closely monitored, and that isn't good for you or the baby. They may ask you to compensate for higher readings with your normal regime, or they may want you on a sliding scale (or be ready to start a sliding scale if your normal insulin isn't quite enough). Different units have different approaches.

Other than being bored in hospital there isn't much bad that can happen here, so take magazines/books/tablet etc. and take the opportunity for a rest.

I had 1 steroid jab at 35 weeks when needed an emcs and ds was fine. Didn't need special care at all.

Thanks for all the information doctormonty