Steroids before elective c section

[Curlymam88]

I'm having an elective section. Have been told I should have steroid injections x2 24hours apart to aid babys breathing and with the fluid in her lungs for when she's delivered. Has anyone else been offered this? I've not had chance to read or look into it yet (I'm only 22 weeks) my DD8 was born via section and she never had any steroid injections and her breathing was fine. Is this something new they're doing? Has anyone else been offered or had these steroid injections before a section?

I delivered at 38 weeks emergency section & was given two rounds of steroids 6 hours apart - this was as long as it they were willing to wait.
DS did have breathing difficulties & was in NICU.

I believe that if csection is to be before 39 weeks, they recommend steroids as you have been.

I had steroids before two c sections and not the other two, as I went into labour. It’s standard where I am to have steroids beforehand if your c section is before 39 weeks and you haven’t gone into labour.

Is it a new thing? As I was never offered it 8 years ago with my previous section.

I don't know if it's new (first baby here) but my C-section is planned for shortly after 39 weeks. They said if other factors mean it has to be brought forward they will evaluate steroid use, and definitely if the baby is not term.

Yep I had to have them before my section at 31 weeks.
They HURT. Very necessary though.

I had them 4 years ago with my son as he was born via section just before 38 weeks.
One in each bum cheek 12 hours apart I think.

Yes I had this. I thought it was routine.

Yep. Baby born at 36 weeks and steroids here.

Hope you don't need them, they hurt a bsstard!

Also. Go for the side of the thigh not a bum cheek otherwise you won't be able to sit down for an hour or two.

I had this on all of mine. My eldest was born nearly nine years ago. All three of mine were premature. It's a bloody horrible injection.

I had them with DS2. He was born at 38 weeks. I was told I didn't need them after 39 weeks. He's six BTW. I didn't have them with DS1 at 41 weeks, but he was an emergency.

The injection is straightforward, it's in the hip/near the bum and didn't hurt me. The steroids might make it difficult to sleep and make you ridiculously hungry but it does wear off.

Thanks for all the info

Just an FYI I had steroids yesterday and day before and whilst more uncomfortable than your routine vaccination they weren’t at all unbearable and the pain/stinginess subsided after 2-3 mins.. I was petrified reading some of these posts beforehand and it really wasn’t that bad.. hth

@Peachee thank you for the reassurance. I thought they'd sting a little but most jabs do anyway. Hope you're doing ok after them

Yep, mine was the same, sing a bit then fine after really.

*sting.

It was an ELCS but they were in a bit of a hurry to get LO out so steroids needed for lungs

It’s been a thing for approx the last 6 or 7 years as they realised that too many babies born by lscs before 39 weeks were getting RDS.

I had them before my section with my 8 year old as he was born at 35 weeks.

I had mine yesterday and today. Not painful, just a bit uncomfortable. I don't know if I'll be induced or c section but have been given them in advance at 34 weeks.

I had a planned section at 36+6 last year and was told no steroids were necessary after 36 weeks.

Was anyone diabetic and had to have them? I've been told ill have to stay in hospital when having them on a drip as they affect sugar levels so much?