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Original poster

Csec Opting out of steroids at 37 weeks pregnant

26 replies

Crumilicious · 27/03/2022 08:45

Hi has one opted out of taking steroids prior to csec. Im so confused as to what to do for the best of my baby. Steroids help mature the lungs however they have also got risk attached to behavioural problems in later development. Has amyone opted out of steroids with planned csec and how were your babies? Im due to have planned csec next thurs 31st march i will be 37+2. Im an icsi mummy xx

OP posts:
mummyh2016 · 27/03/2022 08:57

I haven't had a csec so what I'm going to say isn't what you've asked for. But I know they don't normally do electives until 39 weeks so I presume there is a medical need to have one at 37 weeks. I would recommend to take the steroids. I'd rather risk a child with behavioural issues than a baby with breathing problems.

stackhead · 27/03/2022 09:03

In a case.of breathing problems vs behavioral problems. I know which one I'd opt for!

For what's its worth I had steroids. DD born at 36+2.

Duracellbunnywannabe · 27/03/2022 09:06

Ask your consultant for the brains
Benefits - I would want to know actual figure
Risks - is it steroid or earlier arrival which is the risk to behaviour
Alternative
Instinct (what does your gut say?)
Nothing - what happens if you were to delay the c section?

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yorkshireteaspoonie · 27/03/2022 09:07

I am 36 weeks and currently trying to decide between c section and natural birth/ induction at 39 weeks. I also had ICSI to get here.

What I will say is that I've been on steroids my entire pregnancy to help control autoimmune disease and my baby is suffering no Ill effects so far. I've had scans and checks all the way through every 4 weeks

Original poster
Crumilicious · 27/03/2022 09:27

Hello yes ive been advised to bring due date fwd and have a planned sec. Im just terrified of making a decision that will cause more harm than good. Im trying to weigh up short term and long term benefits for my child. Thanks for reply

OP posts:
homeedregret · 27/03/2022 09:34

Mine was born at 36+2, I'd had two doses of steroids and she still had respiratory distress and needed SCBU and oxygen. I'd definitely go with the steroids. I wasn't aware there was any risk in later life, can you link that please?

Ethelfromnumber73 · 27/03/2022 09:51

The benefits def outweigh any risk for steroids- the data on behavioural problems are not consistent and are affected by the fact that the babies being studied are likely to have been born preterm which itself can affect behaviour. It's really important to have them to avoid breathing problems. Good luck OP

wonkylegs · 27/03/2022 10:06

I was on steroids for the whole of both my pregnancies (due to my health condition) and had extra dose for DS2s lungs for planned section at 37wks (DS1 was emergency section at 36wks so no advance notice)
Both boys were completely fine at birth and are now almost 6 & 14 and no issues with behaviour or health in anyway
We had the extra dose for DS2 as it significantly reduced the risk of needing NICU and there was an acute shortage of NICU beds at that time in our region so he would have been sent to Leeds without me which is about 1.5hrs away.

SamVimesFavouriteDragon · 27/03/2022 10:37

Look at the data and ask the consultant what they think of the data - from my reading it seems that there is no firm link between steroids and behavioural issues.
As the mother of a baby who did have breathing issues at birth, I would choose steroids every time.

Papayamya · 27/03/2022 10:40

I'd choose steroids, anything to give the lungs the chance at developing I'd very much prioritise. There is no conclusive or even super clear link between steroids in late pregnancy and future behaviours. Even for direct administration of steroids when they're born there isn't always a clear link- DS has to take a very high dose and we poured through the research and advice.

Rrrob · 27/03/2022 10:41

I had a c section 2 years ago at 36+6. Steroids weren’t even discussed. It was a level 3 teaching hospital so I was confident with the care they provided.

Papayamya · 27/03/2022 10:44

@Rrrob

I had a c section 2 years ago at 36+6. Steroids weren’t even discussed. It was a level 3 teaching hospital so I was confident with the care they provided.
They're recommended between 35 and 38 weeks if having a planned section but they're deemed to be less effective than if given before 34 weeks. According to guidelines you should have been offered them but they probably took into account everything else rather than forgot or whatever. Doesn't mean though that applies to this case.
Chely · 27/03/2022 11:16

I had them for our twins born at 38 weeks, no behavioural problems at all (now 6yr).
I wouldn't decline them.

Chely · 27/03/2022 11:17

Oh they turned 7 recently, daft me.

PiratePetespajamas · 27/03/2022 11:19

Honestly, are you ever going to know that any behavioural issues are down to the steroids? There are a hundred and one reasons why a child might develop behavioural issues and I very much doubt anyone is going to waggle a finger at you and say “well it’s because you took steroids in pregnancy”. You’ll never know. I’ve had two CS. First without steroids, second with. No discernible difference in behaviour that I could say would be caused by the steroids.

Take the meds that doctors say you should have.

bobbythevet · 27/03/2022 11:21

I had a csection at 37 weeks and I had the steroids. Despite this, my son still had trouble breathing and spent time in NICU. Not to put to fine a point on it but I am thankful every day for modern medicine because if he hadn't had the steroids, how much worse could it have been?

MariaDingbat · 27/03/2022 11:28

My daughter was born by section at 37+6 and I had 2 steroid injections the week before. She is 16 months and there's nothing apparent is showing up behaviour wise, she's great.

She did have to be resuscitated at birth (I was under general) and she has had a cough since November and is on steroid inhalers for it. I do would wonder if her lungs might have been even worse without the steroids.

Vicky1989x · 27/03/2022 11:32

My DD was born at 36 weeks (induction though) and I had steroid injections a week prior. She’s 22 months and no effects as far as I can tell. She was born healthy (although small due to IUGR) but didn’t need any help breathing. I believe the steroids helped.

theqentity · 27/03/2022 11:37

Lack of oxygen can cause pretty hefty additional needs too, OP. as a mother of a child with 'behaviour problems' I'm shocked that you would risk your child's life to try and avoid having a child like mine.

LittleSnakes · 27/03/2022 11:44

My daughter was born at section at 37 weeks. I had both steroid injections and she still got into respiratory distress and needed oxygen and then Cpap for 4 days. I think it’s good to question advice but they will have weighed up the benefits and risks and decided it’s the best for you.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 27/03/2022 11:44

I would take the steroids.

I had ICSI to conceive my boy.

You've presumably already taken a fair amount of drugs to get this far. All with their benefits and risks attached to them. Why would you go against advice now?

Is baby poorly to bring at 37 weeks?

birdglasspen · 27/03/2022 11:46

My second baby had breathing issues and was taken away for first 24 hours and that was extremely hard although in the long run it turned out fine, we bf successfully and at 3 is a happy contented lovely little boy. No steroids. Third baby was section and he had steroids. He was watched over as breathing wasn’t great at first but he wasn’t removed to icu and he gradually got better. I’d imagine it’s very hard to put behaviour issues down to steroids at birth….so many other things could cause behaviour issues from birth to when the child starts having issues. I’d go for steroids it’s really not nice seeing your baby in icu.

NCembarassed · 27/03/2022 12:11

I've had 3 caesarians. The last one I was offered steroids for the same reason as you, my baby girl needed to arrive a bit earlier.

In a previous pregnancy, we (both parents) found we carry a very rare genetic disease. This meant our sons lungs never developed properly (from a very early stage) because his kidneys did not function properly. This probably coloured my decision, as I was terrified something would go wrong, even though all scans showed everything as normal.

Personally, I find the steroids make my face feel sunburnt, but this does not last long. My baby girl arrived safely - she is in the lower centiles for weight, and healthy. DD is now nearly 9, her energy levels outlast mine, & she has no lung problems.

Thegirlhasnamechanged · 28/03/2022 14:05

DD was induced (following by section) at 36+6. DS was born by section 37+4. Steroids weren’t mentioned for either of them

Peaplant20 · 28/03/2022 20:10

They wouldn’t routinely offer steroids in this scenario if the benefits didn’t outweigh the risks. It’s their job to do that, I personally would take their professional advice (and did with my 34 weeker) x