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Original poster

What to expect from steroid injection tomorrow

39 replies

Bigoldwimp · 16/11/2019 18:33

hi. I’m having a pre c section steroid injection tomorrow. What should I expect? A quick jab and away you go or something else? Fine to drive? I’m wondering whether to go alone or ask my husband to take me, but the latter would mean bringing our two boys along too so wouldn’t be fair if they

OP posts:
Rememberallball · 16/11/2019 19:32

I had this in August. Injection into buttock was a bit stingy but only for a moment or two; had second one 12 hours later in middle of the night as consultant wanted c section in the morning. If I hadn’t needed the second one after 12 hours, and if that hadn’t been the middle of the night, then I could have gone home afterwards - and I was fine to drive.

Good luck xx

Winterdaysarehere · 16/11/2019 19:33

Top of thigh here...
And buggar did it hurt!! Only had time for 1 and ds was fine at 35 weeks.

abbs1 · 16/11/2019 19:50

I've been on steroid injections for hyperemesis in the stomach for two weeks 1 every day and it stings for a minute and then gone. Didn't hurt. Feels more like a pinch and I was fine to drive.

Original poster
Bigoldwimp · 16/11/2019 19:50

Thank you: so just go on my own you think or will it be a short enough visit that my husband and children can sit in a cafe whilst i pop in?

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 16/11/2019 19:52

I had to have it when dd threatened to come early.

Two lots with 24 hours between each dose at the top of my thigh

Really burned! And I had a bit of a sore leg after

SleepingStandingUp · 16/11/2019 19:57

A sore arse!!

In theory short enough for the DH and kids to wait, but depends how good at time keeping your hospital is I guess. Is there somewhere nearby they can head or a decent cafe?

Presumably you've got one the next day too so kids might get bored sitting around for two lots so I'd say take them for first and then see how you feel for second.

Got mine in 3 weeks

Bangkokbaby · 16/11/2019 20:00

I didn't find them painful, and I hate needles so had got myself all stressed about them!
I did find that I couldn't sleep afterwards. I had 2, 24 hours apart I think. I had very very little sleep either night. I just wasn't tired. I'm sure it was the steroids.
I suppose it just prepared me for the next 4 years of very little sleep though 😂

Lottieskeeper · 16/11/2019 20:04

I had to have them so I asked around my friends and did a bit of research on the internet and got completely frightened that it would be awful. One very close friend said it was the worst part of the whole thing.
So I was terrified and it turned out to be absolutely fine, just a little stingy. Got myself all worried for nothing.

The fragmin injections after on the other hand are sore.

SleepingStandingUp · 16/11/2019 20:21

Fragmin, are those the blood thinners you have afterwards?

DuchessMustard · 16/11/2019 21:33

It hurts like fuck but it's OK afterwards.

Original poster
Bigoldwimp · 16/11/2019 21:53

Ok: thank you. I might drag them with me for solidarity tomorrow then and go on my own the following day. Maybe I’ll get big muscles and take a shining to protein shakes afterwards ;)

OP posts:
ameliathomas84 · 16/11/2019 22:06

@Bigoldwimp pre section? This is heparin then I'm assuming not steroids? Or is the jab nothing to do with the section? As if it's heparin it's just a blood thinner which is very small fine needle into tummy fat,??

inwood · 16/11/2019 22:22

@ameliathomas84 I assumed it was the steroids to produce lung surfactant, not heparin. You can do that at home. I had them 12 hours apart at 31 weeks, it smarts a bit but over in seconds.

Ribbityrib · 16/11/2019 22:25

Dose no.1 i didn't feel at all, no.2 was like being kicked by a horse. But over in seconds - felt fine afterwards.

SleepingStandingUp · 16/11/2019 22:30

Think op means the steroids for baby's lungs.

As if it's heparin it's just a blood thinner which is very small fine needle into tummy fat,?? you're more woman than me. I've been taking that from 28 weeks, every oen makes me want to cry

Original poster
Bigoldwimp · 16/11/2019 22:54

Yes steroids for the babies lungs as the baby is being delivered a little early. I was joking about the protein shakes .

OP posts:
ParadiseLaundry · 16/11/2019 22:58

As pp said, I also didn't sleep after I had it. And also, sorry if this scares you bit I get really rubbish for a good few days afterwards, really wiped out and breathless. I didn't associate it with the injection at the time but someone mentioned it on a FB group and loads of people agreed that it had happened to them too.

SaggySadSack · 16/11/2019 23:17

I had the steroids injections before a CS. The only thing I remember is the next day coming out in redness all over. It just looked like I was quite sunburned, but not painful at all.

DuchessMustard · 17/11/2019 09:38

@ameliathomas84

pre section? This is heparin then I'm assuming not steroids? Or is the jab nothing to do with the section? As if it's heparin it's just a blood thinner which is very small fine needle into tummy fat,??

No, as the OP and many other posters have said, it's steroids which are injected into your thigh/bum via a huge needle. To support the baby's lungs before an early section

What makes you think that not only is the OP so ignorant that she doesnt know what she is having, but that everyone else who has shared their experiences on this thread are also deluded or stupid?

Bizarre post.

HiyaVera · 17/11/2019 10:05

It stings but I found wiggling your toes helps a little! I had 2, 24 hours apart. Was only in for 5/10 mins each time.
And I ended up with a stinking cold for a week after though!

ameliathomas84 · 17/11/2019 11:55

@DuchessMustard what???!! How rude! I asked a question she never said what injection it was! Yours is the bizarre post! I merely asked a question which it was as steroids are not given pre section just in general! I am a nurse I'm quite aware of the injection process darling however asked a question so I could advise but thanks for taking time out of your day to try to caus an argument that op didn't see fit!
Thanks 👋🏼👋🏼

Mammabear111 · 17/11/2019 12:54

Hi I my self had a steroid injection while I was pregnant with my baby and it's very painful

DuchessMustard · 17/11/2019 17:39

@ameliathomas84 How rude! I asked a question she never said what injection it was!

Her thread title is: What to expect from steroid injection tomorrow

The first line of her post is: hi. I’m having a pre c section steroid injection tomorrow.

I merely asked a question which it was as steroids are not given pre section just in general!

Nope. You decided to come on the post to tell the OP, & everyone else who had responded to her, that she was wrong about the injection she was having.

As is crystal clear both from the OP's post and from all of the responses, steroid injections are very frequently given prior to C-section to support the baby's lungs.

How strange that you, as a nurse, don't know that...

Hope the injections went OK, OP.

ameliathomas84 · 17/11/2019 18:41

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
Bigoldwimp · 17/11/2019 20:26

Hi. Thank you so much for everyone’s advice. It was very much appreciated.

For anyone who goes on to look up the same information at a later date, I waited for a while for a dr to come to the day ward but the jab itself took a few seconds and was done in my very upper thigh. Must’ve had a gentle nurse as it wasn’t too painful and I’m (as my mn name suggests) a bit of a wimp! @HiyaVera good advice on wiggling toes after too :) back tomorrow and won’t need anyone with me, although I was grateful for company today and rewarded my own light stoicism with a hot choc from hospital costa

OP posts: