Help?! steroid injections 33+1

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Hi,

I’m really worried - I was admitted into hospital last night and discharged today as I had reduced movements for the last 3 days and this has been the fourth occasion now. They injected me with steroids and asked me to come back for another injection tomorrow along with another check on the baby monitor to see how his movements are. Movements are still the same and haven’t changed they are reduced only getting 6/7 every 3/4 hours which is a bit concerning but they advised me to wait until tomorrow when I come back for another check and discharged me.

They said the reason for the injections were just in case they needed to deliver the baby early? So what are they suggesting ? That because of the reduced movements they want him out and if he doesn’t pick up his movements they will induce me? Is that the case I’m just so confused right now as to what they meant by this I don’t know what to expect as I wasn’t expecting this. I did also go in with adom pain and back pain but they said this is normal in pregnancy and wasn’t anything to worry about so wouldn’t think that they thought I was going into preterm labour or anything.

Has anyone been in this position? Help? I’m just so confuseddd ?! And scared ! First time mom :(

The steroids are to improve baby's lung function in case they have to deliver early. They are concerned about the movements.

At some point they may decide to deliver the baby as the risks of prematurity are lower than the risk of "waiting and see".

Have they given you full ultrasound to check placenta blood flow etc?

I can understand why you're scared. Sometimes they do want to deliver early for reduced movement. Talk to the midwife you see tomorrow about the plan. I had my 3rd instance of reduced movements at 37 weeks. One registrar wanted to induce there and then but after consultation with the midwife booked me in for a scan the next day and induction would be decided after that. My scan was fine and showed my ds moving and good bloodflow from the placenta so they left me. I then naturally started labour at 40 weeks. I do remember the whole potential induction process being scary. See what they say tomorrow. They just want to ensure that you have a healthy baby, but should be more than happy to discuss the process. I think sometimes medics forget we don't actually know what is going on! Hopefully someone will be along soon who has been in this position (preterm) to offer advice. Look after yourself and try not to panic too much tonight.

@RandomMess they did a full ultrasound , and the blood flow and fluid around the baby was all fine and then after they decided to give the steroids which is why I was confused and just said just in case we need to arrange to deliver early. Didn’t think they could at this early stage?

@StarDanced thanks yeah it’s just really scary I’m hoping someone else has been through this and will have something to advise me on , gonna have to just wait until tomorrow otherwise

I am not a medic!

My friend delivered at 33 weeks and they give the steroid injections whilst she was in labour. I would think they are being cautious because you have repeated incidences of reduced movements for no discernible reason.

It sounds like you are getting thorough care

I had steroid injections at about 32/33 weeks. I'd been to the hospital with some pain in my lower abdomen. They said it was to strengthen lungs in case I had to deliver early. I did deliver early at 35+5 because I had pre eclampsia - everything was fine. Try not to worry. I know it's scary but chances are everything will be fine.

I was given steroids last year at 34+3 and the following day for reduced movements - was then taken for a c section the day after that and although my little boy was early the steroids saved his life - he was only in nicu for a week and you'd not know he was premature now. Best wishes to you

I was 33 wks ish and had tightenings and went in (as I was having id twins so they keep you under observation for everything) and gave me steroid injections just incase anything else progressed. It's just a precaution and I wasn't told there was a side affect.... they ended up arriving at 34ish wks and we're fine no complications, was expecting them to be whisked off to ICU.