Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Steroid injections for baby

12 replies

Ireallywantsomechips · 27/01/2023 11:11

Looking for other experiences for planned c sections…

At my last consultant appointment they said I would have to have steroid injections at 34 & 36 weeks. So I guess 4 doses in total? I’m 34 + 2 today and have a normal consultant appointment later but I’ve been looking into it and it seems a bit pointless for me to have them?

Basically I’m trying to clutch on to anything to avoid because I had them unnecessarily in my previous pregnancy and it was one of the most painful things I’ve ever experienced (the injection not the pregnancy)

I will be having a c section around 37 or 38 weeks which to me is full term? The reason for the section is for Placenta Previa but I’ve not had any bleeding or other concerns so wouldn’t expect the baby to have to be born any earlier….

OP posts:
Eagtess3 · 27/01/2023 11:16

Did they give you a leaflet about the pros and cons of having the steroid injections.

i was admitted into hospital last week at 35 weeks and they gave me a leaflet to explain the pros and cons of having steroids, the effects on the baby and when it’s best to have them

Original poster
Ireallywantsomechips · 27/01/2023 11:45

@Eagtess3 no I didn’t get anything from them. I’ve googled the pros but that’s all I’ve found really.

OP posts:
Greybeardy · 27/01/2023 12:32

sounds like you need to talk to your obstetrician. It is normal to offer steroids for section before 39 weeks to reduce the risk of needing respiratory support on SCBU. No intervention is without side effects and it’s up to you to decide with your obstetrician where the balance of risk and benefit is. Imagine they’re being cautious as there’s a chance you won’t get to term with a placenta previa and if the bleeding starts and is significant there won’t be time for the steroids to be work (it’s great you haven’t had bleeding so far, but doesn’t mean you won’t before the planned date).

Garman · 27/01/2023 13:05

I had the steroids injections in two pregnancies, they hurt like hell the first pregnancy and not at all the second time.

I had placenta previa in my last pregnancy. No bleeds until 33 weeks, cs planned for 38 weeks. Then 3 worsening bleeds and she was born by emcs at 34+2 all of a sudden then. She had severe breathing difficulties and her heart stopped, weeks in NICU and SCBU learning to breathe and breathe and feed at the same time, oxygen desaturations constantly. And that was WITH the steroid injections week before, if I hadn't had them and she wasn't a good weight for her gestation things could have been very different. It's a bit of discomfort for you but for a good reason.

User79853257976 · 27/01/2023 13:27

I think anything before 39 weeks is called ‘early term’.

Original poster
Ireallywantsomechips · 27/01/2023 13:55

@Garman sorry to hear of your experience! I hope she’s fine now.

Thank you for sharing, that’s made me feel better about needing them! Also I shall cling to your lack of pain as I cry through it!

OP posts:
Mummyme87 · 27/01/2023 14:00

Hey midwife here 👋🏻 it’s quite normal to recommend steroids before CS when done before 39weeks due to the increased risk of respiratory distress. However it’s usually two steroids 24hrs apart

Original poster
Ireallywantsomechips · 27/01/2023 14:32

@Mummyme87 I thought it was weird. They definitely said 34 AND 36 weeks but perhaps they meant between/or. I just didn’t question it until now but I can ask later!

OP posts:
MaoamAddict · 27/01/2023 15:06

I've had steroids in both pregnancies as I had severely premature DC. I had 2 doses 24h apart each time. They sting but the good for baby outweighs the discomfort for me 1000 fold

Hello12345678910okay · 05/07/2023 12:19

I’m 36+3 and today I’ve just had my second lot of steroid injections they’ve said I’ve had to them have them incase they need to deliver the baby before 37 week. This is my 4th day in the hospital I’m in so much pain and discomfort and my baby doesn’t move. I’m monitored twice daily and the monitor has been picking up a few movements but I can’t feel any. I’m having a c section at 39 weeks but with me having the steroids will I have the baby sooner or can I request to do so, with them obviously saying I’ve had these jabs incase they need to deliver before 37 weeks. My scans have come back fine but obviously movements are an issue. What’s peoples suggestions and experiences with things like this?

Original poster
Ireallywantsomechips · 05/07/2023 21:36

@Hello12345678910okay im the OP! I did have to have the steroid injections and I also had reduced movements. I googled it and it’s an unofficial side effect of the steroids.

I didn’t feel like I needed to be seen because I seemed to remember it from my first pregnancy and then googling reassured me - of course that’s not what I should have done, I should have gotten checked so you have done the right thing.

if the hospital get worried for any reason they will of course bring the birth forward but it wouldn’t hurt to speak to your midwife about your concerns

OP posts:
Hello12345678910okay · 05/07/2023 21:43

I’ve had both my jabs and they’re not happy with movements and neither am I I’ve got to be monitored again and this is my 4th day in the hospital now. I’ve an emergency scan in the morning and they said they’ll review me from there. I feel like I’m constantly getting messed around by them. I’ll be 36+4 when I go for my scan in the morning but I’ve had these jabs incase they need to deliver before Sunday. I just feel like If they don’t deliver baby soon was it pointless me having the steroid injections

New posts on this thread. Refresh page