Injections to mature baby's lungs

[CoteDAzur]

I'm in hospital since Friday for high uric acid levels in blood (470, way above 350 upper limit of normal range. They want to start me on cortisone (?) injections for 48 hours and have baby out straight afterwards, a day before my 48 weeks.

Just how risky is this lung maturing process? Once we start the injections, does baby have to come out in 48 hours or can we delay birth if my uric acid levels miraculously come down?

I don't think it's pre-eclempsia (yet?) as have no high blood pressure.

It sounds like I should have injectioons and push for CS.

What is the diagnosis then? Why are your uric acid levels being monitored? Do you have an itch?

Uric acid levels are monitored because I had the same problem with DD, coupled with high blood pressure, and had to be induced several days before term.

When I saw doctor last (Thursday) he said sometimes high uric acid precede high blood pressure. No formal diagnosis as yet, but it sounded like he was expecting bp to rise.

You might find that BP might stay OK but go up after delivery. If planning early delivery then steroids may be useful. Hope all goes well for you.

Hi Cote, sorry to hear you're in hospital. I don't really have anything to add about the steroid injections apart from to confirm that having them won't then mean that the baby has to be born soon. I had them at 30 weeks with DC2 who went on to be born naturally at 35 weeks. he was only in SCBU for 2 days. Had them at 34 weeks with DC3, who was born at 35 weeks and didn't need any SCBU.
(Remembering from previous thread your concerns about a large baby.) Have they done another scan lately? I'm guessing this issue may mean you're a bit upset that someone is now suggesting it might be induction rather than cs, since you decided on cs as the lesser of two evils, iirc? Hope it all goes to plan and your consultant sticks with the plan you decided on after much research...

I'm almost sure that they give steroids if your 34 weeks and under if they think your baby will be born within 48 hours. They don't normally give steroids to you if your over that. But it might be different for you I don't know.
Steroid injections normally only work for 48-62 hours after being injected.
I know that when a lady came into hospital at 24 weeks she was given them. She was then given them again 24 hrs before her section at 31 weeks.
Make sure you push for your section as I remember from other threads that its what you want.

Hope it goes ok for you Cote, take care xxx

Oh don't know if you had them for your first birth but just a tip... Make sure they do it above your bum cheeks. (if you gotta have them) The first injection went into my thigh and it hurt like mad!!! I had a huge bruise there for weeks. The second one she put into the top of my bum cheek and it was much better. They sting like you wouldn't believe!!! xxxx

I just gave some more blood for analysis (note the time and now stuck to monitoring machine. A bit futile, as baby sound asleep so no movement.

Apparently, my case will be discussed in a meeting of consultants this morning, after which my consultant will come and talk to me. Until then, I am to be kept hungry.

Which suggests to me that they see a possibility of induction today. Not CS, since that would need steroid injections 48 hrs before and I haven't had any. Hedgiemum is right, this thought is really pissing me off, especially as there is no new indication that my condition has worsened.

I would like to wait it out, as LeninGrad said and have a CS in 10 days (39 weeks). Or if birth has to be quicker than that, mature lungs and have CS in two days (38 weeks). I feel totally fine and don't feel any urgency.

What do you think will happen if they say "you will be induced today" but I refuse?

The fact that you are being kept hungry suggests CS to me. Perhaps they are going to talk about the usefulness of steroids? I don't think that they are truly necessary at this atge TBH.

Here, they keep you hungry even before inductions. In the offchance that you might need a general anesthetic (I imagine).

Meanwhile, I'm out

This morning's blood test showed lower (but still above normal) levels. So I have to go back every morning for a blood test, blood pressure, and monitoring. But as long as blood pressure doesn't go up and baby remains well, it looks like I will just continue like this for 10 more days until 20th when I will have the CS.

Good news then Cote!! Lets hope you can hang on for 10 days and have the birth you want xxx

I had two steroid injections at about 23 or 26 weeks(can't remember exactly)due to leaky waters and possibly delivering early...Dd however, arrived at 41 weeks of her own accord. Very healthy.

MN is indeed great. I was there for three days and three nights, and only saw my consultant in the last few hours. Before he came, NOBODY explained ANYTHING to me. Thank you all for your help. This was the only place I got any information from

That's good news.

I was in hospital for 3 months and only saw my consultant about 6 times... Its a joke.

Just saw that you're out! Great news! Will look forward to your birth announcement Cote!