Lung Maturity Test

Has anyone here ever had it? It is just like a regular amnio? I've never had that either but I am getting nervous. My doc is considering it (now almost 33 weeks) because my spinal fusion has me in agony.

Is this worth it or have you heard of too many risks? I'm very torn....

Re: Lung Maturity Test

Dana I never had it, but i wanted to send you the very best and lots of well wishes

Re: Lung Maturity Test

Posted by sweetness

Dana I never had it, but i wanted to send you the very best and lots of well wishes

Re: Lung Maturity Test

I will be having this. I believe that the main risk is that the amnio can put you into labor or cause your water to break. At 33 or 33+ weeks, that risk does not pose the same threat as it would have if you had an amnio at 16 weeks (done the same way but for different info). The information about the lungs is crucial if you are to deliver early.

Re: Lung Maturity Test

Re: Lung Maturity Test

I had this...twice. My previa never moved, so my Dr wanted to do my c-section at 37 weeks (which is when labour for a previa becomes a risk). I went at 36 weeks for my first test. It is just like a regular amnio as far as how they extract the fluid. It is considered less of a risk than the genetic amnio at 12 weeks, but that is because if you go into labour or the fluid leaks there is a better chance of the baby having a successful delivery in the third trimester. The reason why they have to check for lung maturity is that the hospitals will not allow for a c-section (normally) unless the lungs have reached an appropriate maturity level so as to reduce the likelihood of RSV and other respiratory issues. Also they want to reduce the possibility of forcing an early delivery that results in the baby needing NICU care (depending on the mother's medical condition, of course). They can accelerate lung maturity through the use of steroids, but most hospitals do not do that for an "elective" c-section.

My first amnio went well. Barely felt a thing & we got to watch the fluid extraction on a sono (and another chance to see the nugget). The lungs came back immature (which is expected at 36 weeks, and are normally mature at 37 weeks). I went back the next week and was having contractions, so the amnio was more difficult. I ended up going into labour so I went to the hospital & had DS that day anyway.

hope this helped

Re: Lung Maturity Test

Posted by MsMBV

I had this...twice. My previa never moved, so my Dr wanted to do my c-section at 37 weeks (which is when labour for a previa becomes a risk). I went at 36 weeks for my first test. It is just like a regular amnio as far as how they extract the fluid. It is considered less of a risk than the genetic amnio at 12 weeks, but that is because if you go into labour or the fluid leaks there is a better chance of the baby having a successful delivery in the third trimester. The reason why they have to check for lung maturity is that the hospitals will not allow for a c-section (normally) unless the lungs have reached an appropriate maturity level so as to reduce the likelihood of RSV and other respiratory issues. Also they want to reduce the possibility of forcing an early delivery that results in the baby needing NICU care (depending on the mother's medical condition, of course). They can accelerate lung maturity through the use of steroids, but most hospitals do not do that for an "elective" c-section.

My first amnio went well. Barely felt a thing & we got to watch the fluid extraction on a sono (and another chance to see the nugget). The lungs came back immature (which is expected at 36 weeks, and are normally mature at 37 weeks). I went back the next week and was having contractions, so the amnio was more difficult. I ended up going into labour so I went to the hospital & had DS that day anyway.

hope this helped

Re: Lung Maturity Test