Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks? UPDATE

Of course, it's up to my doctor, but I was wondering your thoughts on the whole steroid shot thing to develop the baby's lungs in case of early delivery.

I have 2 doctors' appointments today...
1 with the PeriNatologist and 1 with my OB.

I think my PN wants to evaluate me today to see if he thinks the shot is necessary.

My OB made it sound like an "automatic" to go right to the hospital tonight and tomorrow night for the steroid shot.

I'll do anything they tell me to do, but I almost feel like I'd rather not get any type of "artificial" shot if it's not necessary.

I'll be 34 weeks tomorrow. I have been on bedrest and may be able to move around more starting tomorrow.

Any thoughts on the shot or how far along I am to get the shot?

UPDATE:

Okay.... so all pretty good news today! My cervix actually increased slightly to 2.99 from 2.6. Because of that, my PN does NOT recommend the steroid shot in my case since he believes, at this point, I'll get to 39 weeks.

He actually mentioned a study he read where steroids - while necessary for babies' lung development when very premature - can actually lead to diabetes later in life (after 30 years old) and can affect babies' abilities to cope with stress.

Those two "side effects" are exactly the reason why I didn't want to do the shot if it wasn't absolutely necessary, so I'm glad my doctor looked at the whole picture and said I don't need it.

Thanks for all the helpful info and advice!

Message edited 7/7/2011 9:18:17 PM.

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

I'm confused....Do they want you to get that shot so they can deliver the baby earlier or if and when you deliver (and its early) then they will give you the shot? Sorry just don't understand the exact situation.

Anyway for me no I would not do anything that involved delivering earlier than 36 wks unless baby was in distress. If that meant staying on bed rest then so be it.

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

If you have been sticking with the bedrest and your cervix hasn't changed, why would they recommend the steroid shots? Just curious. That's something I'd be asking my doctor.

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

I want to start off by saying I'm not much of a "natural" person. I have no issues with medications that are prescribed by my Dr. and generally don't question too much because I find Dr's that I fully trust with my care.

Not saying that you (or others) don't fully trust your Dr's ... just explaining my POV.

My understanding of the sterroid shots is that its a series of 2 shots and it takes 48ish hours for them to be effective ... is that right?

I agree with LB that if there are no signs that you'll be going into labor soon, that your cervix is unchanged and you aren't dilating, etc. ... then it *may* not be necessary.

Have they been doing the fFN tests at your appointments? That test helps indicate if they think you'll be delivering in the next 2 weeks.
http://www.ffntest.com/info/fetal_test/what_fetal.html

But if the Dr's think its possible you will go early, then I would absolutely have the shots.

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

I had one at 32 weeks with my first, but I was in active labor and she was delivered within a few hours of the shot bein administered. If they have to do it, they are preparing to take the baby. There is nothing artificial about it.

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

I had them because I developed pre eclampsia and DS was coming 8+ weeks early. It's meant to help develop the lungs further so that the baby is more likely to breath on their own once born. It can make a huge difference. I got both shots, but had an emergency c/s within 1 hour of receiving the second shot so it didn't have time to really work. Regardless, DS was born breathing on his own and the shot(s) definitely helped.

I've never heard of someone getting the shots just because. Usually it's because they think an early birth is imminent.

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

I had this whole discussion today.

My FFN came back positive. My OB said the standard of care used to be that the steroids were given automatically in light of the positive FFN. My high risk said not necessarily. My cervical length was stable as was my uterine activity. Since there was no clinical change, there was no need for the steroids. If there had been a clinical change or labor was imminent, steroids would be initiated.

We also reviewed what would happen if I missed the window of opportunity to give the baby steroids. While they are beneficial to the baby, not having them is not detrimental.

I decided that I would rather not have intervention until its deemeded necessary. It's a personal decision you should make with your doctors.

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

Antenatal Corticosteroids are not usually given beyond 34 weeks gestation...

At least this is what I was told in my last 2 pregnancies...

Im curious to see what the PN says...

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

i had the shots and delivered at 33w. i truly believe it made all the difference in the world since had no breathing issues at all as a 3lb preemie. she came out crying and was vented for precaution at first but was off within 24 hours. shes had absolutely no issues since. i truly believe the shots made a difference.

if your dr. is recommending them chances are his plan is to deliver early. most doctors will only do that if the risk to the mom is greater than the risk to the baby being delivered early. if it were me id take the precaution and get them. better safe than sorry, especially if you've had a difficult pregnancy.

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

I got it at 33wks when I was in for preterm labor and I would not have had it any other way. I had to stay for 24hrs since it's a 2 part shot. I 100% it helped get her ready to come a bit early and it gave me some piece of mind that we were doing everything we could to prevent the birth, but yet plan for an early arrival as well. I remained on Pro-Cardia 3-4 times a day from 33wks to 36wks for contractions

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

I had the steroids shot with dd at 24.5 weeks because I was contracting regularly every 2 min and they were unable to stop them. They finally gave me the first shot and started the magnesium which stopped the labor. I got the second shot the next day because their concern was very premature delivery. Long story short I was on bed rest and a t pump till 36 weeks when my blood pressure went through the roof and I delivered at exactly 37 weeks which is full term but drs said they were glad I had the steroids shot because even at just 37 weeks there can be issues with breathing. If at 34 weeks they're are no contractions and no cervical changes the bed rest seems to be doing its job I don't see a reason they would give the shot and or lift your restrictions till the 36 week mark.

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks?

Posted by medic6809

Posted by teaforthree

I'll be 34 weeks tomorrow. I have been on bedrest and may be able to move around more starting tomorrow.

Any thoughts on the shot or how far along I am to get the shot?

SOrry for the 2nd post but THIS is why I am If they believe you need a steroid shot becuase the baby may come early they should NOT, IMHO, lift your restrictions until 36wks which is pretty standard for most bedrest. I was on STRICT bedrest with only bathroom privs and I could shower every other day for no more then 5 minutes to be spaced with a bathroom break at least 3 hrs apart.

This shot is not a can't hurt might help thing, my experience is it's for women who ARE going to deliver early and it's a pretty much given or it's a hail mary incase they can't stop labor. I would 100% NOT take this shot only to have them say I can be more active. To me that just doesn't make sense.

Re: Your thoughts on "steroid shot" to help develop baby's lungs at 34 weeks? UPDATE

bump for update!!