steroids????

Hey all,

I have a quick question for you. Without making this an extremely long post, let me just say I am almsot 32 weeks pregnant and i have shown some signs of preterm labor. I am waiting on the results of one more test and if that comes back positive it means I have a 4% chance of delivering in the next 2 weeks and this will be the 2nd positive test of its kind. If so the midwife mentioned giving me steroids to develop the baby's lungs. So 2 other RNY patients have told me we can't have steroids, but why? I just need an explanation for the midwife and maybe have injections???
Any answers would be appreciated..

Katie

I went into preterm labor at 33 weeks and was given steroids and Terbutaline. I went off Terbutaline at 35 weeks and was 40w2d when my son FINALLY came! As a nurse and an RNY patient, I have never heard not to take the steroid shots. At least, I can't think of a reason that would be worse for me, than potentially for the baby without the shots. Good luck!

Oral steroids are what RNY patients need to be careful of, though they are not strictly forbidden.  The reason for this is, they are hard on the gastric mucosa (lining) and can cause bleeding in the stomach and ulcers.  Just like Ibuprofen and others....

She would be giving you a shot... this should not cause any problems...   Should be no problem taking it!  And will hopefully mature the baby's lungs more quickly decreasing the chance of a NICU stay should baby come early....

Hope all goes well!!

I had this exact same scenario when pregnant with my second daughter. I started having contractions and bleeding at 32 weeks. I was admitted to the hospital had terbutaline shots and positive FFN tests. I was given steroid shots in the hospital to strengthen her lungs. 2 at 24 hours apart. I was then on oral terbutaline for the rest of my pregnancy and had her at 38 weeks 6 days.

You should be fine with the shots- and honestly I wouldn't go back and change any of my treatment during that time. It gave me peace to know that if she did make an early entrance that she stood a better chance