tell me about steriod shots...

macyfitz80

I haven't been on the board in months, so Hi everyone!

It seems like many have had them b/c during a bout of PTL, or just as a precaution after the 30 week mark (or so). I have had at least 10-20  braxton-hicks contractions a day since my 2nd trimester, but with no cervical changes, so technically I haven't experienced PTL (my OB follows me very closely). But, should I advocate for myself at my next appt. and ask to get the shot in case these contrax end up actually being real labor in the near future??? I am 31 weeks 1 day.

 Oh, and did you get the shot more than one time? Why would you get it twice?
 

Thanks! 

lajolla09.30.06

The shot is always given twice, it's given 24 hours apart so you'd have it one day and go back the next for the second dose (or if you're in the hospital it would just be one of the many fun pokes and prods you get daily)

I had it at 33 weeks because I was in serious PTL and they were afraid the babies might come that day or the next.  They won't give it to you after 34 weeks because at that point the lungs are supposedly mature enough to not need them.  Once you have the first shot you need 48 hrs for them to kick in, so 24 hrs after you have the second shot.

I don't think (although I could be wrong) that they give them as a precautionary measure, only if you're in PTL.  I was having 10-20 bh more like every HOUR during the last part of my pg so I think you're probably ok   My OB didn't worry until it was more than one every 10 minutes.  

jasonlovessara

I had one shot the day that Bella's water broke... they were trying to hold off labor for 24 hours so that I could get a second shot but my body was not going to let that happen.  I was 33 w 6 d when I had them and they did require NICU time but were just feeders/growers and their lungs were mature.  So I don;t know how much was their age and how much was the shot.  I would talk to your Dr about it... it couldn't hurt to ask.  I would think that with him watching you so closely they woould wait until you actually have PTL. 

Good luck... and congrats on making it this far... keep it up!

hopewill

i havent experienced any preterm labor either...therefore...it hasn't come up which is prob the case with you...(my guess)...

 

hope all contineus to go well!

pea-kay

i got mine at 32 weeks when i was admitted to the hospital for early pre-eclampsia.  (so PTL isn't the only reason, just early delivery in general.) i'd asked my MFM at about 23 weeks if i'd get them and he said only if necessary. so you probably wont' get them unless there's a reason to. but all doctors are different, so maybe yours will give them to you if you ask. not sure.

lstaylor73

Timing is everything with the steroid shots and you can only get them twice before 34 weeks (I think that's the gestational age) because by that time the babies lungs should be developed enough not to need the steroids.  The first round of shots (they come in sets of two) "expire" after two weeks and then you can have another round if they don't see the lungs working adequately in an ultrasound.  I would suggest you talk to your OB or more importantly to your Peri if you can but if your Peri is not concerned at this stage I would not worry too much about them. 

ChiBride2007

I had them at 30w. I just asked at my routine OB appointment and had one that day and one the next. These should get me through until 34w and then hopefully they'd be in good shape if born after that. I didn't have any PTL, BP issues, etc. but it was a case of better safe than sorry, so they were given. I think doctors vary on this (like everything else, I suppose!)

RobynK

I had them at 35 weeks 2 days...I was checked into the hospital due to PIH and eventually had the babies at 35 weeks 5 days due to Pre-E. 

Some OB's give the shots 24 hours apart -- they can also be given 12 hours apart (which was my case).  I wouldn't have gotten the shots if I wasn't at risk of having the babies early.  My kiddos came home with me in 3 days with virtually no NICU time (4 hours as was policy for babies < 36 weeks).

AlpacaBunny

I only had them at 25 weeks when I was in the hospital with PTL.  I was having contractions every 2-3 minutes.  My OB said that if I have under 6 contractions an hour that it is ok, but if I go on for say 3 hours with 5 contractions an hour that I need to call.  After my hospital stay they have never talked about giving me any more steriod shots.  They always give them in two doses, 24 hours apart. 

Temp159135562506975

i had them when i went into PTL with my son at 32w. he was born at 36w and his lungs were perfect.

I asked my Ob about it for twins- if they would do it as a precaution and he said no- not unless i was having issues to make them worry about PTL, etc.