Official Intro + did you have steroids?

samakasrc

Hi ladies!

I posted yesterday and really appreciated the advice/input I was given. I'm going to do an official intro first because I feel like I will want to keep asking and return the help when I can.  I've mostly just been a lurker throughout my pregnancy and you ladies have given great advice

I am 27 years old and have a 31 month old DD.  When she was 9 months old we got pregnant again, at our a/s we learned our baby had a terminal condition (Bilateral Renal Agenesis/Potter's Syndrome) and would not live. We carried him to 36 weeks despite his diagnosis and were granted 35 precious minutes with him.  He was born December 8th 2011 at 36 weeks 1 day weighing 4lbs 12oz.  6 months later we were ready to try again and found out at our 7 week scan that we are having twins!  Big surprise as twins don't run in my family! The first few weeks of the pregnancy were scary.  Twin A (which at the time was twin was measuring 4 days behind, had a small gestational sac and later had an abnormal yolk sac.  All these things had fixed themselves and we found out at a 16 week full u/s that both babies are healthy little boys. The rest of the pregnancy has been pretty uneventful. I am now 35 weeks 4 days and am experiencing a lot of prodromal labor and contractions. BPPs each Monday and NSTs each Friday. At last Friday's NST we were watching the contractions popping up one by one. Hoping these boys hang in there just a little longer!

So my question:  (I'm sure this is asked a lot, but nothing came up when I searched)
Because of all these contractions I'm thinking a lot about "What if I went into labor today".  I didn't have steroid shots and my OB typically won't give them after 34 weeks.  I'm wondering:
1) how far along you were when your babies were born,
2 )how much NICU time they had if any,
3) Did you have the steroids?

lynn0926

In the FAQ there are answers to your first two questions. I dont think you need steroid shots for how far along you are. If your babies even need nicu care it should be very minimal at your stage. My sister is a nicu nurse and sees 35 weekers go home right away all the time. They might take them tomthe nicu to check them out as part of protocol, but could be back with you in an hour. GL!

Ruthie04

My boys were born at 36w1d. No NICU time, despite their low birth weights. They were both under five pounds. My OB and MFM were debating the benefits of steroid shots for me. I started showing regular and frequent contractions at my NSTs, which started at 32w. Additionally, my boys were facing an IUGR diagnosis, so there was a potential for an early delivery. My OB explained that steroid shots are not typically given after 34w because many believe they are no longer as effective. However, they are sometimes given for twins between 34 and 36 weeks. She did not explain why twins are different, so I'm afraid I don't have any info on the reasoning behind the decision to give steroids to twin late term preemies. Welcome!

Mrs. Alice

Like you said I think it's doubtful that you will recieve steriod shots being as far aong as you are.  The steroid is given to make the fetus produce his/her own lung surfactant which very premature babies don't usually have yet or don't have enough of yet.  However I believe around 32 weeks, they start producing it more on their own thus why after 34 weeks steriod shots are not usually indicated.  I recieved shots at 24 and 28 weeks. 

yinyang124

I was 34w exactly when I delivered my boys. They needed 20 and 27 days in the NICU. Most of their NICU time was spent learning how to feed from the bottle or breast and battling severe anemia that was not related to their prematurity. I did have 2 rounds of steroids- one at 23w and one at 30w, so they had both worn off by the time I delivered. I don't think you need the steroid shot. You're almost 36 weeks! Great job, mommy! For what it's worth, I started going into PTL at 23w and made it to 34w. Even if you're experiencing early labor signs right now, you could definitely make it a couple more weeks if you take it easy. GL!

cyndev

Welcome I'm so sorry about your previous loss. Congratulations on getting this far in your twin pregnancy, as PPs have said, 35 weeks is great. I would agree that your babies probably wouldn't need the steroid shots at this point. My baby girls were born at 33 weeks 4 days with no breathing problems and they spent 17 and 20 days in the NICU primarily for feeding/ growing. I did get the first steroid shot but the girls were born less than 24 hours later so I'm not sure if it helped at all.

HisGirlCridey

Welcome!

Our girls were born 35w6d with M weighing 4lb 5 oz and N weighing 5lb 8oz. I had no steroid shots, they required no NICU time, and we went home 4 days later together.

2moms2b

Welcome!  I just wanted to say great job keeping those boys cooking to past 35 weeks!  That is huge. I also wanted to say I am so sorry for your loss. 

My boys aren't born yet and I am right on track with you timing wise.  I just wanted to share my thoughts.  At 33weeks and 3 days by bp spiked and I was having contractions every 2 to 4 minutes lasting a minute to a minute and a half.  We discovered they were causing cervical changes.  They did give me the steroid shots (2 shots 24 hours apart) just in case we couldn't stop the labor. 

Thankfully we were able to stop the contractions and I am now on bed rest to keep the boys in until their eviction date of the 31st (37 weeks exactly). 

I would say at this point the steroid shots aren't necessary.  My doctor won't administer the shots or stop labor on twins after 34 weeks as to him the benefits don't out weight the risks.

My fingers are crossed and sending you lots of thoughts and prayers to keep those boys baking until 37+ weeks but if they come earlier you are in good shape!  This is what I tell myself as we are in the same boat. 

Best of luck Momma!

samakasrc

Thank you! I always forget about the FAQ pages...

 Thanks for all the advice. I feel a lot better knowing we have good chances that everything would be just fine.  Looking forward to getting to know you ladies!

mirnb

Congrats on making it so far! I had steriod shots at 30 weeks as a precaution (had an irritable uterus, so BH every day from 28 weeks on, sometimes 6+ an hour) but went on to carry my boys until my water broke at 38 weeks exactly. I would say with how far along you are there would be no need. Hope they keep cooking a bit longer!