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Steroid shots prior to delivery?

BeachMama7693BeachMama7693 member
in Preemies

Hi all, I am 29 weeks today. I have Previa as well as rh incompatibility and we plan on a 37 week section at the latest. This weekend I was in the hospital for decreased fetal movement, and the baby had several dips in heart rate for a few hours. My ob decided to give me the steroid shots for baby's lungs just in case. The nurses assured me they would last until 37 weeks. 

After this I saw my high risk ob and he said they only last ONE week and you can only get them ONE time plus a rescue dose that lasts 2 days. Is this true? What is your experience. I am worried about needing them again at 34 weeks which was our goal for delivery... What if I can't get them again! 

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Re: Steroid shots prior to delivery?

  • jamiem538jamiem538 member
    When I was admitted for ptl at 23 weeks, I received steroid shots and the doctors said they are good for 2 weeks, with the greatest benefit being closer to the days you received them. You can only get two rounds of them and after 32 or 34 I can't remember at this moment the shots do not work anymore and doctors do not administer them.
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  • carrotcake06carrotcake06 member
    I was given steroid shots at 32w and was told they'd last until 34w at which point they are no longer administered.

    I was given 2 shots, 24 hrs apart. I ended up having my boys at 34w exactly and they had no breathing issues whatsoever [thry did have a 13 day NICU stay, though, which is pretty standard for 34weekers].
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  • Mrs. AliceMrs. Alice member
    Yes your OB is correct.  The steroids are supposed to help the baby make surfactant in his/her lungs if they are born premature.  It can also help protect the nervous system.  That's why they should be given only if there is a significant risk of delivery in the next few days.  The timing can be tricky but I assure that babies born without mother's receiving steriods at all can do just fine too.  I don't believe they are usually given after 34 weeks though.  I had them at 24 weeks and then another round at 28 weeks right before their birth.  Good luck and I hope you can hold on until 37 weeks!
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  • niftychick29niftychick29 member
    I can't really answer your question, but I can tell you my experience with steroid shots.  I was admitted to the hospital for an evaluation when I was 33 weeks 4 days, and was determined to have pre-eclampsia at that point.  They gave me a round of steroids, waited 24 hours, gave me the second round, and then my son was born via C-Secion the next day, at 33 weeks 6 days.  He was 4 lbs. 3 oz. when he was born and had no breathing problems.  He stayed in the NICU for 3 weeks, mostly just to gain weight and learn how to eat.  Good luck to you!
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