I am on bed rest because I am at risk for preterm labor. I have read some stories about getting a steroid shot if I happen to go into labor. Sounds like it is very helpful for developing the baby's lungs. Does anyone have any opinions or success stories of their own?

if it is for baby's lungs yes get it but anything else dont do it unless you feel it's best

I would do it to be honest. I wouldn't even question it

I had them with my son. He was born at 36 weeks and had no breathing problems at all. He didn't need to spend any time at all in NICU. So for us they seem to have been a great option.

Also know a girl who had 2 babies at 30 weeks. First she did have them but was already in labour. her baby was home after about 5 weeks. Second she had them.before going into labour as was thought she would go into labour early again. She was out within a week second time.

DO IT DO IT DO IT. I know some place they won't give you steroids until you reach 24 weeks because before that the baby is not considered viable. But as a NICU nurse I can tell you that the difference in lung development between extreme prems that HAVE had it compared to the ones that haven't is enormous! Babies without steroids on board need much longer reparatory support and have more BPD ( a premature induced chronic lung disease)

you have to give the steroids at least 12 hours before delivery to give it a chance to get to the baby .......but ideally 24 hours and they will give one dose and then another 24 hours later. THey only last (i think) about a week and then it needs to be repeated. Also if you are going to have en extreme perm they should also put you on a Magnesium sulfate drip if you are going to deliver that day. It is a medication used to women with super high BP in PIH but it also helps protect the very premature babies brain against bleeds.

good job! and remember that every painful day spent flat on your back in one less day your baby will have to spend in the NICU separated from you.

Yes, do it! My friend had her baby at 25 weeks, and managed to get one round in before giving birth. Her little girl is doing well, at home, a month after her actual due date.

With DS2 and 3 I needed those shots. I managed to hold on to DS2 until week 37, so it had plenty of time to work. With the sound of his cry at birth, they may have worked a little too well. DS3 wasn't as lucky, I went into preterm labor at 26 weeks, was given shots and held him in for 4 weeks before I went into full labor. He did wonderfully, he didn't require oxygen like they thought he would and only needed the cpap machine for a few days. He went home a month before his due date.

I had 3 shots with my twin born at 29 weeks. They both had lots of breathing issues, but nothing to abnormal for their gestation. They are great now and have no issues at all.

I had the full round with my son before he was born just before 35 weeks and he didn't need much oxygen help, was on a head box for half a day just to make sure. His lungs developed beautifully.

Hi I had my daughter at 29wks after my waters suddenly broke on a Sun evening and was given my first shot when I got to hospital and was supposed to have the 2nd shot 12hrs later but my daughter was born about an hr before it was due! She struggled with her breathing throughout her stay in NICU which was for 10wks. She now suffers hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy.

With my son I managed to get both shots before having my sonat 30wks and he was breathing pretty much on his own (they gave him a little support for 24hrs) and I managed to have a quick cuddle before he was taken to NICU. He has no long term problems and was only in NICU for 5wks.

This time I'm being given them routinely at 28wks whether I go into labour or not because the benefits far out way any negatives (I don't even think there are any to be honest!) In my opinion if you are showing ANY risk of preterm labour you should get them and push for them if they are not offerring them yet as you need to have a good 12hrs before each dose and ideally as much time as poss after this for them to reach baby. You don't need a repeat set of shots. Good luck and here's to hoping our babies want to stay put a while longer xx