Question about steoid shot, for babies lungs

[MCKMN]

I see in Motherwrens thread, that if you are 32 wks, that they will not give you the steroid shot for babies lungs.. Are there lungs mature at this gestation?

[ryleigh'smama]

It is my understanding that the lungs are not mature until 36 weeks. Up until this point I think they do try to give steroids to help mature lungs (depends, if you are late 35th week they may not cause you are close to 36 weeks, yk?). It may be that it takes less time for the steroids to work after 32 weeks. I thought it was 48 hours before 32 weeks and 24 hours after 32 weeks...but I am no expert on this.

[WinterBaby]

the steroids are reccommended at least until 34 weeks, I'm sure.

[shelbean91]

I had the steroid shot w/dd b/c my water broke at 31w6d. I had the shot at 32 wks and 33 wks, but they said they stop giving them at 34 weeks b/c they're not effective after that point. DOn't remember why, but that's what I was told.

[Lousli]

I had them at 33 weeks. My best friend had a 34 weeker, no shots (not enough time) and his lungs were absolutely not mature.

[anabellee]

my OB said that they will up until 35 weeks and as long as you are atleast 36 weeks they won't try to stop labor.

[MoonWillow]

This is all so very interesting. What smart Mamma's we have here in our DDC

[Cloth4Colin]

After all the PTL scares we've had, this info. was really helpful! Thank you, from me too, mamas!!

I'm most worried about going too early because our hospital doesn't have a NICU. Would I deliver here and the baby be transported or would they try and have us both at the hospital with the NICU...it probably depends on your area as to what they do, but I was just curious. Our nearest NICU is 1.5 hours away and I couldn't imagine being that far away from our little one! EEK!

[elmh23]

Originally Posted by Cloth4Colin

After all the PTL scares we've had, this info. was really helpful! Thank you, from me too, mamas!!

I'm most worried about going too early because our hospital doesn't have a NICU. Would I deliver here and the baby be transported or would they try and have us both at the hospital with the NICU...it probably depends on your area as to what they do, but I was just curious. Our nearest NICU is 1.5 hours away and I couldn't imagine being that far away from our little one! EEK!

Depending on how fast baby was coming, they'd probably try to transfer you to the one with the NICU. However if babe was coming too fast, then you'd deliver at your hospital with an immediate transfer to the NICU for baby. As for being far away, as soon as you're released, you'd probably be able to get a room in the Ronald McDonald house or you'd have to get a hotel room. As far as I know, your dh would be able to transfer with baby. (All my info is from talking with SIL who had a 28 weeker and has been at the hospital since August 12. She's learned a ton of info about what they do with "rural" preemies.)

[stretchmark]

Hi, To OP, I'm not quite sure why you're asking but here is what I know.

They used to recommend that women who may go into early labor get a steroid shot at 32 weeks. It is not recommended anymore unless labor is obviously happening.

My DD was born at 26 weeks and her lungs were great because her body was under stress and produced her own steroids to help mature her lungs. I think the lungs start producing their own surfactant around 30ish weeks but can't remember the exact week.

I received a shot during my sons pregnancy and the doc was very old-school and he intentionally overdosed me because he though it was best (long story) and my amniotic fluid went through the roof and DS didn't move for 24 hours.

I think the shot needs 24 hours to work and when I got it with my daughter, they were hoping she'd stay in longer but she had to come out before the steroids could work.