Why don't they offer betamethasone after 34 weeks?

[BethanyB]

Sorry if this seems like a stupid question. I just went to the doc yesterday and didn't think of asking her this : . I have complete placenta previa, and am scheduled to have an amnio/csec at 37 weeks. My doc said they don't do beta injections past 34 weeks, even if the baby's lungs are found to be immature through the amnio. Does anyone know why? I know 37 weeks is not premature, but I could deliver before then if I start bleeding, and that's mainly what I'm worried about.Thanks!

[guestmama9908]

Here is a link to some info about Betamethasone and its use in Fetal Lung Development:

http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/hw222067

They don't give the shots past 34 weeks because at 34 weeks your baby's lungs will be considered mature enough for survival outside of the uterine environment. If they believe you will deliver prior to 34 weeks they will give you the shots then.

They probably don't do a second course of the steroids because of the risks involved. See above link for that info.

HTH

[BethanyB]

Thanks! That's kind of what I thought but wasn't sure. I always get home from the doc and realize I forgot to ask about something! :

[guestmama9908]

Thank goodness for the internet.

(I always do that to)

[Liba613]

I asked and asked for steroid shots before my son was born at 36 weeks, and they wouldn't give them. I still don't understand the logic.

He was in big trouble without the steroids. He was on a vent, on 100% O2 with sats in the 70s before he get surfactants. He was vented for a week getting progessively sicker and sicker before things turned around. He was in the NICU until past his due date.

My OB said that next time, if I ask for them, she will happily give me the steroid shots.