Help re Pregnancy (33 weeks)

azzabazza

My daughter in law is 33 weeks pregnant and has been kept in hospital today as she has had a minor bleed. Son says all well with baby and just a precaution but they are going to give her steroids. Can anyone tell me why she will be given steroids? I am very out of touch with all the latest maternity care.

FBaby

They usually give steroids to babies who might be born early to strenghten their lungs. It might be because they think she could go into labour early, or just as a precaution.

I am not a clinician and obviously don't know your daughter in law, so that is a very generalist comment not to be taken as a diagnosis.

pawsies

Ask the hospital?

Millie2008_2

they are often prescribed to help with maturation of the baby's lungs, just in case your daughter does go on to deliver early. This minimises the risk of the baby needing intervention if delivered pre term

It's pretty standard care afaik

azzabazza

Thanks very much. I just wanted a general idea! I had a feeling steroids were connected to lung development. I am sure I am just being a worried Granny in waiting!

azzabazza

pawsies wrote: »

Ask the hospital?

They don't live in the UK so difficult to communicate with the hospital.

I just wanted a little re-assurance.

Cornish_piskie

Hi OP

Steroids are given via an injection into mum to help to mature the baby's lungs (increases the amount of surfactant). If babe is born prematurely then this will help with breathing. If mum has the steroids and still goes on to carry to full term, the steroids will not have a detrimental effect on little one. I've had them with all my pregnancies - 3 premmies and one born full term

This is a link to some information on surfactant and it's purpose in the lungs:

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/surfactant

I'm sure all will be well

azzabazza

Cornish_piskie wrote: »

Hi OP

Steroids are given via an injection into mum to help to mature the baby's lungs (increases the amount of surfactant). If babe is born prematurely then this will help with breathing. If mum has the steroids and still goes on to carry to full term, the steroids will not have a detrimental effect on little one. I've had them with all my pregnancies - 3 premmies and one born full term

This is a link to some information on surfactant and it's purpose in the lungs:

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/surfactant

I'm sure all will be well

Thank you very much - I feel very reassured. I myself had two premmies after very difficult pregnancies but never had steroids. It is wonderful how medical science has progressed over the last 35 years.

iluvfreebies

is pretty usual for steroids to be given as a precaution incase they need to induce labour before full term - im 36 weeks and was given steroids early on as a precaution due to my history - they arent too pleasent to receive but is good to know that then if they need to deliver bubs early the risks are greatly reduced - hope you get your nanny cuddles soon (but not too soon) and ure daughter in law keeps well xx

azzabazza

i!!!!!!!!!!! wrote: »

is pretty usual for steroids to be given as a precaution incase they need to induce labour before full term - im 36 weeks and was given steroids early on as a precaution due to my history - they arent too pleasent to receive but is good to know that then if they need to deliver bubs early the risks are greatly reduced - hope you get your nanny cuddles soon (but not too soon) and ure daughter in law keeps well xx

Thank you. I now feel far more relaxed and just hope it is 7 weeks before I need to book my flight! Can't wait to do the cuddles!

Hope all goes well with you and your imminent arrival! xx

azzabazza

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/surfactant



Having read this I am totally amazed. The doctors thought I was losing my first child when 28 weeks pregnant (35 years ago). I was told then that the baby would not be viable at that stage of pregnancy if I delivered. Fortunately I managed to carry him until 36 weeks when he was born poorly but able to breathe without assistance.

What great strides they have made over the last 3 decades.