steroid injections before C/S?

[sneakysparkle]

Hi ladies - my friend is booked in for a C/S soon and her OB has said that its hospital procedure to give steroid injections before planned C/S to decrease the fluid in bubs lungs.
Just curious - is this standard in all hospitals now or do only certain hospitals to it?
TIA

[spooky]

I had to have these over a 48 hour period while on strict bedrest before a CS could be performed in order to try and prepare/strengthen the baby's lungs. I was 34 weeks.

This is certainly standard for the particulars of my case, but I'm not sure about your friend, many factors could be different.

This was in 2007 at FP House. Single injection into the thigh, I can't remember how many over this time frame though..

[squidipa]

never had it in 3 c/s's ive had but on my last c/s bub had a lot of fluid on his lungs all kids born on normal time not prem. If i had a choice i would get it

[{sarah}]

As far as I know steroid injections are only done if bub is early, to develop their lungs. I've had two c/s (though neither were scheduled) and I wasn't given steroids.

[sneakysparkle]

Thanks for your replies!

spooky - yeah I knew it was pretty standard for premmie bubs, but this hospy is doing it for all C/S! (my friend will be at term when she has hers)

squidipa - yeah apparently after them bringing this in there has been a 30% decrease in bubs needing to go to NICU!

Sarah H - so I guess its not standard procedure then? wonder how many other hospitals are doing it??

[spooky]

I was scheduled for an ECS at 38 weeks (but went into labour before date) for the second, but steroids were not part of the plan. The second was at Freemasons early this year, so if they have changed their procedure for full term CS then it is only in the last 6 months or so.

[squidipa]

squidipa - yeah apparently after them bringing this in there has been a 30% decrease in bubs needing to go to NICU

yep i can so clearly see why in birth the fluid is pushed out of the lungs during the squeeze but in c/s it can not. I wish i had the injection cause it was slightly concerning and worrying and i had to wait a small period of time to really get up close with bub i had a cuddle in theater but his snuffle sounds were scary and they took him to nciu.

[Nicambhar]

I had Bella at Caboolture hosp at 38 weeks and had 2 days of steriod injections. They did mention that they were just trialing it for babies of planned cs's 38 weeks or earlier.

[blackduckies]

My doc says if we go with a planned CS he will only do it 1 week before due date for the above reasons, so many babies having to go to NICU.. he would prefer I went into labour so we know bubs is ready!!!! So I guess it makes sense that hospital will start to do it rountinely as dates can be out a bit etc.