Ok, while I haven't had a bub with RDS, I have looked after hundreds of babies who have had it. From a clinical point of view, for every week before 37 weeks, the risks of a bub having RDS increases, the rate increases with diabetic mothers because (I think), high blood sugar levels inhibits surfactant production. There is a cut off for steroid shots, but I can't remember what it is.

Treatment depends entirely on the severity of the disease. It can range from just needing monitoring, to needing CPAP, to be intubated, ventilated and being given surfactant. Typically the course of the condition lasts around 72 hours, but the effects can last longer depending on the severity. Typically bub's won't feed as they are working to hard to breath, and may need a drip for fluid. If it reaches this stage, they will also have antibiotics as pneumonia and RDS can look the same at this age.

If yo plan on having bub early, it might be a good idea to have bub in a hospital with a nicu just in case bub develops it and needs to be transferred.