Hi GrannyH and welcome to Belly Belly. I am sorry your daughter is having such a rough ride - you are a beautiful Soul to be taking all the time and care to research for her.

Steroids are necessary for a baby so preterm as your daughters little one. The risks are to the mother much more so than the baby. The risks to the mother you can google - I will paste some info later in the morning (I am typing between cleaning my bathroom! )

A baby born prior to 30 weeks even with steroids on board will likely have chronic lung disease. It's just a fact for most grossly preterm babies. (prior to 30 weeks) Steroids won't stop that occuring prior to about 30 weeks gestation. (sometimes after 30 weeks babies will still have CLD) They will help develop the surfactant & what is colloquially termed "mature" the lungs. This gives the baby the best chance of a less rough beginning.

Does your daughter know the sex of her baby?

My baby was born at 27.5weeks and she weighed 815grams. I also had 4 steroidal injections. Imogen has chronic lung disease and was on cpap for about 10 weeks. She gets chest infections constantly and winters are hellish for me and her... She is still a tiny wee girl - but the feistiest little bundle that I have ever met. She is larger than life. With the oxygen she was given I was fearful of it affecting her eyesight and hearing - both of which are fabulous. She is slow to meet physical milestones and due to the tubing (when babies have oral tubes it can affect their speech development) is having difficulty forming words. Though, she knows exactly what she wants and understands what is said to her. She can follow complex instructions (can you tell I am a nurse! ) but cannot say many words at almost 2. She is still not walking but is almost there!

So, if this little bubba of yours can hold on a couple of more weeks her/his chances of survival are greatly increased and the chances of long term problems are greatly decreased.

If you need any information or contacts please don't hesitate to post.

Prayers and positive thought being sent to your daughter, grandchild and you..