Experiences with RDS 36-37weeks

[skybie]

*mods feel free to move, wasnt sure where to put this*

I guess this post mostly relates to mums with diabetes but thought i'd put it out there.
My ob isnt keen on inducing me before 37 weeks because of the risk of RDS to bub, which i understand, but i have my own reasons for wanting to be induced before 37 weeks.
So if your baby had it, what happened? what was the treatment, how long were they in care for ect?
Did you have a steroid shot before birth to help prevent it?
TIA

[Traveller]

Not my experience but that of a friend. Her baby was born with RDS after being induced at close to 38 weeks (although by the looks of her daughter the dates were out and she was less that 37 weeks). She had to be transferred to a different hospital as the local hospital had no beds for a baby who was that ill. I don't know full details of the treatment but she was home less than 2 weeks later and has had no long lasting effects. Another friend more recently had a baby born at 36+5 weeks gestation. He had jittery blood sugar levels, but no RDS, and only needed 3 nights in special care before he was allowed home. At 36 weeks you will not be offered steroid shots, as that would not prevent RDS, it would just help strengthen the lungs a little and is more appropriate for very premature babies.

I think your reasons for looking for an early induction are very understandable. From what you have said about your OB he sounds great, and whilst he is unlikely to give you an early date right now because of the risks, I feel confident that if your mental health required you to have an induction closer to the time it is something he would give consideration to at that time.

[Little Chicken]

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.

[skybie]

She's being delivered at Monash, so they're equipt to deal with it should it happen.
i feel like im in a pickle, i dont want to put her under unecessary stress because i need her to be out, but i just dont think i'd cope with her edging closer to the gestation we lost Jack at.
Its all too hard.
Thanks ladies xx

[Early Kids]

Speaking from a mother's perspective here, DS2 was 34+3 weeks according to hospital dates but according to mine he was closer to 36 weeks anyway he was 3090gm (6lb 13oz) and 50cms long. He was placed on my chest for merely seconds before being whisked away. He was ventilated at birth and given a loading dose of surfactant and then taken to the NICU. He was only ventilated for around 6 hours and then went to CPAP for around 12 hours. Because they gave him a loading dose of surfactant it meant he had to stay monitored for 5 days which meant we were unable to transfer to the local hospital. The only other issue he had was Jaundice and he did require 2-3 days of NGT feeding too.

The only lasting effects were that he was more inclined to get colds etc that affect the respiratory system. He required ventolin etc for around 12ish months and now at 2.5 hasn't had any ventolin for around 6 months, however he still tires easily (lung wise). However there is a family history of asthma, so it may not be from the RDS itself but rather prematurity and the risk of asthma anyway.

DS1 had Hyaline membrane Disease which I think they now call RDS anyway, however he was a lot earlier. He's had no lung issues since he was about 4 months old (with the exception of his ICU admission 6 months ago, but that was for aspiration pneumonia).

I hope that helps a little.