Steroid injections at 33weeks - risks?

[AnnieMac123]

Hi, I attended for a fetal assessment scan today at 33weeks.

The consultant advised that they plan on inducing me at 39weeks and sent me straight for steroid injections to ensure baby's lungs will be strong.

Baby was messuring small but is now only 1 days behind it's messurements so I taught all was going good.

I asked both the consultant and midwife if there were any risks to baby with me being given Steroids and both said absolutely not.

So I agreed and have to go back tomorrow morning for the 2nd shot.

Midwife said to me I may experience some side effects, namely hot flushes, increased fetal movement and may not sleep too great.

I went back to work and within about 2hrs I could hardly keep my eyes open..very tired, had lots of baby kicks up till about 7pm and nothing at all since. I fell soundly asleep myself too.

I taught, oh totally opposite to what midwife had said so of course I turned to Dr google and the 1st search came back saying study of the use of steriods injections are linked to children having ADHD and learning difficulties. My heart just sunk..am so worried now that I have done the wrong thing my partner already has a child with brain injury and another who is austic. Am not sure we could cope with ADHD after everything we have gone through for this pregnancy (donor eggs and sperm used)

Just freaking out!!

Any advice?

[Ell493]

As a psychologist and a mom of kids with ADHD I can tell you that there are many factors for why children have ADHD. Number one we feel it's genetic. Many of us also feel it has to do with stress in the womb. If mom is stressed, certain genes get turned on, like ADHD. Also, correlation does not equal causation. It may be due to steroids but it could be the need for steroids is accompanied by other factors that cause ADHD. Like being a young mother who didn't get prenatal care. She goes into labor early and needs steroids. She didn't get prenatal care because she has ADHD, which she passed down to her child. Hopefully that makes sense. I have ADHD and I passed it down to everyone except my twins. That was the pregnancy where I felt the happiest and had the least stress. So try to destress. Send your baby endorphins. Good luck! Xx

[AnnieMac123 in reply to Ell493]

Thank you for your reply. ...I have probably stressed the whole way through this pregnancy if am honest. I have endometriosis and it destroyed my egg count.. so its always at the back of my head even when I think things are going good, the anxious side of my brain tells me not to get too cocky.. and remains me that " my own body was never capable of having a baby so expect the worst" or for it to be taken off me.I think I had better put Dr google aside for the next 7 weeks and try to relax more

[Ell493 in reply to AnnieMac123]

I stressed about my twins too, but I was so happy to be having them I think it cancelled out the street. Even if your child has ADHD it's manageable. My kids are so great. Sweet and loving. I wouldn't trade them for anything. And again, I have it and I'm also dyslexic. I have a Master's degree and graduate at the top of my class. All turned out well. My adult children are starting to grow out of it too. It'll all be okay.

[Tywo]

Hello am not sure why you need the steroid as you r 39 weeks and don’t need steroid. I had my baby at 38 weeks and when I mentioned to the consultants he said there was no need for it please check again as baby is full term by then. Good luck

[AnnieMac123 in reply to Tywo]

Am only 33weeks at the min and baby had been messuring small up until 4weeks ago. They want to induce me at 39 WK as this is an IVF baby.. so am guessing they want to make sure lungs are as strong as possible Incase baby remains small

[Tywo in reply to AnnieMac123]

Ok mine too was the same don’t worry all will be well I wish you the very best and pray your baby is ok ❤️

[Chicapreg]

Hi, I had to have a steroid injection with my first almost 7 years ago at 28 weeks as it was possible I was going into preterm labour. I was also given hormones to try to prevent my son being born which thankfully worked and I went in to carry him full term. Like you the steroids were to strengthen the lungs. My son was born healthy and is doing really great. Hope this helps reassure you! Try not to worry about it, good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.