I need help with a decision

Really, no one can tell you what is best for your child except you and your doctor. However, if the doctor is recommending steroid shots, then he/she is probably thinking your cerclage isn't going to hold for a while. I know plenty of babies who do well without steroid shots when they are born early, but I also know many who do well with it. The purpose of the steroid shot is not to help the baby grow bigger, necessarily, but is to help the lungs and heart and other organs develop more completely. Many babies born early end up with heart murmurs due to an opening in the heart that should be closed, and many preemies have trouble with breathing. Any NICU nurse will also tell you that little girls are stronger than little boys in the NICU- so you might want to take that into consideration when you decide on the steroid shots. My baby did not have any steroid shots (a little girl) and she didn't have any holes in her heart and her lungs worked fantastically- she contracted a different disease due to lack of oxygen during delivery which caused me to lose her when she was 2 weeks old.

My opinion is to research the advantages and disadvantages of having the steroid shots. Chances are, your doctor thinks you need them, since it was suggested. Do what you feel is best based on being the most informed mom possible. I look EVERYTHING up now, because of all the problems I had and my daughter had. It's better to know the facts when you go in to the doctor the next time.

Good luck to you!

I would definatly get the shots. I only say that because I got the shots when I was 24 weeks and when he was born at 26 weeks 2 days his lungs were exceptional. The Dr.'s said it would have been a different story had I not got them. NICU Dr's that is. Eli still got surfactant but did so well with his little lungs. But like Kylies mommy said I would still research it and read about it.I too had a cerclage placed but it was placed at 23 weeks. It was an emergency cerclage. So becaue it was placed so late in my pregnancy they knew that it was going to be of concern for my water breaking and risk for infection and all that. It was almost inevitable that I wasnt going to last a really long time due to the situation. So I opted for the steriods. It was only 2 shots back to back and I feel like it really helped him. Although I did lose my sweet boy when he was 8 weeks it was due to NEC. Not his lungs. I wish you the very very best! I hope all goes well and I hope you can stay pregnant as long as possible for that little man! Keep your head up and I hope to hear what you decide! Take care! ....Jennifer

I think the dr is trying to think about the fact that if you're already thinning that as the baby gets bigger, things will probably be a bit more challenging.

I got the steroid shots with my pregnancy at 24 weeks and when my girls were born at 27 weeks my survivor did well. She's 6 now and has absolutely NO lung issues from her prematurity. (No worries....the twin that did not survive did not die due to lung issues...it was her heart)

I wish you the best in making the decision that is right for you and your child. Keep us posted....
Tracy

I just wanted to let elismommy know that I, to, lost a preemie son to NEC, after four weeks of doing great in the NICU. He was breathing on his own, and on full feeds. He was also steadily gaining weight and had no prior infections. He was born at 26 1/2 weeks, and his death on Sept 24, 2009 is still a shock to us. He was beautiful and sweet and was taken within hours. My heart goes out to you having been through an experience like this.

hi my name is tatiana and i got 4 doses of the steriods for my son about a little over week before my son was born and then on the day i delivered my son i recieves another dose he was 26 weeks and 4 days when he was born and only weighed 1 pound 11 ounces and now hes going to be 1 year and has no lung problems so i think you should get them to help the baby out whether he may not need them now you never know what will happen in the next week or soo

I was admitted to the hospital at 32W and given the first dose right away. Although, our peri wanted to keep me pregnant until 35W, he thought it was best to get them done just in case I delivered earlier. I actually delivered 2 days after being admitted and was able to get both shots in.

My little girl was born breathing on her own and with healthy lungs. I was very thankful for our peri who thought it was best to get them in just in case.

Cathy

little girls are not stronger than little boys, gender has nothing to do with it. its all about the circumstances. my son was born at 26 weeks on aug 23rd weighing 1 pound 5 ounce, and now he is 4 pound 1 ounce, and has had 2 surgerys, one on his PDA, which was a pretty invasive surgery, and one his hernias in his groin. he bounced back from both of these almost immediately and is thriving now. he takes almost all of his milk from the bottle, is on room air on very little pressure from the nasal canula.

This is truely a devastating disease! Im not really sure why there is not more research done to help prevent/treat this issue. I am still having such a hard time.... Eli passed away on september 28th and it is still so fresh in my memory. I miss him so very very much. I hope you are doing well and if you ever want to talk I am here...because I truely know how you feel!!

Jennifer

Just thought I would pop in and give my 2 cents.

I had an emergency cerclage placed at 16 weeks and then lost most of my amniotic fluid at about 18 weeks. We were told that our daughter's lungs would be horribly under-developed because of the lack of fluid, no matter when she was delivered. We went ahead and got the steroid shots at 24 weeks. My cervix had been holding steady, but we wanted that extra help. Over the next two weeks, my fluid began rebuilding and my cervix was actually lengthening.

My daughter was born at 27 weeks 4 days when my water broke a second time. Though she was put on the vent at birth, she was off the vent within a few days. The little girl the doctors said would have horrible lungs, likely never be able to breathe on her own, came home from the hospital with no oxygen needs. She is 4 years old now and still has no lung issues. In fact, her lungs are stronger than mine!

I really think the steroid shots made a huge difference for her. Also, my labor was very quick...less than 24 hours from when my water broke to when I delivered. And there was no warning before my water broke. As I said before, things were looking very good. I doubt very much that we would have been able to get in more than 1 shot, had we waited till my water broke, and that shot wouldn't have had much time to make any difference.

I hope you keep us updated on how you are doing!

Hugs,
Mary

I would personally get the shots. It is great that he is measuring bigger but that can also mean that he is putting more pressure on your cervix causing it to dilate more. If you get the shots then it can help his lungs if he is born early. Best wishes to you .

I would get the shot, with babies you never seem to have control over whats happens next... the shot will help the lungs I only had time to get one of the shots need for both of mine... My son Jadon only got one of the shots and he was born at 34 weeks he has had major rep issues since birth.. my daughter Trinity only got one shot and she passed shortly after birth! Please keep us updated!

Lots Of Love
~Samantha

Thanks for all of the advice, in the end after discussions with my Dr, and my family, My husband and I decided that we would go ahead and have me get the steriod shots. Today I am 24 weeks and 2 days, and I got the shots over the last two days.

It does give me a sense of relief that I have them, even though I hope my little boy stays put for many more weeks!!!! Everything continues to be calm, My cervix is still stable at around 2.7cm with my cerclage in, and I hope and pray everyday to make it to as close to full term as possible.

Being at 24 weeks is such a milestone for me because my baby now has a chance at life, and everyday he stays put he just grows stronger and healthier, I am just taking it one day at a time and cherishing every moment.

Im so happy to hear that you got the shots! And even more happy to know that you are still pregnant and your cervix is stable! I will pray that you continue on and give the baby all the time he can get! Stay strong and know that God is with you every step of the way! Lots of hugs and prayers!...Jennifer

SOO happy to hear you got the shots... it like giving you little one a little boost and preparing him to his early arrival! I pray that you will be able to hold on a little while longer! Please keep us posted as we all wait for you little ones arrival! Crossing my fingers so ... cross your legs and keep posting!

Lots of Love
~Samantha

Happy to hear you went ahead with the injections, but keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you that baby stays put for many, many more weeks!

Page

I'm so happy as well that you got the shots and that you are holding strong at 24 wks. Please keep us updated on how you are doing!

Julie

My grandson was born at 25 wks and did not have time for the shots. He was on the respirator for 6 wks and struggled to survive the first few weeks due to his lungs. He weighed only 1.7 lbs. Today he is a healthy 2 yr old and went home from the hospital 4 days after his due date with no oxygen of any kind. God was truly holding him in the palm of his hand during his stay in the NICU. We were told that the shots would have made a major difference in his lungs had he received them. I would choose to take them since it is said to give them a better chance at healthy lungs.