steriod shots...

I had my first dose of betamethasone shots this last week, and intitally did fine after the first shot. The second 24hrs, later made me flushed and warm all over several hrs later. But 24hrs after that I got a really flushed face, felt like my heart was beating a little fast and became shaky.....Just wondering if anyone else had similar reactions days later???

Also wondering how many had repeated doses of the steriods, my OB told me I will get shots weekly until the boys are born, but I have found some research suggesting these repeated doses cause developmental delays later on. Of course I want to do what is best for my babies....just wondering what other mamas have come across.
Thanks much!!

 

Are you having contractions? Why is your doctor giving you shots? I had my twins at 38 weeks with no contractions (sched. c-section) and never had any shots.

 

I have pre-e that seems to be developing fairly rapidly.....My BP has been fairly high and now my kidneys are starting to have some failure....OB said they might have to take the boys early if my kidney and liver function continue to decline. We are just hoping to get another 1-2wks (possibly more if bloodwork/urine stays the same)- fingers crossed

 

I had the shots at 24wks. I had one shot and then 24hrs later had the second. I don't remember any side effects. I may have gotten a little hot, but nothing major. I'd check with your dr or nurse though.

Also, I only had the two shots. We didn't continue them.

 

I had steroid shots at around 29 weeks after a positive fFN swab along with a short cervix and deleloping preeclampsia. I do not remember having any side effects from either shot. I was told that we would not do a second round of shots. My peri did not recommend doing more than one dose (although not really sure what his reasoning was). I ended up having a c-section at 31w6d for preeclampsia. It ended up being my platelets that dropped too low.

 

QUOTE(gina_leigh @ Dec 20 2008, 12:56 PM) [snapback]1117731[/snapback]
I had the shots at 24wks. I had one shot and then 24hrs later had the second. I don't remember any side effects. I may have gotten a little hot, but nothing major. I'd check with your dr or nurse though.

Also, I only had the two shots. We didn't continue them.


We did the same thing - 1 shot then the 2nd shot 24 hours later, but around 30 weeks.

 

My ob wants to give me a shot at 24 weeks and then one 24 hours later as I have had a number of complications thus far. I know nothing about them is there anywhere you guys would recommend that I could read up on them?

Sorry for posting another question on your thread tundrababy and sorry I don't have an answer to your question!

 

What my peri told me is that the protocol used to be to do shots every week, BUT THEY NO LONGER DO THAT because medical studies found that REPEATED steroid shots can slow down growth, cause adrenal gland problems or negatively affect the lungs. She told me that now they do a round of shots once early on (after 24 weeks), then they may do them again 48 hours before the scheduled delivery, but not in the weeks in between.

The steroids work best within 7 days of administering, and are considered harmless if you get one "dose" (shots for two days in a row).

http://www.babycenter.com/404_should-i-tak...m-labor_5437.bc

 

QUOTE
What my peri told me is that the protocol used to be to do shots every week, BUT THEY NO LONGER DO THAT because medical studies found that REPEATED steroid shots can slow down growth, cause adrenal gland problems or negatively affect the lungs. She told me that now they do a round of shots once early on (after 24 weeks), then they may do them again 48 hours before the scheduled delivery, but not in the weeks in between.

The steroids work best within 7 days of administering, and are considered harmless if you get one "dose" (shots for two days in a row).



Thanks....so far everything I have found also states the same....I see my OB on Monday, I guess we will have something to discuss!!

 

Yeah, two is plenty! No one does the weekly anymore. They seem to do more harm than good.

 

First of all, the side effects that you mentioned (flushing, tachycardia) are not abnormal and are the most common to be experienced if someone is to experience them. Which means, most ppl don't, but some do. This is directly from my Mosby's 2008 Nursing Drug Reference Guide. Also, it is not routinely administered after 34 wks of gestation, and it is typically, though not always, a 2-3 dose schedule and that's it. Studies after that are based on multiple variables and are not adequately noted as of yet. There are certain issues with repeated, EXCESSIVE (which is not wat our OBs do)steroid usage, but so far it looks as though a weekly dose is MUCH more beneficial than detrimental.

I had it when I was pg with DD. They gave me two doses in a 24 hr period. I don't remember if I had side effects or not. I remember the mag sulfate effects much more Try to stay away from google! Studies show that it is considered safe in the doses that are administered to pg women. Trust your doc!

 

I had a shot at 24w and then another 24 hours later. I don't remember any side effects.

 

I had the shots at 25 wks. No side effects except for soreness/burning at the injection site.

 

The side effects I had weren't too concerning as I didn't call my OB or anything it just seemed weird to have side effects 24-48hrs after recieving them.

And as for the repeated dosing, thanks for everyone's input....I think we are going to find out all my bloodwork/urine tests and talk with my OB before the next dose....I am not saying I won't do it. I just want to make an informed decision, and at most I would recieve 2 more sets of steriods prior to the boys coming, which doesn't seem excessive....but I guess I'll find out on monday.

 

Hey Girlie! I know you from JM!

I had steroid shots at 32 weeks 1 day (and I delivered the next day at 32/2). For me, my Pre-e showed up fast and I was only able to get my steroid shots 12 hours apart. It all happened so fast.... I don't remember any side effects.

Great job making it to 32 weeks. Keep up the good work!!

 

I got the steriod shots at 29 wks. I got one, and then the other 24 hours later. I was having pre-term labor and at the time my doctor thought it was best. The hospital in my town wont deliver babies earlier than 30-32 weeks so while we were waiting to see if my contractions would stop I stayed in the hospital for 2 or 3 nights and thats when i got the shots.

Side effects: it made my blood sugar sky rocket! Due to the PTL my doctor had sent me to the hospital for 2 or 3 (I dont remember)nights of observation, while I was there they checked my blood sugar and it was HIGH. I ended up having to check my sugar 4 times a day and get insulin while at the hospital. Once I left the hospital, I had to continue to check it at home until it was normal for 3 days. I was also incredibly thirsty. apparently this short duration of hgh blood sugar can be a side effect of the shots.

I ended up getting off bedrest at 34 weeks only to stay prgnant till i begged my doctor to induce at 37wks!

I say get the shots, just the 2. Gl talking with your doctor on monday!

 

I was admitted to the hospital at 32 weeks and was given 2 shots within 24 hours of each other. I would do some checking on the weekly shots.

 

After my two steroid shots, got them at 31 weeks 24 hours apart, I teased dh that I was going to bulk up, grow a moustache, and bench press him. :laughing:

Actually, the only side effects I had were from the injection itself... soreness and some bruising.

Now, I do get flushed and lightheaded but that's from the meds to stop the contractions.

 

hiya

with my son isaac i got steriod shots at 36 weeks. I had two lots. one at 11am and then another 12 hours later at 11pm. I had gestional diabetes and was on a very high dosage of insulin so thats why they gave me the steriod shots. They were concerned that his lungs wouldn't work as well due to the gestional diabetes and the amount of insulin i was on.

Oh i didn't have any side effects other than it hurting when they gave it to me and a bruise but otherwise nothing else that i can remember.

I'm 30 weeks pregnant with twins right now, and haven't had any shots yet.

Angel

 

I was admitted at 28 weeks and they thought they would have to take my girls due to severe TTTS. I got one the night I was admitted and the second 24 hours later. No side effects except they HURT!! I delivered at 35 weeks buit never had any more shots. Best of luck to you!!

 

I had my first rounds at 24 weeks. I had a rescue dose 48 hours before I delivered (at 31w0d). I asked if the would give them at regular intervals, and my peri said that was found to be more dentrimental than helpful, that they'd administer a rescue dose if they felt the need to (which they did).

I don't remember having any side effects.

 

in my 31st week, nearly my 32nd i have to have a steroid shot every 12 hours for two days. the only thing that happend to be was: 1. the shots hurt like mad, and 2. i got a bruise on one arm. i nearly 34 weeks now and the bruise is still there, but thats really all that happened to me.