Prednisone and Pregnancy

Updated on March 15, 2011
A.G. asks from Boca Raton, FL
6 answers

I recently caught a bad case of bronchitis which flared up my asthma. I had to go on prednisone steroid for 5 days in order to breathe. My doctor told me that if you take a steroid during your pregnancy then you have to get a steroid delivered through your IV during labor to prevent adrenal failure. Anyone else have experience with this or ever hear of it? Anyone ever taken prednisone for a short period of time during pregnancy?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from Tampa on

I am a pharmacist and used to work in a hospital that had a labor and delivery unit. I cannot remember seeing anyone ever get steroids during labor with the exception of preterm labor (typically multiples), when they do give steroids to help mature the lungs faster. If you were on high dose, long term steroids, as another poster mentioned, then yes, you might have to have it. But as far as I know, a short term course doesn't require it. Did your OB tell you this, or a primary care doctor? I would probably get a second opinion if it's your OB.

S.M.

answers from Columbus on

I took prednisone twice during my most recent pregnancy and my doctor never mentioned any of this. I didn't take it until my 2nd trimester, maybe that makes a difference? I didn't have any complications, my baby was born 4 months ago.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Phoenix on

I was on high doses of prednesone for the last half of pregnancy and had to have this in my IV for my C-Section. I'm talking, I was on 60mg for three weeks and 20 mg for 10 weeks. I had to have 100mg in my IV for my surgery and it was a nightmare. It also killed my thyroid. Anyway, I don't know if this is the case for any dose and a short term or if I had to do it because of how much and how long I was on it. (BTW~ I was involved in a study to see if prednesone helped with alloimmune thrombocytopenia in pregnancy.) I'd get a second opinion but if you have to get it, it would be dangerous not to do it. I wish you the best!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Wow.... was this your General Practitioner Doctor telling you this, or your OB/GYN???
Get a 2nd or 3rd perspective on this.
Or a specialist.

But sorry, I don't know what you mean by "you have to get delivered through your IV during labor.... "

I have Asthma, and my Asthma was worse with my 2nd pregnancy. Hormone induced at that point. I had to take my albuterol inhaler all the time. But it was okay per my pregnancy.

I did not take, Prednisone though, during that pregnancy.
Try looking up the FAQ's in Prednisone, online.
Drugs will have fact sheets, about it.

or, call the hospital where you will be delivering... and ask a Specialist there.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.T.

answers from Dallas on

hmm, i've never heard of such... i took a medrol dose pack in two of my three pregnancies, and never once did my OBs, MFMs(high risk OBs), or my husband(a pharmacist) mention IV steroids or adrenal failure. i can't imagine that one round of steroids would put you in such peril, are you sure they're not wanting you on the steroids to act as a preventative with your asthma acting up during delivery? do you take any type of a daily steroid for your asthma?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Miami on

You better question EVERYTHING a doctor tells you! You might make your baby toxic while delivering.......crazy!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions