Betnesol Injection in Pregnancy: Benefits, Risks & What to Expect

Question
Hi,

I am in my 27th week of pregnancy and have a fibroid. I have been asked to take a betnesol injection. I have heard that this is a steroid injection. What is the purpose of administering Betnesol injection? Are there any side effects? I am worried about this. Please let me know your thoughts.

thanks,
Anuradha

Answer
Betnesol, or betamethasone, is administered during pregnancy when preterm birth is a possibility.  The steroid injection helps to produce surfactant in the baby's lungs, allowing them to inflate without sticking together.  Normally, babies do not make this surfactant on their own until much later in pregnancy, around 32-35 weeks.  Getting steroid injections into the mother at least 24 hours prior to a premature birth improves the baby's ability to breathe, reducing ventilation time and possibly reducing NICU time.

If your doctors are recommending this injection for you, they should have detected something that tells them your baby is at risk for premature birth.  While fibroids can put you at risk for miscarriage and preterm labor, a fetal fibronection test (FFN) can more conclusively tell if this pregnancy in particular is at risk.  If you have not had a positive FFN test, and you are not currently having preterm labor or carrying multiples, then you should ask for documentation of why this shot is being recommended for you and what your alternatives are.  Betamethasone is not without risks; it can be lifesaving for premature babies, but it can have consequences on learning and development down the road.