Hyperemesis Gravidarum Support and Research Forums

Does anyone know how early it is safe to start a steroid treatment? I started at 16 weeks when I was pregnant, but know I could have started earlier. Now that I'm starting to think about ttc again, I am wondering how long I have to suffer! I had heard 8-10 weeks, has everyone else heard the same?

Hi, Karen! Yep, I've heard the same. I think they wait until that point to allow the palate to form, as the steroids can cause cleft palate. I believe the conservative thinking is after 12 weeks. You could definitely start them earlier than 16 weeks, though.

Karen -- Getting to this a little late, but thought I should mention I started steriods at Week 6 (if memory serves me correctly) and stayed on them until 10 days post-partum. And, fortunately, my little girl, who is just a week older the Miya, is perfectly healthy. We were of course worried about the slight increased risk of a cleft palate. Fortunately, the many ultra-sounds we had reassured us that everything was OK so we could stop worrying by about 17 weeks

Best of luck with TTC and your decision about steriods.