Hyaline Membrane Disease Prevention

Prevention

Steps to help prevent RDS can be taken at a few different times.

To reduce your chance of having a premature baby:

• Get good prenatal care beginning as early as possible in pregnancy.
• Eat a healthful diet and take vitamins suggested by your doctor.
• Do not smoke or use alcohol or drugs.
• Only take medicines that your doctor has approved.

If you are at high risk of giving birth to a premature baby:

• You may be given steroids just before delivery to help your baby's lungs develop
• Your doctor may do an amniocentesis to check the maturity of your baby's lungs and to help determine the best time for delivery

After delivery, if a premature baby has a very high chance of developing RDS, surfactant may be given right after birth to help the baby breathe better.