Before administering Betamethasone, when should it be given to the patient?

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid commonly administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm labor to enhance fetal lung maturity. The timing of its administration is crucial; it is typically given before delivery, particularly between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. Administering Betamethasone before labor allows for sufficient time for the medication to enter the maternal bloodstream and cross the placenta to exert its effects on the developing fetus. This can lead to increased production of surfactant in the fetal lungs, reducing the risk of respiratory distress syndrome and improving neonatal outcomes.

Giving the medication during labor or after delivery does not provide the same benefit, as it would not allow enough time for the drug to have its desired effects on fetal lung development. Administering it postpartum would be inappropriate because the primary goal is to support the fetus before birth, not after. Therefore, the correct timing for Betamethasone administration is before delivery.