Experience with weekly 17P (progesterone shots)?

[keen]

I went into unexplained preterm labor at 31 weeks (and delivered at 37w) last time around, so the doctor mentioned the possibility of 17P progesterone shots beginning at 16-17 weeks for this pregnancy 'just in case'. Other than that, my pregnancy was normal as could be.

That's pretty far in the future, but I'm just thinking about it a lot and I would like to hear some experiences if you've been in the same boat. Doc says there are no side effects he felt he needed to warn me about and that studies show the shots are effective at helping carry to term.

[mcb]

I am a lurker, hope it's ok if I jump in. I had the shots when pregnant with DD2 because DD1 was born at 23 weeks. Overall, they were really no big deal. My H is a nurse so he gave them to me, although I've heard of other non-medical people giving them, or even doing them yourself. One of my friends went to her OB every week, so that is an option if you're not comfortable getting them from anyone else.

They hurt for a little at the injection site (in your butt usually ), but nothing too crazy.

Also, I went to 41 weeks with DD2, but also had a cerclage and modified bed rest, so I don't know if I can attribute going full-term to the shots specifically, but they definitely didn't hurt! Good luck!

[keen]

Thanks for sharing mcb 23weeks....man that is terrifying.

I'm not afraid of the shots themselves (DH is a fire/medic so he can do them no problem) just afraid of any side effects. I REALLY don't want to go on bedrest or risk having a preemie.

[mack]

If you had PTL in your previous pregnancy, I would do them. I went into PTL with DD2 at 23 weeks. I was on strict bedrest and progesterone suppositories and had her at 37 weeks. If I were to ever have another pregnancy, I would go on them. No question.

[mcb]

Jan 29, 2015 13:13:50 GMT -5 keen said:

Thanks for sharing mcb 23weeks....man that is terrifying.

I'm not afraid of the shots themselves (DH is a fire/medic so he can do them no problem) just afraid of any side effects. I REALLY don't want to go on bedrest or risk having a preemie.

I am no doctor but I do think the side effects, if any, are very rare/minimal and the benefits far outweigh the risk.  I would definitely get the shots again for any future pregnancies. 

[keen]

SO even if I won't really need them (no way to know this for sure), they can't hurt anything. This is what I wanted to hear. Thanks!

[momof5]

Jan 29, 2015 12:59:02 GMT -5 keen said:

I went into unexplained preterm labor at 31 weeks (and delivered at 37w) last time around, so the doctor mentioned the possibility of 17P progesterone shots beginning at 16-17 weeks for this pregnancy 'just in case'. Other than that, my pregnancy was normal as could be.

That's pretty far in the future, but I'm just thinking about it a lot and I would like to hear some experiences if you've been in the same boat. Doc says there are no side effects he felt he needed to warn me about and that studies show the shots are effective at helping carry to term.

I went into preterm labor around 33-34wks with my 1st(had him at 37 wks), 2nd( had at 36wks), and as a precautionary measure I was put on bed rest when I started dilating around 34 wks for my 3rd( had him at 38 wks 3 days).    I had the shots for my 4th and had him at 37 1/2 weeks.   With my 5th I never had any shots or even went into preterm labor and was induced at 39wks 1 day with her.

I had no side effects either just sometime soreness from the shot.

 

[Rach7170]

I had my DS1 at 33 weeks. Unexplained preterm labor since 25 weeks. I got the shots from 16 weeks until 36 weeks 5 days the second time. My Ds2 came at 37 weeks. So worth it. I had to go in every week because they wouldn't let me do it myself but, it was really no big deal. I didn't notice any side effects except, it's really thick and syrupy so the needle is larger. That can hurt.