Anyone else on Procardia?

Ashley22089

I ended up going to L&D at 32 weeks due to having 6+contractions in an hour. I had been in once before 2 weeks earlier due to what they thought was preclampsia (turned out to be just a really terrible migraine) While I was there the first time they noticed I was having contractions every 1-3 mins lasting 90 seconds, I thought it was just the baby moving. So they did an FFN and ultrasound and sent me home since I wasn't dilating.

Jump forward to my most recent visit and they checked and I was 1cm dilated 20% effaced with strong contractions every 10 mins with little ones in between. They did another FFN and it was negative. They gave me betamethasone shots to help develop the baby's lungs and started on procardia to stop my contractions and put me on decreased activity bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy.

My question is this: since I've been on both if these medications, I've noticed a lot less movement from my baby. He still moves just less frequently. I have a Doppler so I've been monitoring his heartbeat which is perfect. Has anyone else had this happen to them while on this medication?

Thank you so much! Sorry it's a long one!

tinkerbell0751

I was on it back in aug and didnt have any problem w baby movement .. the med gave me um for lack of a better word the shits and I got dehydrated and went into labor again at 34 weeks .. my doc took me off it and I had lo at 36 weeks ..

JackieP1023

I took procardia from 15w-36w. I also had the beta shots at 25w. I didn't have any reduced movement, had no issues with either of these meds. I'm currently 38+4

rossch1030

I've been on Procardia since I was 20wks pregnant, at which time I wasn't even really feeling baby movement much. Once it started I did notice it though, then my Procardia was bumped up from 10mg to 20mg and since then I have noticed less fetal movement,  but I'm also 33 weeks pregnant and measuring 34, so he's running out of room in there. My OB says 4-6 movements in an hour (once you've had something to drink/lie down on your left side/rest) is the standard and a good way to reassure yourself that the baby is okay. Also having a doppler is awesome! I would love to have one because I do sometimes freak out that he's not moving enough. 

I don't know if it's the procardia that causes the decreased movement, or just the fact that they don't really have anywhere else to go. 

Ashley22089

Thank you so much! I'm also measuring ahead too and I think he had just a slow couple days while we both got used to the medicine. He was having a party on there last night and is still doing it a bit this morning

Roses87

When did u get steroids? I have read that with steroids ppl can feel less movement for 24 hrs. Then it goes back to normal. I was on procardia from 24 to 35 weeks. My baby wasnt a huge mover as it was but I didn't think it lessened it.

Ashley22089

I got the steroids on the 22nd. And I talked to my doctor about less movement and he said that it can be a side effect of procardia. So at least I know why, but my little man has been crazy the past few days, so I think it just took a couple days for him to adjust.

Now I had an ultrasound on Monday 1/27 and my cervix is measuring 1.5 and it was at 3 on 1/20. So they are telling me only a couple weeks before the baby comes!! Craziness!!

Xath

I went into PTL on Tuesday and have both the time-release and fast acting Procardia.  I was also on it with my daughter from 32 weeks until delivery at 35w6d.  My OB says that the side effects of the medication can include dizziness and fatigue. If you're feeling the side effects from the medication, it's possible baby is too.  Also, I noticed that my consistent contractions were causing my LO to move around more (in protest?).  Now that the contractions are under control, he's got less reason to have to shift so much.