XP (Again): 17P Shots

schmoodle

Ok, so my questions on this have kind of evolved since the first place I posted this, but here goes. I'm wondering how many of you took these or whether your doctor recommended them and what risks, if any, they raised?

My last pregnancy ended at 23 weeks when my twins were born much too early. My doctors didn't independently recommend 17P shots for me when I became pregnant again but when I asked after reading about them online they said ok (the MFM I consulted with but don't see regularly said he normally doesn't prescribe them but there were no known risks so if I felt I needed them to feel like I was doing something it was fine, and my OB just said that it was fine to take them).

I made the mistake of googling them today and saw a few references to some scary studies and am now freaked out and wondering if I shouldn't have asked to take them and if it will increase my risk of losing my baby since the doctors say the only cause of my PTL last time was carrying twins (I'm now pregnant with a singleton). So I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance from women who took the shots and to hear what risks you may have heard about. I'm supposed to start them next week but won't be seeing my OB again before I'm supposed to start them. Evil wikipedia!!!

snowchylde

Most people do not have an issue. My OB does recommend them, has given them to dozens of women and told me I was the only case of strange side effects he has seen. They made me have constant BH. They were frequent enough that they were extremely painful. I got two shots, they started the night I got my first shot and lasted about 5 days before tapering off, and the same thing happened with the second shot. They were painful and constant enough I was pretty much completely useless for days.

This was at 25 and 26 weeks, I am now 37 weeks and the bump from the injection has just started to go down. I think I have some problem with an ingredient, so I am not normal.

The only negatives seemed to actually be in the case studies with pregnancies of multiples.  

If you usually have problems with hormones, I wouldn't suggest the shots. If you have ever been on birth control and you don't have problems with traces of hormones, it shouldn't hurt anything. 

dmblack

To me the pros outweighed the side effects for me.  They did make me sick the whole time I took them but I delivered my son at 37 weeks....so totally worth it (especially after a 26 weeker).

 They typically don't precribe them for multiples.  Do they know why you delivered your twins so early?

schmoodle

dmblack:

To me the pros outweighed the side effects for me.  They did make me sick the whole time I took them but I delivered my son at 37 weeks....so totally worth it (especially after a 26 weeker).

 They typically don't precribe them for multiples.  Do they know why you delivered your twins so early?

This pregnancy isn't multiples, but the MFM did say they normally don't for multiples although I've seen some on the boards who take them. The MFM pretty much said the only reason for our early delivery was risk inherent in carrying twins. It may have been a placental abruption but they're not sure. I'm going on bedrest this time at 16 weeks and the P17 shots are the only other thing we're doing (maybe).

RubyRed7

I didn't take them personally, but my friend did and she went to full term, but that's all I know!

Regardless, I've followed your blog and wish you nothing but the best in this pregnancy.

mjmom1

I'm taking them now and have a cerclage and have had no real side effects.  Other than my muscle being sore for a few days its fine. Totally worth it to getting closer to having a full term baby this time than having another 25 weeker.

ayanahuff

i take them now since 16 weeks. only 5 more shots! they have been woking for me. the internet is a nasty place. i dont think it will hurt you with  a single baby. yes i am tired of being poked but im doing better this time than last. i still have a cervix. its small but i have one.

i might go to 35+ weeks. and that would be great!

dmblack

I wish you the best of luck with this PG.  Remember every PG is different and the shots seemed to do the trick for me the 2nd time around.  All I can say is I loved the fact that I could take my baby home with me instead of having to leave him behind.  For sure, keep us posted.