Experiences with Nifedipine (Procardia)?

MsShib

Hi,

I've been taking Nifedipine to stop contractions for about a week now. I'm supposed to take it every 6 hours, but by about the 5 hour mark the contractions increase, so I end up taking it earlier. 

My doctor wants me to stay on it until I reach 37 weeks (I am also on bed rest).

Does anyone have experience with this medication? How long after you stopped taking it did you go into active labor? I asked my doctor if he thought I'd make it to week 40 and he said it was hard to tell, but that it was possible... I have also heard of people going off it and having their baby right away.

everam01

I started on procardia at 33 weeks and was told to stop at 35. I never did go intonactivw labor though the contractions did pick up (not as regular). I had my babies at 36w5d but it was due to HBP.

lololoco

I started taking it at 24 weeks. I had this with my first pregnancy too and my water broke and they actually had to give me pitocin to keep the contractions going... turns out I just had/have an irritable uterus. Good luck!

kdiguise

With my daughter, I took it from 30-36 weeks (on bed rest the whole time) and I had to be induced at 37w1d because she stopped growing (not related to the PTL issues). I don't know how long I would have stayed pregnant on my own, but I lasted a whole week after taking it.

newbmom347

I am on it right now also as well as bedrest.  I'm on 60 mg 1x per day.  This after 3 doses of terbutaline, a lower dosage of procardia for 3 days, 5 days in the hospital (2 of which I was on the highest dosage of magnesium sulfate). I've been home for 2 days and doing okay. I am still having contractions but not as severe as I was.  When I was on the 10mg every six hours, it would stop working after about 3 hours.  Make sure you are telling your doctor so they can increase it if necessary. 

mmoravec

I was on Procardia for 3 months.  I started taking it every six hours and like you said I could tell it would wear off before I needed to take it again, so I went up to every four hours.  My MFM Dr wanted me to deliver between 36 and 37 weeks, so I discontinued Procardia at 36 weeks hoping to go into labor on my own, but 3 days later I hadn't so they induced me.  My contractions actually decreased after I went off of it (?!#?!).  I even tried doing housework including vacuuming and going up and down the stairs in my house.  It gave me terrible heartburn, so I was glad to stop it.  I often wonder what would have happened had I not been put on it.

MsShib

Thanks everyone!

I saw my doctor today and he told me I can stop taking it in one week. But I will probably continue bed rest past that time because I would prefer she cook a bit longer We'll see what happens!

Btw, mmoravec, I LOVE your pic!! That's the spirit!

MommaA117

I was on it after my cerclage was placed due to PTL. That was from weeks 20-23ish. I was weaned off. Didn't have DD until 37 weeks.