Progesterone to prevent preterm labor??

JEK76

Hi ladies.  I originally posted this on the May 2012 board but someone suggested that I repost it here.  I appreciate any and all feedback.

I am looking for information on taking prog shots weekly in order to prevent preterm labor.  My son was born at 35 weeks and we are very blessed that he has had no health issues as a result of being born early.  The doc suggested this time around to help prevent preterm labor again, that we should start weekly progesterone shots at 19 weeks and continue through 37 weeks.  I'm ok with that.  Found out last night that my husband has some serious reservations.  He's convinced that our son was just ready to be born and that it wasn't anything to do with my body and he's worried about potential side effects to me and the baby.  Please, please, any advice, experiences, etc would be very much appreciated.  Of course I plan to ask more questions of my doctor when I see her again.

proudmotherof3nproudwifey

I get them every week and the only side effects that i've had is the first week it made me a little nasous and sometimes the injections site itches. Other then that I've had no problems with it.I've been getting them since 16 wks my son was also born at 35 weeks

ashleyluvskyle

I am 31 weeks today and I have been on these shots since 15 weeks.  I only have 6 shots left!  I haven't really had any major side effects.  This is the 2nd pregnancy that I have had the 17P shot.  My first 3 pregnancies ended at 32, 34, & 33.  For the 4th I was given the shot and me and my husband were also very skeptical about the shot.  I finally agreed to do it and it was worth it 100%.  I had headaches in the beginning and soreness at the site but after 15 weeks of shots the only thing that happens now is it hurts like heck when they put it in but after that I am fine. 

SCSmithbride

This is my second time getting them as well. And my DH had reservations because he like to blame everything that can be bad on anything that isn't totally natural.  He finally agreed to the shots because I convinced him that anything that he is trying to blame that happened to DD#2 after birth A) had nothing to do with the shots and if they did I would much rather take cradle cap and a scalp infection over Being born prematurely and being in the NICU and possibly having all kinds of issues that would cost a lot more and cause a lot more issues down the line.

Both of the things she had issues with can be treated medically or by age because after a certain point cradle cap is a moot point.   

08PharmGirl

I just asked a similar question, I got some pretty good responses:

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/59409631.aspx

 

kthappy76

It sounds like your DH would benefit from a conversation w/the Dr. on why these are beneficial.  I've been on them for 7 wks, 7 more to go and have had no major SE, just injection site irritation.  Your body makes progesterone to keep you pg, so maybe that will help him understand that it is really just supplementing a natural process.  You are lucky you didn't need any NICU time last time, there are many risks, including long term, to being born pre-term that your DH may not be aware of.

JEK76

Thanks to everyone for their responses.  Yesterday I did some of my own research on the matter.  I also called my RE who my husband and I trust 100%.  He agreed with my OB's recommendation to do the weekly prog shots.  He said it is pretty standard.  So, I sat down with DH last night, shared some of YOUR stories (thanks!) and my conversation with the RE and he felt better.  He said he was OK with whatever I felt comfortable doing.  To me it is a no brainer.  I happen to have a DH who is a worry wort about my personal health and puts that before everything!  Again, thanks so much ladies