Hope for preemie Moms-p17 Shots

Andrewsgal

I went into PTL with DD first starting at 24 weeks with a lot of hospital support and bedrest I held off until 34 weeks, she was still very sick (vent,chest tube, CPAP) the normal preemie routine., With this pregnancy I have recieved the p-17 shots every week from 16-36 weeks, and also gotten teh FFN tests. I have spent time on bedrest and had a couple of issues with PTL, but I have carried this little one to 36 weeks and counting!!! I am so happy and excited to have a normal birth experience.

I just wanted to pass on my experience and give other preemie moms hope. I know there was  a time we never even imagined #2 and now this pregnancy has gone so well we are talking #3.

Good Luck and I will answer any questions if you have them.

weemodin

I had them with my twin pregnancy, and was not dilated at all when I delivered at 35w6d (we delivered b/c my BP was rising and DD's growth had slowed b/c DS was huge).

I credit them with not having any PTL!

Aidge

Thank you so much for this! Although I am not ready at this point, I definitely would love to try for another at some time. ?My question is- are there any side effects for baby or mom? ?Long lasting or short term? ?Thanks!

dmblack

I had these too with my 2nd pg.  I'm happy to say that I delivered my son at 37 weeks.  They shots were worth it.  They thought I'd end up on bedrest as well...but I'm happy to say that I had a very normal PG (no bedrest).

SCOOTER

Yeah!  I love hearing other stories of previous preemie moms going to term.  I'll be term in two weeks with my third after having 31 weekers.  I am not on shots however, the doc never mentioned it to me.  My PTL was most likely because I had twins.  Having a single baby has been much easier on my body.

AviatorJJ

that is fantastic! wonderful.

MaybeABaby?

I've also been on p-17 since 16 weeks and I'm dilated and effaced since 25 weeks but no significant contractions or labor and I fully credit the p-17 for me still being pg. Granted I'm on hospital bedrest (going on 8 weeks!) but he's still growing and thriving on the inside!!!!

Andrewsgal

No side effects for me at all, and none that are known for the baby.

ayanahuff

thanks for the hopr i am pg with #3. ive been getting the shots since 16 weeks (im 23 now). ive been having some problems with PTL and im on bedrest now. long short of it i hope i can make it that long.

snowchylde

I just want to add that if you don't do well with hormone treatments, P-17 might not be a good idea.  DD was early so one of the doctors in my practice suggested these shots when I was 25 weeks this time- they were actually causing me contractions. It was easily the worst thing I have done this pregnancy.

It is still an experimental treatment and considered a class D drug.  How early you might go into labor is an important factor, P-17 has in some studies actually increased the rate of stillbirth. The fetal mortality rate is not nearly as significant as the decreased chance of PTL, but I was started on the shot late enough to know I would rather see DS in the NICU for a couple weeks than see him not be alive. Early in, when the chance of survival at birth would be low I think the P-17 would be more worth it.

I refused the shots after the first two and stopped having problems with painful frequent contractions.