17p Alpha Hydroxy Progesterone shots....any experience?

hewinked · April 2010

Hi ladies. I'm not sure where to post this. DD was born at 34w6d, unknown reasons. I don't post here much (and not lately at all) because she didn't have any health problems at birth and never had any NICU time. Even though she was healthy, there's no denying that she was born pre-maturely. I'm pregnant again now and having this happen again is one of my biggest fears.

I had my first appointment today, and we discussed my concerns in length. My midwife suggested these shots, starting at 16 weeks and continuing weekly for the remainder of the pregnancy. Obvioulsy, there is no telling what could happen with this pregnancy. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with these. Or if you ladies would consider doing the shots as a precaution. Just looking for outside opinions. Thanks so much to anyone that has suggestions or advice.

Kaytee1206 · April 2010

I took them from 16-36 weeks with this pregnancy. I think they worked TOO well because I'm being induced tomorrow at 39 weeks. As much as I hated getting them, they kept me from having another preemie.

hewinked · April 2010

Thank you. Did you have any side effects? I think that's what I'm scared of. I know that sounds dumb compared to the risk of having another preemie...I react weird to any and all medications, so I'm scared.

RCH151 · April 2010

I am on them now...I've been taking them since 12 weeks and I am currently 32 weeks (will take them until 36 weeks). I pPROM'd at 33 weeks last time so I'm hoping to make it past that this time. I have no side effects at all.

hewinked · April 2010

Thanks so much!

purplepuggles · April 2010

i've been doing them since 16 weeks. so far so good! they aren't that big a deal to get each week and i figured anything to prevent another preemie!

dmblack · April 2010

I had them with my 2nd pg and if I got PG again I'd have them again. I think they made all the difference. I had my DD at 26w3d for unknown reasons and had my son at 37w. So did they make a difference I think so. If it were me I'd have the shots as a precaution. What have you got to lose?

Kaytee1206 · April 2010

My OB told me the shots may cause gestational diabetes because they are a steroid. GD causes the lungs to develop slower. I never developed GD though. The only side effects I've had are itching/redness at the injection site. Sometimes I got a big knot at the site too because the medication is so thick.

redness4 · April 2010

My 2yo daughter was born at 34w1d. Reason is still unknown - my water just broke. I just had my son 2 months ago and received the injections from 16w-36w. I had a scheduled inducton at 36w6d, so I at least made it that far. At 36w2d I was already 4cm/80%. Do I believe the injections helped? Absolutely. Do I know for certain? No. The fact is, I'll never know, but I knew if I delivered early again I would always feel guilty for not doing everything that I possibly could. On average, studies have shown that the injections can increase the gestational period for that pregnancy by up to 2 weeks. Side effects? The actual injection was sometimes unpleasant (sometimes not at all) but not awful, the injection site was sometimes sore and/or itchy for a couple of days (sometimes not at all) and I thought they made me tired, although who can tell when you are pregnant and have a 2yo running around, you know? I would , without question, do it again if we had a third. Good luck to you!

JustMarried2005 · April 2010

I am doing them now, with my second pregnancy. My first son was born at 32 weeks.

So far, this pregnancy has been SO MUCH easier in terms of pressure, contractions, etc. and I credit that to the shots. Only time will tell if the shots will help me deliver full-term, but I am feeling very confident that we will get there!

Do the shots!

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17p Alpha Hydroxy Progesterone shots....any experience?

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