So first of all, coming out of the closet, I'm 13 weeks pregnant with baby number 2! I'm due Aug 14th.
I was 5 weeks early with my first who then spent 18 days in the NICU. since I have a history of preterm labor, i've already been referred to a specialist who will do all of my ultrasounds. They will monitor me much closer this time. They have also suggested weekly progesterone shots starting at around week 16-17 through week 36. Has anyone gone through this? The dr says there are little side effects and taking the shots will reduce my risk for another preterm labor from 30% to at least 15%.
Even though it isn't a huge reduction in risk, I figure if there's no harm in taking them, that I should at least try. I just thought I'd get anyone else's experience with them.
Re: Question about weekly progesterone shots...
Congrats!
I just finished my last shot a week ago. The pro's out weigh the cons for me doing them. Jack was born at 35w too. I went with Mekenna to get my shots. It's a smaller amount of castor oil that they put the progesterone in so it isn't quite so hard to take. Not super fun but, not awful. I could always tell when it was time for my next shot because my contractions would start up. I started at 20w and finished at 35. I am glad that I did them and at my apt last week I was not dilated or effaced so they did their job for sure.
I know several of us on here have done them but, let me know for sure if you have any questions.
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Congrats! I have two friends who have taken them for the same reason (early labor).
Friend #1: her 1st son was born 5 weeks early, she took them with her 2nd son and he was born almost 2 weeks late
Friend #2: Her son was born 11 weeks early, she took them with her daughter and her OB's only goal was to get her to 32 weeks. She made it to 34.5 weeks, which was a HUGE improvement. My friend (and her doctor) didn't even really consider this "early"
So I would say, take them for sure! Can't hurt!
Congratulations!
Kim (sigkapbride) took them for this last pregnancy with Libby. She still delivered a few weeks early but definitely not as bad as it would have been if she didn't take them. If you're friends with her on FB, send her a message. I'll also tell her to come back and check out the board.
Congrats!
Yep Progesterone shots. Honestly if I got preggers again (which that will never happen) I would do it again even if it did make me a hormonal mess. 24 hours after the shot I was a very angry, non patient preggers woman. Didn't sleep. I started them at 16 weeks and took them till 35 weeks. You can have someone come to your house to give them to you every week. North Forsyth hospital was charging me to use there facility since Atlanta Pernatial was located in there. Bunch of BS. PM me if you want all those details.
I did start contractions at 33 weeks but I didn't have to go to the hospital this time to get them to stop. You can tell at the end when you need the shot. It does make you not dilate. When my water broke at 36 weeks and 5 days I was 2 cm.dilate.
You will be sore after the first several shots in that area but I found if you ice it 5 mins before it makes it so much better.
Do it! You won't regret it!
James - July 4, 2010
Sam - June 21, 2012