High-Risk Pregnancy

Experiences w/ 17P?

I'm HR because both of my previous pregnancies ended wayyyyy too early. My doctor is planning on starting 17P when I'm 16 weeks. I went into PTL w/ no warning at 28w exactly w/ DS in 2010 and he was born 5 hours after arriving at the hospital. PPROM and PTL w/ DD in 2011 at 25w3d.. She was born 3 hours after arriving at the hospital. Does anyone have any experience with this shot.. And how effective was it for you? How far did you make it in pregnancies without the shot.. And how far did you make it in pregnancy with the shot? I do NOT want to go through NICU again.. Though I know it's a very real possibility. I just want to finally be able to hold a baby right after birth and take it home right away.

Re: Experiences w/ 17P?

  • Alot of us on this board are taking 17p injections. I went into ptl with my last at 21wks but my ptl was caused by cervical issues. This pregnancy I started the injections at 16wks I am currently 33wks and have yet to have any ptl scares. That injection based on studies is 85% effective. The side effects i get are itchy at the injection site and a lump but i didnt start to get those side effects until later down the line. I only have 3 more left.

    Were your experiences only ptl or was something what caused you to go into preterm like cervix shorten, pre-e, fluid issues etc? 
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  • Hmmmm.. 33 weeks sounds so foreign to me.. Lol. It would be amazing if I could get that far. I'll deal w/ the itching.. Worth it.
    They weren't able to find any cause. W/ DS I dilated but my water didn't break until he was crowning. W/ DD my water broke and I dilated fully in 4 hours. No warnings at all. No infections.. Normal cervix.. Nothing out of the ordinary.
  • :-/ I hate when there is no cause. You will make it far this time :-)
  • I know.. It sucks not knowing what triggered it so I don't know what to avoid. And I'm praying I do. :)
  • Wally3Wally3 member
    edited October 2013
    My first was due to pPROM/PTL at 34 weeks.  Had p17 with my 2nd and was induced at 39 wks (other complications).  I had 3 scares with my 2nd but l&d was able to stop my contractions each time.  Ditto itchy butt, but no other side effects. For me it got worst as time went on.  I recommend huge pg underwear and dresses.

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  • I had no side effects dh gave it to me. I found using a 21 gauge ( I think) worked better because it was a bigger and easier to inject.
    I still went into ptl at 34 weeks( I had dd1 at 34) however made it to 38!
    It's not a miracle drug
    1st loss 8/31
    2nd pregnancy -TWINS lost DD1 twin at 8 weeks 6 days DD1 born 6 weeks early
    3rd pregnancy- TWINS AGAIN lost both babies at 9 week appt
    4th pregnancy- singleton- born at 38 weeks 1 day with the help of weekly 17P injections
    5th pregnancy- CP in June
    6th pregnancy It's a BOY


  • The shots are great!!  I hope you have a good nurse to administer them, because technique makes a difference.  This is my 3rd pregnancy, started receiving the shots at 16 weeks and finished at 36 weeks.  I am now going on 38 weeks.  Each pregnancy I have had different doctors. With my first pregnancy I found out that the preterm symptoms I was having were ignored, almost delivered at 34 weeks and actually delivered at 36 weeks...he was fine!  With my second pregnancy, the docs watched me a little closer.  Preterm activity started around 24 weeks.  I was given meds in the hospital to stop labor 3 different times, steroid shots and strict bed rest at home.  I delivered at 39 weeks. With my pregnancy now, my doc really took my history into consideration and went the preventive route.  I am currently going on 38 weeks and dilation as of 36 weeks.  I still have contractions but the shots has kept my cervix closed.  I have had only one scare during the pregnancy, around 30 weeks.  My doc ordered steroid shots for baby's lungs.  Baby is still cooking!!

    As for the shots...expect itching, but don't scratch.  If you have a good nurses administer them the itching will be very minimal, if at all. I personally, experienced swelling and burning a couple times due to sloppy administration of meds.  The medication will really irritate the skin. Clean the area with warm soap and water after getting home I found to be helpful.  Good luck!
  • This was posted in another community I am part of in response to someone asking about progesterone:

    Yes. They've been shown to reduce the risk of respiratory problems with the baby. Below is a fragment of an NIH meta analysis :
    The researchers also concluded that even when the mother delivers before full term, progesterone treatment can reduce the likelihood that the infant will die (by 43 percent), have respiratory distress syndrome (by 52 percent), weigh less than 3.5 pounds (by 45 percent), be admitted for intensive care (by 25 percent), or require mechanical ventilation (by 34 percent).


    Of course, there is no mention of how far a long the pregnancy is to be around these numbers.  I started my shots at 20 weeks after discovering an incompetent cervix.  The shots are really not that bad at all.  I get them in the upper butt cheek.  They warn that they are more painful than the normal shot but I have only experienced that once or twice...it might depend on who gives it to you.  I haven't had any bad reactions to the shots aside from it feeling bruised at the injection site for a day or two after.  My sister in law had a preemie her first pregnancy so for her second she was put on progesterone shots and made it to 36w and a couple days.  Her little guy was in the NICU for a few days only because his collarbone was fractured from the birth..he was huge for a 36 weeker.  


    My first pregnancy I went into PTL and had my little girl at 27w6d.  I am now 26 weeks today and hoping to surpass that...I also know what it means to be in the NICU for a while.  It is a lot to deal with.  I'm hoping both of us are able to make it full term and know what it's like to have a full term baby from birth to home! :)  Good luck!

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  • Thanks for all the replies. Been MIA because of a few scares but all is well. @JandM524 I'm praying we do! That would be such an amazing experience! How far are you?
  • As of today I am 27w3d.  This week is going by slow trying to get to that next milestone!  :)  How far are you?  Regarding the scares, I feel you on that.  This pregnancy has been an absolute roller-roaster.  
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  • I bet! I'm sure it's going to drag by until you're all the way out of the woods. I'm just 8w1d. So I've still got awhile to go. I've been in the ER 3 times for bleeding.. 4 OB appts already. I've already been ordered to limit my activity.. Which is hard for me to do.
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