Who has had P-17 shots?

[jfh]

Anyone? Both my midwife and the OB I saw for genetic screening are on the fence about whether or not I should get them. Kai was early but not crazy early - 36 and 3. We don't know why he came early. My water broke and labor started a few hours later.

On one hand, my inclination is to not take extra meds. And I'd like to believe that #2 will bake longer on his/her own. On the other hand, Kai really wasn't ready for the world, and the NICU experience was rough. I really really want this baby to be full-term. So maybe it's worth it.

I guess my biggest question is about side effects. Did you notice any? And do you know anything else about the shots that might be helpful for me? TIA!

[carawestt]

I think vsalt did.

[jfh]

Apr 18, 2014 11:58:46 GMT -5 carawestt said:

I think vsalt did.

Thanks! Haven't seen her around in forever....@vsalt31? Are you out there??

[ladydi]

I don't think it was P-17 but I did do progesterone injections during my pregnancy with H up until 35 weeks because I had extremely low progesterone and a history of infertility and miscarriage. My doctor is super vigilant about progesterone numbers during pregnancy, though I don't think that's very mainstream? My husband just gave them to me at home after the doctor showed him how to do it. It wasn't really a big deal and I didn't notice any side effects. I did stop them around 35 weeks because my progesterone was staying high on its own but then H was born at 37 weeks so I'm going to see if I could stay on them longer next time.

[katfco]

I did. It's a weekly shot, from weeks 16-36. Some people have noticed increased mood swings, but with all the hormones going on in pregnancy, how could you tell? For the most part, the only side effect is some tenderness at the injection site, especially the first few weeks.

[Deleted]

Hi! I'm here!
Yes, I had injections starting at wk 16. My DS was born at 31wks, so for us, it was critical for my 2nd pregnancy. They can decrease your risk of preterm labor by 30%. My side effects were more annoying than anything else. I didn't have a headache or nausea. At injection site, I got huge 4" round, hot welts that itched like hell. The injections are on your upper butt, so I walked around the office itching my ass for 4months. Even alternating sides didn't help.
My non medical husband gave me the shots & it was like target practice. That was terrible, not going to lie. The needle is really thick bc the steroid is very syrupy & thick. The injection takes about a min bc it needs to go in slow.
My dd was born at 35 wks & my drs are confident that it would have been earlier had it not been for p17. The origional plan was to have shots through 36 wks.
Does is help at all?? Feel free to PM me w any questions.

[jfh]

Thank you, ladies! This input definitely helps. I've just been assuming that #2 would go to term, but I have no basis for that. I should really look into the stats on subsequent babies being premature after the first one is.

I also just want to say that I know you guys had a much rougher time than I did, and I'm so sorry. Kai was barely a premie - I know it could have been much worse. But it still sucked and I would really love to avoid the NICU this time. Thanks again for your thoughts.

[katfco]

Unfortunately, the chances of having a preemie are increased in subsequent pregnancies, which is why doctors encourage p-17. It's supposed to relax the uterus to prevent contractions.

[jfh]

Apr 18, 2014 21:18:06 GMT -5 katfco said:

Unfortunately, the chances of having a preemie are increased in subsequent pregnancies, which is why doctors encourage p-17. It's supposed to relax the uterus to prevent contractions.

Increased?? Ugggj I need to take this more seriously. One question: I had PPROM, and my OB said that P-17 works for that, but my MW wasn't sure. What you're saying about it relaxing the uterus makes me think maybe if wouldn't prevent PPROM, only labor? What do you think?

[katfco]

Apr 18, 2014 21:39:52 GMT -5 jfh said:

Apr 18, 2014 21:18:06 GMT -5 katfco said:

Unfortunately, the chances of having a preemie are increased in subsequent pregnancies, which is why doctors encourage p-17. It's supposed to relax the uterus to prevent contractions.

Increased?? Ugggj I need to take this more seriously. One question: I had PPROM, and my OB said that P-17 works for that, but my MW wasn't sure. What you're saying about it relaxing the uterus makes me think maybe if wouldn't prevent PPROM, only labor? What do you think?

Honestly, I would take it as a precautionary measure because it really can't hurt (that much ). I think it would be more of a "what if you didn't take it and had another preemie?" I think you would probably always wonder if the shot would have prevented it.

As for the hormones, keep in mind, I never had huge hormonal mood swings anyway, so I just attributed it to the shot. And it usually was only the day of the shot, not all the time.