[MamaBirdEmma]

We are pregnant with baby number three. Our first child was born by induction one month early due to pre-ecclampsia and we went into pre-term labor and delivered our son at 32 weeks (with no signs prior to labor). With this baby, the doctor wants to put us on 17 Alpha Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate shots weekly starting at 16 weeks (having read a little about these shots, I am worried that they won't change anything/or could pose a risk).

If you are facing PTL/D what is your game plan?

 

[nlhousewifey]

I've been told to expect the twins early, the average at my hospital right now is about 35 wks. I'm really hoping to beat the odds, but also trying to be realistic. DH and I have plans to have all the baby stuff done early enough so we don't have another thing to be stressed about if/when they come early. I think we'll have the nursery done by 24 wks. or so, that way I won't be tempted to do anything that might overexert myself.
My game plan is to try to take it easy and stay off my feet as much as is possible with a toddler

 

[melis79]

My last pregnancy (#3) the OB I initially consulted with wanted to put me on those same shots @ 16 weeks. She said it was based on the fact that:

baby #1 was delivered at 35w 6 d for pre-e and also had PTL (started at 32 weeks, never got past a 1 with bedrest and terbutaline)- baby was great, no NICU time at all

baby #2 was born at 37w 5, had PTL at 28 weeks, really modified bedrest and terb and niphedipine. Dialated to 3 by 34 weeks and never went further until I went into labor

had 3 Colposcopys and a LEEP procedure 6 months prior to getting pregnant with #3.

I was NOT comfortable with going on progesterone.
I transferred care to a CNM practice where i was told I was at high risk for PTL again, upon exam was told my cervix was shortened.
1 week later I had my anatomy ultrasound and had cervical length checked. I was 5cm. THICK cervix.

Then transferred care to a homebirth CNM. Never had PTL. Lots of braxton hicks, but a check at 35 weeks had me firm and closed.
Delivered at 37w 5d due to induction for sudden (within hours) onset of HELLP syndrome, despite completely normal pregnancy, BP and labs the whole time.

All that to say... EVERY pregnancy is different. I would never now take the progesterone injections. If I develop PTL I will manage it with bedrest and meds and lowereing my stress level. Not put drugs in my body "just in case". But, thats me.

 

[momtoafireteam]

I have had all my babies at 35, 34, 38, and 36 weeks respectively, so its always a concern for me. My first four babies were fine, but my youngest was in the NICU for almost 3 weeks and I will do ANYTHING to prevent that again, ANYTHING!!! I am camping on my shadow OB's waiting room floor til he gives me betamethasone shots, and other than that I will just try to keep off my feet and be hyperaware. My HBMW wont deliver at home til 37.5 weeks, so I have to make it til then.

Interestingly, I was on progesterone for my baby that went to 38 weeks and not with any others.....

 

[MamaBirdEmma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by melis79 If I develop PTL I will manage it with bedrest and meds and lowereing my stress level. Not put drugs in my body "just in case". But, thats me.

Melis, what meds are you reffering to? Terbutaline and niphedipine?

 

[melis79]

Yeah terb and niphedipine is what I was referring to. Those both helped "hold me off" before. I just know my last pregnancy I was almost scared into believing that it was ineveitable that based on my history and *gasp* cervical surgery since my last babies were born that I was going to have PTL and therefore need to be on weekly progesterone injections for 20 weeks. I ended up having ZERO PTL. At all.

I also had 6 years between babies and circumstantially my life was alot less stressful, which I wanted to take into account, but two of my OB providers did not.

I am not anti-progesterone, I am just pro-research and evidence and asking questions and not just going along with what any medical provider says just because they say its the right thing.

If I had done that, I would have been unneccesarily putting progesterone in my body for 20 weeks, not to mention the side effects I personally experience with progesterone, depression, migraines, extreme fatigue.... all of that would have been pointless. Because my last pregnancy was night and day from my first two.

I am glad I just went with my gut. You need to do what you need to do and whatever that is for you and your baby, go for it. If you decide to do the progesterone, then go for it. I am just saying I didnt, and this is why and this is what I was told I was at risk for, and all those risk factors meant nothing.

Just from personal experience, the providers I saw last time (the OB was the chief of Obestetrics at our local hospital) were in my case proven very wrong.

 

[mom2beagain]

I'm trying to do some research on this "hormone" and I'm wondering what your outcome was.