I had a baby born at about 31 1/2 weeks 2 years ago. Yesterday, the perinatologist told me that I had a 20% chance of having another preemie baby. He said I could take progesterone shots once a week to reduce the chances of prematurity. Has anyone had experiences with these shots? Does anyone know of any risks to the baby? I want to do all I can to prevent having another baby in the hospital for 5 weeks after he/she is born, but not if there are serious risks.
I think everyone who undergoes in vitro fertilization is put on progesterone. Being on it is very common.
Maureen,
I lost my first pregnancy at 8 weeks and bled with my 2nd and 3rd. My OBG put me on progesterone (suppositories with 2nd and pills with 3rd) to prevent another loss. I used the progesterone only during my first trimester and now I have 2 healthy little girls. No side effects for me. Good luck.
Hi Maureen,
I did progesterone suppositories for 12 weeks to prevent miscarriage. My cousin and girlfriend both had to do the same thing. There were no problems with it and no side effects.
Good luck!
I don't know too much about this, but I am taking progesterone about two weeks out of the month for PMS related reasons (wow, what a difference it makes). I think one of the reasons why women wouldn't normally take progesterone during their pregnancy is that their bodies are supposed to naturally increase in progesterone during that time. But I'm sure that there are plenty of women out there who don't produce enough progesterone. Our bodies aren't all perfect running machines! Maybe that's why your doc suggested it? In any case, it definitely wouldn't hurt to do more research on it either way. Maybe there's a blood test that can be done to check hormone levels before starting anything like that?
Hi, Maureen,
I've used progesterone, administered through suppositories and shots. (I wouldn't bother with the cream. From what I've read in reputable, medically supported literature, it won't do the job you want it to do.) I used the suppositories for my first and second round of high-tech fertility treatment (IVF and ICSI) and intramuscular (IM) injections for the third, which was also my last. Even though I had given myself hundreds of injections, before I was afraid to give myself or receive IM injections. They turned out not to nearly as painful or as scary as I thought that they would be. (I think that my husband suffered more giving them to me than I did receiving them.)
I don't know of any risks to babies.
Good luck,
Lynne E
Hi Maureen-
I don't know about the shots to prevent premature birth but I was on progesterine suppositories twice a day for 16 weeks to prevent miscarriage. I've had 4 miscarriages before I had my 1st child, and one miscarriage before my son, with the progesterine. I was leary but after talking to the Dr. and doing a bit of research, went ahead with it. I was fine, extremely moody but fine, and I have my wonderful son!!
Good Luck!
I used the shots during my last pregnancy and I felt no side effects. They are easily administered,so I had my mom or husband put them at the top of the butt where it meets the hip for me. I would recommend them and be sure to alternate sides when taking them so you don't get so sore on one side of the body. Good luck!
G.
Hi Maureen,
You can also take chaste tree berry (vitex) extract, 30 drops every morning, to help build progesterone naturally. But the shots should work as well.
