Hi,
I'm 15 weeks along and was just advise by my OB that she would like me to start weekly injections of 17 OH progesterone caproate to stop preterm labor. I delivered my daughter at 33 weeks and she did have a few health issues in the beginning, she is perfect now! The paperwork I got from my OB says there is no evidence of any adverse effect on babies but there is no long term info. I did some research online and found it is not FDA approved and that the studies on line show a higher risk of miscarriage than the placebo and the trial they did in monkeys showed a higher chance of fetal death.
I'm not sure what I should do. My doctor insists its 100% safe and will ensure I will make it to at least 35 weeks but everything I've found online doesnt support what she is telling me. IF anyone has any info or experience with this, any advice would be appreciated!
Hi T. -
I took progesterone suppositories on my last pregnancy until I was about 16 weeks along. I had a previous miscarriage and had changed my ob. After initial blood tests she put me on the progesterone right away to try to avoid another miscarriage. I ended up with a very healthy full term baby.
Good Luck!
I never had to use that drug but it seems that your research findings are proving your doctor wrong and if she is still insisting that you take it I would want her to present proof to me that says otherwise before I would even think about it. The question also is is there any reason that she feels you need to take it other then from your pregnancy before? If you are not showing any signs that you might have a preterm birth I would really think out the pro's and con's before thaking the medication. Best of luck to you and Congrats.
Please do your research so you have all the information and can make a good choice for yourself and your child. You are probably too young to know about DES and Thalidomide, but they were 2 medications given to pregnant women (DES from 1938-1971, Thalidomide 1957-1961) that ended up having bad consequences for some of the women and their children. My own mother suffered 4 miscarriages and our doctor fortunately refused to prescribe what was being touted as the "miracle drug" DES.
The FDA has not approved this drug your doctor wants to use for a reason - Thalidomide had an immediate effect on the fetus, but DES took sometimes two generations for the effects to be felt. There are other things that can be done for pre-term labor, but who knows what the effects of an unapproved drug might be.
I agree with the mother that said you should get a 2nd opinion and don't allow yourself to be talked into something you don't feel good about.
Good luck.
Sweetie,
I personally, would get a second opinion. I would like to hear thoughts about it from another doctor before taking the injections. I do know that if you're taking progesterone before getting pregnant, and then find out that you ARE pregnant, if you stop taking it you will almost certainly have a miscarriage. Progesterone is also a blood thinner, and has a slight risk of causing clots. I used to take progesterone off and on since I was 17, and last month I decided it better to just not take it anymore. I wish you luck.
Hi,
After 4 miscarriages because of very low progesterone (the keep the uterus lining strong), I was put on progesterone pills. I had to take them 3 times a day for the first 3 months of my pregnancy. I made it to 40 weeks. I stopped taking progesterone after 15 weeks. I would do it. If the lining isn't strong enought to sustain the pregnancy, you will probably go into labor like I did. If it's too soon...well, I don't have to tell you. It's ultimately your decision, but online information can be across the board statistics and not very personal to your situation. If you trust your doctor, then do it, if you don't...trust your gut. I went to a high risk OB at UCLA...Pamela Boyer. She said it was safe. I believed her. I have a healthy perfect boy, that I never thought I would get to have!
M.
I have a progesterone cream that is naturally derived that I used before my pregnancy and in the early months of pregnancy. Maybe you could find out if you could use a cream instead of getting the injections?
congrats, i had my daughter at 33 weeks. I know what that's like. I wouldn't give too much credence to the FDA....they have said some very harmful things are healthy and some very healhty things are harmful...I would probably let nature takes its course....
T.,
There are some very important things you can be doing now and for the duration of your pregnancy to prevent preterm labor. Do a little more research, not just on the progesterone, but also on these other factors I will share with you.
- It is important in keeping your pH levels balanced. For a healthier and easier labor, you must stay between a 7.0 and 7.4. Not too acidic and not too alkaline. You can find pH testing strips at Whole Foods to test urine and/or saliva.
(Eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies will keep you from being too acidic. Melons and berries are best!)
- Drinking lots and lots of water also prevents preterm labor. Dehydration causes contractions.
- Drink Raspberry Leaf Tea every day to strengthen your uterus.
- Cut down on sex. Studies show that semen softens the cervix and can cause early labor. Or don't cut down on sex...lol because who ever wants to really do that...and use the pull-out method. Also, orgasms causes contractions. Just be careful!
- Being too active can also cause early labor...stress and anxiety will do the same. So kick back and RELAX, and do things that make you happy!!!
Try these natural preventative measures.
I wish you well!
I am expecting my 2nd in a couple weeks or so. So very excited!
yes, i did receive weekly injections starting at 16 weeks gestation & was able to make it to 30 week. A little about my pregnancy history: deliveried 1st child @ 27 wks., 2nd. child was born @ 23wks. weighing 1 pound 1 oz. & was not viable(unable to sustain life outside of uterus), 3rd. pregnancy delivered @ 18 wks, and finally (with the use of progesterone injections) my 4th child was born @ 30 wks. I sought several 2nd & 3rd opinions, far & wide, San Diego, L.A., UCSF. etc., as to why my pregnancies would not sustain confinment with, absolutly no explaination or medical reason. Every Perinatologist(OB/GYN specialized in pregnancy complications) sugested progesterone injections starting at 16-18 wks & the use of antibiotics for the remainder of the pregnancy(just in case there was a hidden infection present that was undetectable & causing the preterm mishaps). I was assured many times over that the progesterone would not harm the fetus or myself. It would either help the pregnancy or do nothing at all. There are many medications we use in the medical field (even in labor & delivery) that are not FDA approved for the use that use them for, but are very effective & usually necessary for the pregnancy. Example: cytotec is a medication for ulcers & strictly prohibited for use in pregnancy, expect for induction of labor for mom with a fetal demise, & we use this medication daily in the hospital for cervical rippening and induction of labor with term pregnancies. So I would not be too hung up on the fact of the FDA approval. You have nothing to loose by taking these injections, but you have a beautiful angel growing inside your uterus depending on you. Good Luck, and please let me know how things go.
