Progesterone shots to prevent PTL?

I posted a couple of days ago about the length of my cervix (2.86 at 21 weeks). The MFM didn't seem too concerned, but I kind of panicked. SO, I went back into the OBGYN today, and did an exam and said my cervix feels long and closed. BUT, she did prescribe me progesterone shots that I will go into the office once a week to get. Has anyone else done this? I guess that it's to help prevent pre-term labor?

 

QUOTE(missjoli @ Jul 28 2008, 11:49 AM) [snapback]900331[/snapback]
I posted a couple of days ago about the length of my cervix (2.86 at 21 weeks). The MFM didn't seem too concerned, but I kind of panicked. SO, I went back into the OBGYN today, and did an exam and said my cervix feels long and closed. BUT, she did prescribe me progesterone shots that I will go into the office once a week to get. Has anyone else done this? I guess that it's to help prevent pre-term labor?



I haven't done this yet. My Peri was going to start me on them at 18 weeks but my cervix was 5cm so he is holding off for right now. I'm high risk for PTL with my history and had freezing on my cervix a few years ago so he's watching me closely. I go back in tomorrow for another check. As soon as there is any shortening I start the shots from what I understand. I was on progesterone shots daily for 10 weeks since I did IVF so a weekly shot sounds completely doable. Hope you get better answers than mine.

 

My neighbor did the progesterone shots with her 3rd baby a year ago. Her first 2 were born at 34 weeks. So her OB had her do them to help prevent PTL. They did help her, she delivered her 3rd at 38 weeks.

 

I had the progesterone shots from week 14 to week 35. I am now 36 weeks and 3 days. I do have a cerclage also, but I think that the progesterone shots helped a lot. My cerclage comes out tomorrow and I hope that I go into labor shortly thereafter. Good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy!

 

I am on progesterone shots as well. I went into labor at 22 weeks with my twins and delivered at 28 weeks (after 6 weeks in the hospital). I am now 29 weeks (singleton) and have been doing great. I started the injections at 14 weeks and will take them every week until I deliver. I highly recommend them!

 

Thanks so much ladies. I feel much better that I called and asked them to check me again, and that they are being proactive. I think I got lucky with this doc in the practice, because she also has twins herself. Sometimes I feel like I have to prompt them to do things, and I wish they were all just proactive without me asking for things, ya know? Oh well, I feel like I'm on the right track. I've just read so many awful things about people losing their twins early to pre-term labor. It's so scary.

 

My doctor told me the shots were'nt really effective in a twin pregnancy, and my
doctor wasn't a brush it off kind of doctor, he did just about everything for me!
I had the cerclage at 19 weeks with a cervix of 2.0, then bedrest until I delivered.
I also had a home uterine monitor that looked for contractions. I had the
steroid shots done at 27 weeks and I had the fetal fibronectin test done a few
times.
I was on progesterone the first 15 weeks since I did IVF, but I think the P17 shots
might be a little different?
I don't know much about it, but I wouldn't rely solely on the progesterone shots
to keep your cervix closed. Are you getting bi-weekly cervix length checks?
I went through the shortening cervix thing and it is scary. Your length is much
longer than I was at that time! Hope it stays that way. Cervix length can change
and change quickly!
Good luck! So glad you have a great doctor and are doing so well at this point
in your pregnancy.

 

I had them from 24 weeks until I delivered at 34 weeks. I know that I received them twice a week, but that may have been later on in my pregnancy. Like the pp mentioned, my doctor did not rely on those shots alone, but they were one part of my medical treatment to prevent PTL (shortening cervix of 2.8 discovered at 24 weeks, down to 1.8 by 28 weeks, down to .9 by 32 weeks). I was on oral terbutaline, Percocet (to "relax" the uterus), nefidipine/Procardia, progesterone, iron supplements, and laxatives (charcoal and colace) just in case, a few rounds of antibiotics (when my white blood cell counts got a little high, just in case because they worried that could cause contractions)...I could probably name more. I also had the steroid shots, fFN tests, and home uterine monitoring for preventative measure.

The one thing that I did NOT have to have, thankfully, was mag sulfate!

 

QUOTE(twoin2005 @ Jul 28 2008, 05:45 PM) [snapback]900987[/snapback]
I had them from 24 weeks until I delivered at 34 weeks. I know that I received them twice a week, but that may have been later on in my pregnancy. Like the pp mentioned, my doctor did not rely on those shots alone, but they were one part of my medical treatment to prevent PTL (shortening cervix of 2.8 discovered at 24 weeks, down to 1.8 by 28 weeks, down to .9 by 32 weeks). I was on oral terbutaline, Percocet (to "relax" the uterus), nefidipine/Procardia, progesterone, iron supplements, and laxatives (charcoal and colace) just in case, a few rounds of antibiotics (when my white blood cell counts got a little high, just in case because they worried that could cause contractions)...I could probably name more. I also had the steroid shots, fFN tests, and home uterine monitoring for preventative measure.

The one thing that I did NOT have to have, thankfully, was mag sulfate!


Did they just do an exam or did they do a vaginal u/s every time to check it?