But I saw an OB today, at a different hospital and discussed a plan of action for this pregnancy to hopefully prevent preterm labor this time, well as much as can be done.
Basically the doc said that there are 2 things we can do. Starting at 20 weeks, they can do transvaginal ultrasounds to check the length of my cervix. A ’normal’ cervix is about 4 cm. Who knows what mine is, maybe that’s my problem???? Anyway I’ll find out in a few more months I guess. They will continue to check it by ultrasound either weekly or twice a month or whatever to keep an eye on any changes that would signal me starting preterm labor. Since I never felt a single contraction while in preterm labor this would be awesome because it would be a precursor to my ’phantom’ contractions and then they could monitor me for those as time went by (if my cervix was shortening).
The second thing, he said is optional and I still need to do some research to know if I am fully comfortable with it. Progesterone shots. I would need them weekly from week 20 until week 36. He said it raises my odds of going full term by 50% which sounds pretty good to me because combined with the cervix checking there could be a real chance of me making it full term this time with both options combined.
So at 20 weeks, I will be going for transvaginal u/s and deciding on progesterone shots at that time. I cannot start the shots after 20 weeks, so I will need to know my decision by then.
The doctor said that the shots would be a lot more affective than the Magnesium Sulfate they had me on once I was already in labor with DS, and obviously shots would be much more comfortable for me than lying in a bed in swollen as can be, aching all over and not being able to move.
So that’s the plan.
Anyone know anything about having progesterone shots? Please share if you do, thanks!
SativaStarr
05-30-2008, 02:12 PM
Good luck Mama.. I started a thread in Pregnancy about progesterone shots for PTL.. some Mamas posted their experiences in that thread as well. Theyve been reccomended to me as well, but Ive decided to decline given my personal circumstances (2 super healthy preemies, a 34 & a 35 weeker) & my PTL never started before 33 weeks. But I definitely think they can be beneficial for some woman (just not in my case)..
boilerbebeRN
05-30-2008, 03:56 PM
We use progesterone shots pretty frequently with patients with a history of PTL and pre-term delivery. My sister, in fact, will be on them with her current pregnancy starting in a few weeks. We have an OB resident that is currently on them because she delivered her first at 32 weeks. She is currently 32 weeks and her cervix is still OVER 4 cm long. I worked with a labor and delivery nurse who had 2 preterm deliveries (one at 26 weeks and her second at 28 weeks). She started progesterone shots with her 3rd pregnancy and had a repeat C/S at 39 weeks (both of her other deliveries were C/S as well d/t her first being breech) and her baby was 9 pounds 10 ounces!! She was shocked and amazed. She had never had a baby that she got to take home from the hospital with her and she said she felt like she had a 9 month old because he was over 3 times the size of her 2nd baby! I know everyone has to do what they feel is best for them and their situation, but I can say that if it were me, I would give myself the shots.
asteiner18
05-30-2008, 04:03 PM
if i end up having parvo than i probably wont get to go past 34 weeks. if anyone with any info on a 34 weeker wants to pm me than i would be grateful .
and :hugs: mama
LoveMyJonah
06-04-2008, 08:35 AM
I have an appointment to discuss this with a perinatologist next week. I'm leaning towards not having it done because I did have PTL at 35 weeks, but they were able to stop it as my water had not broken, and then had DS at 37 weeks exactly and he was not premature in any way, just a little skinny.
TamberlyRN
06-06-2008, 09:45 PM
You didn't mention your history so that really affects your decision.
I started having contractions with my first at 20 weeks and delivered at 27 weeks. The next time around, by 14 weeks I was regularly feeling braxton kicks and my doc started me on progesterone shots. They aren't too bad. They sting sometimes. I had to get them from a special pharmacy and was having this nurses do them every week until one of them got to close to my sciatic nerve and put me in severe pain for several weeks. At that point, I had my husband take over. He's a chiropractor so he knows exactly where my sciatic nerve is and it wasn't hard to teach him the injection part. He was really good at it. It hurt so much less when he did it:goodvibes:
My son was delivered by c/s, at 36 weeks due to a previous classical c/s incision.
This time around I will definitely do them again. I haven't been to my doc yet but I would imagine she would want to do what works for me:thumbsup:
I had to pay out of pocket, something like $80 for each vial but was later reimbursed a bit. I did not care one bit. When you've watched your 2 lb baby struggle for every breath (and then lose weight so she's even less than 2lb).... money is no object, you know?
Good luck! I had no side effects that I can recall other than a sore tush for the day, sometimes but not all the time.
jaimet777
06-07-2008, 12:03 PM
sorry my history might have helped. I had a perfect pregnancy til about 32 1/2 weeks. I went into preterm labor spontaneously and they tried everything to stop it. The only thing that slowed my contractions was a drip of magnesium sulfate which they kept me on for 5 days while I got my steroid shots and they spent some time trying to determine the cause. They never did find out why. Once they took me off the Mag I delivered within 24 hours. He was born at 33 1/2 weeks about. Some say that's not so early, and I suppose it's not considering he was 5lbs 0.8oz at birth but I still spent 3 long hard weeks in the NICU with him til I could bring him home. I heard the alarms go off each time he stopped breathing and saw my poor baby have iv after iv inserted in his little hands, feet and head. :(
I think alot of my motivation for wanting the shots is to prevent the next baby (hopefully) from having to go through that, and of course myself because it was probably the most depressing horrifying thing to go through as a new mother. I can't even imagine what it was like for the mothers with smaller babies and longer NICU stays.
And having a toddler means less time I would be able to be at the NICU whereas with my son I could be there all day every day til he could come home.
My regular OB said he thought the shots weren't that effective and that he thinks it is more to make the doctor feel like they are helping, but from all the stories I've heard and the studies I've read, I really think they DO make a difference.
*Snap*
06-08-2008, 03:54 PM
Hi there! I am in the same boat... almost. I have an uncommon case of IC, meaning I am not a good candidate for a cerclage.
That being said, if they are going to check your cervix, it is better that they do it now then at 20 weeks. Around 20 weeks or so the baby will start putting pressure on your cervix, right now is a good time because there is no pressure.
Also I have to really push that you start the shots around 16-18 weeks not after 20 weeks. The shots work wonders, although they do hurt, well for me they did. I did have large babies but I am not sure if they are related or not.
If you want more info, you can pm me. :)
TamberlyRN
06-09-2008, 08:35 PM
Jaime, if I were in your shoes I would do the shots. I was a NICU nurse, not an OB nurse, but I've read that they are phasing out mag sulf in the treatment of preterm labor. Not sure in practice how true that is in practice since I quit my job a few months ago to work for my husband. I know how traumatic those weeks can be and would at all costs avoid it. I second what the pp said in starting them around 16 weeks. For maximum benefits, it's your best bet.
You never know, your next could come even earlier. The way we look at it, is at least we've done everything humanly possible to prevent another preterm delivery. I don't want to live with the regret of wishing I had done the shots because the next was even more premature than the first. And like I said, other than a sore rump, there really isn't any other known side effects. My baby is *perfect* (if only he wasn't such a tornado destroying my house!!).
Good luck!
tfjjmc
06-16-2008, 09:17 PM
I have been through the progesterone treatments. If anyone has any questions regarding it, I would be happy to share my experience. You can PM me.
jaimet777
06-16-2008, 11:14 PM
I really am thinking I'm going to have to push for the shots at 20 weeks. My regular OB was saying 24 but the specialist said any time after 20 makes it much less effective. I think I'll just push for them and get them, I'll feel better that I tried to prevent it. especially since I'm already having dreams that I'm going to have a NICU baby :(
