Anyone have experience with Progesterone shots?

[Anonymous]

I will need to start them in about 3 weeks for pre term labor, and am dreading it....

[Anonymous]

I had my first 17P shot last week at 14 1/2 weeks. My husband came with me to the high risk Dr - the nurses showed him how to correctly give me the shot. We shall see how this week goes as he will be giving me the shots weekly now.

I was a bit tired afterwards but didnt have any other reaction. I have read about welts and itching but honestly will do anything to not have another premature baby.

[Anonymous]

I have a history of two pre-term births and this time am on progesterone suppositiories (Prometrium) through as long as I can last or 36 weeks weeks *instead* of the shot. According to my MFM they are equally efficacious- or more specifically the shot has proven to be a bit better in the US while the suppositories have proven to be better in Europe and the rest of the world- so apparently they cancel each other out.

[Anonymous]

ice your hip/butt first & use a warm compress after and massage gently

if you do get welts or a bad reaction ask your dr about using cortisone cream

and if you do experience any longer-term issues (hitting a nerve can leave painful aches) it *will* heal in time!

you are giving your DC the best gift - time in mama's belly!!!!

[Anonymous]

I had them for DS2 - the site of the first shot ached the next day, almost like a flu shot - but after that I don't remember any side effects.
The shots don't even hurt all that much. I had one injection that hurt (more than jut a twinge) during the shot, and the solution actually began to leak back out of the injection spot. yuck. Otherwise, all was fine.
They worked for me - kept him in until 37 weeks!!!
Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, ladies. A nurse will be coming to my house weekly starting at 16 weeks so thankfully neither DH nor I will have to man the needle! I am terrified of needles though, but as PPs have stated, anything to keep the baby in longer!

[Anonymous]

They suck at first but you will get used to them. Mine were progesterone suspended in sesame oil. After the shots I smelled like Chinese take out.

It is good a nurse is giving them to you. If the shots are done quickly and in the right place they hurt a lot less, if at all. I was giving them to myself and I learned that the hard way.

Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

OP - how did you get the nurse to come to your house? are you on bed rest?

[Anonymous]

Both my mother (30 years ago) and myself had progesterone shots to prevent preterm labour. Both times, they proved very efficient (and studies have been done that show the same thing, with no negative health effects for mother or baby).

DH is a doctor, and injects me weekly. His trick is to do them exclusively in the upper outside quadrant of the buttocks, with me lying on my side, and inject VERY SLOWLY - because the progesterone is suspended in thick oil, and tissues can be damaged by such a thick liquid being inserted too rapidly - hence the pain. The thigh is usually more hard muscle than the buttock, and thus could also be more sensitive to that kind of pressure.

As a result, I have hardly ever felt the injections! Usually I cannot even tell when the needle is in or out. No pain, except once or twice when he went too quickly and it burned slightly. A day after the injection site usually itches a little bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - how did you get the nurse to come to your house? are you on bed rest?

The specialist I went to set it up directly with the nursing agency who contact my insurance and arrange for the home visits. I was all ready thinking my DH or myself were going to have to learn, but was pleasantly surprised by the set up. Obviously, am now here hoping for a good nurse! I was PP whose DH is a doctor and knew all the right tricks would give me the shots!

[Anonymous]

Had to do these for every IVF cycle. No big deal! They are painful but as long as your DH or someone is around they can give it. I much prefer the shot to the suppositories.

[Anonymous]

My DH gave me the shots. I did not find the shots themselves to be uncomfortable, but would sometimes be sore/tired the next day. I found it helpful to take a walk after getting the shot -- move the medicine around faster.