My son was born premature at 32 weeks, so my current pregnancy was considered high risk from the start, based on my history. Six months ago, my ob recommended weekly shots of 17p alpha-hydroxyprogesterone between weeks 20 – 36 of my pregnancy.
When we began discussing my options, a weekly appointment just to get my shot did not seem feasible: driving an hour or more each week, waiting, getting the shot, finding babysitting every week (and it had to be the same day each week). Of course, I wanted the shots, for the sake of our child. I was willing to do almost anything to avoid having another NICU baby, another baby coming home on the apnea/brady monitor, the endless possibilities of health problems for a premature child.
So we explored alternatives: the most viable one seemed to be the “do-it-yourself” way–ordering the shots from an online pharmacy with my husband administering them at home.
At the time, just the thought of my husband administering these shots gave me chills.
When we got married, our vows included the “in sickness and in health” line. But while you’re standing at the altar, that line seems so understood–even innocuous. (I mean, we all get colds, right? and let me tell you, I’ll be there for you.) You’re not reading between the lines, thinking, ‘in giving [or receiving] weekly shots for several months of pregnancy and bedrest.’
My husband loves me. And I knew he would do the very best he could while giving me my shots. But he’s not at all the medical type. He was repulsed by the doctor’s suggestion that he cut the umbilical cord (‘That’s why we pay you the big bucks!’ my husband replied) and he had no interest in “observing” the baby’s birth in any way whatsoever, except to hold the child–after a thorough bath.
Having experienced various pain levels while receiving shots, I assumed that smoothly administering shots–especially shots that were “thick” enough they have to be administered in your rear end–required years of medical training and experience.
So it was with a bit of trepidation that we had a home health care nurse come out to show him how it was done for the first two weeks. After that, he’s been on his own.
To my great surprise (and even delight!), my husband does a better job administering the shots than the home health care nurse! It’s been less painful–and not even as messy.
During four months of shots, I have. . .
- Had about three months of contractions (frequently 3-5 minutes apart especially during the night).
- Significantly reduced my activity (grocery shopping, carrying laundry, lifting the kids, “outings”) in order to avoid bedrest.
- Spent four days in the hospital during week 29, attempting to bring my contractions down to a reasonable level.
- Made several trips to Labor and Delivery Triage with contractions 5 minutes apart (or less).
- Been taking procardia (nifedipine) for about a month and a half.
- Had a shot of terbutaline, which was a huge success in reducing contractions that were 2-3 minutes apart down to only a handful per hour.
- Spent about a month and a half on bedrest.
With all of this contraction “activity,” I never imagined that I would still be pregnant at week 36. I never would have believed that my husband would have the chance to give me all 17 shots.
But here we are–17 shots later.
My last shot was earlier this week. We don’t need this stuff any more! As my 3-year-old daughter told someone today, “Mommy’s p’gesterone shots are all gone now!”
And next week, I will be 37 weeks–full-term!
It worked! It wasn’t easy, and it may have been the combination of progesterone, procardia, bedrest, terbutaline. . . but we don’t have a preemie this time around!
So my little girl will be one more success story, speaking to the effectiveness of progesterone shots in reducing premature births!
This Works for Me!
Wow, you’re a trooper! And your husband too!
Best wishes for a safe, healthy delivery!
That’s awesome! We experience infertility and we did 5 rounds of IUI’s. My husband had to give me a few shots in the hip too!
I also went into preterm labor at 30 weeks and was put on bedrest with a trebutaline pump in my leg. My husband also had to change that every week!
I made it to 37 weeks exactly! Congrats on being almost full term!
Wow, what a tumultuous journey to a full term baby! Both of mine were overdue and I had to be induced because they just weren’t budging on their own. Medical technology is a wonderful thing – allowing you to stay pregnant long enough to have a full term baby, and allowing me to have the darn baby already so I didn’t head into 43 weeks of pregnancy!
Good luck with your delivery!
Once again, praise God from whom all blessings flow! He is so good.
Thanks for the report! Uplifting!
I do shots to prevent blood clotting during my pregnancy since the last one ended in a stillbirth and i totally understand the stress. I am 34 weeks so close behind you but until i delivery i am still nervous since the stillbirth happened at 37 weeks but the shots are seeming to work and the effort seems to be worth it!
I found your blog through your comment @ The Spohrs. I too am having a high risk pregnancy after having a preemie. My daughter was born at 27 weeks due to preterm labor and an incompetent cervix. This time, I have had a laundry list of interventions. I am on week 15 of 17P shots, had an emergency cerclage placed at 22 weeks and spent many weeks (from 22-29) on bed rest due to both the cerclage and contractions caused by an infection from getting the cerclage. I have been let off my bed rest until my next appt (on Tues) and then we’ll see if letting me up has caused any issues.
I love reading about other moms who have been so successful in their pregnancies after a preemie! I will be 31 weeks tomorrow and although it’s still not full-term I think of myself as successful! Congrats on making it so far and good luck for a successful full-term birth!
I have had 7 miscarriages in the first trimester so with this last pregnancy, I was given progesterone suppositories for the first 14 weeks. They seemed to have done the trick! We also discussed the shots at the end but I made it to 37 weeks on bedrest. I finally had to be induced due to PIH but the baby is completely healthy and happy. I LOVE progesterone!
Amy, so sorry about your losses. There is no way I can understand what you’ve been through, but thankfully, both of us can say together that progesterone has been a huge help in our individual circumstances. Congrats on the healthy full-term baby! 🙂
I had the 17P shots for my second pregnancy and as soon as the shots were done I started having tons of Braxton Hicks so I totally credit the shots with getting me to full term (my daughter was born one day shy of 39 weeks!). Congratulations on making it this far!!!
Ick. I couldn’t do it. I hate needles…
I am beginning the Progesterone injections in 2 weeks, and my husband, too, is going to be the one administering them. However, He’s excited about jabbing me with a needle once a week, and I am scared to death. I figured it’d be like a simple insulin injection…a small little needle, but every picture I’ve seen so far… the NEEDLES ARE HUGE….. I’m having an anxiety attack just thinking about it. Of course, I’ll do whatever it takes for my unborn child to be full term at delivery….I’m just so afraid.