Procardia - for Preterm Labor

Hi E. - I read about the side effects of Procardia, commonly prescribed for preterm contractions on another website, which were posted by an RN. She describes the following as potential symptoms: feeling jittery, like your heart is pounding out of your chest, and you may have facial flushing. It may also be hard to sleep. I didn't read your previous post about being placed on bedrest or what gestation you are, but preterm contractions significant enough to cause a doctor to prescribe bedrest and medication should be followed to an absolute "T". You simply cannot be careful enough with your pregnancy at this point and believe me, you do not want to have the baby before it is ready! I hope this doesn't sound harsh, but you really need to put the baby's health above your fear of side effects at this point. Your doctor would not prescribe a medicine for you that was known to be harmful to your developing child either, so if you are having contractions, you need to do whatever you can to put a stop to them so they don't develop into actual preterm labor. Also, if you are on strict bedrest (and I don't know if you are), just that little bit of walking can start you up again, so you should really stay horizontal and follow every bit of advice your doc is giving you, for the sake of your baby!

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I took it whille pg for many months, and a couple after my son was born. He is 5 and fine. Take it!!

My Dad also took it for his heart. The dosages were very different. If you are worried call you doctor, but remember there are risks to the preterm labor too.

Lay on your left side -- it does make a difference.

Water -- my sister and I both had to drink 108 oz /day to keep the contractions away. At first "a lot" meant more that 64 to me. When my sister told me the 108oz, I shot for that goal and it made a big difference. I pee-ed alot, but it was worth it. :-)

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i had pre-term labor with my last two babies. i took terbutaline... prescribed by my OB. it made me very jittery and my heart raced too, i didnt like the way it made me feel, but didnt want to have either of my babies at only 25 weeks gestation....
so if wanted to carry my babies as long as i could, i had to follow doc's orders.... good luck!

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Very well done for skipping the b-day party, I know it was difficult. Stay in bed- that is what bed reat means-
Are you taking calcium and magnesuim? Essential fatty acids? These help with contractions- please find a midwife&/or Doula who can give you the proper conservative data.
Personally I would not take the drug, but that is me personally. I do not know you body, and you need a person who is knowledgable in alternative (why do they call it that when that is what women have done forever?)
but please find someone near you who can see your body, and tell you the correct non drug -if possible- thing.
Meanwhile stay in bed- this is you present to your new baby.
best,k

Just my 2 cents but I work with children on the spectrum. DO NOT TAKE ANY MEDICATIONS or give your baby any medications when they are born!! It changes their brain waves and damages their vestibular systems. Move around when you can but if you are filled with anxiety and stress, this will negatively affect your baby. Try relaxation techniques that you can even learn on youtube. You must move side to side, front to back and up and down. Good idea to go off all dairy and soy until your baby is born to reduce the incidence of allergies and reflux. Don't stress, things will happen the way they are supposed to.

I took procardia twice a day for my blood pressure when I was pregnant with my first. I think I was on 60 mg a day. My daughter did have a few complications, but it wasn't from the medicine, it was from her being born early. I think if the doctor prescribed it, you should take it. If you're concerned about possible side effects, you should call your doctor and discuss it. Nobody but you doctor is going to be able to properly answer your questions.
Best of luck to you!

Yes, Procardia is used to help cardiac patients as well as to keep contractions at bay in pregnant women. Just like Terbutaline is used for the same reason, but also can be used with asthma patients. There are many medications out there in this world that are dual purpose. Procardia and Terbutaline are the MOST COMMON ones prescribed to prevent preterm labor and are completely safe for you and your baby. The alternative to not taking them could mean a dangerously early preterm delivery. Definately continue drinking LOTS of water and keep your bladder empty, but don't stress too much about the side effects. Yes, Terbutaline has been known to make your heart race like you just drank a lot of caffeine. Procardia can lower your blood pressure a little (for preggos it is prescribed for Gestational Hypertension as well as Preterm Labor), so my only advice there is to invest in a blood pressure cuff ONLY IF you normally have a low BP in the office. Your OB can give you a range to look out for, but most will say not to take the Procardia if your BP is less than 90/60. The most important thing is to just talk to your OB about any of these questions/concerns you have. Sometimes things become so commonplace to them that they forget to stop and address the fact that you are completely new to this stuff and may need a better explanation. Best of luck to you and your little bun in the oven!

I took the Procardia in the hospital on bedrest. I don't know how far along you are, but the goal is to stay pregnant as long as you can. I did not have any side effects - the docs had mentioned headaches while on it was a possibility. If you are concerned about side effects while you are on it make sure someone is with you when you take it the first couple of times. The only issues my son had were a result of the very early delivery. Do not be afraid to accept or ask for help from others. You can pay if forward one day ---- do your best to stay off your feet and keep that baby in as long as you can!

E.,

I am on procardia and bed rest now. Have been for a while. I sent you a private email. Please check it and we can discuss. Best wishes to you!

PS - drink TONS of water, and I mean TONS - and lay on your left side. Breathe, relax, and drink. If you aren't annoyed by how much you are peeing, you aren't drinking enough.