17P Alpha Hydroxyprogesterone Shots to Prevent Preterm labor....done It? Help Me

Updated on September 01, 2009
L.L. asks from Avon, IN
9 answers

Hi there. I am currently 12 weeks pregnant with my 2nd baby. My first was born unexpectedly at 34 weeks. I did have high amniotic fluid level but they are unsure if that is what caused my son coming early. My doctor would possibly like to start me on these progesterone shots to prevent preterm labor. From what I have heard so far they work. Most people have carried full term. They would start around week 16 and go until week 36.
Have you done these? If so, what was the outcome, side effects, and did your insurance cover it...if not what did the cost look like?

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S.Z.

answers from Cleveland on

I had that done. I felt it was worthless pain for me and it didnt stop my children from coming early.
S.

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M.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

I am currently taking these injections. I started at 14 weeks and am currently 23 weeks. I have still had contractions but with my first son I was on bedrest at 18 weeks up til the day I delivered at 35 wks. So, I am not sure if the shots are doing much but I am not on bedrest so I am not complaining. I am a nurse so I actually just administer them to myself. It is not an easy task with my growing belly in the way but I am hoping it is all worth it and I have a healthy baby boy close to full term.
Just lsat week I also started on procardia. Again, I am much further along then I was with my first son when all this started.

My insurance does not cover any of it. I have to pay for it out of pocket. I pay 65.00 for 5 cc. Which I started on 2 cc/ injection and now I am on 1cc until 36 weeks. So, I dont think it is too expensive. I am wondering what insurance everyone else has. I have a primary and secondary and neither (unicare or anthem) paid for it. I was completely bummed. But, it is not too bad. I am anxiously awaiting full term mark~

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K.O.

answers from St. Louis on

I have taken it but it was to prevent miscarriage and only took it through week 13 of pg. This was during my second IVF. I also was put on procardia extended release to prevent PTL throughout both pg's. Good luck! Btw - for me the HP17 was not covered by insurance but that was b/c again it was IVF. Please keep us posted.

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B.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

I took the shots with my first through 18 weeks, and for the entire pregnancy with my second. with my second, there kept being near tears or tears in the placenta, and the hydroxyprogesterone took care of it, and both pregnancies went just fine. Health insurance covered it. Our first was born via c-section at 38 weeks, and our second was born at about 38-39 weeks too via section.

Let me know if you have any questions....

For what it's worth....

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A.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

I am currently taking these and am at 29 weeks, everything seems to be going great. I delivered my son at 28 weeks so we are using these and a cerclage as preventative measures this time. They do seem to itch when the site is healing but it isn't unbearable and you may begin to feel like a dartboard:)but they seem to be worth it. My doctor allowed me to take them home and my husband gives them to me once a week to save me from an office visit every week.

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K.P.

answers from Cleveland on

I did the shots. I tried the progesterone inserts first and the doctor switched due to placenta previa with intermittent bleeding. Both cleared up by mid second trimester. Not sure about insurance - sorry just do not remember. My stepmother was a nurse and was able to save me a trip to the doctor every week - I would not have been able to give it to myself. As for side effects - I did not have any except some pain at the injection site. Not so much when I would get the shot, but afterward it burned and was sore. I switched sides for the injection every week, but of course it still hurt. I carried to 38 weeks. My son is healthy and was 8 lbs 14 oz at birth. Since he was my first they did not know the benefits of my taking the shots but my doctor felt it was necessary given my age and the other things going on. I would definitely do it again.

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K.R.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hi L.. I also went into labor early with my first son and so they had me do the progesterone shots with my second pregnancy. I still had my second son slightly early at 37 weeks but he was a healthy weight and had no problems. My insurance did cover the shots and I had a visiting nurse that came to my home to administer them which was great.
Best of luck to you :)

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C.

answers from Columbus on

I was high-risk....being pregnant for the first time at 40 so I had to take them everyweek from week 13 until 36.......but I was overseas then, and they came with the doctors care, they aren't extra...... but they worked and I have a great 5 year old little boy. I still had him a little early (2 weeks) but that wasn't bad.....Oh yea you get used to them!!! Although I know about the IVF they are everyday! at least I didn't have to do that.......

Cathy

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M.F.

answers from Dayton on

Hi! I just had my last 17p shot. My insurance covered 100% of the cost - including the in-home nurse who came once a week to deliver the shots. They did cause some pain and soreness for about 24 hours after the shot. I am now 36 weeks pregnant, and scheduled to have the baby later this week. I did have two bouts of preterm labor, which the hospital was able to stop and I was not dilated - the nurses felt it was because of the shots. Hope this helps!

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