Progestogens To Prevent Preterm Birth: A Review of the Research About Progestogens for Women at Risk - Consumer Summary | AHRQ Effective Health Care Program

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Progestogens To Prevent Preterm Birth: A Review of the Research About Progestogens for Women at Risk - Consumer Summary | AHRQ Effective Health Care Program

Progestogens To Prevent Preterm Birth: A Review of the Research About Progestogens for Women at Risk

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Table of Contents

• Is This Information Right for Me?
• Understanding Your Condition
• Understanding Progestogens
• Making a Decision
• Source

Is This Information Right for Me?

Yes, if:

• At least once before you had a baby too early because labor started on its own before 37 weeks of pregnancy (for example, at 20 weeks). This is called “spontaneous (spon-TAY-nee-us) preterm birth.” An example is if your “water broke” before 37 weeks of pregnancy. You may be pregnant now or are thinking about becoming pregnant again.
• Your doctor* has told you that you have a short cervix. (The cervix is the narrow tube-like opening in the lower part of your uterus. The uterus is where your baby grows while you are pregnant.)
• Your doctor has told you that you are at risk for preterm birth. If you are not sure if you are at risk for preterm birth, ask your doctor.
• You have heard about the use of hormones called “progestogens” (pronounced pro-JES-toe-jenz) to prevent preterm birth and want to know about the research on the benefits and possible side effects of this treatment.

* In this summary, the term “doctor” refers to any of the health care professionals who may take care of you, including your obstetrician or other physician, nurse practitioner, midwife, or physician assistant.

No, if:

• You are 37 weeks or more along in your pregnancy.
• You never had a baby born too early because of spontaneous preterm birth.
• You are pregnant with more than one baby, such as twins or triplets.