I’m pregnant. I've heard that progesterone shots can prevent early labor. Should I get them?– Izzy If you've had a premature baby in the past, your doctor may prescribe progesterone shots during your current pregnancy to help prevent early labor. Babies born too early (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) can have health problems, including: breathing and feeding problems vision problems learning problems Some premature babies do not survive. The progesterone shot (sometimes called "17P" for the drug name [17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate] or its brand name, Makena®) can increase a woman's chances of having a full-term baby. 17P has the hormone progesterone in it, which helps prevent contractions. The uterus contracts during labor to help "push" a baby out of the womb for delivery. Doctors recommend starting 17P shots during the second trimester of pregnancy, usually between 16 and 20 weeks. Shots are given by a health care provider in the hip or thigh area. They are given until 37 weeks. As with any shot, there's a risk of minor side effects like redness and soreness at the shot site. Rarely, some women get blood clots or have allergic reactions. Back to Articles Related Articles What's a "High-Risk" Pregnancy? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More I'm Pregnant. How Can I Avoid Having My Baby Early? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More When Your Teen Is Having a Baby If your daughter is pregnant and planning to have the baby, many changes await your family. How can you support her through the challenges to come? Read More Staying Healthy During Pregnancy During your pregnancy, you'll probably get advice from everyone. But staying healthy depends on you - read about the many ways to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible. Read More Medical Care During Pregnancy The sooner in pregnancy good care begins, the better for the health of both moms and their babies. Here's what to expect. Read More When Your Baby’s Born Premature Premature infants, known as preemies, come into the world earlier than full-term infants. They have many special needs that make their care different from other babies. Read More Treatments to Prevent Premature Birth Some women are more likely than others to go into labor early. Find out what doctors can do to help prevent or delay early labor. Read More Preventing Premature Birth Babies who are born premature - before 37 weeks of pregnancy - can have health problems that last their whole lives. Learn ways to prevent early labor and have a healthy pregnancy. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.