Q&A: Could a progestin shot harm my unborn baby?

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

I am very concerned about having been given a progestin in the 13th week of pregnancy. I am living out of the country in Belize and here it is common practice to give a 250 mg shot of progestin (controlled release over a week's time) when a pregnant woman experiences cramping. I had gone in to ask my doctor about the cramping and was given this shot and he said that was what you had to do during a threatened miscarriage. In retrospect, and after having read a lot about it, it seems I was just experiencing normal cramping. Anyway, I've done my research--that progestin-induced androgenization is possible and now I'm quite worried. Can you tell me if that is mostly influenced by the dosage or the timing. I know that the 13th wk is a crucial time for gender development as well. Most of the women who had kids with this problem were given progestin shots--at least that is my impression. Can you help me out here--and let me know what I should do--if anything?

In my experience, progesterone and progesterone-like substances have never impacted the development of a fetus. If you were a patient of mine, I would tell you not to worry about it. But you're right in that you were probably just experiencing normal cramping. Also, your placenta is making enough progesterone for everyone right about now, so what you were given was probably lost in the background.

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