High Risk Pregnancy = Bedrest

I am a high risk pregnancy.  My first daughter was born a day before 26 weeks.  This time around my doctor put in a cerclauge (not sure if that is how you spell it) as soon as I hit 3 months.  Since then I have been about to only go out of the house for 2 hours a day to either work or go shopping and stuff.  It hasnt been that bad cause while at home I have still been able to do light cleaning and cook dinner so at least I dont feel completely useless.

Anyways, my question is, since I am high risk my doctor is also going to be giving me progesterone shots starting at 20 weeks.  She told me the lovely news today that the shot is not just a shot but a z track.  She said that means the person with the needle will have to put it in and zig zag to give the shot.  Has anyone had these before?  What kind of pain am I going to be going through?  Really nervous but of course it is worth it.  I have to get these once a week as well so its something I will do from now till the baby is born.  Yuck.  Any advice?

Thanks
Shannon

Shannon,
I can't really comment on the specifics of your post, but it sounds awful! My sympathies are with you! I hope you get some answers. Did you try googling the shots? It sounds as though they may be common enough that you may find some info about it. Maybe you could get some of that numbing spray to at least numb the site for the shots. Sorry I can't be more helpful, but my heart goes out to you! Good luck. I guess the good thing is that this will only last for a few short months!

Carrie

Oh man I just wanted to say that sucks! I am sorry - I don't have any advice but I hope they are not too horrible for you!

hello.. im 17 weeks along with my 2nd... my first was a 35 weeker... i should be starting the shots next week.... however i chose not to... i did some research and there was only a 20 percent difference between the placebo and the actual hormone... my dr seemed on bored with my decision... said that preterm labor is hard to prevent even with precautions... said that we will just stop it if it starts... she said the shots are hit and miss.. they said if i did choose to do them that i would be able to stop at about 36 weeks... good luck with whatever you decide

This is the method of giving a intramuscular injection- it's not really a "Z" track, its more a way of displacing the other tissue to the side to make sure the needle gets into the muscle and doesn't bring the injectable back out - as it would if it were a straight track.  The person also has to draw back once the needle is in to make sure they haven't punctured a vessel (no blood)..once they get good at it, its super fast.   I had to get progesterone supplement IM injections DAILY for the first 11-12 weeks of my pregnancy.  Yes- they hurt, yes they make your @ss tender, sometimes you bruise, sometimes you bleed, sometimes it hits a spot that makes you want to yell.  It sucks- but it doesn't compare to the pain of a loss or tragedy (which I am sure you understand)...so everyday I hugged my pillow (I personally used this giant stuffed animal) and got the injection telling myself this was for my baby.  I am not lying and telling you it doesn't hurt...for goodness sake it is usually between a 2-3 inch needle.  But it isn't horrible really...it just gets old.  The good news is you cant see it coming (less scary), its done super fast, and its only once a week..  But I agree is sounds scary, but it will be A okay and probably less of a pain since its weekly.

When I get a fill, my surgeon injects some numbing medication in before poking me with the fill needle (fills aren't bad, I'm just a BIG wuss).

Maybe they could do this first?

The worst thing I've ever experienced with a needle was when I had to have arterial blood drawn during the pre op labs. That hurt like hell!! From what I understand, it might be similar. The nurse sort of has to dig around to hit the artery since the veins that are right on the surface aren't arteries. This was in my wrist, though... not my bum.

Either way, check to see if they can give you something to numb the area first. More than just a topical cream. That stuff doesn't get deep enough into your skin to numb where the needle would be prodding.

I have progesterone shots every night! Mine are IM but there is no zig zag thing going on. Still the injections hurt in the muscle of the butt. I usually hug a pillow and go for it. I'm suppose to do this for the first 12 weeks. I have 3 more weeks of shots, unless they change their minds on that. We all do what we have to do. I'm sure you will too.

I have a 32 weeker because of an incompentent cervix and I have a cerclage this time too.  I started the P17 progestrone shot at 15 weeks and have been taking them for 17 weeks now.  We don't use any type of Z bag... .but it is a hard shot... 1.5 inch needle and has to be done weekly.  It me even it gave me a 1% chance of carrying longer, it would be worth it. 

Good Luck

Hey I know your post is a little old now but I was reading the posts for the week and saw yours.  I just thought I would let you know that the z-track method only has to do with how the nurse will hold the skin when she does your injection.  I'm a nurse and believe me you shouldn't notice anything really different than any other injection.  The projesterone injection itself may be a little painful but that won't have to do with the z-tracking.  Good luck , you'll be fine!