I am 11 weeks pregnant and terrified. I was taking the Depo Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) Shot and was unaware that I was already pregnant. Of course, my lovely OB/GYN did not do a pregnancy test before he administered the shot, regardless now I am concerned about the effects the shot will have on the fetus. My new OB/GYN says there are risks for birth defects and possible miscarriage but down played it, and I think it was because of my emotional state of mind I also have hyperthyroidism and extreme morning sickness. Does anyone have any information about this? I am so sad and want so much to enjoy the thought of having this child but am afraid to get my hopes to high with miscarriage being so evident. My stress levels are through the roof secretly worrying constantly about this.
Oh dear, you do have a lot of real reasons to be worried. However, even in a so-called normal pregnancy, there are a lot of things that we all worry about. To enjoy your pregnancy, you need to be able to be rational and put those fears aside. You are now unable to do anything about it, so work on the things that you can continue to do to minimise risks during the rest of the pregnancy.
Your anxiety is not good for bubs, or you - thinking positively is much healthier. If something is going to go wrong, it will happen no matter whether you worry or not. Enjoy the little life that is growing inside of you, and best wishes to you for the duration of your pregnancy and congratulations!
My cousin was conceived before his mother had one of these shots too and he is perfect. He is now 9 and there is absolutely nothing wrong with him. They do say - as you have said - that it can cause birth defects but I haven't actually heard of anyone having any.
According to the McKinley Health Center in Illinois, it is recommended that injections be discontinued one year before a pregnancy is desired, but this is not because the Dpoe-Provera shot may cause birth defects, rather this recommended time period allows the menstrual cycles to return to a predictable pattern, which helps determine the pregnancy due date. DMPA will not cause birth defects even if a pregnancy occurs while actively on or immediately after discontinuing the medication.(1)
Words cannot describle my gratitude for you research, I have looked all over and everything I find about the shot was negative when it came to how it could or would effect the fetus. Anyway, thanks for all you help, I am so glad I found this site I have been driving myself insane about this. Where we live is relatively small area and my concerns that my OB may not have a good understanding of this has made me borderline crazy! Can you say raging hormones anyway thanks again!
Well, I feel like I am giving new meaning to morning sickness! Thanks for you words of encouragement. I was very sick with my first child and he was perfect so maybe your right! Again thanks for you sweet words!
I hope you gave your old OB/GYN an ear full because i certainly would have! ! ! ! !
A friend of mine has been through this same situation and delivered a very healthy and happy baby boy, she too stressed about it for ages. I'm not saying everything will be okay but I am saying that there is every chance you will be fine.
My new doctor advised me to launch a complaint, but every ounce of energy I have is going towards prayers and attempting to hold down prenatal vitamins. I would trade anything at this time for a piece of mind everything is okay and/or my chances are high that everything is okay. The thought of having a amniocentesis stresses me so much which I would not even be considering it had it not been for getting the shot after I was already a few weeks pregnant. Regardless of his huge error, I feel incredible blame. I was switching birthcontrols from the patch to the shot because the patches kept falling off and it was a constant concern and I keep thinking I should of questioned him more during the visit. Hindsight is 20/20 as they say but my fears are overwhelming. The only thing positive is my family and their wonderful support system even my little ones are so gentle and almost like they sense something is not right and have been extremely helpful and calm. There is much is much love floating around in my household and this is what is keeping me from going insane. My last pregnancy I would not even drink caffeine and no matter how bad the vitamins made me sick I still took them religiously and now I HAVE allowed a drug into my system that could cause all these stuff!! Anyway, sorry to unload on you. Thanks for telling me about your friend that gives me alot of hope that everything will and is okay.
Being in the 11th week of your preganancy is fairly well at the end of the 1st trimester so the chances of miscarriage is low. However, on the other side of the coin, there are the risks of birth defects which are of a concern. In saying that, being in the 11th week, you can go for your 12th week scan as you would be soon approaching which can just about pick up anything abnormal and also requesting for an amniocentesis (a needle which is inserted thru the abdominal wall) which detects genetic defects and complications. This does carry at risk of miscarriage but certainty of a health child would be peace of mind
Also, another positive is extreme morning sickness. I can only see a positive outcome for you other than your stress levels being high. Enjoy the pregnancy at hope to hear of your baby news soon
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