Why are progesterone and HCG injections needed for fourth pregnancy?
Patient: hello, this is the begining of my 6th week of 4th pregnancy after least menstrual period . married for 9 years i had a missed abortion of 5 weeks after 1.5 years of marriage and then after one year again concieved and a healthy baby girl arrived. then again after a gap of three years I gave birth to a healthy baby girl aged 3.2 now. so this is my 4th. doc prescribed two injections per week ,daily ascard and follic acid tabs. my questions why is it necesacry to take these progesterone n hcg injections this time. regards Doctor: Hallow Dear,Progesterone is a hormone required for stabilizing the pregnancy. This hormone is prepared in large amounts by placental tissue or the precursors of placental tissue. Before placenta is formed, it is the chorionic tissue which produces hormone hCG in large quantities to support the other progesterone producing tissues to produce progesterone. Hence, if there any signs suggesting that the pregnancy is at risk, particularly early pregnancy, either hCG or Progesterone or both are given to stabilize the pregnancy. The signs demanding for these are mainly bleeding in the first three months without pain in the abdomen. Sometimes, if there is bad obstetrics history with previous abortions in first three months, these medicines are given as a precaution. If you do not have any such history of symptoms, you may not require Injection of hCG and/or Progesterone. However, please continue to take Folic acid which is very vital for the growth of the baby. I hope now you can take an informed decision. Dr. Nishikant Shrotri