Vaginal versus Intramuscular Progesterone in the Prevention of Recurrent Preterm Labour

Abstract

Background: Preterm Labour is characterized as the occurrence of uterine contractions of sufficient frequency and intensity to affect the cervix's progressive effacement and dilation before to term gestation. Aim of the study: Comparison of vaginal and intramuscular progesterone to prevent premature labor in women with a history of spontaneous preterm labor recurrence. Patients and Methods: From April to November 2020, Al-Hussein Hospital, Al-Azhar University, conducted a comparative clinical trial study. In this research, one hundred (100) pregnant women have been selected and divided into 3 groups (vaginal progesterone group (A), intramuscular progesterone group (B), and control group (C)) with a history of prior spontaneous premature labor. Results: Statistically significant differences were found among the progesterone groups and the control group with respect to NICU admissions, with a higher percentage of NICU admission among the control group (63.3%) compared to the progesterone groups (25.2%). There were also statistically significant differences among the vaginal progesterone group & the intramuscular progesterone group as regards NICU admission with higher percentage of NICU admission among the intramuscular progesterone group (40%) compared to the vaginal progesterone group (11.4%). Conclusion:In ladies who have had repeated spontaneous preterm labor, progesterone used prophylactically decreases the rate of premature labor, lowers the frequency of uterine contractions, and enhances the symptoms of preterm labor. In women at risk for PTL, vaginally administered progesterone was almost as effective as intramuscular progesterone in preventing PTL, with the vaginal route having a superior impact..