To Determine the Frequency of Preterm Birth with Oral Progesterone in Female Presenting with Risk of Preterm Delivery

Background:  Preterm Birth (PTB) is the foremost reason of morbidity and mortality in newborns. Intramuscular 17-hydroxyprogesterone has been demonstrated to lower the risk of subsequent premature delivery. The potential of oral natural progesterone to prevent repeated preterm births has not been well investigated.Objective: To determine the frequency of preterm birth (<37 weeks) among pregnant women at risk of preterm birth receiving oral progesterone from 28-34 weeks gestation over a period of 6 months.Methodology: The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Madina Teaching Hospital Faisalabad conducted this Descriptive case series. The study comprised 100 pregnant women presented in Gynae OPD & Emergency of Madina Teaching Hospital who satisfied the selection criteria. Patients were given oral progesterone twice daily till 36-37 weeks of gestation or delivery whichever occurs first. During follow-up, females were advised to present in situation of active labor and primary outcome measure is documented that is Frequency of preterm delivery <37 weeks of gestation.Results: The patients average age was 28.61 + 3.72 years. Frequency of PTB with oral progesterone in female presenting with risk of PTB shows that 14% had preterm birth whereas 86% had Term birth. Distribution of cases by gestation age shows that 57% were between 28-30 weeks whereas 43% (n=43) were between 31-34 weeks of gestation, mean Gestational age was 30.46+2.11 weeks. Mean BMI of the patients was calculated as 30.49+2.01kg/m2.Conclusion: Oral progesterone administration in females at risk of preterm delivery significantly reduces the frequency of preterm birth and may serve as an effective preventive strategy in high-risk pregnancies.