PIO Shot Administration Tips... Updated based on experience...

Disclaimer - the tips below are gathered from across the internet. They DO NOT come from a Dr. or nurse, nor are they meant to be considered medical advice. These are the tips I plan to use for PIO shots in my near future because I am a big chicken and NEEED this kind of info to soothe my soul. Use these tips at your own risk...

Shot Ordering Tips:

• Ordering PIO meds: Request the progesterone in SESAME oil, which was slightly thinner than the peanut oil, and causes fewer skin problems, as many people have mild allergies to peanut oil. You can also get it in canola and olive oil.
• PIO usually comes with BIG needles to inject with. Get the smaller needles from the pharmacist, just ask!!! Get a 22 or 25, 1 1/2 inch, and if you are really skinny (low fat %) use a shorter needle like 1"!

Shot Preparation Tips:

• About 5-10 minutes before the shot, hold the PIO bottle between your legs, under your arm, in your bra, or run it under warm tap water (not hot, it can burn your skin internally!!). This will help to warm up the PIO, & thin it up just a little. This makes it easier to draw it up into the syringe, & easier to inject.
• Use an 18 or 22 gauge needle to draw up the PIO, and 25 gauge needle to inject. (remember, the smaller the number on a needle, the larger it is; the bigger the number, the smaller the needle). You just switch the needles out before giving the injection. The Dr’s office will tell you it won’t work, but it absolutely does! The 25 gauge needle is MUCH easier to insert and the pain is greatly reduced. Why add more pain to this process?

Shot Administration Tips:

• Have hubby, SO, RE nurse or best friend administer the shot. Do know that you CAN self-administer the shots! Some even say this is easier than having it done! See the section below for method...
• So you make sure you or a partner hits the right spot each night, circle the injection areas on both sides with permanent marker. When it wears off I redo it. That way it is easy to know you are in the right area. Remember to alternate injection sides to let each side rest a night.
• Massage the area after the PIO is given, as this will help to disperse the PIO into your body & will help to alleviate some of the lumps that will occur!
• Using a heating pad (not too hot, because of embies) on the injection site after injection will also help to disperse the meds plus ease some of the discomfort! Can use a hot washcloth too!
• As for icing the area first....... REs have said not to ice the area first, because it makes it harder for the PIO to spread out evenly, plus, it thickens it up quicker too!
• In the butt only, thank you - no thigh (Just ask Jenny at A Little Pregnant).
• The use of the alcohol swab on your skin every night causes the skin to dry out and toughen sometimes making it slightly harder for the needle to penetrate easily. Apply moisturizer to the injection areas each day.
• EMLA cream will numb the area. If the area becomes sore I will apply it 1.5 hours before the shot and cover with a band aid. However, you may find the shots aren't so bad without it.
• Here's an old trick Amy learned about from her grandmother and aunts. Take an old sock (like a soccer sock). Fill it with rice and nuke it in the microwave. Here's a link for how to do it: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Rice-Sock

Self-Administration Tips:

• When the shot is ready lay on the bed on your back with your head propped up high on at least 2 pillows.
• Take one leg and cross it over the other with knee bent and push hip up.
• Clean the injection area with an alcohol swab and let the alcohol dry.
• Push the needle in with one hand, pull back with that same hand to make sure you are not hitting a blood vessel, and then inject the PIO nice and slow. It helps to breathe in, and then let your breath out as you push the needle in.
• Withdraw the needle, clean the area with alcohol swab and put a bandaid on the injection site. However, don't leave the bandaids on all day - they can irritate the skin.
• Gently rub the injection site immediately with firm pressure.