Chemical Pregancy--have questions

[3boobykins]

I tested positive last week at 11DPO, and then my lines got progressively lighter through 14 dpo. I didn't test again after 14 dpo-I have a 16 day LP, and woke up bleeding red this morning, the day AF was due. This was my first month temping, but I stopped after confirming ovulation, because I didn't want to stress over temps. This month I plan to keep temping, and NOT test early.

Last cycle, I temped orally and had low temps, around 96.5, some a bit higher or lower, of course. I do sleep with my mouth open, and we keep our house quite cold at night, and I think this affected my temps a lot. I did some experimenting with the thermometer during the day and noticed a whole degree difference when I breathed with my mouth open for a while versus closed. I plan to temp vaginally this cycle. What temp is "too low" when taken vaginally? I don't think I have thyroid issues--I am naturally thin, don't have problems with weight gain or low energy, which I know are strong indicators of hypothyroid.

Also, I know that women can have low progesterone, even with a normal LP. I might get mine tested. We don't have insurance right now, but are planning to sign up for a plan that does include labs, and maybe my midwife could do the blood draw and I could have that checked. I know an early miscarriage/chemical pregnancy could very well just be a case of it not being viable. I'm wondering if it's safe for me to use progesterone cream after O is confirmed, even if I don't get a chance to check my levels, just in case? If my progesterone is normal, will using the cream cause any problems?

Sorry so many questions in one post. I just want to maximize our chances this cycle, and want to cover all our bases.

TIA!

[karmab]

sorry, hon. ((hug))

about the temps. im new to this too, but i havent seen anything at all about "too low" temps. im not sure that is a problem at all as long as thyroid is ok. vag temps will work fine, or maybe just close your mouth when you wake up to be sure it warms for a 3 or 4 minutes before you take your temps.

as far as temps being low, and the progesterone issue, i think as long as you have a clear thermal shift after o'ing, that's a good indication that prog is ok, since prog makes your temps go up. if temps go up fine, and LP is a normal length, i wouldnt think prog would be an issue, right? usually it is when the corpus luteum isnt lasting long enough or isnt working well enough to make enough prog to keep af away more than 10 days. prog wont do anything to keep a baby that has been conceived growing, unless maybe your endometrium isnt getting full enough in the follicular phase (but if your periods are normal that shouldnt be it either i wouldnt think.) the kind of early m/c or chemicals progesterone helps to prevent are the ones where despite the baby continuing to grow normally in those early days/weeks, af comes anyway because there isnt enough progesterone around to tell af not to, and the baby is lost with the shedding of the uterine lining. ive got this progesterone issue. my LP last month was 7 days, and my temps are VERY slow to rise after o'ing. i must have puny lil corpus luteums.

with that said, you are right, you probably should just talk it over with your midwife, because she may see other reasons maybe you havent even thought of, or she may check everything out and assure you that you are healthy and it will happen again, this one just didnt take.

hang in there.

[jennmk13]

First to you.

I wouldn't use the progesterone unless you confirm that you need it, because you might end up messing things up that don't need fixing. Then it may take you longer to conceive. I speak from experience on this! Not so say that you shouldn't try anything, but I think that the progesterone could mess things up if it's not needed.

If you suspect an issue you may very well be right. I'd get tested as soon as you can. I don't have insurance either and I see an ND so she sends me here to Direct Labs http://www.directlabs.com/ to have my tests done. Actually you don't need to see a doctor or even have doctors orders to get the test. You just order them on your own. Most tests are pretty affordable and I really think that it's worth knowing what is going on in your body. Maybe you have one of these testing centers near you or if not this one, maybe something like it.

[3boobykins]

Thank you, both. I do have a feeling that this is just one that didn't stick, because it just wasn't viable--just nature taking care of things. I had a clear temp rise of .6 that clearly coincided with my cm drying up. My periods are very regular, and af seems pretty normal. I have 5 day periods that start with normal flow, and then go to fairly heavy on CD2. On CD3, my period gets very light, almost stopping sometimes for a few hours, then resumes to light flow, is fairly light on CD4 and light to tapering off on day 5. Does that seem normal? Does that slowing down of flow on day 3 indicate a problem with the lining not being thick enough? It can get pretty heavy on CD2, and even part of CD1.

Anyway--karmab, I think you're right about not messing with what is likely not broken. And Jen, thanks for the info on Direct Labs. I'll see if we have that here. I don't really suspect an issue at this point, but I'll watch my temps this cycle. I still will probably talk to my midwife and see what she thinks--she's wonderful, and I really trust her experience and opinion.

[3boobykins]

So now I'm wondering if I SHOULD test before AF is due this cycle (and beyond, if we don't conceive this time), so I WOULD know if I have another CP and can then seek out solutions. I suppose temping after O would also tell me about problems w/low temps. I was thinking not testing before AF is due would save me the emotional pain of another CP, but on the other hand, maybe I should be informed if something is going on with my body. If I do decide to test, I think I'd wait until maybe 14 dpo instead of starting so early and dealing with lines getting lighter like I did this past cycle.

Any thoughts?

[karmab]

If it were me, I would first take a deep breath. i am not saying this to trivialize it at all, because i totally understand that this is downright painful, rotten, i'm right there with you, but this is not a recurring problem is it? some experts say that as many as half of conceptions never materialize, blighted ovuums are probably extremely common, but it is only because we have these extremely sensitive hpts that we even know about it if we test before af is due. all through history until about 10 years ago, af would come, and we would never have known! now tests like frer are crazy sensitive, so we have chemicals and know about it, where in the whole history of womankind, we didnt.

everything that you have said sounds pretty normal. you have a health care provider who knows your health status and history and hasn't expressed any concern. do you have a girlfriend you can go to a funny movie and have a glass of wine with and just vent? if you are still concerned, call your midwife and see what she thinks. and keep on trying. 80% of us will conceive within 1 year of trying, and it is definitely not unusual for it to take 4 or 5 or 6 months even when everything works perfectly fine.

[3boobykins]

You're right, karmab, I am stressing and over thinking! I have a nice, normal LP, regular cycles, conceived right away the two times we did so intentionally, including this time. I did have a m/c last year at 8 weeks, but I don't think these two losses are connected, just bad stinkin' luck. And thanks for reminding me that we haven't always had these extremely sensitive tests--there are definitely disadvantages to them! I'm just going to keep charting, take my supplements to increase cm, and try to relax and have fun with it. Thanks for the dose of common sense, and I wish you all the best on your own TTC journey! :