Twins!! Progesterone too low??

[butterflies]

Today I had the surprise of my life when two little heartbeats showed up on the u/s. I am 6w5d. The babies are monozygotic/diamniotic.

I was still processing this in the afternoon when my OB called. She said that my hormone levels from our first appt seemed on the low side for twins. I would have been 5w1d at that appt and my blood draw came back with progesterone of 17 and hcg of 4500. WIthin the normal range for a singleton but she felt we should be cautious for twins.

Based on the brief, hurried research I've done so far, that does seem low. I'm going to start progesterone suppositories tomorrow (and of course now I'm panicking that i couldn't fill the prescription tonight). Does anyone have any insight-- just how worried should I be?

I have a 6 yo and a 4 yo and their pregnancies and births were absolutely straightforward and uncomplicated. This is a lot of information to take in for one day!

[MaerynPearl]

Seems normal to me. My doctor had identical twins and had levels around what mine were at the beginning of this pregnancy (at 8 weeks it was 7, and at 12 weeks it was 17)

As long as you dont have symptoms of a loss, I wouldn't worry about it.

Sure, go ahead and start the progesterone, it wont hurt you any (it WILL make all of your symptoms stronger) but don't worry about it being a sign that anything is wrong.

[leurMaman]

Congrats! I'm on progesterone supplements (100mg a day orally) and I don't feel much different at all. Oddly enough, my skin is better this pregnancy than last - not sure if I can attribute that to gender, progesterone, or luck I take mine at bedtime, as they can make you sleepy.

[RedOakMomma]

Identical twins! How fun! Pregnancy with twins, and infancy with identicals, is such a blast. Congratulations!

[TwinMomPlus]

Congrats!

HcG does not neccesarily have to be higher for twins and I don't know why your doctor would say that. My HcG was higher with this singleton than with my twins. The progesterone doesn't seem too low (I think they want over 10?) but if she says it is, then take the supplements as a just in case. I know people who had similar progesterone levels and were not given the supps so just go with it, lol Can't hurt anything.

Congrats again!

[TwinMomPlus]

P.S. The important part of HcG is just that it rises appropriately.

[butterflies]

Thank you all for the kind words.

I'm starting on the progesterone today and viewing it purely as a precaution. Hopefully it won't make my symptoms a lot worse because already I'm feeling much more exhausted and nauseous than I ever was with my first 2.

It's still so early but we're very excited and remaining hopeful that these little ones keep growing well.

[happythistle]

congrats! Twins are overwhelming in a fun way. I'm an auntie to fraternal twins and love them.
I was on Progesterone suppositories for about 6 weeks and they were not pleasant but worth it in the end!
Good thoughts to you

[klocke]

Congrats!!

I didn't have my HCG checked with this pregnancy so I can't say how it compared to my singletons but I would suggest that you make sure your Dr. is one that is familiar with twin pregnancies. Not all OBs are up to date on what is and isn't normal for a twin pregnancy and it really isn't all the same as a normal singleton.

[MacKinnon]

Congrats! The progesterone supps. will knock you out too, on top of the extra exhaustion from the twins. Take it easy mama! And congrats again!