Low progesterone, need support

[doulakris]

Hi, I'm really hoping that this has happened to someone else. About 3.5 weeks ago, after nearly three years without a cycle (bc of having my ds and bf), my dh and I took a chance and skipped bc, and apparently I ovulated. I was very sure that I was pregnant, but at 13 dpo, I got a BFN, and my period 2 hours later. But my temperature never dropped, so 6 days later when my period ended, I took a test and got a very faint BFP. I then took 3 more tests which were all the same. So my midwife ordered a hcg and progesterone, because of all the bleeding. She ordered a quant beta, but they only told her the hcg was positive, and said that my progesterone was at a 1, and it should be at least 10, preferably much higher. She said that it's not even possible to be at a 1 and pregnant, but nevertheless, it seems I am. So I'm basically just sitting around waiting to miscarry. But nothing's happening. I had the labs redrawn today, and I should hear tomorrow. If I haven't miscarried by friday, they'll be redone then too. But what the heck? I'm so stressed out I feel like my head might explode. My hcg urine tests keep getting darker each day. Has anyone else had such ridiculously low prog levels? Maybe it's a mistake?

[treehugginhippie]

Yes, I have had this happen. I was bf when I conceived in between my two dd's. I was about 5 weeks pregnant when I had my hcg and progesterone checked. I knew I was low in progesterone (I had low prog in prior pregnancy and the cycle I conceived between 2 dd's I had lots of spotting and LOTS of cramping during the implantation time...which I believe was from low prog). My hcg was over 1,000 but my prog was 2.9...not even considered pregnant.

I was given a script for Prometrium but I was unsure if I should take it if I was supposed to miscarry. Then I found this website http://lowprogesteroneinpregnancy.com/ and read some of the stories and decided to go ahead and take the progesterone and see what happened.

I started loosing symptoms though and that's when I knew it was time to stop the progesterone (progesterone was prolonging the failed pregnancy). Once I stopped the progesterone I started to miscarry pretty quickly...but it took 2 weeks at least for the bleeding and cramping to stop.

My advice is don't give up! but also keep in mind you could still miscarry. Could you start taking progesterone?

Hugs to you mama...

[lovestolearn]

Progesterone is best measured using a saliva test. Most blood tests will be inaccurate, so are not recommended. Pro-gest progesterone cream is available over-the-counter (best price is on Amazon.)

[nintendork]

You have to use almost a whole tube of the cream to get a prescription strength does of progesterone. Also the dosage in the cream varies form bottle to bottle.

I suffered from low progesterone and now take 200 mg a day to support my pregnancy. Would you doctor write you a script for prometrium? Good luck, I am praying this has a positive outcome for you.

[lovestolearn]

Oral Prometrium has to be processed through the liver, so the dosage has to be quite high to get the same amount to the uterus. So generally 40 mg twice a day (1/2 tsp of cream) of Pro-Gest is sufficient for a physiological amount. Best bet is progesterone suppositories for a higher dose.

[karmab]

you can take prometrium vaginally either as the pill or compounded into a vag suppository if you want to, but the serum levels are the same any way you take it. i actually have less spotting swallowing the pills (200 mg) than i did when i took 200 mg suppositories, i think because if you take it vaginally, some drips out. be very careful with creams, they are meant for menopause and it has to be natural progesterone to be used in pregnancy.

[doulakris]

My midwife gave me the option of taking progesterone (crinone), but I have really mixed feelings about it. I am worried about prolonging the inevitable. Also, we have antibody issues (rh-E, not the usual rh that there's treatment for). I was told that I'd have a very difficult time carrying to term if I became pregnant, and would be likely to have a very late miscarriage/stillbirth. We were really trying to not get pregnant, but it's hard to chart with no cycle. I had no symptoms that I was about to ovulate. Anyway, I have a hard time taking progesterone when I'm so worried about the E antibodies. It's a 50% chance that the new pregnancy would be E pos. I feel like this pregnancy is doomed from the beginning, and I feel that it's best to let a higher power decide how it will end (or hopefully not end). But I feel like my heart is breaking in the meantime. Thanks for the support. Also, thanks for posting that website too, I appreciate being able to read those stories. Especially the one where the mom's progesterone was as low as mine and the baby survived and was fine. I'm hoping for a miracle!

[karmab]

doulakris- the ladies here can give you their opinions, and good ones at that based on personal experience about progesterone, but if you have a rare iso-immunization issue here too, the stakes are higher, and while you may find someone here who has dealt with that, even still, it's just one or two women with their interpretation of what should be done medically, ykwim? you need to talk with a perinatologist. i dont know if you live in a city or out in the country, but my best suggestion is to ask your midwife to consult with or get you an appointment to speak with (bring your records) a board certified perinatiologist at the nearest teaching hospital asap. if you are pg and it does stick, you might as well get to know them now anyway, because you will need to be followed by one anyway. this is beyond the scope of practice of a midwife, and your midwife will be the first to admit that i am sure- she does not want any harm to come to you or your baby.

[treehugginhippie]

Came back to see how are you doing doulakris?