Is progestrone supplementation a good idea?

[mamaw/two]

I am 7 weeks 4 days pregnant, and had some spotting and cramping last night.  I went into my midwifes office and had an exam, ultrasound, and bloodwork today.  Everything was measuring well and baby was right on for size and heartrate, there was a small bleed around the sac, but they said not to worry about it as it would likely resolve itself.  My blood work came back and all was good except the progestrone, it was 15.6.  My midwife offered me progesterone pills and said that it could help or that it may prolong an inevitable miscarriage.  I don't know what to do, I don't ever take meds and feel strongly against putting synthetics in my body.  But on the other hand, I have had two miscarriages in the past 5 monthes.  I am also still nursing my 18 month old.  I have thought about taking an otc natural cream and having my levels tested again next week.  I just don't want to do anything to jepordize this child.  Any advice???

[L&K'smommie]

I'm subbing because I'm wondering the same thing...only I'm 12 weeks 4days and my progesterone was 14...with absolutely no symptoms and having heard the heartbeat last week.

Hugs mama!

[mamaw/two]

Anyone?

[apmama07]

I don't have any experience with it myself but I have read many many threads of mamas saying the OTC progest creams are useless for this purpose. It sounds like you might just have a small Subchorionic bleed, which is really common (I had one with DD) and usually resolves on its own without any complications. I'm no expert but I don't think that progesterone is impossibly bad - it's low, but might still be ok.

[AnnieA]

I supplemented with progesterone in my last pregnancy that ended in a miscarriage and I am currently supplementing through this pregnancy as well. In my last pg, I had my progesterone checked at 5w5d and it was 10.9. My dr at the time put me on 50 mg of the vaginal suppository. This pg, I had my levels checked as soon as I found out so it was 3w2d and my level was 15.9. This time, I'm seeing a different doc and we went with 200 mg of the oral prometrium. She said that anything under 20 by 4 weeks should be treated, especially if the mama has had a loss/es.

[rach03]

I think it's a good thing in some instances.  For me, I have a history of low progesterone and luteal phase defect, plus two miscarriages.  When my progesterone went from 24 to 14 in one week my RE put me on vaginal progesterone and I do believe it got my daughter here.  For this pregnancy I was terrified that I started too late...I did not find out I was pregnant until 6.5 weeks and my progesterone was already down to 11.5.  I started the vaginal progesterone as soon as I could and although I have not yet had my levels retested we did see the heartbeat Monday at 7 weeks and 3 days.  Progesterone is pretty safe, so I see it as a "can't hurt" kind of thing for people with lower levels and a history of issues.  The range that doctors find acceptable varies so much, though.  My RE didn't want to see anything lower than 20.  Some OBs just want to see it over 10.  It's very confusing since there isn't really a standard "too low."

I hope everything is well with your little one!

[ashleybrook]

hope everything is going well mama! i supplemented in this pregnancy for the first time with natural progesterone that i got at the health food store. i rubbed it on my body every morning and evening for the first four months. the m/w said i could end after three months, but since i'd had a miscarriage right at three months i wanted to do one more month for fun! :) 

i've had two miscarriages one at 5 weeks, one at 12. this is my first healthy one, though i don't know that it has anything to do with the progesterone, i don't think it did any harm. maybe it helped, maybe not. i never checked my levels on any of my pregnancies. the only side effect i noticed was a sensitive vagina after i went off of it, and my m/w thought it might be related. don't know for sure. the funny thing is i was using it before we got pregnant and i'd just decided if we weren't pregnant that month then i wasn't going to use it, but we were, so i stuck it out. i prefer natural too, so i understand not wanting to put the synthetic stuff in the body. 

one more thing that i feel has made a huge difference for me is magnesium. i was having leg twitches with my last pregnancy, and started to in this one when i read about the role magnesium plays with that and with helping the uterus not to contract before it's time (thus causing preterm labor and miscarriages)... i think my daily magnesium has truly helped me to have a much healthier pregnancy! though i'm up in the air on whether i'll supplement with natural progesterone my next pregnancy, i know i'll supplement with magnesium! 

best wishes. i hope all turns out well. 

ashley