Progesterone cream during pregnancy?

[canyonsmom]

Hi!  I am just now 4 weeks pregnant with my second child.  I had a difficult time getting pregnant this time around, so I began charting my temps and gathered from my low temps after ovulation that I may have low progesterone.  I also remembered spotting early on in my first pregnancy, and after the dr tested me, he was worried about my progesterone levels, although I was never put any any supplement.  So, I decided this cycle to try using a progesterone cream.  I use Emerita Pro-Gest, and applied it twice everyday after ovulation.  I got pregnant this cycle (obviously), and now I'm wondering if I should continue using the cream or if I should stop.  Thank you for all of your help, it is really appreciated!

[jules33]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!!  If you slathered progesterone cream on yourself 10 times a day, it probably wouldn't make much of a difference.  I don't think you're hurting yourself or the baby if you keep using it, but I don't think the cream is nearly concentrated enough to do much of anything.  Progesterone is kind of hard to test for too, because it comes in waves.  You could ask your doctor or midwife for suppositories or injections, but if you're not truly deficient, they can make you very sick (nausea, vomiting, dizziness, depression), however it shouldn't harm the baby. Talk to your doctor and this time, ask him or her exactly why s/he's concerned about it and also why s/he didn't suggest supplementing last time.  Never be afraid to ask a million questions, including my personal favorite, "WHY?"  Don't let them get away with giving you half-assed answers no matter how busy or behind schedule they are :) Best of luck to you!!!  

[canyonsmom]

Thank you SO MUCH for your reply, jules33!!!!  I really appreciate it!

[Kkrpata]

If you became pregnant while using progesterone, you should continue using it throughout your first trimester.  I disagree that you could use it 10 times a day, I do not think that is a good idea.  Also, I wouldn't quit using it suddenly.  You should use it as directed (as I'm sure you were) until you hit 12 weeks and your placenta takes over making enough progesterone.  A sudden drop in progesterone (especially if you were low in the first place) could cause a miscarriage.  Let your doctor know you are using it as well.  He can test your levels as you end your first trimester.  :)

[jules33]

I wasn't actually suggesting that she use it 10X a day, I apologize if either of you took it that way.  I was actually trying to describe how negligible the amount of actual progesterone is in those nonprescription progesterone creams.  Ceasing to use it now will not cause her blood progesterone to drop, as it most likely hasn't raised it at all. I agree, as I said in my post, that she should speak to her midwife or doctor about it :)

[beccabus]

I'm using the same progesterone cream.  I plan to take some form of progesterone through 20 weeks.  My best friend had many miscarriages in a row and the first month she began using progesterone cream, she conceived and is about to deliver any day now.  She used progesterone cream until she saw her OBGYN, who then prescribed her Prometrium--a progesterone pill, which is much stronger than the cream.  I believe she continued taking prometrium through 16 weeks.  

Progesterone is often taken by women throughout pregnancy.  It helps to prevent miscarriage in the first half of pregnancy and helps to deter early labor in the later half of pregnancy.  It is completely harmless to your baby.

[texasfarmom]

Originally Posted by Kkrpata 

If you became pregnant while using progesterone, you should continue using it throughout your first trimester.  I disagree that you could use it 10 times a day, I do not think that is a good idea.  Also, I wouldn't quit using it suddenly.  You should use it as directed (as I'm sure you were) until you hit 12 weeks and your placenta takes over making enough progesterone.  A sudden drop in progesterone (especially if you were low in the first place) could cause a miscarriage.  Let your doctor know you are using it as well.  He can test your levels as you end your first trimester.  :)

 

[texasfarmom]

Also:

Why is the TOPICAL dose for Natural Progesterone 20 mg/day and the equivalent ORAL dose for Natural Progesterone 200 mg/day?

Yes, this is true. The TOPICAL Natural Progesterone dose is 10 times that of the ORAL Natural Progesterone dose. This is because the ORAL Natural Progesterone dose is prefiltered by the liver and 90% inactivated.
 

This was taken from this source.