update.....worried, etc.

[MCKH]

This past cycle I had a routine fertility workup, and at 7 dpo I had my progesterone levels drawn. That was on a Tuesday. A few days later, on Friday, I found out I was pregnant and called the office for the results. On the next Tuesday (yes, a whole week after the test) my doctor called me and told me the levels were low (they were at 8.)

She suggested I start taking prometrium and I said I'd rather wait and have my levels rechecked. She agreed that this was a good idea and wouldn't make or break anything. Since I am still nursing, I don't really want to take anything and all the research I've read says that progesterone supplementation doesn't actually work. After a big to-do (apparently my doctor is only in the office 2 days a week, does not return phone calls, and suggests you go to the ER if there is an "emergency" so bad that you must speak with her) I had my levels rechecked yesterday, Wednesday. I am still waiting for the results, even though my doctor promised she'd call me today. Nothing like great service when the viability of your pregnancy comes into question, huh? I am pretty furious with her.

I have pretty much decided that, no matter what the results are, I am not going to do anything about it. The results could be fine, or not, and I kind of don't even want to know at this point. I have been so worried and stressed out - the last couple of days were pretty bad. Everything I read on the internet scares me.

Anyway, just wanted to update and vent. I hope everyone else is having an uneventful pregnancy so far!

[mama2rey]

Good luck-please let us know the results. Maybe I'm wrong here, but 8 at 7DPO sounds OK, -they need to test to see if they are doubling. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[susanrc]

:hug So sorry to hear about that. I would consider looking for a new OB, if you can ....Good luck w/ everything:)

[GearGirl]

I would too, if you can. I'm sorry you don't have the information yet - I hope you get good news. What is normal progesterone? I assume at 7dpo progesterone is at a normal level since most people do not have implantation yet.

[MCKH]

I got my numbers back today and they were good! I was at a 26. I am feeling so much better, although I won't feel "out of the woods" until the 2nd trimester (okay, until I have a healthy newborn in my arms.........) Thanks for the support. It is appreciated.

p.s. I am totally done w/ that doctor. In fact in a few weeks I will call the birthcenter and continue from there on out w/ a midwife.

[julichris]

Glad you got your results back and they were good. Just wanted to add, I've been battling with progesterone this whole pg so far. I'm 7 weeks today...still taking 200mg of Prometrium 2x daily.
At about 17dpo, my progesterone was only 15.3.
At about 23dpo, it was down to 9.5.
At about 26dpo, after starting Prometrium, it went up to 20.5.
Last week, 6.5wks pregnant, it is up to 33.7.
So, yours at 26 right now is great! Especially if it is rising on its own!

[jillybeans]

Glad to see your numbers were ok. :) But just wanted to add that progesterone supplementation DOES work! My level at 7dpo was 5.8. If I had not started my supplements, I would have lost this baby. As a matter of fact, when i switched from vaginal to oral prog. my level dropped in half in a week. :)

[MCKH]

Jill and Juli,
Thanks! I have talked to a couple of moms that swear that prometrium worked for them too. My usual OB does not prescribe it during pregnancy, and she said that low progesterone, while not a "good" sign, does not mean you will definitely miscarry. She said she has known moms with levels as low as 2 or 3 that have carried to term without incident. I guess you never know. If I had a history of m/c or infertility I probably would have been more open to using it, but since I have no "issues" I wanted to give my body a chance to work it out. I will not be having the levels checked again. I apprecaite all the support :) And I am SO glad that your action plans have worked out for you guys. Here's to a boring 9 months for all of us!