8 wk scan - small sign of yolk sac and fetal pole, no hb, HCG level 10k - 7k last Th - dr wants me to stop progesterone - anyone else any exp?

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

Last week they saw an empty sac - today they saw small yolk sac and fetal pole, no HB and sac still 2 weeks smaller than it should be. HCG levels 10k - have risen since last Thurs when they were 7k but obviously haven't nearly doubled. Doctor wants me to stop taking progesterone as he thinks this may be delaying a miscarriage. He wants to do another HCG level on Thurs and a progesterone test. Am tempted to continue with the progesterone but wondering if just delaying the inevitable. Had IVF which is why I'm on progesterone. Doctor said pregnancy will produce progesterone and stopping it for a couple of days won't make much difference as it's only a small supplement. Anyone else had a similar experience? TIA

[sue10]

Hi there, sorry for what you are having to go through, it's such a rollercoaster of emotions isn't it!!! Progesterone can delay a mc and did in my case but you could always wait til Thursday just to be sure.
Takecare.

[Onlyaphase]

Hi, sorry you are going through this. I was in the same position as you a couple of weeks ago - had 7 week scan after IVF pregnancy. At 7+2 the was little sign of a fetal pole and no heartbeat, HCG was 12,500. Two days later, scan was the same (sac the size of a 5 week pregnancy) and bloods were 12,600. I elected to stop taking the progesterone and wait for a miscarriage. A week later bloods were 12,700, no bleeding despite no progesterone.

I should be 10 weeks now, no progesterone for 3 weeks, no bleeding either. I think what I am trying to say is the progesterone obviously wasn't making the slightest bit of difference to the continuation of my pregnancy.

Hope you are OK.

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

Thanks sue10 and Onlyaphase. Sorry to hear both your stories. Onlyaphase - have you had any scans since?

[Onlyaphase]

No scans since - the thing is that the guy who did my last one was the most experienced sonographer in the county and just works part time in the IVF clinic - and he said that it was a MMC, not just the size of the sac but the contents weren't right to his eyes either, so I really had no hope from that point. He did say that I could have another scan in a week to see how things were going, but I am miles away from the clinic so haven't felt like a 500 mile round trip to have bad news confirmed.

Ironically, have started bleeding now, at 10.5 weeks - 5 weeks after pregnancy ceased. Am pleased in a way as I'm going to see a new consultant in 10 days time at a more local clinic, and at least I will have some dates to give them now.

Have you had today's test results yet?

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

Sorry to hear you're bleeding but I know what you mean that there is a relief that the waiting is over. Good luck with your new consultant.

HcG levels were up but only slightly. I did continue to take the progesterone and when I told the nurse today she froze slightly. I explained why and then she said that the doctor had wanted to do a progesterone level test. I said that that was only a diagnostic tool so we really would prefer to continue to take the progesterone and hopefully see what happens with the scan next week. When the nurse rang with the levels she had spoken to the doctor and said that they were pretty clear that I had had a missed miscarriage and should stop the progesterone and wait for the bleed. I think she was trying to erase any hope we might have. I'm going to continue to take the progesterone (but won't tell them at the hospital) until next Tuesday just in case - it will only possibly delay the inevitable but we'd like to see what's in the scan next week. That's all assuming that I don't bleed before the scan so won't be able to have one.

[Onlyaphase]

Chocolately - I completely agree that there is no harm in taking the progesterone until the scan next week. At least that way you know you are doing all you can to support any pregnancy. Good luck for the next week and fingers crossed for the scan.

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

Hi Onlyaphase - the scan yesterday showed no progress, even some regression in the structure of the sac so have stopped taking the progesterone - which is such a relief. HcG levels still high at 12k but I think the scan is more significant. Just waiting for the bleed to start. The nurse I saw yesterday said that on average it takes 3 cycles of IVF to have a child. Best of luck with your next attempt.

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

Onlyaphase - Forgot to add, just before I started on first course of IVF I attended a Mindy Body Seminar which was a support group for women trying to have a child - this is the website. I just happened upon the group when I went to the Bridge Centre in London for a second opinion and it was fantastic. We met once a week and gave each other support but also explored different techniques for relaxation and mindfulness. There was a relaxation CD they gave us which was really useful - I oould copy it and post it to you if you are interested. There were 11 of us in the group - some like me had been trying naturally without yet starting IVF, others had already had cycles and could guide you through the process, others had to have egg donation. 9 out of 11 had babies and I'm sure the support given by the group was one of the reasons for the figure being so high. I would definitely recommend going to a group if there is one near you.