sustaining pregnancy with progesterone?

[megarobotdiscoparty]

Hello! I had a MC in April and just got another BFP this morning. Pretty nervous!

My cycles vary in length between 30-42 days. The pregnancy I lost I conceived on cd18, this time I conceived on cd28! I suspect I had a short luteal phase as well (although wasn't temping so it's mostly guesswork).

I know taking progesterone can sometimes help sustain pregnancies conceived on long cycles/short LPs - does anyone know how I might go about getting hold of some? I know there are over the counter creams but not sure how strong they are. I've got a phone appointment with my GP next week - is it something they'd consider prescribing even though I've had no investigations for miscarriage (as just had the one?)

Any advice appreciated - feeling very anxious about losing another bean!

[Ahhhcantthinkofagoodname]

Hi mega I'm in a really similar situation, had a MMC earlier this year and before I got preggers this time I had some concerns about low progesterone cos of a short luteal phase and spotting between ovulation and my period. When j had spotting just after my BFP a week ago, I went to GP and begged for progesterone or at least a blood test to check my levels. She was v dismissive said all the charting etc I had been doing was pointless and said she couldn't prescribe it, it would have to come from a gynaecologist. She said I would also only get referred to a gynae if I had 3 miscarriages. She gave me a good talking to said miscarriage is in most cases inevitable and wouldn't be prevented and that it is a fact of the whole process of trying to have a baby! Although that was hard to take I have been calmer as I feel there is nothing I can do, only time will tell! Very best of luck with your pregnancy

[megarobotdiscoparty]

Sorry this is happening to you too name - but glad to hear you're feeling more relaxed about it. Has your spotting settled? At the moment I am relentlessly poasing to check my HCG levels are rising. Line darkening at the moment but such early days! Good luck and congratulations!

[Ahhhcantthinkofagoodname]

Hi mega, yeah I am now 5+1 and haven't had spotting since 4+2 (and I check very carefully every single time I go to the toilet!)

I am trying so hard not to POAS (havwnt done so for about 4 days) and not to analyse symptoms or non symptoms. I am agonising over whether to have an early scan but actually I think it would be harder to see a heartbeat at 6 or 7 weeks and then lose it (last time my baby stopped developing at 7 weeks but I didn't find out till 9 weeks) so I think I am gonna try to hold out till 8 or 9 weeks.

Let us know how you get on with your GP, best of luck to you too...

Ps have you been on the miscarriage board, I think I recognise your name, I also had my MMC in april?

[cherryade8]

Hi, I think the evidence on this is not conclusive. I've used cyclogest (progesterone suppositories) as part of ivf and frozen embryo cycles, where it is routinely used by fertility doctors. However, when I had a 'natural' embryo transfer ie no drugs used at all, embryo was transferred at the correct point in menstrual cycle the fertility consultants opinions varied, some said use progesterone in case my levels were not high enough, whilst other consultants said there's no evidence progesterone is needed unless there's a known deficiency...

Sorry I can't be much more help, you can get a private prescription for it if your gp won't prescribe, a private gp should prescribe I think it's about £60 for a months supply, plus cost of gp appointment. Hopefully you'll be fine without it though

[Brummiegirl15]

I'm on progesterone for my pregnancy. Took 200mg twice a day from 7 days post ovulation and now on 400mg twice a day from BFP until 12 weeks.

I'm now 10+3

However I've suffered recurrent miscarriage and this is my 4th pregnancy. It is only normal for progesterone to be prescribed for recurrent miscarriage.

You could push for a prescription but don't bother with the cream, waste of time , it's not concentrated enough

[megarobotdiscoparty]

brummie that's what I'd heard re the cream, thanks for the confirmation!

cherry that's good to know re private appointment. Definitely considering it.

name yes! I think I remember you too. was on the Dec AN bus, then MC boards, now over on Bumsnet conception thread. Where are you hanging out these days? I'm 4 + 1 today so we are at a similarly scary (but exciting) stage.

[Ahhhcantthinkofagoodname]

Hi mega, you are literally a week behind me, I guess you also had one period post miscarriage then conceived that cycle?! Fingers crossed this will be the lucky one for both of us! I am more of a lurker than a regular poster, I just post occasionally on threads that strike a chord with me or I start a thread if I have a specific question. I find it comforting seeing other women in a similar place but don't want to get more emotionally involved in a long running thread in case things go wrong again, it's horrible when someone announces they are leaving and I don't want to be that person....

Interesting the comments above about availability of progesterone privately. I think I will leave it for this pregnancy but if things go wrong I will be pushing for tests and referrals.

Take care

[IlonaRN]

I used a progesterone cream after finding my luteal phase was just 9 days (so too short). It lengthened my luteal phase to 14-15 days.
I used progesterone pessaries during the (injectable fsh) xycle before this one, where I fell pregnant but the pregnancy did not progress (as diagnosed by hcg blood tests).
This cycle was natural, as I wanted a break before doing more injectables, and I fell pregnant. I used my progesterone cream until 20 weeks, and am now 26+1.

For me, the progesterone had a noticeable effect (but of course this pregnancy may have stuck even if I hadn't used it!)

[hathu88]

@IIonaRN Hi just wanted to know which progesterone cream did you use please?
I had early bleeding MC and suspected it is due to low progesterone.
Thanks