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Pregnancy

Progesterone in pregnancy

14 replies

Itsalwayssunny · 15/01/2016 23:00

A bit of background, I gave birth at 23 +5 in July. I am at the point of TTC again soon and am looking into ways if any to try and prolong and future pregnancies and reduce the risk of another premature labour.

I have seen some stuff on here and the internet about taking the pessaries but my consultant didn't mention or offer these to me. Has anyone had an experience with taking these and if so how easy it was to access? Also some lovely positive success stories would be lovely to hear as well.

Hope this is ok in the pregnancy board, wasn't sure where else to put it.

TIA

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Dixiechick17 · 16/01/2016 00:47

I was prescribed progesterone pessaries by my consultant due to my cetvix shortening by 1cm in a week at 24 weeks. I had quite a high dosage compared to other people I spoke to on her, 3 x 400mg cyclogest pessaries a day. I was then monitored regularly. I was signed off at 32 weeks due my DD sitting very low and having a soft cervix, continued with the pessaries and plenty of rest. Within a week of stopping them I dilated to 1cm, DD stayed put until 40+4.

Sorry that you had such a premature labour previously. Once pregnant, and you have a booking in appt with the midwife you should then be referred for a consultant appointment. The consultant should then do an internal scan to check the length of your cervix and a follow up scan if all ok to check for signs of shortening or any funelling. I had weekly internal scans from 21 weeks and fortnightly from 28 weeks. Most others I have read about with problems with a previous pregnancy are scanned from 16 weeks approx, but everywhere is different.

Wishing you luck with TTC

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Itsalwayssunny · 16/01/2016 09:36

Thanks for your replie Dixie. I have had a follow up appt/birth debrief with my consultant who said she would check my cervix length at around 18 weeks and then again once or twice more as we don"t know if I have a problem with my cervix or not as I was contracting and then dilating previously. I was just unsure why she didn't mention these to me, but I guess she is waiting till next time around to see what's going on with my cervix.

Thank you again for sharing your experience.

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MrsGlam · 16/01/2016 10:17

Personally I would bring it up with her..
I had two late losses 19+1 and 20+6 and went to see my consultant at 16 weeks he didn't realise I wasn't on progesterone and prescribed them for me there and then, I am now 26+1 and everything is going well, I had the cervix checks aswell just to put my mind at rest. (He didn't think it was my cervix.)
When are you seeing her next?

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Itsalwayssunny · 16/01/2016 11:15

Thanks MrsGlam, I'm not due to see her again until I am next pregnant but she did say I could contact her if I had any questions so will give her a call on Monday and ask about it. Anything that may help avoid a premature labour again is worth taking IMO so will see what she says.

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MrsGlam · 16/01/2016 11:21

Ah sorry totally read and forgot you was nearly at the TTC stage!
How many weeks will you be when she wants to see you?
I started at 11 weeks and was only mentioned at my 16 week appointment so I still had a few weeks before I got to my nervous time.
I am really sorry about your loss .
It's very tough being pregnant again around the time it happens. But keep positive and stress free as much as possible. (It's helped me).
I wish you every luck in the world.

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spacefrog35 · 16/01/2016 11:26

My son was born premature at 24+5 & died 10 days later. We have never found out why but I had painless dilation so cervical issues were a possibility. I had progesterone from 14 weeks and cervical scans every 2-3 weeks until 22 weeks. I asked for progesterone and the consultant was very happy to proscribe it & I've been taking 1x400 Cyclogest a day since 14 weeks. I haven't had any cervical shortening (length has hovered around 2.9 every scan), now 29 still on progesterone but everything seems to be going ok.

The progesterone is a bit 'messy'. My consultant insists on it being used vaginally so the waxy coating leaks all over underwear but apart from that & persistent acne I've really had no problems. I've asked to continue taking it for as long as possible, it helps my anxiety to feel I'm doing something & the consultant has been happy with that.

I hope everything works out well for you.

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MrsGlam · 16/01/2016 11:33

Sorry for your loss too .

Out of curiosity how long are you going to stay on progesterone for? I haven't seen my consultant since 16 weeks just one of his team and she wanted me to stop at 24 weeks but I convinced her I wasn't going to my midwife said at least 28 weeks...But I don't want a 28 weaker! I am hoping to keep going for along as they allow me but the longer the better.. I am 400mg twice a day.

My consultant hasn't specified what route to take and I have been doing it rectally because there is no mess like vaginally.
And I was doing weekly swabs till 24 weeks for infections so didn't want it interfering with my results.

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Dixiechick17 · 16/01/2016 12:31

MrsGlam I was asked by my consultant to keep using the progesterone pessaries until I was considered full term by then, so 37 weeks.

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MrsGlam · 16/01/2016 13:53

Thank you :)

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Itsalwayssunny · 16/01/2016 22:03

Mrsglam I am due to see her at around 16 weeks and that's when she will measure my cervix. I had regular contractions throughout my dilation and no previous lletz treatment so she doesn't think there may be an issue with my cervix. Does anyone know if the progesterone is only given if you have cervical issues or can you be prescribed it for just having an unexplained prem labour.

Spacefrog, sorry for your loss. Glad to hear the pessaries are working for you this time around.

Those of you with shortened cervix, out of interest were you offered a stitch? My consultant has said this is something we could discuss should it be that my cervix is the problem but this comes with its own risks of course.

Thank you all for replying. The ths thought of starting TTC again and the possibility of suffering another loss are terrifying so it really is helpful to hear other peoples experiences and how its worked for them.

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MrsGlam · 17/01/2016 10:23

I have no cervical issues mine has always been above 3cms this pregnancy with no funneling.
I think they would give it to you too. My consultant told me there is no scientific evidence that it works but there are so many cases of women around the UK that it's been successful for.
It doesn't cause any harm to baby or yourself so I am sure if you mention it to her at your 16 week appointment she would consider it.

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Itsalwayssunny · 17/01/2016 10:37

Thanks MrsGlam I definitely will bring it up with her.

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Dixiechick17 · 17/01/2016 18:58

I was told that if mine shortened further I would have to have a stitch, but I would have then been admitted to hospital for the remainder of my pregnancy due to where the stitch would be and that it could cause rupture of the membranes. That was only because I was already 24 weeks, Stitches are more tricky the further along you are.

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Itsalwayssunny · 17/01/2016 20:08

Thanks Dixie, yes my consultant said it's something we could look at but the risks around ruptured membranes really put me off. It's so difficult knowing what the right choice will be if it comes to having to make that decision. I'm jumping the gun of course, I have to actually get pregnant first!