Progesterone subscription

7 replies

Catsarethebest85 · 12/12/2021 06:33

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I really hope I can find someone who can help. I’ve had three previous miscarriages, all lost before 7 weeks. I’m desperate to have a baby and am convinced that a progesterone prescription will help me through the first few difficult weeks if I fall pregnant again (which doesn’t seem to be happening but that’s a different story). My question is, if my GP won’t prescribe it and my EPAU won’t either, who will? What kind of consultant do I need to see? A obs/gynae or a fertility consultant? And how much will it cost to do this? Has anyone (especially in the Birmingham area) had any luck with securing a prescription?

OP posts:

Roseandgeranium · 12/12/2021 06:57

I’m so sorry to hear about your losses. Recurrent miscarriage is really cruel. Have you been referred for tests? This should certainly have happened after three losses. For now, do you have or have you had any bleeding in this pregnancy? I was prescribed progesterone by a consultant obstetrician as I had spotting in my most recent pregnancy which followed two consecutive losses. Had I not had bleeding, though, he wouldn’t have prescribed. This was before NICE changed the guidelines but it’s consistent with those guidelines now. There was a recent change as reported here: www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59385621.amp
So if you are having or go on to experience bleeding you should certainly push for a prescription. It’s possible a private consultant obstetrician or fertility specialist would prescribe without bleeding or might suggest something like low dose aspirin (75-150mg daily) so it could be worth asking your GP to give you a private referral. Whatever you do, very best of luck, OP. Really hope this one works out for you. X

Suprima · 12/12/2021 07:07

@Catsarethebest85

With three previous miscarriages, any private doctor will get you a progesterone subscription once you are pregnant again. It will cost about £350 as you will need to have a scan to confirm the pregnancy isn’t ectopic, a consultation and the progesterone itself is about £120 on a private prescription. Just google fertility and women’s health clinics in your area and someone will help you.

You don’t always have to have severe bleeding. I had 2 chemicals and MMC at 10 weeks (baby was 6) and I was given mine without a quibble. Currently 3 months pregnant- first I have got so far.

I take baby aspirin as well to prevent mini blood clots around baby- my private doctor was very happy about me taking this. 75mg, over the counter dose.

Original poster

Catsarethebest85 · 12/12/2021 07:22

Thanks @Suprima and @Roseandgeranium I’m not actually pregnant but have been told that progesterone should be taken from ovulation each month to prevent against chemical pregnancies. I’ve never had any bleeding with my miscarriages so this doesn’t sound too promising but I guess I have to try. I was referred to a recurrent miscarriage consultant after my third miscarriage but was unable to take the call and I now have to wait until March to see an NHS dr again so private seems to be my only option for now. I don’t know what the NHS would do if I did get pregnant, but I’m assuming not a lot without being under a consultant. I just feel lost. Ives had all the blood tests, hysteroscopy and X-rays and they’ve found I have a unicornuate uterus but not much else. I’m advised that it shouldn’t be a problem at all which is encouraging but I feel like I’ve just been left to flounder my way through this by myself as a result of not being able to answer that damned phone call!

OP posts:

Suprima · 12/12/2021 07:51

@Catsarethebest85

Thanks *@Suprima and @Roseandgeranium* I’m not actually pregnant but have been told that progesterone should be taken from ovulation each month to prevent against chemical pregnancies. I’ve never had any bleeding with my miscarriages so this doesn’t sound too promising but I guess I have to try. I was referred to a recurrent miscarriage consultant after my third miscarriage but was unable to take the call and I now have to wait until March to see an NHS dr again so private seems to be my only option for now. I don’t know what the NHS would do if I did get pregnant, but I’m assuming not a lot without being under a consultant. I just feel lost. Ives had all the blood tests, hysteroscopy and X-rays and they’ve found I have a unicornuate uterus but not much else. I’m advised that it shouldn’t be a problem at all which is encouraging but I feel like I’ve just been left to flounder my way through this by myself as a result of not being able to answer that damned phone call!

Seeing as you have had 3 pregnancies that were not chemical- I wouldn’t be concerned about taking from ovulation. I would just test on 1st day of missed period then make an appt to get in before you are 5 weeks.

FrangipanFlower · 12/12/2021 08:06

I also had three miscarriages and was under the care of the recurrent miscarriage clinic. My losses all started with bleeds and there’s been some research done around the use of progesterone pessaries helping in these situations and my consultant was happy to prescribe. I’m not sure about oral progesterone though I think you’d need to speak to a doctor about that. Is there no way they’d see you earlier than March?? Seems an awfully long time to wait. There was an incredible episode of the program ‘hospital’ (bbc) that focused on baby loss/miscarriage where they featured a brilliant consultant who runs a recurrent miscarriage clinic in the Birmingham area who you can self refer to -
I forget her name but the episode might still be on iPlayer.

FrangipanFlower · 12/12/2021 08:08

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000wgsc - trigger warning you might find the subject matter upsetting, but the doctor I mentioned is featured here and may be able to provide some insight

Original poster

Catsarethebest85 · 12/12/2021 10:33

@FrangipanFlower Thank you so much!

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