Can progesterone hide a m/c?

[Koochy]

Hi all, I am on my 5th pregnancy in under 3 years. I had an ectopic and then 3 miscarriages up to last summer and found out I am pregnant again on 4th Jan, currently 5w5d. I am taking cyclogest since the BFP and am worried that it could be hiding another m/c...does it stop you from bleeding? I am not having a scan (unless something dramatic happens) until 8w (my choice) but since I thought this a couple of days ago I am no longer concerned about finding blood, but that not finding blood is only because of the drugs. Maybe I should have a scan a little earlier..I am seeing GP next Monday at 6w4d - would you have a scan after that? Did anyone have a good scan that early?
Thanks - nice to find a support group instead of letting the questions go around in the brain!!

Kooch

The Early Pregnancy Unit should be able to offer scans from about 6 weeks but maybe won't be able to detect a heartbeat until 7 weeks.
Why wouldn't you want a scan until 8 weeks? With your history of MCs and the Ectopic, I would urge you to insist on an early scan. I had one at 6.5wks and there was a heartbeat and it was in the womb and all looked fine. Put my mind at rest, as I have had lots of MCs.
Sorry, can't help with the medication, though.
Good Luck. I will keep an eye on this thread because I am interested in how your pregnancy progresses...
Everything crossed for you x

Hi Koochy,
i agree with Femwear, atleast an early scan could put your mind at ease a little. You are right in what you are saying about the progesterone/cycglogest, as far as i know it does prolong the bleed from happening if you are mc'ing (sadly this happened to me) but on the other hand it helps the linning of womb become thicker for the embryo to implant(i would use cyclogest again even though i mc as it might help). Goodluck, hope all works out for you.
XXX.

Thanks so much, I didn't want an earlier scan initially as in the last pregnancies I have been in the epu unit every couple of days with no definitive diagnosis this early in pregnancy and i find it incredibly stressful...I just wanted to wait until there would be a definitive heartbeat or not so I could just go once.
Femwear was there a reason for your m/c's? I have had every test known to man and no reason whatsoever has been detected, so who knows how to make a successful one?
Sue thanks for your message - i am worried about the progesterone issue so I think I will arrange the scan for next week just before the 7w date.
Kooch x

Hi again,
when you say you have had all the tests done
i was wondering have you had the chicago tests level 2, this covers indepth immune issues such as nkcells etc. The NHS cover most of the level one tests(but not the level 2) but not indepth as CARE Nottingahm or the ARGC in London. Ont he fertilityfriends web site there is a list of all the relevant tests.

I know what you mean with regards to the stress coursed being in the epu unit, a scan at 7weeks sounds a good idea then a heartbeat would beable to be detected.
Goodluck and takecare.
XXX.

Hiya Kooch I too am on pregnancy no 4 after 3 mc in 10 months, last one got to 13 weeks. They also put me on cyclogest and aspirin, and although I have heard that it can prevent bleeding if mc takes place, I think the benefits outweigh that negative. I had all the tests too that found no cause so I'm happy just to be doing SOMETHING!

I'm 6 weeks today and have my first scan on thurs, I'm also a bit worried at 6w2days I'll be too early to see heartbeat, but am seeing the recurrent mc specialist afterwards so going for the scan anyway. Like you I had weekly scans last 2 times, last time even every few days! Worse way if too early to see heartbeat we can always go back a few days later, tho I know that few days would be hell wondering and worrying!

I had a 6 week scan last time and fairly sure we did see the heartbeat, however I know this is only definate from 6-7 weeks so will try not to freak if it doesnt!

I shall post on fri morning and let you know! Fingers toes and everything crossed I have good news for you!

Hi again..
Sue, I have had all the nkcells tests already, I was referred to Dr Yau Thum at the Lister Hospital after privately seeing Zita West. I had all my level 1 tests at St Marys. I also have been the alternative route alongside the medical and have acupuncture and a Nutritional therapist for fertility....so really have been exhausting all known avenues in the past couple of years!
4ever, It is great to hear from you...I am just 2 days behind and can't wait to hear how it goes for you on Thursday! I am going to book in a scan for next Thursday as that will be 7w exactly and should be good enough..
I have everything crossed for you also, take good care! xx

Thanks Koochy you take good care too! Hopefully we can be buddies and see these ones all the way through seeing as we are so close together!! I mainly use mumsnet here at work so will def post fri morning and let you know how it went! xx

Hi Koochy
My recent mcs were due to my age, in my opinion. 2 this year at 6.6 wks and 4.5wks but I am 43 so - I think that is answer enough. Before that my miracle was born when I was 41, big mc before that. There is hope for all of you!! Good luck and hugs to you all xxx
My scan was at 6.3 and there was a heartbeat but they dated me as 7 weeks, so the dates are flexible. Just go for the scan and see what it throws up. If there is no heartbeat they will ask you to come back a week later, or you can insist!
Good Luck.

You may find me on this thread as someone else.... so I can tell you my news!

I am 7 weeks today, my 8th pregnancy. Scan last Friday at 6.3 and all ok

Hi Koochy just a quickie - checked my old scan ltrs last night and saw had a scan at 6w0d & 6w4d & heartbeat was seen so fingers crossed for tomorrow. Will let you know!

Fingers and everything crossed for the rest of you ladies on here too... xxx

Good luck today! Really thinking of you x

Hello Koochy it looks fine so far thank God! 6mm with a heartbeat! Im 6w3d today so thats a great sign! DH and I got tearful, we were both wrecks yesterday. So relieved (for now!). Back next fri for another scan as such a stresshead! Off work and posting at home on crappy dial up so hope it works. Specialist was great too so seeing him again in 4 weeks.. he reitterated what Im already doing - absolutely no caffiene. Dont know if you know that but if not, take tha advice! I been on decaf since the last one.. Thanks for thinking of me everyone, was out of my mind yesterday! xx

Wow that is fantastic!! SO happy for you! Stay relaxed, no stressing and keep positive it all sounds great I am at GP tomorrow so will book in for a scan...

Kooch x

Hi @Koochy. I hope you're doing well and I'm really sorry if this brings up any painful memories for you.
I'm currently trying to conceive and it's rare you find someone on these forums who has had such a similar experience (albeit 11 years apart!) so I had to message.
I am on my 5th pregnancy in 2 years. Just like you I had an ectopic then 3 miscarriages, then a gap and I'm now on my fifth pregnancy. I'm on cyclogest progesterone pessaries and avoiding going to EPU because I went with all my previous pregnancies and I hated the stress. I'm currently 6 weeks and waiting for a 7 week scan, although I already know it's a missed miscarriage as my pregnancy tests have already faded and are now negative. I haven't started bleeding yet and I think it's due to the cyclogest, but my doctor has told me to keep taking it until the scan.
I have no idea if you'll read this, but if you do, 1) how did things turn out for you (I really hope ok!) 2) did you ever find out if cyclogest can prevent you bleeding if you miscarry, and 3) do you have any advice for someone in your shoes 11 years on...?

Hi @JMarston I hope you don't mind me posting as I don't have all the answers you wanted and I'm not the OP.

Firstly, I'm so sorry for your losses and that you are going through this again. I had surgical management this morning for my baby who made it to 8+4.

Yes I think cyclogest can stop you bleeding although it wouldn't necessarily. I had IVF so was monitored regularly. We saw the heartbeat had stopped last Thursday and the clinic advised me to keep taking a small dose of cyclogest until surgical management. They said it was to "keep the pregnancy intact". I'm pretty sure it stopped me bleeding as I felt quite crampy in the 4 days between scan and surgery but no bleeding.

That being said, I know other women who have done IVF and have started bleeding either during the 2ww or after a positive test in the early weeks who are also on cyclogest. So it is still possible to miscarry and bleed on cyclogest too.

Sorry it's not a clearer answer - it seems all things miscarriage related can vary so much.

I've recently joined the Miscarriage Association Private Group FB page. There are lots of women on there sadly in similar positions to you and they will be able to share their advice if you would like it.

Sending you so much love and strength for your 7 weeks scan. This all takes so much courage doesn't it

Xxx

Hi @Janefx40
Thank you so much for your reply. I'm so sorry for your loss. For that to happen after IVF is so cruel. I'm so sorry.
Thank you for the information regarding cyclogest, that's really helpful. I still haven't started bleeding despite having negative tests for 5/6 days now, so I think perhaps it has stopped me bleeding.
I will have a look at the Miscarriage Association FB group. I sometimes find that reading forums helps me, but sometimes it perpetuates me thinking about pregnancy all the time which is hard. But your post has helped a lot so maybe it would be good to speak to some more people in a similar boat.
I know there is nothing I can say to make your grief any better, but just know I am thinking of you and sending you my love. You couldn't have said it better - it takes so much courage xxx

Thank you. Even hearing kind words helps a bit. I've found the Miscarriage Association Group a bit mixed because there are so many people on there that there are loads of posts. It has been good for some things tho - when I was really low people offered me support which helped.

I agree about Forums generally tho - you have to use them wisely and know when to stop!

I hope the next few weeks are bearable for you and that good things happen for you in the future

Xxx

Hello, I had cyclogest in a few of my pregnancies when I suffered recurrent miscarriages. Unfortunately those were the pregnancies where my miscarriages were 'missed' and didn't happen naturally and I am sure that it was because of the progesterone.

It didn't cause the miscarriages of course though. I stopped taking it in the end as my problem turned out to be genetic so made no difference anyway.