IVF drugs and early pregnancy - help!

[Panda1234]

I'm 13 w 1d pg after a frozen embryo transfer.

The IVF clinic put me on progynova, progesterone, clexane and aspirin following the transfer. I had my last appointment with them at 6w, and then they wrote to my GP about my pregnancy and drug regime.

The IVF clinic recommended that I take the progynova and progesterone until week 13, and said I would probably be on the other two for a lot longer - but it depended on what the docs at the maternity unit decided. Anyone I've spoken to at the maternity hospital has been really vague about any questions to do with drugs. I think they think all my drugs are a bit of a nuisance and they'd rather not deal with this aspect of my pregnancy.

I had my booking in appt with the maternity unit last week. The doctor there didn't seem to know very much at all about the drugs I'm on. She said I would probably be taken off the progesterone and progynova on Wednesday, at my next appt.

I realised this morning that I only have enough progesterone to do one more day, and I'm not sure whether I need more until Wednesday or whether to just stop taking it now as I've finished the course.

I tried calling the maternity unit first thing this morning and the midwife I spoke to initially was really unhelpful and eventually, after I insisted, agreed to get one of the doctors to look at my notes and said I'd be called back. No-one has called me back - I know they'll be busy, but at the same time if I need to get the drugs then it'll take time to a prescription from an out of hours doc.

I realise it's my own stupid fault for not realising I'd run out of the progesterone, but has anyone had any experience of being on progesterone in early pregnancy, and how bad is it if I either stop taking it now or can't get any over the weekend? I know I should be stopping it soon, and I'm not sure if 3/4 days early will make much of a difference. Sorry this is so long!

I wouldn't have thought stopping it now would be a prob. I was told to stop at 12 weeks after my ivf cycles xxx

I was on Progesterone after IUI, and was told to stop taking it at 6 weeks as they thought that I was going to miscarry (very small embryo, no heartbeat on scan). Thankfully a week later there was a lovely heartbeat, and all was well, but my clinic were fine for me to not re-start the progesterone at that stage. I'm sure that a few days will make no difference whatsoever - enjoy your pregnancy!

I had FET and was told to take the progesterone until week 10 after transfer. How long did your clinic tell you to take it for?

The maternity units do not really know very much about IVF especially the drug side of it.

There is a difference between an IUI tx and FET - you need to take the progesterone for a long period.

I went abroad for my tx and was also on progynova. PM if you would like an off board chat about the meds.

Thanks everyone - it was a FET transfer. The clinic said usually 13 weeks for the cyclogest and progynova, but that the final decision would be up to the hospital.

Magda, you're right, they really don't seem to know very much! One of them even said something like "oh, IVF patients tend to read up on their protocols so it's really whatever you think". I'd just be happier if I could speak to a doctor there who knew a bit more about IVF pregnancies. It's a big city hospital too with loads of staff.

Hi - I ran out of progesterone pessaries so had to phone up IVF clinic for another private prescription as NHS people didn't see the need for it. With aspirin and clexane I think it depends on why you were put on it ... I have thrombophilia issues so therefore the NHS dr's want me on it until they say but with some of my other IVF medications they didn't see an ongoing clinical need so weren't interested and told me to deal with my IVF clinic if I wanted medication etc.

Congratulations!

Congrats on your pregnancy!

I've no idea about the other drugs but my private IVF clinic only prescribed progesterone until 9 weeks, as by then the placenta is well established. From what I know, by 13 weeks the placenta has taken over and there's no need for extra progesterone unless there's another issue that the progesterone is helping with. This is presumably why your clinic only prescribed until 13 weeks.

I'd suggest trying your fertility clinic for advice, as in my experience my regular NHS midwives and obstetricians had no clue about IVF - which makes sense as assisted conception wasn't their thing.