Reassurance about coming off progesterone?

[Cafeaulait27]

Hi everyone, I’ve had 2 losses (both before 12 weeks) and I’m now nearly 14 weeks.

I had a perfect 12 week scan and low risk screening results, but now I’m worried about coming off progesterone which I was prescribed as a ‘can’t harm but might help’ basis (I was never tested).

I am on aspirin (self prescribed due to the previous losses, never tested for sticky blood) and I feel like that’s doing most of the work with keeping this pregnancy healthy. I’m also on myo inositol and metformin as I have PCOS.

I know it’s probably going to be ok to come off the progesterone, but I’m scared that I’ll miscarry because of stopping 😑 is that even possible?

I have enough to last me until 16 weeks, so about 2 weeks left 😬 positive stories/info would be lovely!

Thank you x

Hi @Cafeaulait27, we’ve spoken before on various threads I think as we were both in similar situations after losses and taking aspirin and progesterone.

I’m still taking the 150mg a day of aspirin, but I stopped the progesterone.

I was prescribed it as a won’t do any harm but might help thing too. Although I did have my progesterone levels checked and they were great.

I’m now 17 weeks and in all honestly by 14 weeks I’d gone down to just one a day in the evening. Was my own choice, I was prescribed 2 a day until 16 weeks.

I did then stop the one a day right on 16 weeks. Tbh I wanted to stop sooner but kept feeling bad. But I hated being on it, it caused irritation and I hated the feeling.

I had a scan yesterday (private) at 16+6 and baby was looking amazing!

Your body is keeping you pregnant, not the progesterone. I know how hard it is to not panic after losses though.

Xx

@Moominmiss we have chatted loads haven’t we, as we are in similar situations 😌 I’m so glad to hear things are going well for you and continue to do so.

Thank you so much. I have a private scan at 16 weeks so I hope I will get some reassurance from that, and then it’s just waiting another month for the20 week one 🙄😬

Glad to hear your scan went well! ❤️ Is your 20 week one booked? Xx

@Cafeaulait27 I’m positive you’re going to have an amazing 16 week scan.

The wait between scans is so long! I’ve no idea how I’ll go from 20 weeks to delivering without seeing him!!!

Yes, I have my 20 week scan booked at 19+4 so not too much longer to wait.

In the meantime for reassurance I have a Doppler that someone gave me so finding his heartbeat is always nice.
Although I’m well aware it’s not always easy to find! Lol.

Try not to panic about the progesterone. I just read this - “ Progesterone supplements have not been shown to decrease the chance of miscarriage, only to delay the diagnosis of miscarriage. In other words, a pregnancy can quit growing, but the progesterone we give can mask the miscarriage.”

I think progesterone is mainly to help possible early miscarriages where women are prone to bleeding etc. I think the fact you’ve had a good 12 week scan means your chances of miscarriage now would be tiny!

Hi @Cafeaulait27 - my wife is pregnant through ivf so also had to take progesterone pesseries. She had the same worries, and spoke to the clinic. She actually carried on a little longer as they said there was no harm, but there was no issue when she came off. I think by 12 weeks the placenta has taken over in full (assuming all looked ok on your scan) so there isn’t a risk. Wishing you all the best.

Same as PP I had to take it for 12 weeks due to IVF. I was very nervous about stopping but it was fine. The placenta will have taken over by now xx

By 12 weeks pregnant your natural progesterone levels will absolutely be high enough to sustain the pregnancy without adding in extra progesterone, in a viable pregnancy.

However despite that reassurance, the fear still got me in both my viable pregnancies. So I gradually weaned myself off from 12 weeks, finally stopping entirely at 16 weeks pregnant and everything was fine.

Come off it very slowly to help you feel more comfortable with the change, would be my advice.

The best of luck x

@Moominmiss thank you so much and good luck for your 20 week scan ❤️ Yeah I’m hoping the progesterone helped (or maybe I never needed it) in the first trimester and therefore it won’t make a difference if I stop taking it now. Placenta looked normal at my 12 week scan so no need to worry really! I do feel it’s the aspirin which has really helped.

It’s so great to have your support and positivity, thank you! Xx

@Shamoo thank you so much! Hope your wife’s pregnancy is still going well! Or has she had the baby now?

@MabelG thank you! How far are you now? X

@Rosebud2016 thank you 😊 my husband keeps saying I just need to try to relax and trust the specialists as they know what they’re talking about xx

@Moominmiss Oh this thread has relieved some of my worries. I'm 15 weeks tomorrow and have one more week of progesterone to go, I think I'm going to wait until the Friday though as I have an obstetrician appointment that day so I can confirm with her. I've been really nervous at the thought of coming off it (two prior losses) but hearing your experience has reassured me somewhat.
I've had 3 scans so far at 7, 8 and 12 weeks and my next is at 20 weeks. I'm hoping to hear the babies heartbeat next week at my midwife appointment.
It's utterly terrifying waiting between scans though I am starting to feel a bit better now. I'm lucky in that because I'm an older mum from 27 weeks I will be scanned every 3 weeks until birth to make sure everything is ok.
Good luck to all of you and our little ones xx

@Cafeaulait27 good to read all this as I too am on progesterone and aspirin! Progesterone is prescribed for 16 weeks for me too, and I am 13 weeks and have been feeling anxious about when the time comes to come off it.

@Cafeaulait27 I’m really glad I’ve been able to reassure you a little. I also believe that for me it was the aspirin that made the difference.
Sending you so much luck for the rest of your pregnancy!!

@Katyowl I don’t blame you waiting until you’ve had your appointment before stopping the progesterone, but I honestly believe it will be just perfect. Your placenta will be doing the work by now and you’ve had several positive scans. However I totally understand the fear! I myself have had scans at 5+4, 6+2, 7, 8+4, 9+6, 10+3, 11+6, 13+4, 14, 16+6 and currently waiting on my 20 week scan in a few weeks!
I’m also an older mum at 38, so am being monitored a little more closely too.
Good luck with everything!

Thank you @Cafeaulait27 - she is currently 28 weeks and all seems to be going well! (🤞)

Wishing you all the best :)