Progesterone supplements

[SGChome20]

I had a MC in November and then a chemical in December. Just found out I'm pregnant again and I've had light spotting which is how previous 2 MC started so I'm understandably anxious. I'm 37.

I've called GP to try and get progesterone pessaries but they don't seem keen. I've also called EPU and waiting for a call back but Im guessing of gp won't give me them neither will EPU. Does anyone know how I could get a private prescription and does it need to be a face to face consultation? Do I need a scan first? I am in Glasgow.

I've also wondered about taking aspirin but I've read prior to 8 weeks that could be harmful so I'm unsure.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

@SGChome20 I've sent you a PM.

@SGChome20 Could you go for a private scan, even though you're still strictly too early, and present that to EPU? The guidelines don't say an NHS scan... I know they say 6 weeks at private scans but you could always fudge your dates if you're desperate and feign innocence 😬

First scan is usually 6 weeks because that’s the stage that a heart beat can normally be detected

I understand why they have the 6 week date, but at the moment OP is just desperate to get 'a scan' so she can try get the progesterone as per the NICE requirements in the hope of getting herself to that hopeful 6 week mark.

@Beth262 hadn't thought of that. Just had a look and the earliest I can get a private scan seems to be Monday and I'd be 5.5 weeks by then anyway (hopefully) so that's maybe worth a shout.

@SGChome20 get it booked and just give slightly earlier period dates

Hi @SGChome20, I'm just wondering how you got on with this in the end? X

@Cruz86 sorry I should have updated the thread. NHS eventually agreed to scan me as there guidelines stated that there needs to be confirmed intra uterine pregnancy before prescribing progesterone. This was the second time I'd spoken to them though and did have a bit of a fight tbh.

Anyway they scanned me and prescribed the progesterone. Happy to report I'm now 9.5weeks and all is looking good atm. I obviously don't know if the pessaries helped or not but I do feel n my heart they did. It also made me feel a bit more relaxed which may have inadvertently had an effect possibly.

Are you having similar issues?

It's okay, thanks for replying @SGChome20! I'm glad to hear your pregnancy is going well, congratulations ☺️ I've just found out I'm pregnant after a miscarriage in November and I've started spotting, but I had a private progesterone test done a few days ago and it was quite low. So just trying to assess my options. How far were you when they agreed to scan you? X

I was 5 weeks just. They could only see a gestational sac but they gave me the progesterone and I was rescanned a week later to check progress. When I went back they could see a yolk sac and tiny flutter of a heartbeat.

Have you called EPU yet? I would definitely say it's worth asking particularly with a low progesterone test. Tell them you've had that done as well.

Hello
Can anyone help? I had a d&c 2 weeks ago which was my 4th miscarriage this year ( all around 7 weeks)
I now have progesterone pessaries & im ovulating so hoping to ttc. Is this safe & when do i take the pessaries? Any real examples of success stories would be great thanks.

Did your doctor not explain when to take them, @Wishonastar4?

Some doctors recommend taking progesterone pessaries once ovulation is confirmed, whereas others say to start taking them when you get a positive pregnancy test.

The danger with taking progesterone after ovulation is that you need to be absolutely sure you have ovulated. If you only think you've ovulated and you start taking progesterone, you will mess up your cycle.

Did you get a negative pregnancy test after your miscarriage to confirm your HCG levels have definitely dropped to zero? If you still have HCG in your system your ovulation tests will show a false positive.

my doctor said to take them 2 days post ovulation which is generally when implantation would have happened if it was going to, I took them till 13 weeks and I now have a 8 month little boy after 2 MCs. Best of luck! At times it feels like it will never happen, it’s so heart breaking and consuming, but stick with it and it will happen! Fingers crossed for you xx

The consultant was really blunt & hasnt been that supportive, i think now you mention it she said from a positive test. I tested a few days ago & pregnancy test was negative. So hoping line on ovulation test is suggesting i am ovulating. Might wait to have a period so i can be sure x

Thank you 🤞 pleased you got your rainbow baby!

Hiya, @SGChome20 how did you get on with your pregnancy?
I really hope your pregnancy resulted in good news x

Came across this thread because i’m also considering asking my GP for progesterone as i’ve had 3 MC’s (all around the 5-6week mark) where they see the pregnancy and yolk sac but it doesnt progress beyond that.
She referred me to hospital last month for recurrent miscarriages and also advised me to contact her if I fall pregnant again (which I am - found out a few days ago) for low dose aspirin.

I’m also in Glasgow and have been to GCRM (private clinic) for IVF last year who didn’t mention anything about progesterone. That pregnancy also resulted in a MC. I might call them tomorrow to check if they can do anything?
I already have a 7 yr old girl who was conceived naturally and I had absolutely no problems with the pregnancy or the birth (apart from mild gestational diabetes) so i’m not sure what the problem is this time around apart from gaining a few more pounds since first successful pregnancy. I also have a high BMI And PCOS which obviously hasn’t helped at all!

sorry for the long message xx

Hi @Troptolate I’m happy to say my pregnancy progressed well and I now have an 18 month old. I would definitely push for progesterone. I can’t say whether it was that or it was just my time but the evidence suggests that it does have a positive effect so can’t hurt.

I was told they don’t like prescribing it until they have confirmed pregnancy in utero (basically confirm it’s not going to be ectopic) if you are in Glasgow I would just call EPU yourself and self refer rather than going through GP. That’s what I did and sort of begged them on the phone.

@SGChome20
i’m so so happy for you! And thanks so much for replying back.
I will call EPU tomorrow and demand (beg) for progesterone.
It’s frustrating because with my 3rd miscarriage last month I called EPU to say I had just started bleeding at Week 6 and all she asked was have u had intercourse? When I replied yes she just said that’s why you’re bleeding.
Didn’t ask about my miscarriage history because according to the Nice guidelines I shouldve been offered progesterone?
A private scan a couple of days later showed a gestation sac but nothing inside it at the time so i’m not sure if it wouldve progressed even with the progesterone.

But all i’ve been doing this weekend is reading up on progesterone threads on mumsnet so i’m hoping that’s the missing piece that’ll hopefully result in a positive outcome xx

@Troptolate how did you get on today?

@SGChome20hey i’m so sorry! I came here to update you and realised that the message I typed after u asked me how I got on was still sitting here unsent!
So i called EPU on monday and said that i’ve been spotting (very mildly) and wanted to see if i could get progesterone due to previous MCs. She booked me in for an early scan today.
i’ve just had the scan and the midwife says that it’s too early to see anything today. But there was a gestation sac which she measured. They have taken bloods and will repeat in 48 hours to check HCG.

I also contacted the private clinic where I had IVF last year and the consultant msgd me saying that they can provide a private prescription of progesterone even if there’s no bleeding. So I’m thinking of just contacting them and getting the progesterone because if I wait till EPU give it to me it’ll probably be too late again.