Getting progesterone privately - help!

[SunAndSea37]

I wonder if someone could help. I am 4 weeks pg after two losses, one at 9 weeks, one at 3.5.

I so so want this one to stick and I am already on low dose aspirin on the advice of my GP. However I’d really like to start taking progesterone as a fail safe. My EPU will only prescribe if I start bleeding and won’t let me pay for it. I rang the London women’s clinic and their first appt was March which is way too late.

I’m desperate and will pay! I just know if I lose this pg and get referred to the RMC they will prescribe it and it’s so frustrating that I’m here pregnant now with no way to get hold of it. In the US it’s standard.

Any recommendations for a private doc who can do this quickly would be much appreciated.

Oh my gosh @SunAndSea37 I have everything crossed for you. What a stressful time with the bleeding and the scan. And the staff just sending you on your way. My heart goes out to you. It's bringing it all back to hear your story. I totally understand why you are just doing the private route rather than arguing with them. It's so much energy just to keep it together. Really hoping for the best for you this time. What was it that you asked Tommy's?

@Alonelonelylonersbadidea thank you I am going to look this up and try to get some before we properly start trying. I can't be dealing with arguing with GPs I'd rather just self medicate which is awful really but there you go!

Hmm a question about dosage @Alonelonelylonersbadidea if you know... The pessaries I was given were 400mg but the Now Solutions cream I've just found is much lower dose, 20mg. Did you have a stronger one?

Good question @Doughnut100 . To be honest I'm not sure as when I checked my Amazon orders they are not being sold anymore (it was a long time ago). So maybe. I did buy a few bottles.
I couldn't get a prescription as of course it was a US video consultation.
I just find it hard to believe that after 6 losses and being told they thought progesterone was certainly worth looking at, using it, then having a baby , is too much of a coincidence!

Maybe use two pumps am and two pumps pm?

Posted too soon- that would still be a lot less. Hmmmmm

@Alonelonelylonersbadidea six losses you poor thing it's so hard. Doesn't sound like a coincidence... thanks for the info it is confusing with the dosage!

Thank you so much @Doughnut100, it has been a really stressful time but feel a lot calmer now and I do like the mental reassurance of taking the progesterone (even though I feel a bit like a bloated balloon this week!) Now not sure whether to try to get an 8 week scan with the EPU or just avoid the stress and pay at the private centre. I asked Tommy's to confirm I'd understood the guidance correctly and they said I had - they advised me to print an infographic they'd made to take with me as sounds like this problem is not uncommon...

@Alonelonelylonersbadidea, I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. I do find it odd that it seems like a really simple low cost intervention which could help lots of women and there's so much resistance to it in the UK - perhaps it's to do with the culture that pregnancy is 'natural' and best not to interfere? I have no idea - but you must be very brave to have survived all that and so glad you got your successful pregnancy x

@SunAndSea37 hi I so wish I would have seen this a few weeks ago as I ended up with double dose of progesterone pessaries. I would of gladly posted them to you as I know all to well how stressful this is. I took part in the promise trial when I was pregnant with my son back in 2014 after eight miscarriages. I’m currently 18 weeks pregnant with my third child and had a wild ride myself trying to get my progesterone from the doctors they just refused to give it me knowing my history and the fact I had had it the last two times. So as soon as I got an appointment with my consultant they instantly gave it me and filed a complaint against my doctors practice. I really hope everything works out for you and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you 🤞. I’m here if you need to chat. X

So sorry for the amount of losses on here.

I'm so glad to have found this thread, thanks everyone for sharing.

I have had mentioned that after my mmc if I get pregnant again I should seek to have aspirin and progesterone prescriptions.

Has anyone got links or information what these actually do?
I can't believe the positive outcomes on here about progesterone.

@SunAndSea37 how far are you now?
Really hoping this little one gets comfy in there.

@Donthaveaclue1 sorry for how much you've been through, have you had mc's for progesterone pregnancy's too? Or has it been successful every time you've used it?

Also, I'd anyone taking more than 400 folic acid?

Thank you all.

@Ellie5341 Progesterone is essential for maintaining a fertile womb lining and if you don't produce enough yourself then it can be too thin to sustain a pregnancy, or start shedding like a period even if you do implant and get pregnant. Aspirin helps with blood flow to the placenta by making your blood less 'sticky'. Both are harmless and cheap to try but can potentially help depending on what your particular issue might be. I had both this pregnancy after suffering two losses around 8 weeks, and I'm now 30 weeks!

@GinnyBee thank you so much that's so helpful and easy to understand

Hi @Ellie5341 thank you! I’m 7 weeks today!

On the aspirin, best thing to do is talk to your doctor as they can advise on dose and if there’s any reason you shouldn’t take it. I stopped taking it when I started getting a bit of bleeding but took it consistently before that, my GP told me the dose.

On the progesterone, I had day 21 bloods in January (also via my GP) and they came in with progesterone below the normal range which to me indicated it was worth a try. That might be helpful info to have for you.

Good luck and let us know how you go x

@SunAndSea37 thank you for sharing that's really useful.

7 weeks 😊 hope everything is ok but I'm sure you are stressing every second, really hope everything goes well this time ❤️

@SunAndSea37 just dropping by to say I'm happy you are 7 weeks and I hope you're doing well.

FWIW I'd try to get the 8 week scan at your EPU because if there is any question the private place won't be any help, they'll just tell you to go to the epu anyway. But of course do what feels best for you. Xx

Thank you @Doughnut100 and @Ellie5341 it’s so lovely to have you think of me 🥰

I’m actually doing ok, we got a new kitten recently and he’s such a gorgeous handful it’s been the best distraction. My worry at the back of my mind now I’m on the cyclogest is that I guess I wouldn’t naturally miscarry now If there is something wrong so it puts a lot more pressure on the scans.

I have been debating that on the scan but just can’t quite face having to push the EPU to do it as they’re so hard to get on the phone, plus it’s a clinic so while you do get a time it’s normally about a 40 min wait, can be longer. Also I hate the EPU now 🤣

but it has made me think I will get the scan on Monday instead of Friday evening so if there are problems I’m not faced with a closed EPU all weekend, thank you for that!

Hope you’re all doing ok too xx

Very good idea to have it on a Monday. I totally understand hating the EPU! Best of luck xxxxx

Just a quick update, had my reassurance scan tonight and all looking good, measuring bang on at 8+3 and little bud arms and legs starting! So a good experience on the cyclogest so far and a big relief…for now!

Oh that's lovely to hear that update. Hope you are managing to get some extra sleep in somehow! And hope you don't feel sick! Xxx

Thank you so much @Doughnut100! Just hit 11 weeks today which is exciting! Although I had another reassurance scan on Monday and they seemed to think I was already at 11w, which is doubly exciting as means I might be out of the first trimester by next Monday. I have another scan at EPU on Monday as I’ve had some bleeding which is a bit stressful but hopefully ok, will find out then. Busting to tell people now!

I'm right now looking for a private doctor who will prescribe progesterone as I'm 5w and my GP and UCLH lead obstetrician and midwife team have all said no to tests and prescriptions. I'm 42 yo have had 1 mc. I'm not bleeding so don't meet latest guidelines criteria but I also don't have time at 42 to wait and see if I will have recurrent losses which would make me eligible. I'm trying a couple of places I saw recommended here and in an FB group - Dr Kelly at King's College and Amanda Tozer. Any other recommendations in London or elsewhere in the country if they do online consultations?

Hi @Ronnyrambler congratulations! I totally hear you, such a nerve wracking time especially if you’ve had a loss before. I saw Dr Shan Low of private maternity care. She operates out of the Portland but does phone consultations and sorted one for me very quickly, think it was £250 for the appt and about £70 for the progesterone. If you google her you can find all her details.

i was bleeding and still refused it so she was an absolute godsend for me and has continued to help me through my pregnancy. Good luck and let us know how you get on xx