Coming off progesterone pessary at 16 weeks

[Am34]

I became pregnant in August 23 and began spotting at around 4.5 weeks which lasted 14 days. I had an ultrasound at 6.5 weeks which confirmed it was a twin pregnancy (with 2 heartbeats) and shortly after this the spotting stopped. I had a private scan at 9 weeks which confirmed I had miscarried at 6.6 days so literally 24 hours after my original scan. I became pregnant again in February 24 and again started spotting at around 5 weeks so went to the EPAU for scans and they prescribed me with progesterone pessaries which I’m due to come off at 16 weeks (as standard in the UK). I am now 13 weeks and I am absolutely petrified that I’ll come off the progesterone and my placenta won’t have been able to/continue to produce enough progesterone itself and I’ll go into preterm labour. I feel like this is irrational but my anxiety is through the roof. Has anyone had a similar experience and been ok coming off the pessaries? Thank you x

So sorry for your losses. It's so hard 😔

I had 3 losses last year and then fell pregnant again unexpectedly towards the end of the year. I had some spotting at 8 weeks and they put me on progesterone pessaries straight away. Saw my consultant at 12wks who talked about the plan going forwards and really reassured me as, like you, they had become a bit of a crutch and I felt a bit anxious about coming off. He said, I could go off straight away but he would rather keep going until 16wks as a precaution to ensure placenta had fully taken over. We did halve my dose (I'd been on one morning and night so from 13wks I just did one at night) and I think tapering down helped me mentally.

Basically up until 10-12ish weeks, the progesterone is coming from the remains of the egg follicle (can't remember proper term), but once your placenta grows, it takes over this role. It should be fully functional by about 14wks so taking up to 16 just ensures it is well and truly established. That is my very lay understanding of it all anyway!

I'm currently 23+3 and haven't had any issues since coming off the pessaries. Baby has had a good strong heartbeat at two listen-ins post 16wks and was healthy at 20wk scan. Hope this reassures you a bit. X

Hello, sorry for your loss.
I had a MMC in September last year and fell pregnant in November. I had spotting and then heavy bleeding due to a SCH so was put on progesterone. I was also worried about stopping it suddenly so I tapered from 2 tablets to 1 tablet for a week and then stopped. I was worried and spoke to EPU who basically told me there’s no point taking it after 16 weeks due to placenta taking over. I totally understand not wanting to stop, it felt like a safety blanket almost.
Anyway I did stop and I’m currently 24+1, had a healthy 20 week scan and baby is currently kicking away happily ☺️.
Hope this reassures you a little bit too x

Thank you both so much. Honestly it reassures me so much I really appreciate you responding xx

I’ve been on them with my IVF o pregnancy. Think the first time I came off between ten and twelve weeks and all was fine.
I think your body should be making enough round that point so with an extra six weeks you should be more than clear. I don’t think there’s any evidence of progesterone having any effect after 16 weeks. With my current pregnancy I’ll be coming off when I run out of meds which will be just after 16 weeks :)

I had 2 miscarriages last year and came off progesterone last Friday at exactly 16 weeks. I was really nervous too but haven't had any bleeding or side effects. Had a midwife apt today and baby's heart is beating nicely :)

Id had 2 MCs. In the 3rd i was on progesterone as soon as i had a positive test. I came off them at 14 weeks - the obstetrician told me I could.

The rest of that pregnancy was uneventful and my baby is currently feeding noisily on my lap.

Hi @Am34
i got pregnant and was on progesterone pessaries following miscarriages.
im preg again and on progesterone again!

the nerves and fear of coming off progesterone is so understandable- but you will be fine! Any issues, go see a medical professional. Easier said than done, I’ve been there. But it worked for me and my little one was doing great and still is. X

Did someone seen blood at 11weeks 6 days and doctors put them on pregostone and told them to stop at 16weeks? I'm very worried and afraid they also saw a blood clot far away from the baby sac but still worried and the fact I saw blood and I have to stop pregostone next week

@GoldBird25 Have you had more bleeding since 11 weeks? I bled at 5 weeks so I was put on progesterone until 16 weeks due to a previous loss. While on progesterone I bled again at 7 weeks and 9 weeks, each time we got scanned and baby was fine. I stopped progesterone at 17 weeks (I had enough to last me the extra week) and everything has been fine. I’m now 21 weeks and had a great 20 week scan where baby was doing really well. I was so scared to stop progesterone, however reading other people’s stories on mumsnet of stopping and having no issues helped give me the confidence to stop.

No I haven't seen only for couple of hours then 4 days on tissue paper only not in pad everytime we do a scan doctors say baby is fine but I think I still fear and overthinking thank you for sharing your story with me and I pray you will be fine and healthy baby ❤️

Thought I would update on my previous comment as I remember trawling through posts and wishing there was updates. After stopping progesterone at 16 weeks I delivered a baby boy in August who is currently sound asleep and healthy 🙏

As the original poster I agree with updating this post with my outcome.

After I came off progesterone at 16 weeks I continued to have a healthy pregnancy throughout and gave birth to a healthy baby girl in October 24. She is still healthy and currently sleeping :)

It’s very scary bleeding when you’re pregnant and I sympathise with anyone going through it because it can really ruin a magical experience. Please always seek medical advice for any bleeding but I hope this thread can show you that it doesn’t always mean the worst and that you can have a successful pregnancy. It may have already been mentioned before but medically they say that between 12-16 weeks your body is doing the work before the placenta takes over so for us women who have low progesterone we really need the extra help but as soon as your placenta takes over it knows what it’s doing (and it’s what it was made for!) so it no longer needs to rely on us or our progesterone.

Thank you for all your advices at the time. It really helped me through the anxiety and I’m so pleased we all had positive outcomes. ❤️❤️❤️

Hi op. Sorry editing as I didn’t realise you had updated!
huge congrats. I am so happy it worked out for you x

Did anybody else have raw red soreness from the pessaries?

I know this is an old thread but I've just read it. I'm on progesterone due to a previous loss and I'm 16 weeks tomorrow so due to stop progesterone today. I've been so worried about it but this thread with it's good news stories has been helpful! I'm really hoping there are no side effects from coming off, as I don't need anything else to trigger my anxiety at this point.

Just read these updates and brought back a lot of emotions. After 2 miscarriages and coming off the pessaries at 16 weeks, the pregnancy was largely uneventful and my 17 month old little girl is sleeping upstairs :) so lovely to read the positive updates and wishing the best for you too
RivieraLido

@Chanadala thank you so much for replying. I've been off the pessaries for 2 days now and feeling better in myself for it, saw the midwife today and heartbeat was there and normal :) I'm so glad it all worked out for you and you have your little girl :)