Asking GP for progesterone

[Peonyyyy]

ive just found out I’m pregnant (only 4weeks ish) which will be my second baby. I’ve had brown spotting all week which I thought was my period.

I have pcos and had 2 previous losses before my first child and I got progesterone privately for that pregnancy. I called the maternity assessment unit yesterday to ask a few questions (I was a bit worried cos I’ve been drinking because I thought I was on my period). She said to contact the GP about progesterone.

I have read that the criteria for progesterone is previous losses, bleeding and a scan to confirm the pregnancy is in the right place. Is the GP likely to refuse as it’s too early for a scan?

has anyone here been able to get it without a scan? And from a GP? Thanks

@Peonyyyy is the maternity assessment unit the same as an early pregnancy unit? I got progesterone prescribed from first positive pregnancy test from the epu. That was after three losses. They told me that GPs don't prescribe it, I don't know if that's the case everywhere though. I hope you manage to get through to the right person, and get access to it as soon as you can.

My gp prescribed it straightaway when I called as I had it for a previous pregnancy!

I would further investigate the spotting regardless-the progesterone apparently can mask it. Get yourself a scan asap xx

@Blownaway23456 ok thank you! I don’t know if it’s because I’d literally just found out and so wasn’t on their register yet? As I hadn’t self referred as I’d literally just POAS. If GP doesn’t do it I will call them back x

@Twinkletwinklelil thank you - that sounds promising, they’ll be able to see it on my notes from last time I guess. Can’t get through atm typical for a Monday morning…

yeah I’m not sure if the bleeding is just implantation bleeding, trying to stay hopeful that it’s nothing bad 🤞❤️

I’m caller number 25 in the queue for the GP right now 🙄

I expect they’ll refer you to early pregnancy unit for a scan first and they can prescribe progesterone

@Twinkletwinklelil @Peonies12 do you think they’ll do a scan at 4 weeks, I thought 6 weeks was the minimum to see anything but could be wrong?

worried that in 2 weeks time it might be too late?

Call EPU too

I was prescribed progesterone in 2nd pregnancy by EPU after a bleed at 6.5 weeks and a scan showing cardiac activity. That pregnancy ended in MC a couple of weeks later, but I spoke to my GP after that and pointed her to the NICE guidelines - she said she'd prescribed me progesterone as soon as I had my next positive test, so I tested a few days before my period was due and started taking progesterone from my previous prescription straight away until the new prescription arrived from the GP.

So yes contact your GP but I would also contact EPU.

@PoppingTomorrow so sorry for your loss ❤️ are you pregnant now?

whats the earliest I can be scanned by EPU?

I just got through to the GP, waiting for the GP to call me back now and hopefully prescribe 🤞 I said I had it in my previous pregnancy so hopefully it’ll work out.

@Peonyyyy thank you. My 3rd pregnancy (progesterone from +ve test) stuck and I now have a 3 month old baby.

Each EPU is a bit different, it's worth a call, do explain your history not just what's happened now.

@PoppingTomorrow congratulations ❤️ how are you getting on?

Just spoken to the GP, I had to tell her about the PRISM trial and NICE guidelines as she was originally saying to me that progesterone is not for early pregnancy, so she called the gynaecologist on duty who told her that they only prescribe it after a scan at 6 weeks. They said they need to check it’s a viable pregnancy and in the right place before they will prescribe.

I did only get progesterone at 7 weeks last time, so I do feel ok to accept that, I haven’t had any more brown discharge today so hoping that was it and it was just implantation bleeding 🤞

That sounds fair enough. Fingers crossed for you @Peonyyyy

Fingers crossed for you. Sounds positive!

I find it so bizarre how different it is across the country!
luckily I went through Tommys, the miscarriage charity and they and my GP managed to prescribe it for me before a scan @ 5-6 weeks from a positive test.

wishing you all the best x

A little light pink discharge this morning, hope it’s not a bad sign ❤️

Nothing since the little bit of pink this morning, but I’m panicking now so really trying to get progesterone.

I’ve contacted the maternity unit and they won’t give it to me without a consultant letter, so I’ve now called the office of the consultant I spoke to after my losses before my son was born (waiting for a response) and also have emailed the private place I got progesterone from last time.

Oh I’m so sorry this is being made to be so difficult for you @Peonyyyy
honestly hope you get it asap!

hopefully the pink is irritation, and nothing more.

@Twinkletwinklelil thank you ❤️ so terrified of having another mc. I was in the office at work today and I managed to find an empty meeting room to make calls, so hard to find somewhere private and got upset because i just feel like no one is going to give me the progesterone. I have several friends that just try for a few months, get pregnant and have a baby no problem. Wish I could just have that!

I hate just waiting to find out what’s going to happen, it consumes everything, I’ve found it so hard to concentrate all day but I just keep telling myself as long as It’s not lots of fresh red blood and pain it’s probably all still ok in there.

Oh @Peonyyyy 😞
I feel your pain. The scary thing about loss is that it never leaves you.
im currently 8-9wks on progesterone and so scared of losing this baby because of my history!

I think you have to try and be positive but cautious, it is the only way to get through it

I would honestly give you some of my progesterone if I could!!

@Twinkletwinklelil good luck to you! Not long until 12 weeks for you now. Have you just had the one scan?

finally managed to get progesterone today 🤌✌️ had a zoom with the same private consultant who prescribed it to me last time, and then managed to beg the gynaecology day unit at the hospital to do the prescription on the nhs from her letter. Took a few discussions with doctors but they agreed. I went and collected it from the hospital then got the progesterone from big Tesco pharmacy this evening! Hoping this helps 🤞 feeling much more hopeful now I know I’ve done everything I can.

@Peonyyyy well done for getting that all sorted so quickly! I'm really pleased you have managed to get the progesterone, it's so important to feel like you're doing what you can to give the pregnancy the best chance.

@Peonyyyy amazing well done!!
so glad you’ve got that sorted!

yes 1 scan so far, another Tuesday and then 12 week scan 2 weeks later!

are you getting scans regularly now you’re on the progesterone? Honestly so happy for you - well done for not sitting on it!

@Blownaway23456 thank you ❤️

@Twinkletwinklelil thank you! Also had a really lovely nurse from the unit call me this morning saying she’d seen my emails, she didn’t know if it was sorted or not. I told her that it was, and she booked me in for a scan for when I’m 6 weeks even though a previous person I spoke to said I couldn’t book it in advance 🥰 some people are just so kind. So I’m booked for a scan Tuesday 7th.

good luck for your scan on Tuesday!