Early pregnancy. Aspirin/ progesterone

[Belladonna432]

I have just by some miracle found out I’m pregnant, I have had a round of IVF which resulted in ectopic and was just booking my next round and found out it happened naturally.

I still have the progesterone suppositories from IVF and was wondering if I should use them to help prevent a miscarriage. Also really nervous about ectopic again I’ve got a pinpoint pain in left side of lower back and most of my cramps seem to be slightly to the left, no massively just slightly. I am 5 weeks today. When can I get a scan to confirm placement?

also should I start taking baby aspirin as I hear that can prevent miscarriages?

Thankyou for any help. Nervous wreck over here!

While it’s understandable that you are nervous, maybe get some medical advice about medication to take.

it was a few years ago but I was told that there is no credible evidence to support the use of asprin or progesterone if there is no clotting issue or hormonal deficit.
That was proven personally when I still miscarried while on both. It just took longer and I bled profusely.
If miscarriage takes place due to chromosomal causes then there’s no preventative measures to save it. That’s the reality.

This pregnancy is so very precious, please seek medical advice not the advice of strangers on the internet.

I would get a doctors advice before taking anything at all.
I am on aspirin but it is to do with pre-eclampsia rather than MC.

For the scan, you can go anytime to rule out ectopic but you won't be able to see much at all in a normal pregnancy until over 6 weeks, maybe even closer to 7.

I was on progesterone and aspirin from the moment I found out but I double checked with the doctor to make sure. Unfortunately, it'll only prevent a spontaneous miscarriage caused by your body rejecting the pregnancy rather than because there's an issue with the pregnancy itself so miscarriage could still happen and could actually hold on to a pregnancy that won't progress as it stops your body expelling it as it should.

If you have no history of multiple miscarriages without a cause, I don't think they'd consider this the correct pathway for you.

I also had progesterone at home after a failed IVF and I took it after getting a positive test. I am over 45 though and was advised to supplement progesterone even after a non-medicated transfer as my veteran ovaries could do with a bit of support.

Progesterone didn’t prevent my previous miscarriages but I still took it also this time - it doesn’t do any harm. This time I made it past the first trimester and the baby is doing fine. I stopped taking progesterone at 13 weeks.

As per others, speak with a doctor before taking anything. Aspirin would usually only be used in the event of repeat miscarriages and progesterone in the event of previous early miscarriages and bleeding in a new pregnancy. Neither really indicated for you.

Totally understand the anxiety. I'd keep an eye on the pain, if it is persistent and worsens I'd speak with your gp, but cramping in early pregnancy is normal. If no concerns try to hold out to 8 weeks for a scan. You can get a lot of false reassurance before then.

Just echoing what others have said to seek medical advice before commencing anything. My EPU told me that they always want to confirm pregnancy is in the right place before prescribing progesterone, as otherwise they are feeding a pregnancy that could potentially be ectopic. I realise some women are on it from the start so it may vary depending on NHS trust but I would think this would be even more important if you have a history of ectopic.
My understanding of aspirin is that it supports when the placenta is developing and helps the micro villi knit well into the uterine wall. Assuming that's correct (there may be other benefits that I'm not aware of), there wouldn't be any merit at 5 weeks when there is no placental involvement yet. If I were you, I'd call my EPU or doctor tomorrow morning for a chat and to figure out the best treatment plan for you based on your history.

Good luck and huge congratulations on your positive test 🌈 xx

Thankyou everyone, yes I agree I’m going to ask GP for referral to EPU tomorrow and then I can ask the specialists all about it and will follow their advice. It still feels like a dream being pregnant and I guess I just desperately want to hold onto this baby so it’s making me crazy!!

Thankyou for your sane advice and help!!

I wouldn't start aspirin but I did take before pregnancy and until 7 weeks (as I had a bleed so aspirin needed to stop). I would however use the pessaries. I was ivf and was meant to stop at 10 weeks and I told the midwife that I wanted to use more and she said absolutely fine and that most people take them if they have and it shouldn't really make much of a difference after 10 weeks. I took the 2 a day until 10 weeks and then weaned to 1 and stopped completely at 14 weeks. Many women that aren't ivf get the pessaries if they have a bleed too, research is mixed but I think no real harm. I also did them rectally to stop it coming out or irration - game changer!! Good luck!

@Reddy01 i also used the progesterone racially when I did IVF it was sooo much cleaner and felt more actually absorbed.

Update I went to EPU yesterday, they can see the gestational Sac but nothing in it yet, however I’m only 5w1d so I’m hoping it’s just too early but it’s in the right place. They did HCG and progesterone test and all my numbers were great so no need for progesterone suppository at the moment.

still nervous because of the empty sac however everything I have read seems positive that it’s normal not to see much.
Also my left hand side niggles were due to the left ovary being the one that I ovulated from and it was slightly swollen.
I have been booked in for 6 weeks for another scan, so now it’s just a waiting game unfortunately!!

It won’t let me edit but that was meant to be rectally, autocorrect 😂

@Belladonna432 yes 5 weeks will still be early but it is a good start anyway. I was 6+3 when I had a 0.3mm fetal pole with heartbeat detected but that was private scan and on the belly! Sac is always a good start so I hope things continue well for you!

So update, everything is as it should be. Baby is in correct place and heartbeat visible so pleased.

Wonderful news! So happy for you ♥️