Intro and a question

janey_2011 · #1 January 5th, 2011, 09:21 PM

Hi Ladies,

I haven't been on this board in a long time... DD was born in 2006 and I was a regular at that time. Flash forward several years and I'm back. I am now 5 weeks along with pregnancy number 6

I lost my first pregnancy really early at about 4.5 weeks and was thrilled to find out that I was pregnant the very next cycle. I carried my daughter to term. Since her birth, however, I have been through the process of pregnancy loss 3 more times. The first we lost at 9 weeks although development stopped at 5, the next we lost at 7 weeks (went in for a routine early US and there was no HB), the last one was this past April at 8 weeks (again however development stopped at 5 weeks). After lots and lots of deliberating I realized that I simply couldn't let go of the thought of welcoming another baby into our family and we decided to give it one last try. I turned 40 over Christmas so my spring chicken days are well behind me and this is our very last effort. In the meantime I have been taking a bazillion vitamins, seeing specialists, and doing acupuncture and counseling to get my body and mind ready to travel this road again. I have been reading some of your posts and I am thinking many of you probably know what I am talking about.

Anyways, if you have stayed with me so far thanks. Here comes the question. I successfully hounded my family doc to prescribe progesterone. My levels were on the low end of normal, but my luteal phase was def short. She prescribed 100mg of Prometrium once per day and told me to stop at 5 weeks. Everything I have read has implied that this is way too early to stop and my doc admitted that progesterone was a little out of her area of expertise. I am thinking I will keep going on the Prometrium until I see my midwife next week, but I am wondering if the dosage is too low.

Is anyone else taking progesterone supplements? How much and how often? I started taking them on cycle day 15.

I really need to make sure that I am doing everything in my power to ensure this pregnancy proceeds and and help or guidance would be helpful. I am thinking I will call my midwife tomorrow and harass her into checking my levels.

Thanks again for reading.
Janey

Jessica121706 · #2 January 5th, 2011, 09:30 PM

I don't know anything about the meds for now I have not been on them. There are alot of girls here that have though and I am sure they can help but I did want to welcome you to the board. I am new to the board also. I have had one loss

Servilia · #3 January 5th, 2011, 10:00 PM

I'm so sorry for your losses. This might be a stupid question but maybe I didn't understand what your doc told you - did she say stop at 5 weeks if you don't get pregnant or when you ARE pregnant? When you are pregnant, and you need progesterone, you need the supplements all the way up to 12 weeks because that's when the placenta takes over. So she was wrong if she said you only need it until 5 weeks when pregnant. I hope you get a sticky bean real soon!!

janey_2011 · #4 January 5th, 2011, 10:13 PM

My doc said that I should stop taking it either when my period started or one week after a BFP. EVERYTHING that I have read indicates that weaning off at the 12 week mark is recommended, but she also said that she wasn't sure about prescribing it because she's not very familiar with the indications. It was me that demanded it after an gyno said that she didn't think I needed it, but my acupuncturist recommended it. Don't you just love the medical profession??? I have been waiting for an appt with a fertility specialist for 9 months otherwise I would ask him!!!! Oh... and BTW I live in Canada, which probably explains the long wait for specialist referrals.

Janey

.:Shortcake:. · #5 January 6th, 2011, 05:31 AM

You might want to pop over to PAL and ask some of the ladies there. They might have more info for you. I am starting progesterone my next cycle. I was told to start it 3 days after I ovulate and if AF was due and I test and it's negative to stop and AF would arrive. If I get a BFP I'm supposed to continue on it until I see my doctor and go from there. Here is a link to PAL.

Pregnancy After Loss - JustMommies Message Boards

*SamF* · #6 January 6th, 2011, 07:00 AM

I took progesterone with DS. I was never tested for levels, but what the RE and my peri both said was that too much wasn't going to hurt anything but to little could. I also stayed on it till I was 12 weeks.

BTW- welcome back to the boards! I also turned the dreaded 40 over Christmas too. And feel free to join us over at TTC Older members.

janey_2011 · #7 January 6th, 2011, 09:31 PM

Thanks again, everyone for the replies. I had a great appt with my doc today and she mentioned that I need to continue taking it to 12 weeks and she upped the dosage so I feel so much more confident.

I have my fingers crossed so hard they are cramping. Thanks also for the info about PAL. Lots has changed since I was here last and I guess I didn't scroll all the way down.

Thanks again.

Janey