Hi, I got told by my doctor last night that my progesterone level went from 16 last Wednesday to 10 on Monday and I am a little over 5 weeks pregnant. He put me on Prometrium 3 times a day. I read up on this stuff and some things indicate it can cause birth defects. I also know at about 5 weeks along a sonogram won't detect much, so he won't do one yet. I am kind of frustrated because I had a previous doctor who did one this early and did see something. I am just worried because stuff I am reading doesn't sound too good on these pills. Has anyone ever taken them and how has it worked out? Or is there a better supplement out there I should talk to my doctor about. Part of me wants to call another doctor to get a second opinion, but not sure if I am overreacting. The nurse told me I am basically sitting on a fence right now and could fall in the direction of miscarriage or everything working out. It's a scary place to be. I just wish I had more answers. I have also had some minimal light brown spotting since I found out I was pregnant, which I did have with my previous pregnancy and everything turned out okay.
I took Prometrium twice a day for the first trimester due to low progesterone levels. (I lost my first two) Everything is fine. She's a happy, healthy, and active 22 month old.
G.,
There is no easy way to talk about this stuff, so I'll just be direct like your doc and nurses are being. It is completely true that a decrease of that amount of progesterone that early can be a signal of issues that could lead to miscarriage. During the 4-8 week mark your progesterone levels should be increasing a little each week or stay level at least. I would take the medication and hope for the best. It sounds like if you don't take the meds it will not end up being a good outcome. So you only have something to gain by trying the meds. I really hope this works out for you. Good luck, you'll be in my thoughts!
I kept miscarrying because my progesterone levels would drop too. I took progesterone shots every night for 12 weeks to retain the baby I did carry to full term. She is now 10 months old and is hitting her milestones earlier than most. I think you have to look inside yourself, speak with your husband, and God and figure out what is best for you. Good luck.
I was in your exact situation at 5 weeks. My levels had went from 17 to 10. They told me it was likely that I might miscarry, however they also told me that since I had a perfect pregnancy the first time around that something could be wrong with this baby therefore my body is trying to miscarry. I decided to let nature take it's course. The only thing I used was the Progesterone cream from Arbonne. I have no idea if it did anything because they never rechecked my levels after I started using it. Anyways, I did not miscarry and I gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl in July. You just never know about this stuff. I remember being in that "gray area" for those two months, just hoping I made it 13 weeks. I took it day by day and prayed that if I was supposed to miscarry this baby that He at least give me the strength to deal with. Just do your research and do whatever makes you comfortable. I decided to let nature take its course since I had already had a perfect pregnancy. If I had previous miscarriages or other issues, I probably would have taken the medicine. Every situation and every person is different.
I miscarried my first most likely due to low progesterone levels. With my son, I did the suppository thing, which definitely was no fun, but he's a healthy, thriving, active 3 y.o. now! I took prometrium w/ my daughter and she is 5 mos now and is perfectly healthy! Sometimes our bodies just don't produce enough progesterone and we just need a little help. I never read or heard anything about it causing birth defects either. If I were you I'd start taking it right away and see how your levels are when you have your next blood test. I wish you the best of luck for a healthy pregnancy and will be praying for blessings over you!!
I took prometrium during one of my pregnancies. Unfortunately, I ended up losing that baby at 16 weeks for reasons (I believe) unrelated to the medication I took during my first trimester. It is my understanding that progesterone is important for the development of the lining of your uterus. If the lining is not thick enough, you will likely lose the pregnancy. Be informed about the potential risks and benefits and if you do not feel comfortable with the information your doctor is giving you, get a second opinion!
G.-
I used Prometreum with all of my pregnancies and I have never heard it causes birth defects. I gave birth to a healthy son in 2002 and because my progesterone was low I felt it saved the pregnancy. Good luck!
I lost my first pregnancy due to low progestrone. First round of blood test I was at a 6 then within a week I was at .86. My next pregancy I took progestrone vag. suppositories for 14 weeks of the pregancy. I was taking blood test every couple of days to make sure my progestrone was staying in range when it dropped to under 10 around 5 weeks they started me on them. We did sonogram at that time just saw a yoke sac. Then we did another one each week for the first 12 weeks. I did have bleeding accure a lot with this pregancy. The doctor seemed to think it might have been because of the suppositories. It worked great kept my levels high enough and we had our daughter who now is 3. Then with next pregancy my levels were not high enough so I started the pills (much better) three times a day. Still had complications with bleeding not sure why might be a side effect, but had a sonogram done at 5 weeks and again every week until I was 14 weeks pregnant. Worked great again and we had our sweet little boy who now is 19 months. I am so thankful they have this medication to help us. Both of my children are very healthy my doctor never told me about a risk of birth defects. If you are worried ask about the suppositories they might be safer. Congrats and I will be praying for you.
Hi G., I'm 8wks & 4days along and my OB has me on Prometrium twice a day for low Prog levels. When I had my first set of labs done at 5wks my level was 15.7 in a few days it jumped up to 31. I have to continue taking it until I am 13wks along. Right now, the hormone is being made from a reserve from the follicle in the ovary. Sometimes it doesn't produce enough and that can lead to a miscarriage. Around 13wks, the placenta will fully be in tack and you won't need it any longer. At least that is what I was told from my OB last week. I saw my bean at 6wks and we were able to see the heartbeat flicker. Anything earlier and you would see the yolk sac and that is about it.
Maybe calling your dr. and telling them about the spotting might prompt them to do a sono earlier. If not, waiting a week might not be a bad thing. Sorry to be blunt, but if you're having a miscarriage, there is nothing you can do to stop it and on the same note, nothing you did caused it either. Progesterone won't save a pregnancy either if there is a genetic abnormality.
As far as it causing birth defects, I've never heard about that, but I haven't researched it either. Since it's a hormone meant to replace a low level in your body, I wouldn't think it would be harmful to the baby. Maybe it's worth researching and/or calling your pharmacist. Best of luck to you. I hope everything works out for you & your little bean. :)
