https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:59:45 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482859 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 14:01:09 +0000 shopaholic 482859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a similar situation as @MaisyMay:<br /> I had a m/c at 6 weeks. 2nd pregnancy they saw my HcG levels drop right at the same time. The progesterone supplements can't hurt so I wanted to start using them right away. They wanted me to wait a few more days to re-test, but since I was going OOT, I insisted to get a test the next morning and by then I had dropped 0.2 below my Dr.'s comfort zone. I think the "timing" of what could have been another loss was crucial b/c the Dr. didn't think it would drop so fast. I would do whatever it took to keep my baby so I have no qualms about using the progesterone. I was even so scared to stop when the Dr. said I could stop! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482754 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 12:17:05 +0000 mrskc 482754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would take it this week just to be on the safe side. I took progesterone during the first tri. I had previous miscarriages and just wanted to do whatever it took to make sure the baby would make it. I took it orally and never noticed any side effects. I now have my 12 week old son who is perfectly healthy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482700 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 11:29:35 +0000 wheres_c 482700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ditto everything everyone says. My doctor said the baseline was 20.<br /> My progesterone was also a 9. I am so so thankful that I found out early and started supplementing. With such low levels I was expecting it to end badly. I don't know what would have happened if I hadnt taken the progesterone but I certainly am glad I didnt find out... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482579 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 09:58:33 +0000 Running Elley 482579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would definitely take it. The "healthy" ranges are extremely broad and all doctors I've spoken to have mentioned 20 as a marker for good progesterone in the first tri. With my first pregnancy my progesterone started at a 9. I didn't start supplementing until a week later and I lost the pregnancy. With my second my progesterone was a 12. I started spotting before I could start supplementation with prometrium suppositories and within a few days I lost that pregnancy as well. My last pregnancy my progesterone started at 19, I was supplementing right away and my levels still dropped and I came close to losing the baby. I was put on progesterone in oil injections and my levels steadied out finally. I now have a healthy 12 week old son! </p> <p>My morning sickness was enhanced because of the supplementation (which I took until 14 weeks) but it didn't affect my LO at all and it was 100% absolutely worth it! Your HCG levels are beautiful! Sky high :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482533 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 09:08:06 +0000 Pepper 482533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took endometrin until the end of week 12. I was on it before i got pregnant to help correct a luteal phase issue, but standard practice is to continue it through the first trimester. I don't think I had any increased symptoms because of the progesterone. My symptoms were just nausea (in the afternoon, usually), and feeling tired. Progesterone did cause a bit of spotting for me because I have a friable cervix. Nothing that affected the baby. </p> <p>Definitely something to discuss with your doctor, especially if you are worried/not comfortable with taking it.</p> <p>Forgot to add: Congrats on your Christmas miracle! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482532 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 09:07:50 +0000 MamaMoose 482532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My doc also gives progesterone if you are under 20. So if it were me I would absolutely take it. I would deal with any side effect in the world if it meant maintaining a healthy pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482527 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 09:01:01 +0000 missifu 482527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all input. I am six weeks, four days from the doctor's calculation. (I thought I was just six weeks). I took the first test on Wednesday afternoon and it was 12.54. The second test was Friday morning and it was 14.76. My next appointment is Friday. </p> <p>Thanks for the congratulations! We are really excited. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482522 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 08:51:58 +0000 Trailmix 482522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took progesterone supplements through week 7 and really did not have hardly any side effects. If it were me, I'd do whatever I thought was possible to help the pregnancy along. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482467 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 08:05:21 +0000 emg86 482467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@missifu: I'm planning on a natural birth at home and my midwife sent me to my RE for progesterone when it was around 14 when is was 5 or 6 weeks. She told me most of the time "healthy" levels are over 20. I took Endometrin 3x a day until I was about 14 weeks. My RE agreed with my midwife so at that point I didn't question it. I struggled with infertility for 3 years and this was our surprise baby, I'm 23 wks along now with a healthy baby girl on the way. If it were me I would probably take it until seeing another doctor, but that's just me! Congratulations by the way!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482458 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 07:56:50 +0000 MaisyMay 482458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@missifu: How far along are you? I started at 6 weeks. I didn't have any side effects, but I was taking prog. suppositories twice a day, so I would insert the capsules and go back to sleep for half an hour. Or insert just before bed. I'd probably take them for a week, just in case. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482450 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 07:49:50 +0000 swedishfish 482450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My doctor also told me he likes it to be at least 20 for a healthy pregnancy. Could you have your levels taken again to see what it is now?</p> <p>I took progesterone in oil injections and endometrin inserts until week 9. I am now 16 weeks. But that's typical protocol for IVF patients. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482432 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 07:23:44 +0000 missifu 482432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maisymay: did you feel any side effects from taking it? my plan is to talk to a second doctor. I have an appointment with the second doctor on Friday. So really I am just wondering, can I go a week without taking it until that second appointment and opinion? Or should I just take it and then get the second doctor's point of view? I guess I am just seeking some reassurance, one way or the other!</p> <p>The normal range spans from 9-47, which is a huge spread! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482404 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 06:33:32 +0000 MaisyMay 482404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would discuss this more with your doctor. I took progesterone during weeks 6-12 of my pregnancy, but I had a previous miscarriage and my levels were on the low end of normal. That being said, LO is perfect and I didn't have any side effects. I did have another doc tell me that progesterone does not have any proven benefits, but it can't hurt anything either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-progesterone-supplements-in-first-trimester#post-482403 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 06:20:37 +0000 missifu 482403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello All,</p> <p>I am so excited to tell you all about my little Christmas miracle. I found out I was pregnant on Christmas Eve. When I went to my acupuncture appointment in the middle of week 5, my doctor sent me to check my hcg levels and porgesterone. I took the test in the evening and the hcg was 6224 and progesterone was 12.54. When I told her the results, she said the hcg was great but my progesterone would probably need supplementation and to see my Gyno.</p> <p>I then did some research and found out my progesterone levels were in the normal range and that I had Mu blood drawn in the evening, when levels tend to go down. I asked to take the tests again and two days later my hcg was 9496 and progesterone was 14.76.</p> <p>When I saw my Gyno the same day, he said that he prefers levels at 20 and wants me to take crinone vaginal gel. Where I live, doctors are notorious for interventions and the c-section rate is at 50%. I didn't think too much about it at the appointment, but after coming home I started to wonder whether this is really necessary. So far, I have has a relatively easy pregnancy (knock on wood), and the side effects are supposed to increase nausea, dizziness, tiredness, etc. The insert says use can cause birth defects like a cleft lip. I am really torn.</p> <p>I've only been to this Gyno a total of three times (only once since pregnant) and actually have an appointment with another doctor recommended by doulas as a more pro-natural doctor. My appointment is next week. I am inclined to skip the supplements until getting the second opinion. The way I see it, many people don't see go to doctors until week 8, will one extra week not taking it really hurt?</p> <p>This is my first pregnancy so I don't have a history of miscarriage, which is one reason doctors give progesterone. Aside from breast pain, my only symptoms have been mild cramping an a light brown mucousy discharge maybe once a day, but very little. My dr said not to worry , that this is normal.</p> <p>Ok, given this background information, what would you do??? </p>