Why does it seem like so many docs are against progesterone testing or supplementing in early pregnancy? Following two losses I really wanted to be tested when I became pg again but I was refused by more than one dr and I've read many similar stories on here and elsewhere.
Any insight?
pomelo / 5660 posts
@Autumnmama79: No idea. My OB actually prescribes progesterone but not for early pregnancy, after 15 weeks if you have a history of pre term delivery (prior to 37 weeks). I was on progesterone last pregnancy and this pregnancy. It worked for me because DS was born at 34 weeks and DD made it to 36 weeks and change.
grapefruit / 4321 posts
That's very surprising to me. I had a miscarriage and so for my two subsequent pregnancies my OB did betas and progesterone testing right off the bat, and would have supplemented without hesitation but my progesterone numbers were always great. I see you are in Canada, maybe it's something different between the two health care systems?
squash / 13764 posts
I have only had one m/c, but my progesterone was very low, even though my betas were at an appropriate level. When I miscarried, my OB told me that she believes that low progesterone is generally a symptom of a non viable pregnancy, rather than a cause for a miscarriage. I guess there are special circumstances where someone has generally low progesterone.
pear / 1703 posts
@Truth Bombs: I wonder that too. I was refused by both a regular OB and an RE at a fertility clinic. Something about the research not supporting its effectiveness. But my thought was, whats the harm?
pear / 1703 posts
@BandDmommy: Interesting. I'd only heard about it being used to support early pg, is it something your dr tests for thoughout pg?
pomelo / 5660 posts
@Autumnmama79: No, it's based on past history of pre term births. There was a study done showing that getting a progesterone shot once a week reduced pre term birth for women who had pre term birth in previous pregnancies. If you have not had a pre term birth, I don't believe OBs prescribe progesterone. It's not something they test for.
blogger / clementine / 985 posts
@Autumnmama79: I'm a week and a half out from my second early miscarriage in three months and the doctors here told me they won't consider it recurrent until I have three. To them, I just had bad luck twice. I am gonna be super, super upset if I have a third and find out it could have been easily prevented, but there's nothing I can do. 
grapefruit / 4321 posts
@MrsDragon: My SIL had two losses that turned out to be related to a genetic issue that was pretty easily addressed. Her first OB also did not do any testing until 3 losses, but she got a second opinion from another OB who discovered the issue right away without my SIL having to go through another loss. So I would definitely consider seeing a new doctor. My OB does testing after two in a row.
pear / 1703 posts
@MrsDragon: I'm sorry to hear that and I echo your feelings. Mine were considered recurrent after 2, and while lots of tests were done, progesterone was not one of them. I strongly felt that if there was something, anything preventative that could have been done, I wanted it!
grapefruit / 4085 posts
I'm so sorry to hear that. I was told my progesterone was low early with my first so I was put on Prometrium for the first twelve weeks. This time, I requested to come in for an early blood test at 5 weeks and sure enough it was low again. I'm 22 weeks now. I hope you find a doctor who will honor your requests.
blogger / clementine / 985 posts
@Truth Bombs: Unfortunately I'm in a tiny town with one clinic so I don't have many choices. I may book an appointment with our nurse practitioner just to ask, though.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
@Truth Bombs: Same here. After my 1st loss, once I became pregnant again, my OB did immediate progesterone and beta testing, which was repeated every 2 days for monitoring. When/if my progesterone started dipping drastically, she immediately put me on progesterone supplements. This occurred for my 2nd and 3rd pregnancy as well, although my 2nd pregnancy wasn't developing as it should, therefore she withheld prescribing progesterone for it.
blogger / clementine / 985 posts
@Truth Bombs: @Alivoo01: This was the push I needed -- I booked an appointment with the nurse practitioner for two weeks from now. She's the provider I usually see for healthcare and I am hoping to ask further about testing, and find out if/what can be done if I get pregnant again in terms of earlier testing and intervention if need be. I'm so scared of getting pregnant again, still, mostly because it feels like a giant freaky unknown because I don't know what's going on with me.
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 0 |
| Posts | 1 | 0 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
13 comments