Sensitive - advice about progesterone in pregnancy

[HollieW]

So, after drawing a line under having another child after using our last embryo last year, I have miraculously fallen pregnant naturally. It is still early days and I am still in shock! The main thing that worries me is my progesterone levels were low last time I was pregnant. I only knew this due to private tests done at the clinic. The NHS are refusing to test me so I have booked a private blood test next week. I have some pessaries left over from my FET last year (still in date) and was wondering is there any harm in using them? Does anyone have any experience of this?

[MissSaoPaulo]

When I fell pregnant naturally last year my Dr (also my IVF Dr) put me on progesterone automatically as my levels had been low during my IVF pregnancy. I took loads during the IVF pregnancy, but for the natural one he had me on 1x utrogestan morning and night.Hope things continue to go well, I know how nerve wracking this is xxx

[HollieW in reply to MissSaoPaulo]

Thank you. I think I will take the pessaries as seems to be no harm in taking them. It is so nerve wracking. Had my scan today which showed heartbeat but I know thar things can always change so taking it one step at a time ❤️ xx

[Jess1981 in reply to HollieW]

isn't it sad we are able be just happy when pregnant after losses 😥 wishing you the best with this pregnancy hope it goes smoothly. I hope you can find a supportive GP or couldn't your clinic write to them to advise them for you? Nhs can be very frustrating. I think ladies with miscarriages are now offered progesterone that's what the NICE guidelines suggest. . Xx

[HollieW in reply to Jess1981]

I don't think you can ever have an easy pregnancy after you have been through what we all have, it takes the joy away a bit. Me and my husband were over the moon at the scan but now back to worrying about the next thing! As I've not had a miscarriage they won't give me progesterone but I know my levels were low before so not sure why they just won't test me 🤷‍♀️ I have paid privately for one now as I need to know for piece of mind x

[Jess1981 in reply to HollieW]

I was the same with both Francesca and Eliza. It sucks. Been through such a difficult time to get there 🙄 I couldn't relax until my daughters arrived safely the other side. I am sorry the drs aren't being supportive with you after all you've been though. I hope the blood test can put you at ease Xx

[HollieW in reply to Jess1981]

Me too 🙏 xx

[JustJane1234]

Congratulations! So sorry the NHS are refusing to test you, despite this being a known issue from your previous pregnancy. If I were you, I'd also be very tempted to use those pessaries while waiting for your blood test. Wishing you lots of luck xx

[HollieW in reply to JustJane1234]

Thank you. They seem completely unaware of the issues low progesterone can cause! X

[JustJane1234 in reply to HollieW]

So frustrating! Hopefully all will go well for you xx

[Jess1981]

congratulations such beautiful news. If it was me I would use them it can't do any harm. I used pessaries in natural pregnancies. These days they issue them to ladies who've had miscarriages as a matter of course. I hope all goes smoothly Xx

[HollieW in reply to Jess1981]

Thank you. I have them so I may as well use them x

[CassieJ]

I know they can give pessaries just as a precaution during natural pregnancies and recommend with any history of recurrent miscarriage and spotting even without the progesterone test. I used them in a natural pregnancy until 20 weeks I think it was as my doctor was being ultra careful-I asked if they could cause any harm and was told they couldn’t.

The only thing I would watch is coming off them suddenly. Do you have a doctor or clinic privately who would carry on prescribing? Tons and tons of luck-it’s so brilliant when these lovely unexpected things happen after such a tough journeyxxx

[HollieW in reply to CassieJ]

Thank you. I have enough to get me to 12 weeks, just about. I'm paying privately for progesterone test so if it's low I will put pressure on my GP or failing that I will have to get a private prescription x

[Rol81]

So happy to hear this lovely news and wish you so much luck.

Im trying naturally until my next ivf cycle in a few months . Miscarriage clinic has advised I take 2 cyclogest nightly from ovulation date to test day . If miraculously I did get a positive test , I would continue taking it. So I can’t see any harm in you taking progesterone .

Best of luck xxx

[HollieW in reply to Rol81]

Thank you and good luck! X

[MrsOrangejuice]

On my IVF pregnancy I got breakthrough bleeding when I came off progesterone pessaries so my consultant put me back on them - he didn't think it was actually a risk to pregnancy (something to do with a growth on my cervix) but he said I could stay on them as long as I liked for peace of mind. When I then went the other way and started worrying if I could do any harm by being on extra progesterone if it wasn't absolutely needed, I asked him and he said you can't have too much. I had a fresh transfer a few weeks ago and even thought the clinic doesn't think it's needed after a fresh transfer, they've agreed to put me on pessaries and 2x lubion again and so far so good. If I was ever lucky enough to fall pregnant naturally I would be on the pessaries immediately (PS it's so lovely to hear of little miracles like yours).

[HollieW in reply to MrsOrangejuice]

Thank you. Just praying my little miracle sticks 🙏 xx

[Star241]

Congratulations and no harm using the pessaries, I asked my clinic after getting pregnant naturally and they said absolutely if you have them use them and they also prescribed for me until about 14 weeks, my GP was completely uninterested and even the midwife wouldn’t say anything about this, possibly they don’t want to interfere with clinic!!

[HollieW in reply to Star241]

There does seem to be a lack of knowledge and interest in anything beyond the 'norm' in the NHS. Im probably bring neurotic but I would rather be over cautious x

[Star241 in reply to HollieW]

Me also!!! Yes I agree it’s really odd that there is very little understanding.

[Redsequin]

omg this amazing! No advice just wanted to say congrats 🧡

[HollieW in reply to Redsequin]

Thank you 🥰 x

[butterfliez]

congratulations this is lovely news & a nice surprise after your failed fet last year

I can’t see any harm In taking cyclogest if you have them. They prescribe them in natural pregnancies for support if previous miscarriages or bleeding I’ve read X

[HollieW in reply to butterfliez]

Thank you xx

[PenguinBlue]

congratulations hollie. The same happened to me a few years ago (after a failed fresh round), had plenty of cyclogest and my clinic advised using 2x per day. It lasted me until 9-10 weeks

All the best lovely xxx

[HollieW in reply to PenguinBlue]

Thank you xx

[Natasha1999]

Awww, that’s amazing news…Congratulations 🥳🥳🥳 I think you have made the right decision, sometimes we just have to clutch to that hope and trust our own minds and bodies. Drs don’t always get it right. I know how nerve wracking it can be. My husband and I have tried for many many years, once successfully natural pregnancy which sadly resulted in a loss. I’ve just had treatment and am 3-4 weeks pregnant 🤗 but scared at every twinge I get xx it’s going to be a long 8 months to go. All the best for your pregnancy xxx 💙💞

[Positivechangeplease]

and… Congratulations 🥳 😁😁😁

So when I was on a successful ivf they told me I could continue taking pessaries even though they said I didn’t need them anymore so I can say with confidence that there’ll be no issue with you using the pessaries

[HollieW in reply to Positivechangeplease]

Thank you x

[Jokiekin11]

congratulations that’s amazing news! Was you low on progesterone on a fresh or frozen transfer?

It won’t do any harm to top up with the pessaries. X

[HollieW in reply to Jokiekin11]

Thank you. It was a FET when they tested my progesterone levels. I know this is different but you can't help but worry! I started taking the pessaries last night x

[Jokiekin11 in reply to HollieW]

On a FET you don’t ovulate, so your body doesn’t produce the hormones naturally. I’m sure you will be fine, especially if you are topping up with the pessaries x

[Madlex in reply to HollieW]

Ya it's no harm when I have been on them, the clinic always said come of them around 12 weeks but i phase them out until about 16 weeks. Congratulations that is the best surprise to get x

[HollieW in reply to Madlex]

Thank you. I have started taking the pessaries . I have a private blood test today to test my progesterone, just for peace of mind really x