LOW PROGESTERONE LEVELS=M/C

C

cookiemonster

New member
good afternoon.
i wonder if anyone has been through the same as me or can give me some advice

husband and i have been ttc for 22months now and we have had 3 miscarrages in the first 6 weeks due to low progesterone levels. we are being seena t a fertility clinic and have been sent a letter out stating that i am NOT eligble for IUI or CLOMID since in cystic fibrosis there is a hiher risk of multiple pregnancy.therfore,the dr has said that will be going straight for IVF.we are waiting on blood results for my husband to see if he is a CF carrier(in 9 wks we go back).
could someone please give me advice?i was wanting to try the clomid as the only problem i hav is low progesterone which can b made better with clomid so i could get pregnant with jst clomis and not need IVF. can anyone tell me what i can say to the dr wen i go see her in 9 weeks to persuade her that other CF patients have had clomid and IUI and have become pregnant and that IVF isnt the only anser for us.
im really desperate as i have a gut feeling once my levels are better i can have a successful pregnancy.should i just do what the dr wants or fight for a chance at clomid and IUI?
wourds of advice really appreciated!
thank you
cookie monster
 
C

cookiemonster

New member
good afternoon.
i wonder if anyone has been through the same as me or can give me some advice

husband and i have been ttc for 22months now and we have had 3 miscarrages in the first 6 weeks due to low progesterone levels. we are being seena t a fertility clinic and have been sent a letter out stating that i am NOT eligble for IUI or CLOMID since in cystic fibrosis there is a hiher risk of multiple pregnancy.therfore,the dr has said that will be going straight for IVF.we are waiting on blood results for my husband to see if he is a CF carrier(in 9 wks we go back).
could someone please give me advice?i was wanting to try the clomid as the only problem i hav is low progesterone which can b made better with clomid so i could get pregnant with jst clomis and not need IVF. can anyone tell me what i can say to the dr wen i go see her in 9 weeks to persuade her that other CF patients have had clomid and IUI and have become pregnant and that IVF isnt the only anser for us.
im really desperate as i have a gut feeling once my levels are better i can have a successful pregnancy.should i just do what the dr wants or fight for a chance at clomid and IUI?
wourds of advice really appreciated!
thank you
cookie monster
 
C

cookiemonster

New member
good afternoon.
<br />i wonder if anyone has been through the same as me or can give me some advice
<br />
<br />husband and i have been ttc for 22months now and we have had 3 miscarrages in the first 6 weeks due to low progesterone levels. we are being seena t a fertility clinic and have been sent a letter out stating that i am NOT eligble for IUI or CLOMID since in cystic fibrosis there is a hiher risk of multiple pregnancy.therfore,the dr has said that will be going straight for IVF.we are waiting on blood results for my husband to see if he is a CF carrier(in 9 wks we go back).
<br />could someone please give me advice?i was wanting to try the clomid as the only problem i hav is low progesterone which can b made better with clomid so i could get pregnant with jst clomis and not need IVF. can anyone tell me what i can say to the dr wen i go see her in 9 weeks to persuade her that other CF patients have had clomid and IUI and have become pregnant and that IVF isnt the only anser for us.
<br />im really desperate as i have a gut feeling once my levels are better i can have a successful pregnancy.should i just do what the dr wants or fight for a chance at clomid and IUI?
<br />wourds of advice really appreciated!
<br />thank you
<br />cookie monster
 
M

Melissa75

Administrator
I am so sorry you have had multiple miscarriages and that you are having trouble getting covered for Clomid.
My info is five years old now, but back when I had a miscarriage and then a problematic pregnancy that somehow, thank God, turned out well, I found that OBs had two schools of thought. There were the ones who gave patient progesterone supplements, and there were the ones who didn't because they felt it only prolonged a miscarriage that was going to happen anyway.
I had an OB in the latter camp, and when I was pregnant with low progesterone levels, a barely doubling HCG level, a subchorionic hematoma, and a low heartbeat on the fetus, he did not offer supplements. Eventually there was no hb, and I had a d&c at 9 weeks. The next pregnancy had low progesterone and a subchorionic hematoma, but the fetus had a good heartrate. I was really worried that I should have progesterone on this one since it looked more promising. In the end, I bled internally and/or eventually externally for most of the pregnancy, and I was on bedrest, but the baby did well and is now five.
I am not sure what the protocol is these days with OBs re: progesterone. I hope you can get some answers...maybe a pregnancy/miscarriage message board?
 
M

Melissa75

Administrator
I am so sorry you have had multiple miscarriages and that you are having trouble getting covered for Clomid.
My info is five years old now, but back when I had a miscarriage and then a problematic pregnancy that somehow, thank God, turned out well, I found that OBs had two schools of thought. There were the ones who gave patient progesterone supplements, and there were the ones who didn't because they felt it only prolonged a miscarriage that was going to happen anyway.
I had an OB in the latter camp, and when I was pregnant with low progesterone levels, a barely doubling HCG level, a subchorionic hematoma, and a low heartbeat on the fetus, he did not offer supplements. Eventually there was no hb, and I had a d&c at 9 weeks. The next pregnancy had low progesterone and a subchorionic hematoma, but the fetus had a good heartrate. I was really worried that I should have progesterone on this one since it looked more promising. In the end, I bled internally and/or eventually externally for most of the pregnancy, and I was on bedrest, but the baby did well and is now five.
I am not sure what the protocol is these days with OBs re: progesterone. I hope you can get some answers...maybe a pregnancy/miscarriage message board?
 
M

Melissa75

Administrator
I am so sorry you have had multiple miscarriages and that you are having trouble getting covered for Clomid.
<br />My info is five years old now, but back when I had a miscarriage and then a problematic pregnancy that somehow, thank God, turned out well, I found that OBs had two schools of thought. There were the ones who gave patient progesterone supplements, and there were the ones who didn't because they felt it only prolonged a miscarriage that was going to happen anyway.
<br />I had an OB in the latter camp, and when I was pregnant with low progesterone levels, a barely doubling HCG level, a subchorionic hematoma, and a low heartbeat on the fetus, he did not offer supplements. Eventually there was no hb, and I had a d&c at 9 weeks. The next pregnancy had low progesterone and a subchorionic hematoma, but the fetus had a good heartrate. I was really worried that I should have progesterone on this one since it looked more promising. In the end, I bled internally and/or eventually externally for most of the pregnancy, and I was on bedrest, but the baby did well and is now five.
<br />I am not sure what the protocol is these days with OBs re: progesterone. I hope you can get some answers...maybe a pregnancy/miscarriage message board?
 
E

edan

Guest
Some women do get progesterone supplements to support pregnancy. It is my understanding you would start as soon as you find out you are pregnant. If your dr. Is unwilling to go down that path, seek a second opinion.
 
E

edan

Guest
Some women do get progesterone supplements to support pregnancy. It is my understanding you would start as soon as you find out you are pregnant. If your dr. Is unwilling to go down that path, seek a second opinion.
 
E

edan

Guest
Some women do get progesterone supplements to support pregnancy. It is my understanding you would start as soon as you find out you are pregnant. If your dr. Is unwilling to go down that path, seek a second opinion.
 
D

DebbieS

Guest
Cookiemonster, we've been seeing an RE over a year now. We've been ttc'ing for almost 2 and 1/2 years. Discussed CF and becoming pregnant with my CF doc and this RE at length and no one mentioned anything about IUIs and Clomid being problematic. There were just certain stipulations put in place. My RE wanted to see 2 or 3 mature eggs with Clomid to up my chance of become pregnant via IUI because statistically, there is little chance that a cycle like that would result in a multiple pregnancy for me. In contrast, he was averse to me becoming pregnant when there was even a slight chance that there would be 4 or more eggs. That happened once and our cycle was completely stopped in its tracks because of that. I must admit it was very hard for us (never mind that the cycle was a bust and it had hardly begun, we weren't even allowed protected intercourse until it was confirmed that ovulation had been successfully canceled). Now I've been taking Clomid for several cycles already and we actually had our second IUI with Clomid just this morning.

About the progesterone. I'm sorry about the multiple miscarriages, that must have been awful. You should know that standard practice by REs in NY is to test for progesterone levels a week after ovulation to ensure sufficient level of progesterone. If the level is lower than what's desirable, you get put on progesterone supplements from day 8 after ovulation. If you have a history of low progesterone, then the RE puts you on it even sooner than that. You do NOT need to wait for confirmation of positive pregnancy test before receiving these supplements. If that's your history, you need to be working with someone who's cognizant of your particular needs and knows that your progesterone is low. You also need an RE to determine if that's the only cause behind your miscarriages.

Whatever the case, I'm not even sure why you would need Clomid if you're conceiving on your own, unless it's to make the dominant eggs stronger and more viable. It sounds like all you need is help maintaining the pregnancy. Based on what you wrote, I'm not sure that this RE team is right for you. Good luck.
 
D

DebbieS

Guest
Cookiemonster, we've been seeing an RE over a year now. We've been ttc'ing for almost 2 and 1/2 years. Discussed CF and becoming pregnant with my CF doc and this RE at length and no one mentioned anything about IUIs and Clomid being problematic. There were just certain stipulations put in place. My RE wanted to see 2 or 3 mature eggs with Clomid to up my chance of become pregnant via IUI because statistically, there is little chance that a cycle like that would result in a multiple pregnancy for me. In contrast, he was averse to me becoming pregnant when there was even a slight chance that there would be 4 or more eggs. That happened once and our cycle was completely stopped in its tracks because of that. I must admit it was very hard for us (never mind that the cycle was a bust and it had hardly begun, we weren't even allowed protected intercourse until it was confirmed that ovulation had been successfully canceled). Now I've been taking Clomid for several cycles already and we actually had our second IUI with Clomid just this morning.

About the progesterone. I'm sorry about the multiple miscarriages, that must have been awful. You should know that standard practice by REs in NY is to test for progesterone levels a week after ovulation to ensure sufficient level of progesterone. If the level is lower than what's desirable, you get put on progesterone supplements from day 8 after ovulation. If you have a history of low progesterone, then the RE puts you on it even sooner than that. You do NOT need to wait for confirmation of positive pregnancy test before receiving these supplements. If that's your history, you need to be working with someone who's cognizant of your particular needs and knows that your progesterone is low. You also need an RE to determine if that's the only cause behind your miscarriages.

Whatever the case, I'm not even sure why you would need Clomid if you're conceiving on your own, unless it's to make the dominant eggs stronger and more viable. It sounds like all you need is help maintaining the pregnancy. Based on what you wrote, I'm not sure that this RE team is right for you. Good luck.
 
D

DebbieS

Guest
Cookiemonster, we've been seeing an RE over a year now. We've been ttc'ing for almost 2 and 1/2 years. Discussed CF and becoming pregnant with my CF doc and this RE at length and no one mentioned anything about IUIs and Clomid being problematic. There were just certain stipulations put in place. My RE wanted to see 2 or 3 mature eggs with Clomid to up my chance of become pregnant via IUI because statistically, there is little chance that a cycle like that would result in a multiple pregnancy for me. In contrast, he was averse to me becoming pregnant when there was even a slight chance that there would be 4 or more eggs. That happened once and our cycle was completely stopped in its tracks because of that. I must admit it was very hard for us (never mind that the cycle was a bust and it had hardly begun, we weren't even allowed protected intercourse until it was confirmed that ovulation had been successfully canceled). Now I've been taking Clomid for several cycles already and we actually had our second IUI with Clomid just this morning.
<br />
<br />About the progesterone. I'm sorry about the multiple miscarriages, that must have been awful. You should know that standard practice by REs in NY is to test for progesterone levels a week after ovulation to ensure sufficient level of progesterone. If the level is lower than what's desirable, you get put on progesterone supplements from day 8 after ovulation. If you have a history of low progesterone, then the RE puts you on it even sooner than that. You do NOT need to wait for confirmation of positive pregnancy test before receiving these supplements. If that's your history, you need to be working with someone who's cognizant of your particular needs and knows that your progesterone is low. You also need an RE to determine if that's the only cause behind your miscarriages.
<br />
<br />Whatever the case, I'm not even sure why you would need Clomid if you're conceiving on your own, unless it's to make the dominant eggs stronger and more viable. It sounds like all you need is help maintaining the pregnancy. Based on what you wrote, I'm not sure that this RE team is right for you. Good luck.
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
Hi. I was able to get pregnant on my own so I didn't need an RE but when I wanted to conceive my 2nd child I was still nursing my son and my luteal phase was not long enough to allow a fertilzied egg to implant. I knew from my research that breastfeeding causes low progesterone so I persuaded my OB to give me progesterone supplements to start taking 3 days after I ovulated (I did all my own research and just presented him with all the info and he prescribe exactly what I asked for). I also started taking vitex at the same time (look it up it might help you!). I got pregnant right away but miscarried at 5 weeks (not due to low progesterone at least). I got pregnant again 2 cycles later and now have my daughter. I took progesterone as a suppository every night at bed time for 14 weeks I think.... can't remember now.

I think that you should see another RE if you aren't comfortable with what this one is suggesting. Doctors are only human..

Good luck with your TTC journey
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
Hi. I was able to get pregnant on my own so I didn't need an RE but when I wanted to conceive my 2nd child I was still nursing my son and my luteal phase was not long enough to allow a fertilzied egg to implant. I knew from my research that breastfeeding causes low progesterone so I persuaded my OB to give me progesterone supplements to start taking 3 days after I ovulated (I did all my own research and just presented him with all the info and he prescribe exactly what I asked for). I also started taking vitex at the same time (look it up it might help you!). I got pregnant right away but miscarried at 5 weeks (not due to low progesterone at least). I got pregnant again 2 cycles later and now have my daughter. I took progesterone as a suppository every night at bed time for 14 weeks I think.... can't remember now.

I think that you should see another RE if you aren't comfortable with what this one is suggesting. Doctors are only human..

Good luck with your TTC journey
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
Hi. I was able to get pregnant on my own so I didn't need an RE but when I wanted to conceive my 2nd child I was still nursing my son and my luteal phase was not long enough to allow a fertilzied egg to implant. I knew from my research that breastfeeding causes low progesterone so I persuaded my OB to give me progesterone supplements to start taking 3 days after I ovulated (I did all my own research and just presented him with all the info and he prescribe exactly what I asked for). I also started taking vitex at the same time (look it up it might help you!). I got pregnant right away but miscarried at 5 weeks (not due to low progesterone at least). I got pregnant again 2 cycles later and now have my daughter. I took progesterone as a suppository every night at bed time for 14 weeks I think.... can't remember now.
<br />
<br />I think that you should see another RE if you aren't comfortable with what this one is suggesting. Doctors are only human..
<br />
<br />Good luck with your TTC journey
 
A

AnD

New member
I am so, so sorry for your losses.

I think it may be time for another doctor. I had low progesterone. I was on the supplements (vaginally) until 12 weeks along. I believe I started (our daughter is 7 now, so I'm digging back in my memory a bit, sorry) not long after the IUI. 5 days maybe? My doctor, who is both an infertility specialist and sees many CF patients (he is also a pediatric gyn who gets a lot of referals from clinic at Children's), used clomid, IUI and fertility shots with us. For us too, the solution to not having a chance at multiples over 2 was to not pursue a cycle with a high amount of multiple mature eggs. If you are getting pregnant on your own, but have low progesterone levels that are causing/contributing to miscarrages, I would think that starting the progesterone supplements would be the most logical choice (??). What you have been told, and what your doctor is suggesting seems...odd to me. IMHO.
 
A

AnD

New member
I am so, so sorry for your losses.

I think it may be time for another doctor. I had low progesterone. I was on the supplements (vaginally) until 12 weeks along. I believe I started (our daughter is 7 now, so I'm digging back in my memory a bit, sorry) not long after the IUI. 5 days maybe? My doctor, who is both an infertility specialist and sees many CF patients (he is also a pediatric gyn who gets a lot of referals from clinic at Children's), used clomid, IUI and fertility shots with us. For us too, the solution to not having a chance at multiples over 2 was to not pursue a cycle with a high amount of multiple mature eggs. If you are getting pregnant on your own, but have low progesterone levels that are causing/contributing to miscarrages, I would think that starting the progesterone supplements would be the most logical choice (??). What you have been told, and what your doctor is suggesting seems...odd to me. IMHO.
 
A

AnD

New member
I am so, so sorry for your losses.
<br />
<br />I think it may be time for another doctor. I had low progesterone. I was on the supplements (vaginally) until 12 weeks along. I believe I started (our daughter is 7 now, so I'm digging back in my memory a bit, sorry) not long after the IUI. 5 days maybe? My doctor, who is both an infertility specialist and sees many CF patients (he is also a pediatric gyn who gets a lot of referals from clinic at Children's), used clomid, IUI and fertility shots with us. For us too, the solution to not having a chance at multiples over 2 was to not pursue a cycle with a high amount of multiple mature eggs. If you are getting pregnant on your own, but have low progesterone levels that are causing/contributing to miscarrages, I would think that starting the progesterone supplements would be the most logical choice (??). What you have been told, and what your doctor is suggesting seems...odd to me. IMHO.
 
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