Progesterone Levels

Ann Marie,

I went through fertility treatments for my two children and with each of them I had to take progeterone orally for the first trimester. There are some side effects which basically is just pregnancy symptoms but well worth it. I don't know what normal is but I do know the sooner you get on the drugs the better. I just found out that I am pregnant again at 40 with no fertility meds and I called at exactly four weeks demanded bloodwork immediately to check my levels and once again I am on Progesterone. If you are concerned take charge and call and ask the doctor to get back to you about taking meds. Remember they are working for you. Good luck and enjoy the pregnancy.

They are important. What I know about it I read in Taking Charge of Your Fertility, ovusoft.com. How do you even know what your levels are? Given that your appointment is this week, definately talk to your doctor about it. I do recommend that you do some research to understand the issue, so you can speak inteligently to your doctor about your concerns.

Just like the other women, I've been on Prometrium (oral progesterone) for my last pregnancy and this current one. I see an infertility specialist, so my bloodwork is checked weekly from around week 4-9. Both your doctor's practice and your actual level will determine how long you're actually on it during the first trimester. Esentially, you really only need to be on it until the placenta is formed and takes over. Good luck.

I had low progesterone levels when pregnant with my first two kids. In fact the only reason my ob gyn took it seriously was that I had had two miscarriages previously. My levels were somewhere around 13-15 and the doc prescribed a drug call Prometrium :) it is a synthetic form of natural progesterone and it keeps your levels higher to sustain a pregnancy. You have to take it from around 6 weeks till around 12 weeks gestation. If I were you I would demand an appointment sooner than you have and if that doc doesn't give you one keep looking till you find a doc that takes it seriously. Not to be scary or anything but low progesterone levels are a huge factor in miscarriage.

I hope all goes well for you...good luck!

speaking from experience, make sure you see a specialist, and have your progesterone and hcg levels monitored on a weekly basis. after suffering 3 miscarriages, i was put on progesterone suppository and delivered my son this february. my blood tests had revealed that my progesterone levels were dropping early in my pregnancy, instead of rising like they should have been. the suppository allowed them to rise and i was able to go off of them by 14 wks, when the baby takes over and produces its own progesterone. good luck!

Hi Ann Marie. Congratulations. I also had a low progesterone level in my last pregnancy. My Doctor said the range for progesterone levels is 10-50 with 10 being on the low end of things. My level was a 10, so, as precaution they put me on progesterone suppositories until the end of the first trimester. They were easy to use and it resulted in a healthy baby boy. Good luck.

ann marie,

progesterone is what keeps your uterus plump and able to support a growing embryo. it is supplied by the corpus luteum after ovulating, and hCG keeps the CL going - otherwise it would involute and you would begin menstruation ~14 days past.

progesterone levels are indeed supposed to increase throughout your pregnancy, and perhaps if yours are falling, you might need supplementation. if you are going through a fertility specialist, you should contact them for further instruction.

good luck
C.
pax

Hi Ann Marie,
You sent me for a walk down memory lane. I had forgotten that I had low progesterone with my first child. I don't remember levels but I do remember having to do progesterone suppositories twice a day. Sounds like a pain but it worked for me and I only used them for the first couple of months- if I remember correctly. My pregnancy went to 37 weeks and then I was induced due to low amniotic fluid levels. I now how a beautiful 6 year old girl and a 21 month old boy. I am sure you Dr will monitor levels carefully and give you what you need but it can never hurt to get ideas and info as you are doing. After all you are the only true advocate for you and your baby. Good luck!

Hi Ann Marie,
Congratulations to you!
I'm not sure what the "normal" level for progesterone is, but when I was pregnant I had to use progesterone vaginal suppositories for my first trimester to keep my levels up so that the embryo wuold implant into the uterine wall (or that's how it was explained to me). I'm sure your OB/GYN will know more about your levels and will be more informative than me! Remember--don't worry until you know if it's a problem or not. And if it is--I'm sure it can be addressed. You may still be within normal range.