Beta results thus far:
Monday’s 1st beta at 15DPO 576
Progesterone 17.1
Today’s beta at 17DPO 1,038
Progesterone 15.1
From a general standpoint, that looks pretty good. But now, they want Nutella on Prometrium (Progesterone) 3 times a day “until we tell you to stop.” When Nutella asked why, the nurse said “to help the pregnancy along” and that “everything is fine.”
Bullshit I say. If everything were fine, why would Nutella have to be taking progesterone?
We did a ton of research just now. All the drug-oriented websites say “Don’t take prometrium if you are pregnant” and just about every person on every infertility forum has said “take it, it helps.” Do you know why they’re taking it? To keep up low levels of progesterone. To prevent miscarriage. Did our nurse mention this? Nope. “Everything is fine.”
I don’t know what else to write. This was not the news we were expecting and we are fraught with anxiety. However, Nutella will start taking prometrium tonight.
*Edit: I wrote that in the heat of the moment, and while we’re still going to be worried, we want to thank everyone for all of their sweet comments and congratulations, especially those who have de-lurked just to say so. You’re such an incredibly supportive community and we are glad to have you out there.
1 In Vermillion 
*HUGS*
I wish I had some advice for you but I don’t know much about it. The betas look really good though. I hope they keep going up!
xo
I am so thrilled for you both! My RE would have kept me on the prometrium if I had ever got a positive, even though I don’t have any problems with progesterone. For some docs, it’s just routine. Frustrating when they don’t explain everything though! I’m not worried at all and just full of happiness for you. All the love in the world. xo
I think this has been covered over at IVP, but I just wanted to say don’t worry about the progesterone. I’ve taken it 3 different types, orally, vaginally, whatever, b/c of my short luteal phase and I know if I got a BFP they would keep me on it. Tons and tons of people with very healthy pregnancies take it through the first trimester. Don’t stress. Enjoy!! Great numbers!!!
Great beta numbers! I know it’s hard but try not to worry. A lot of RE’s give it as routine. Think of it as a little extra protection for the cupcake. I am so very happy for you both!
I’m sure it is stressful, but FWIW, the wizard doesn’t even test progesterone levels b/c he feels the results are so varied they are practically meaningless. And this is a doc in the same practice. So, try not to freak too much about any one number. As others have said, staying on prom. is just routine in this case.
Hi guys. We can certainly empathize with having to deal with answers that don’t quite answer your questions. But please don’t stress about the meds. Your beta numbers look great and I think it’s a fairly common practice to supplement if the progesterone levels are below something like 21. So, don’t fret, or stress or anything. Just feel the peace and joy that this little miracle is happening exactly as it was meant to okay. Just give us a holler if you want okay?
-Monica, Susanne and psyched little Danny who can’t wait till you have a balloon to share with him in about 9 months!
I think it’s just a safety meausre rather than something to worry about. Those are great numbers! Progesterone = pro gestation – it can only help.
I’m still so psyched for you guys!
Unfortunately there are always things to worry about…and I don’t forsee that this stops when the baby is in our arms. Try to breathe and know that there are lots of other people who have had perfectly healthy babies while taking progesterone. Everytime I have a worry I remind myself that MOST pregnancies result in perfectly healthy babies.
My doc prescribed prometrium and I was pretty surprised because my progesterone is okay and I did read not to take it if pregnant.
I clarified with the pharmacist – it is also used to support early pregnancy. So, no worries.
Not sure how they have you taking the progesterone, but my partner (who is 13 weeks pregnant now) took it orally rather than vaginally. It works just the same, with less mess. The one complication is that they say that the hormonal/emotional response is higher. But that’s hard, because early pregnancy is so fraught with emotion and raging hormones anyway. Just a thought – it might make it easier.
Thanks Mikki. Numerous sources have said that progesterone taken orally does not absorb nearly as much as progesterone taken vaginally. When it’s oral, it is largely absorbed by the liver, whereas the other way, most of it goes right into the uterus.
This is only what I’ve read…I do not profess to be a doctor and know what is better to do, but I think we’re going to stick with what we’ve been told.
deep breaths. A doubling beta is good news.
I wish I’d read this before! Prometrium is the “thing” they do whenever you have an AI. I remember reading that I shouldn’t be on it, either, and I was like, WTF??? But Austin turned out fine. 😉
I’m so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1