Prometrium

Hi M.,
I am 5 weeks now and am taking 600 mg -200-3x day as a vaginal insert I had 3 previous misses and am really hoping this one works out good luck- my midwife first suggested it to me-I have been having some spotting this week and am a bit concerned-we'll see-baby dust to all of us!

Prometrium is supplemental progesterone. Progesterone is an essential hormone during pregnancy and some women don't make enough, which results in a miscarriage. I miscarried my first pregnancy at 8 weeks after beginning spotting at 6 weeks. When the same spotting occurred with my second pregnancy, my doctor also checked my progesterone levels and found that they were low. She went ahead and prescribed me the progesterone, although she said the pregnancy may still miscarry. Low levels of progesterone are usually a sign that the pregnancy is not viable, but every once in a while, like with me, my body does not make enough and it is the low level of progesterone that causes the miscarriage. The bleeding stopped immediately after my first dose and I took it until 12 weeks when the placenta is fully formed and takes over the role of producing progesterone.

With my second baby (third pregnancy), my doctor monitored my progesterone levels twice per week once I was pregnant and sure enough, at about 6 weeks, I started spotting and my levels didn't rise as much as they should have. She immediately prescribed progesterone and the pregnancy was fine.

Now with my third, my doctor didn't bother checking the levels--just prescribed me progesterone the moment I found out I was pregnant. The likelihood is that I would have the same issues I had with my other pregnancies, but even if I did not, the doctor said there was no harm in taking the progesterone and your body does not use any excess. I am now 15 weeks and the pregnancy is going well.

Finally, as for bad side effects, I have not had any--your body should be making the hormone anyway so it is completely natural. On the good side, my nausea actually let up quite a bit once I started the progesterone. It seemed as though I felt even worse when my levels were lower than they should have been.

Good luck and be glad your doctor is trying other means to stop you from miscarrying. My first doctor with my first pregnancy was way too relaxed about the miscarriage and said one or two miscarriages during the first trimester are very common. She refused to do any additional tests. Needless to say, with my next pregnancy, I switched doctors and am so glad we were able to figure out the problem. We have two very healthy little girls and are on our way to the next!

Best of luck and hope this is your problem as well, because if it is, it is very easy to handle once it is diagnosed!

I take Prometrium, but it is for menopausal symptoms, but to answer your question I have had NO side affects or problems and it does help you sleep.

R.

prometrium is another name for progesterone. your uterus builds up your lining with progesterone. it's helping you to have a thicker lining, therefore a better cushioning for that egg to burrow into. it's a good thing! i did progesterone suppositories until i was 9 weeks pg with my in vitro cycle and my dd is 14 months now. good luck!

I don't know anything about the prescription, but I do know that Quantum Touch and Reconnective Healing will help you with your intentions for having a baby. None of these things will interfere with the effectiveness of your medication. It could even possibly enhance the effects.

I have a friend who the doctors said she was definitely going to have the baby too early and I did a 20 minute session for her while she was chatting with the rest of her family at the shower, she ended up having to be induced later and the baby was big and not premature at all (bigger than she'd have liked, haha). His name is Phoenix!

You can learn either Quantum Touch or Reconnective Healing technique by reading their corresponding books, or call me if you want a session. I need not be there in person. I know of a wonderful healer who lives in Oakland though if you want to have a session in person with someone.

Here is another technique that has a free manual, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
http://www.emofree.com

Love, L.
Teacher of New Consciousness

After my first miscarriage, I went to accupunture to get strong for my next pregancy, which came along 4 months later. She has been treating me for over a year and I am about to have my first baby (35 weeks along). If you live in the city or are willing to drive there, she is wonderful. Her name is Jennifer Ashby and her office is in the Mission District at the Lotus Center.

Pharmacists have a list of drugs ok for pregnancy and breastfeeding too. Call them or visit them. Really helpful. Doc wouldn't prescribe if it wasn't ok. Good for you doing research though. Congrats and good luck. Lots of rest. You gonna need it. :)

I just wanted to second what Kari said. I also had two miscarriages. In both cases my doctor actually tested my progesterone levels right before I miscarried and saw that they were low. When I was trying to get pregnant again she had me take extra progesterone during the week where I might have been pregnant. Happily, I have two boys to show for it.

I used to work for an OBGYN and using prometrium is standard protocol in this type of situation. It should work well. It can make your breasts VERY tender while you are on it. Congrats and good luck!

Hi there,
I've been where you are...it's awful to go through 2 miscarriages. I'm really sorry you have to go through this. I've taken prometrium during my pregnancies and I have 2 very healthy babies (3 year old and 8 month old). My doctor assured me there were no risks to the baby and that it also wouldn't hold a pregnancy that wasn't healthy. Goodluck and hang in there!!!!
~A.

Hi M.,
While I was experiencing infertility my OB/GYN prescribed Prometrium for me to take after ovulation through the end of each cycle and until the 12th week of pregnancy once achieved because of my low progesterone. The confusing part was that the drug information sheet from the pharmacy stated that progesterone wasn't to be used during pregnancy and hasn't been proven effective in reducing miscarriages. My OB's office explained that Prometrium is a natural progesterone not a synthetic form but that the FDA doesn't distinguish between the two and so requires the warning on all progesterone meds. I took it until 12 weeks of pregnancy when the placenta is large enough to take over the production of progesterone on it's own. After a couple years of infertility I had a smooth pregnancy and now have a healthy 8 month old baby girl. Congratulations, enjoy your pregnancy. - K.

Hi M.,

I was prescribed prometrium too after I miscarried my second pregnancy. I am extremely careful about what I eat, drink or ingest when I am pregnant (and not) so I totally looked into it before I started. Although there were plenty of cautions that it is unknown what effects hormones could actually have on a fetus, the only actual effect that I found documented that babies tended to be larger and more intelligent. Those were two things I could live with.

But I guess the bottom line is that I took it for the first trimester and I now have a two-year-old, healthy son. I have not seen any signs of possible effects on him, except he is very tall for his age and (as most parents will say about their kids) very intelligent.

Good luck with your pregnancy. The ultimate decision is yours, but I have had great success with it.

I had 2 boys so when trying for #3 I had 3 miscarriages. On my 4th time getting pregnant I was prescribed prometrium. It worked as I have a healthy 4 year old little girl now. It made me have very strong migranes and I felt nausea while I was taking it. It could have been regular 1st trimester side effects but it stopped right when I was done with my prescription which was when I started my second trimester. It also could have been a different pregnancy because I was carrying a girl this time. All I know is that it was worth everything I had through to have her here with us. Good luck!