IVF'ers: ? about stopping progesterone

2becomes3

I'm just over 7 weeks pregnant with my first child, after a successful second IVF.  I've been on and off progesterone so many time over the past year because I had LPD. 

I've always read that people were kept on progesterone suppositories throughout their first trimester.  At my u/s appt this morning my RE said I could stop the progesterone.  He said that he was at a major fertility conference earlier this year, and that one of the world leading researchers on IVF said that there's no medical reason or assistance of taking progesterone that long after an IVF BFP.  My RE says I could have stopped 2 weeks ago.

After everyhting we've been through, this makes me nervous.  He sensed that, and said I could stay on it for another week if that would make me feel better.  I asked if perhaps I could go down to 1/day instead of 2/day and wean myself off of it. 

What are your thoughts/experiences??

Mrs.Babbsy

I was on it until week 13 and put back on it at week 26.

JGirl2005

My thoughts are probably in the minority, but I think it may not be needed in most...if the baby is taking over - your body should be building the progesterone that it needs.  I know some people have progesterone issue, but I don't think that is the norm.

I stopped PIO at 4wks on my first IVF and switched over to suppositories for another two weeks I think. 

I know it is scary to stop sooner, but a lot of people do.

howleyshell

My RE told me to stop it at 8 weeks after he confirmed the placenta on u/s.

It made me nervous to stop.

Did your RE confirm a placenta?

If not I'd keep taking it until the placenta forms to take over the progesterone production from the corpus lutem(s).

He may be 100% right that there's no need to be on it but as an IF'er a lot of this boils down to keeping fears at bay.  Extra progesterone can't HURT you but it can in some cases help.

 

LCB34

I stopped at 6 weeks.  My progesterone levels have been sky high (above 80) and my RE said that there is no way for the supplements to generate that high of a number and that my body was producing it.

My progesterone levels are being monitored weekly and, if the level drops substantially, I will go back on. 

Have your levels been monitored at all?

 

t.bird

i was on P4 until 12 weeks i think...

JGirl2005

Yeah I would continue or get them t o monitor you with blood draws.  I know my RE is crazy about doing those...as long as it remains stable, then you can stop.  It won't hurt to keep doing them a little longer..(if they won't do progesterone monitoring).

BeccaLandes

I was on it til 11 weeks. I know other people stopped a little earlier than that, but my RE wanted me on that long.  When he did tell me to stop, I did stop gradually, by going down to 2 a day and then 1 a day for a couple of days.

2becomes3

LCB34:

I stopped at 6 weeks.  My progesterone levels have been sky high (above 80) and my RE said that there is no way for the supplements to generate that high of a number and that my body was producing it.

My progesterone levels are being monitored weekly and, if the level drops substantially, I will go back on. 

Have your levels been monitored at all?

 

Actually, no.  The last time they took my blood was at my 5th beta.  Since then I've gone in for a 6w u/s and a 7w u/s (this morning), but no b/w. 

They haven't confirmed a placenta on the u/s, but did see a strong heartbeat today of 146.

 

muppet.fan

My RE told me I could stop at 8 weeks when I graduated to my OB. But I had enough left (endometrin 3 times a day) that I weaned myself to two a day and then to one a day and then off. That took me to 11 weeks.

Quizzle

I was on until around 9 weeks, then went to every other day and stopped at 10 weeks. (I called and whined at the IVF coordinator....) By the end, I was driving DH crazy because I kept dodging the needle, my PIO lumps were so bad. He was threatening to tie me down.

 

My levels were always above 60, too, so I suspect I may have been making a bit of my own as well.

AlissaCell701

I am only 8 wks pg and on PIO shots just once in the evening. And have been told by my RE to stay on it until 12 wks so first tri is done.

I don't know if my tush can handle it any more..I am having a hard time finding places that don't hurt..ugh..

negrilbride07

I'm 7 weeks and my RE instructed me to take them through my 10th week of pregnancy. I go in next Wednesday, for what I hope is graduation, and I wonder if he will alter my plan.  I to am nervous to stop my PIO injection only because I figure it's only helping to maintain the pregnancy.

GL!

roaringrock

I started to wean off PIO injections at 12w. I was done at 13w.

BelleBaby

I think I stopped at 10w.

JillAly

The placenta takes over the progesterone production from the corpus lutem(s) at 10 weeks.  That's why many doctors have us stay on progesterone until then (or later just to be sure).  I don't know about any new study but things in medicine always change so it wouldn't surprise me.  I think most doctors would just to be more conservative since the progesterone supplements are harmless (except to our butts with those needles!).

ladychicago

my RE told me to stop at our 8 week appointment.    I continued for the next week on half a dose, just for peace of mind, but everything turned out just fine!    I was worried, as 8-9 weeks seemed awfully early, but my RE said the same thing as yours...   after about 6 weeks, the placenta starts to make the progesterone, and there's no real need for PIO.    at 8 weeks, they were already "playing it safe."

good luck!   i know its scary!