Progesterone Level to Sustain Pregnancy (CP mentioned)

bai-by2019 · June 2016

What progesterone level per ng/mL is needed to sustain pregnancy? Mine was 9.3 at Week 5 and ended as a chemical pregnancy. The nurse said my progesterone was low but I read that 10 is enough to sustain and 6-10 was enough to sustain that at that point in a pregnancy. I can't seem to find anything definite online. I was on 200mg of progesterone (vaginally) at bedtime. Can I do something more to prevent a CP in the future? What level do I need? Please help. I'm so sad about this. I thought my infertility journey was over when I saw the positive test.

mskeenan · June 2016

**bfp mentioned **

Hi there . I am so sorry you are going through this . I experienced a CP myself back in September . Like you , I wanted answers and wanted to know what I could do to prevent another loss . Unfortunately , from what I've read and from talking to doctors I have learned that the most likely cause for early losses is chromosomal anomalies . I know that's not very comforting but it does tell you there is most likely nothing that could be done differently . I found the same data online about progesterone ranges . They could always in the future increase your dose because more progesterone doesn't do any harm (at least from what I understand ) . It is totally worth asking about if you are worried that you were on the lower range of normal . I've always at a minimum done the progesterone pills 2x per day with my IUIs and TI . With IVF I had to be on even more than that . But I naturally have incredibly low progesterone .

Back in March I got my BFP and was so scared it would be another chemical and it wasn't . I had to get myself out of the mindset that I was doomed to have it happen again . Chemical pregnancies are a lot more common than I realized . Sometimes they just happen . I looked for a reason and was frustrated that my doc just said "chromosomal anomaly " . I am so so sorry for the pain you are going through . It took me months to come to peace with it and looking back it still hurts but things will get easier . I'm here if you need to vent !!!

Colleen0516 · June 2016

@Bai-by2016
***BFP mentioned*** ***CP mentioned****

@mskeenan is right. Chemical pregnancies are very common, and sometimes cannot be prevented. My doctor has told me that chemical pregnancy are usually embryos with abnormalities and will not make it. I had a chemical pregnancy 2 years ago, then couldn't get pregnant after that. They are horrible! you feel like you finally go to your goal, and then its ripped away from you while you're just starting to celebrate. No matter what people told me, I was still sad. So I am very sorry for your loss!
I recently switched doctors, and did my first procedure with here (IUI with injections of Follistim) I thought AF came, and went to my doctor for BW- my hcg came back a 16.
Point of this story: I had my period so I stopped my progestrone inserts. I figured I was going to lose this baby, and just wanted to let what happens happen. Plus, I didn't think an insert would stay in while I was bleeding (sorry TMI)
Well, when I went back, my HCG level went up but my progestrone had dropped. So, Im learning that whatever is gonna happen, will happen. I was off progestrone, and the HCG kept going up rather than down. I restarted the progestrone (200mg a day- same as you)

As hard as it is to process, your body needed to let go of that embryo. I HATED when people told me that, so I understand your frustration and sadness- it's totally normal. Jump back on the horse next month and try again! It will happen for you. Im praying for you!

bai-by2019 · June 2016

@mskeenan – Wow! You are wonderful! That is really comforting to me. I read about the chromosomal abnormalities and it actually gave me some peace because I didn’t feel like “I” did something wrong and maybe it just wasn’t the right embryo this time. If I lost (or am currently losing) the pregnancy because of low progesterone, then I feel like it’s my fault. I know I shouldn’t but I can’t help it. Thank you for the support and for sharing your story. I’m SO happy for you that you are pregnant and enjoying every moment! That’s the way it’s supposed to be. J

@Colleen0516 – I can’t believe you saw the BFP then 2 years went by without another. How awful! I can’t even begin to imagine how painful that must be. After I posted this yesterday, I got a call from my doctor’s office telling me that my hCG levels were going up, so like we talked about in the other post, I have no idea what’s going on. After my first beta test with the “12”, they told me to stop the Progesterone. I did the first night then felt this overwhelming urge to take it the next night so I did. The third night I told myself to just stop it and let what’s meant to happen…happen. Well, when I got the call yesterday, they told me to start taking it again. I was thinking the same thing about the blood with the insert too but you have to at least try, right? (And there is no such thing at TMI when TTC, LOLOLOL!) That might be one of the nastiest things I’ve done. I’ve been inspecting the clots too. Like, how gross is that? I never thought I’d do that in a million years. So what happened with your situation? Are you still pregnant? (if you don’t mind me asking) ::fingers crossed:: Thank you SO MUCH for the prayers! I’m sending some back your way!

Colleen0516 · June 2016

You're so right- it's never TMI lol
and of course I don't mind you asking, ask anything you want- I'm an open book (with far too many chapters hahha)

so my story started just like yours.
Did and IUI on 5/21, set for beta on 6/3 but on 6/1 I started bleeding. Called my doctor, assumed I was out, and went in for blood on 6/2 (Thursday). My results came back a 16. She prepared me that it would be a chemical pregnancy, that my numbers were way too low and asked me to come back on that following Monday. On Monday my hcg went to an 83. She told me that this happens sometimes, it's still very low and I should expect to miscarry. Gave me 80% miscarriage, 10% eptopic and 10% viable pregnancy. She said that in very rare cases she has seen this play through to a viable pregnancy- odds werent in my favor. But, she did want me to take the progesterone again. I was off it for 4 days. My hcg still increased though, but my progesterone level was obviously low.

So then I went back on Thursday and I rose to a 315 and was told to come back Monday. Monday she did a sonogram and beta test. Sonogram showed a Gestational sac with no yolk (but she didn't expect to see one). It was in my uterus and not my Fallopian tube, so we ruled out eptopic. I of course got so excited and thought- this is it, the baby will make it. I even took a picture of the screen when she left the room lol

I quickly reality checked myself and reminded myself that there was no yolk yet and I needed to know my numbers still. All day I worried. Then I Got the beta results call- I went up to 1804. I was so happy. My nurse was pleasantly pleased with my results, a little shocked too. I asked what my odds were but she said that my doctor would have to tell me. She told me that my sono this Thursday should tell us more...

So I am still proceeding by being CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC. Thats my new term lol

I feel pregnant; Nauseous, exhausted, hungry. Today my boobs started to get very very tender and feel swollen.

I dont know what to think anymore. I am hopeful that it will be okay. I am considering myself pregnant until proven otherwise. Technically I am 5weeks and 3 days... But I'm measuring a week behind. Maybe late implantation?? Maybe a miracle? Maybe I will lose it still. I don't know, so I go day by day- cautiously optimistic

Soooo I 100% understand you on your 12, and your bleeding, and your clotting, and your number rising, and your doctoring say Chemical pregnancy, and your body doing otherwise.
It's confusing and emtionally draining. Keep hoping! It's all you can do.

Im hear if you need to talk! Keep me posted with you hcg testing and results!

Your ur number was 12... What did it rise to?

bai-by2019 · June 2016

Everything sounds really great for you!!! Everything points to pregnancy if you ask me.

I am all for assuming you are pregnant until proven otherwise. Hope is what keeps us going! I really appreciate the encouragement and I totally understand being cautiously optimistic. The nurse used that exact phrase when she called earlier this week. LOL!

How long did you bleed for? Just the one day? Was it brown blood or red? Did you have any clotting? Did they say anything to you about the possibility of being pregnant with multiples and losing 1? (I'm really sorry about what happened to your friend. I forgot to say that on my other post. Poor thing.)

I commented on the other thread with more info.

babymama619 · June 2016

This is the information that comes on my my hart account. It's where my doc posts my tested results and lists what "normal" is at different phases

Colleen0516 · June 2016

I was bleeding for 4 days. Red, dark, and clotting! So dont worry just yet. Lets see what your numbers say.

bai-by2019 · June 2016

@colleen0516 I'm so scared. None of this makes sense to me. Thanks for the encouragement. I posted on our other thread

I asked the nurse about the progesterone today while she was drawing my blood. I said "what level of progesterone is needs to sustain a pregnancy". She said "20. 18 or 19 is ok, but we like to see 20 or above."

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