Today is a big day for me. I have my 2 week post-op appointment with my OB/GYN. My doctor and I have a fundamental difference about the use of progesterone in getting and sustaining pregnancy. I think it works and she thinks it doesn't.
Granted, she has an MD and I get squeamish at the sight of blood, but I have access to babycenter.com and have learned from other TTCers that progesterone helps.
Here is my case for why I want this magical elixir.
Fact:
1) Your body needs progesterone to have a normal leutal phase (14 days but at least 11)
2) Your body needs progesterone to support the pregnancy
3) When I would have progesterone draws 7 days after a positive ovulation test, they were always so low it shouldn't be able to support pregnancy
4) With both failed pregnancies I had bleeding immediately which later subsided, pointing to the fact that I didn't have enough progesterone
5)I haven't had a normal leutal phase since 11/08
6) My friend just had spotting at 6 weeks and got on progesterone, she is now 8 weeks and her HCG is going up appropriately, meaning the progesterone saved her pregnancy
7) Some friends from babycenter.com lost 2-3 pregnancies, took progesterone and now have babies
My Doctor's Beliefs
1) Studies show progesterone doesn't do anything
2) If you have a strong ovulation, you will produce enough progesterone
3) Progesterone just prolongs an unviable pregnancy
4) Progesterone has proven effective for people that have fertility treatments because there hormones have been manipulated so much but not others
5) Clomid (i.e. twin maker) can give you a stronger ovulation and then you shouldn't need progesterone
So before I left the hospital, the Fertility Dr came by to check on me and I asked her about this. She said in most cases my doc is right, but there are people with luteal issues that need progesterone to sustain pregnancy. LIKE ME!
I have been pumping myself up to be my own advocate with the doctor today and say I don't want to lose a third baby which could have been prevented by taking progesterone. Hopefully she will agree to either test me repeatedly for levels and if it looks borderline, give me the supplements. I don't want to say in an annoying way that the fertility doctor said I might need it but I want to make it known.
In other news, it has been two weeks and two days since my abdominal myomectomy (fibroid removal surgery) and I am feeling great. Not 100%, but have very limited pain. I am still not allowed to do much for 4 more weeks, but I feel strong.
Your doctor must know my doctor. I asked the nurse about it yesterday and she told me that she would talk to my gyno about it but that there really isn't enough proof that progesterone really does anything. It took everything in me to not say "well according to all the blogs and baby sites I've read it does so there!" Since I have some left over from my failed IVF I'm taking it regardless of what my gyno says. My situation is so different than most and the reality is that my needs are too much for the regular gyno yet we have to wait on IVF round 2 and I really want to try this naturally AND my perinatal specialist (yes I already have one don't ask or read my blog in a few weerks when I finally touch on why) has no reason to see me until I am pregnant. I feel doctorless even though I have a ridiculous team of various specialists that I have to call the minute I am pregnant. I think its interesting that the doctors say there isn't enough proof yet we can find so much on our own. Doctors must hate the internet LOL
ReplyDeleteeka, herbal is a must take by any woman trying to get pregnant. I was devastated and so was my husband after being told by my fertility specialist at age 38 that I had no option but to consider adoption or donor eggs (according to my doctor I was out of eggs and gave me 4% chance of getting pregnant and a 2% chance of carrying a baby to full term). After much research and dozens of hours reading infertility related articles and posts online, I have found your email (dreka14demons@gmail.com)! I never believed in anything alternative to western medicine and thought all the other stuff like Chinese medicine was a hoax. But I was soon glad to be wrong as I followed your the guidelines given to me as soon as you cast on me pregnancy spell and send to me your natural herbals. After one month of trying I became pregnant and had a beautiful healthy boy. Nine months after that I did everything you told me again and after 2 months of trying I got pregnant again and gave birth to another perfect little boy. I would recommend anyone with an open mind to contact eka on (dreka14demons@gmail.com). It just might be the answer to your prayers. Thank you for everything you have done for me, EKA!"
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