just plain stressed out

[mrst9]

So, the husband and I had decided to take a little break after two miscarriages and and two years of trying, and check in with a fertility specialist, to see if he could give us a better idea of what's going on. During the ultrasound, however, they though they saw a very early pregnancy and bloodwork confirmed it. My hcg was right where it should be, but the progesterone was at a 6. And I was thoroughly stunned because my period was due--though a little late, obviously--and I had been getting spotting and strong, period-like cramps. Which is exactly what happened before my other miscarriages. I do not have low progesterone in and of itself, but they suspect I am not ovulating top quality eggs.

Anyway....

They put me on a progesterone gel and told me it was all they could really do. I asked them point blank they were thinking it was viable pregnancy or not, but they of course couldn't answer. Basically, they said putting me on progesterone was all they could do and I should hope for the best.

But I'm totally stressing out instead. Hoping for the best feels very relative. I have another appointment tomorrow to see where the levels are. I'm still spotting off and on, even with the gel, and the blood is sometimes red. Still occasionally getting cramps, too.

If it's a miscarriage, I just want to get it over with. Does that sound harsh? I fear they are just prolonging things and I was really in need of the aforementioned break before this all started. I wanted to check in with the doctor and evaluate my health before trying again. And even if the test tomorrow shows my levels in a good place, that still doesn't mean it will definitely result in a baby.

I promise I am aware that most people here are the in a place where they would do anything to conceive and have a baby, but I had just made peace with the idea that it might not happen for a while. I had peace for the first time in a really long time. I'm sorry if I sound like I'm just complaining about things being inconvenient. That's really not what's happening here. I hope you understand that.

Any advice or words of wisdom would be helpful.

 

[LucyLake]

You know in your heart whether this is a viable pregnancy or not. Don't you I knew deep inside that mine wasn't.

When you know, you know

Remember that if you're in the United States, they want your money/your insurance money. My OB in Texas told me she wasn't sure if it was viable or not. I had scans at 5w3, 6w1, 7w, 8w to confirm. She admitted at 7w (should have been 8 weeks) no heartbeat scan that she had suspected this because my levels didn't exactly double--they went from 2000-3800 in 48 hours 5w1-5w3. It was a long and very drawn out experience, one I never want to repeat again. I was also tested down to 0 on HGC Levels.

I hope so much that this pregnancy progresses and that you have a healthy 9 months. The red blood (brown ok, red bad rule of thumb) bothers me, but then again I've heard so many cases where things were fine. Huge hugs

 

[Hopefulagain]

mrst9-
I am so very sorry for your previous losses and now this...it just seems so crule doesn't it? We know that your concerns are authentic and that you are not being insensitive in voicing those concerns. The bottom line is this, we all want to bring home a healthy baby and for those of us on this forum, or whatever reason, it did not happen when we thought it would. As many have come to learn, conception is just the beginning and pregnancy can be a long and scary road. I have experienced one blissful pregnancy that resulted in an 8lb. 1oz. baby girl who was delivered naturally at 38 weeks, my second baby girl was born prematurely at 21 weeks, weighted 14 oz. and lived for two hours. I had no previous complications and the contractions literally came out of nowhere. And my last pregnancy was ectopic, so pregnancy can be completely unpredicable and scary.

I know you may not want to hear this, but I've found it to be true. What will be, will be and there is nothing that any person can do to change what is. But I wish you peace regardless of the outcome because even if you carry to 40 weeks and deliver a healthy and happy baby, you will no doubt have many scares along the way whether they be real or imagined. I wish you the best.

 

[mrst9]

First, thank you both for your replies and sharing your stories. Having been there myself, I know how difficult it can be, but that's what brings us to this board: a need for community and support.

Here is my update: On Sunday, my test showed an hcg of about 3000. I was asked to return today, where my hcg was at 10,000. However, and this is what confuses me: shouldn't it have been closer to 12,000? I understand that there is a range involved, that 10,000 could be close enough, but it seems low. Progesterone is at 7. Last night, I have sharp cramps and bleeding for several hours, although they are less severe today. No clots.

What confuses me is that my doctor told me to come back in a week. I feel like that it far too long a time to wait, especially considering my bleeding, low(ish) levels, and history of mc. I was only able to speak to the nurse and even she personally seemed confused by the numbers, but all she could say was that the doctor said a week. I have just emailed my doctor.

Your thoughts?

The idea of continuing the progesterone for another week, when I could be tested sooner and have a better idea if it's "worth" it, sounds a little like torture at the moment.

 

[Hopefulagain]

Have you had an ultrasound...with your levels being as high as they are surely they should be able to see something, right? That could help answer a few questions. It does sound as though your numbers are a bit low. There is a range, generally speaking, but regardless of where one falls within the range the numbers should double. I was told by my doctor that they should "at least" double within 48 hours but I have read 48-72 hours. You mentioned previously that your progesterone was a 6 and is now a 7 but you don't have low progesterone normally, that could also be a sign. When I was told that it did not appear that my pregnancy was viable I paniced and asked that my levels be checked. They were and I was at a 7. She told me that they should be at least 15 but that progesterone levels naturally drop with a pregnancy is going bad, her exact words. So, she couldn't tell me if I was naturally low or if it was the result of my nonviable pregnancy. I was put on progesterone supplements until it was ruled ectopic and I was then told to stop taking them.

I would think that another blood test and scan in a few days, not an entire week, could provide them with plenty of information to be able to give you some anwers. I am so sorry that you are going through this.