Need help from OB nurses...or anyone with fertility problems

[Rileycat]

I need a little advice/input here. I am 30 years old and found out recently that I was pregnant. I was thrilled. I have endometriosis and didn't know if I would ever be able to have a child without medical intervention.

Anyway, now my world seems to be crumbling. I was spotting (just a scant amount upon wiping, nothing that even dotted a pad) so I called my OB. Well, an emergency ultrasound was done and showed that I was a week less than I had thought (I may not have the correct date because I never marked the first day of my LMP on my calender). I am approx 6.5 weeks right now. The OB ordered some blood tests. My hcg level is rising, but not at the rate that the doctor would like. Also, my progesterone level is slightly low (he didn't give me numbers or tell me how slight slightly means). He thinks the implantation may be a little weak so he wants to put me on a progesterone supplement until I reach twelve weeks. I am terrified to take this. It is a class X drug and I am worried about birth defects.

Does anyone out there have any experience with pregnant women taking progesterone? I hear that cleft palates and masculization of a female child can occur. My OB said that progesterone is used a lot in pregnancy for women with infertility problems and not too many ill effects occur (even though the literature states otherwise). I will call my OB and ask more questions before taking this drug.

I am so scared right now. I want to have a healthy baby. I am not an OB nurse...and I have found that my nursing books don't tell me squat about what I am going through. Does anyone know of any good web sites I can go to for information?

Any advice, facts, or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to post replies here or email me.

Thanks.

[Rileycat]

fiestynurse: I haven't had a miscarriage in the past. This is my first pregnancy. I think my OB was concerned about an implantation problem d/t my low progesterone levels and the spotting. My mother talked to our family pharmacist today about progesterone. He also said it was highly used and that he has not heard of any bad side effects to the baby. He gave my mom a pamplet of information on progesterone. I guess there was one noted case of cleft palate, but they were not able to determine if it was from the progesterone or not. He seems to think it is relatively safe. I will probably call another doctor just for a second opinion, but so far everything I hear and read makes me feel pretty safe about taking progesterone. The side effects for the me taking progesterone sound scarey, but they sound pretty much the same as taking birth control.

Gabriele: Thanks for the tip on the book. I will have to check it out. Also, thank you for taking the time to respond to my post.

Renee Williams: Thank you so much for the reassurrance. It is so comforting to know that you went through a similar situation and still ended up with a healthy baby girl. Thanks for the prayers as well.

Well, everyone: my next ultrasound is on Wednesday. Wish me luck.

-Angela-

[Zee_RN, BSN, RN]

Yet another one here...I took Progesterone suppositories and injections status-post In-Vitro Fertilization. My 12-year-old triplet daughters are perfect! (well, except for the fact that they leave their clothes on the floor, call each other names, forget drinks in the living room.....)

[nightingale, RN]

I had Endometriosis prior to becoming pregnant with my first born (13 years ago). I too started spotting when I became pregnant. I was given a shot of progesterone to make sure the baby would stay implanted after the viewing of the ultasound.

My son is fine; Iwas happy to have a healthy child.

I like the advice to investigate on the internet about the actual progesterone infomation.

God be with you through this blessed event. Enjoy this time; It was the happiest time of my life.

B.

[semstr]

hey congrats,

I don't want to be a party-pooper, but........

I know a lot of women who took progesteron and everything went well!!

On the other hand (depending on the HCG-levels and ultrasound-findings), I don't believe in prolonging pregnancy in this early stages (6weeks ++), because Nature often knows better as we human beings.

please don't be offended, this is my experience, not only as a RN in Neonatology, but also as a woman and as a friend.

Hope everyting turns out right for you and will pray for you and your unborn child, that always helps, take care, Renee