Help needed

[harleyquinn]

And I really wonder if these doctors pass out progesterone too quickly. I read a TON about it because I get nervous taking anything and my dose is super high. If you progesterone is already high without the suppositories, you are exposing baby to a vvery unnaturally high level of hormones (can't be good, I don't care what doctors say..the studies are out there). So how can they recommend this, when they aren't really monitoring people's progesterone??? (rant over)

[Butterfly Spirit]

You know what mommymachine, you could pm Atomic.
I was terrified after my loss about BFing during my pregnancy with my little one.. but she calmed me down. She will tell you that women have done it.. since the beginning of time, it's what we are built for. Like I said, I BF until my milk dried up mid pregnancy.. DS#2 still nursed for comfort.. until Dec and then I used the distraction method.. back massage instead of a nurse! LOL it worked!

[Butterfly Spirit]

And I really wonder if these doctors pass out progesterone too quickly. I read a TON about it because I get nervous taking anything and my dose is super high. If you progesterone is already high without the suppositories, you are exposing baby to a vvery unnaturally high level of hormones (can't be good, I don't care what doctors say..the studies are out there). So how can they recommend this, when they aren't really monitoring people's progesterone??? (rant over)

What dose are you on hon?

[atomic sagebrush]

Wow glad I spotted this.

First of all, bf "causing" miscarriage is totally unproven to begin with and even if it is true, it's exceedingly rare. Secondly, the older your baby is, the less likely it is that the BF will be affecting your cycles in that way. And thirdly, if your cycle was THAT badly off due to BF, you would be noticing a lot of other weird things like superlong cycles, anov cycles, spotting, super short LP, etc etc etc.

Most people can get pg just fine while BF. I would never wean an existing child to TTC a new baby because the fact is, if your body is not ready to TTC, sometimes not even weaning will help. The odds are sky high that in three months' time, even if the unlikely event that BF had anything to do with your losses which 99.99% odds it did not, your cycle will be a-ok at that point even with breastfeeding.

I have BF longer than most doctors went to medical school, conceived twice while BF and tandem nursed 3 of my 5 in succession, so you can trust me on this!

[atomic sagebrush]

And I really wonder if these doctors pass out progesterone too quickly. I read a TON about it because I get nervous taking anything and my dose is super high. If you progesterone is already high without the suppositories, you are exposing baby to a vvery unnaturally high level of hormones (can't be good, I don't care what doctors say..the studies are out there). So how can they recommend this, when they aren't really monitoring people's progesterone??? (rant over)

And the studies also show prog support does not improve pregnancy outcome. So you're taking a risk for dubious benefit. Doctors prescribe it so they can be visibly seen to be doing something when in reality, the only thing that helps is time. In 3 months your baby will be feeding less, your body will be 3 months further past postpartum - it fixes itself, no need for prog support.

[mommymachine]

Thank you everyone. I did so much research and emailed LLL and came to the same conclusion and have chosen not to wean my daughter She was hear first and I had a goal to nurse her until 2 and I don't want to change that. DH and I will try again in May and if that pregnancy doesn't work (God forbid) then we will rethink things. Tandem nursing is actually an experience I'm open to and wouldn't mind having. Claire is 14 months old today an is now officially my longest nursing baby so Yay!!!

I had no idea there was controversial evidence about progesterone. So now what? Do I tell my OBGYN I don't want to go on it?

[atomic sagebrush]

Most of us overestimate the amount our doctors think about us - she probably won't even remember, and if she does, you can tell her that you decided not to TTC for awhile and had an oops. At that point, you do not need to disclose whether you're breastfeeding or not. She probably will not recall that you were, and even if she does she'll probably assume you stopped.

[iwonder]

I am in the same boat as you, OP. I do have a history of low progesterone and have supplemented with both of my pregnancies. But I am going to continue BFing as I can't bear to wean at 14 mos. My ODS self-weaned at 21 months and I think if this pregnancy is meant to be then it will be! Good luck!

[harleyquinn]

Butterfly....they put me on 800 mg vaginally BEFORE my progesterone was ever tested. I kept asking...I don't think my prog is low so can i please have it tested? I was repeatedly told that prog flucuates so much, that when they test it, its really just a snapshot of an entire movie. I was nervous to start it without any info of what was going on with my body and took that risk. (by not taking it)

Anyway, when I changed doctors, I got a blood test from her right away to test the prog and hcg. I had to wait 3 days for the results (thats the way it goes around here) and lo and behold was the HIGHER end of normal for an early pregnancy. I HAD started the progesterone out of fear AFTER the blood test so.....the Dr got the results and called me herself and said to STOP taking the progesterone.

LONG confusing story, but here I am with NO suppositories, and getting prog checked every 2 days which works waaayyyyy better for me.

mommymachine, so glad you came to decision you feel good about for both you and your daughter xx

[harleyquinn]

The pills are the least effective...doesn't get thru your stomach acid very well and may fleetingly raise serum levels but doesn't get where it needs to go...which I think is where any controversy comes in perhaps

Shots most effective with the suppositories being next, as they both go direct into blood******. It also causes side effects...you will be more tired than you ever imagined and lots of fun intestinal issues. There is NO WAY I would take this just for "peace of mind". I want to be shown a valid medical reason before I make a pregnancy way harder than it has to be.