Question

I am 30 years old and I'm 8 weeks pregnant, but after my regular check-up yesterday, my doctor told me that we seem to have a problem. The gestational sac is that of a 6th week baby and he couldn't hear clearly the fetal heartbeat, wherein he told me that by now it should have been beating regularly. He now has put me on progesterone therapy (200mg), once in the morning and twice before going to bed. I'll be returning for my next check-up after 9 days. By then he'll decide if it's fit to continue my pregnancy or not. We've waited for this pregnancy for 4 years, and I'm afraid of losing the baby.

Is there anything I can do to help make the baby stronger while I'm waiting for my next check-up? I've read a lot of articles regarding this and frankly the results are not promising. Right now all I can do is to hope and pray for the baby's health. Thank you for your help.

Jennie

Answer

Dear Jennie:

Yes, this is a very difficult situation for you to go through. Taking progesterone will certainly help to maintain the lining of the uterus to decrease chances of miscarriage. Of course you should continue with your prenatal vitamins and avoiding any heavy exercise until cleared by your doctor.

The doctor will redo an ultrasound to see if there has been any growth and if the heart is beating. He may also redraw some blood tests. If the child has not survived, he will have you stop the progesterone. You may then have something like a heavy period because the pregnancy was not that long.

Please try not to blame yourself if this occurs. Unfortunately, many pregnancies end in miscarriage for various reasons that are out of anyone’s control. It seems that you and your doctor are doing everything that you can.
If the child is growing and doing well, continuing to take progesterone and following the progesterone levels is a well documented, safe practice during pregnancy. If your doctor needs information, he can contact the CANFP or Pope Paul VI Institute for information about using progesterone throughout pregnancy.

I sincerely hope that this helps you through this difficult time.

Gretchen V. Marsh, D.O.

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