Ava Detects 5 Fertile Days

Work at Home Mom blog

Babymaking, Parenting, & Working at Home

progesterone

Progesterone Production and Supplementation???

I’m 8 weeks day 4 today. My next ultrasound is on Friday. I’m so nervous! We will either see a heart beat, or we won’t. One thing on my mind is my progesterone level and how long will I need to supplement?

When I did IVF, we did and embryo transfer of 2 embryos and neither one implanted. The change that we did for the next cycle was to increase my progesterone supplementation. I actually took shots followed by a suppository that I did through about the first trimester. The next cycle where I was doing greater supplementation, 1 of 2 embryos implanted. So of course I think that I need to be supplementing now!

What Does Progesterone Do?

Progesterone is necessary for a successful pregnancy. If your levels are too low, you will miscarry. Progesterone is first produced by the corpus luteum of the ovary and is responsible (and necessary) for the first 8 weeks of pregnancy. At this point, the placenta takes over production of the progesterone, which is necessary through the birth of your baby.

So again, I’m totally concerned about my progesterone levels! Lucky for me, I had suppository gel left over from my last round of IVF (called Crinone 8%). I asked my doctor if I could get 1 more week of it to get me by until my next visit. I went to the pharmacy to pick it up. $196 for 7 days! Yikes! I didn’t fill the script. I will run out on Friday. But technically, my placenta should have taken over production, right?

I found some info regarding supplementation on the Alan E Beer Medical Center Website for Reproductive Immunology.  It basically states the effectiveness of supplementation (best to least):

  1. Vaginal suppositories
  2. injections
  3. by mouth

I’m not sure what I will do! I really want to keep supplementing!

Over the Counter Progesterone Supplements

One option, which isn’t even included in the list above, is essential oils. If you are familiar with essential oils, you know that people have been using them for centuries. I use the Young Living brand and they have a progesterone oil called Progessence Plus. It’s easy to use and it smells great too! You rub a couple drops on the back of your neck twice a day.

If you want to order this oil, contact someone you know who sells Young Living. Or you can follow this link and create a retail account. After you’ve created your account, search for Progessence Plus Serum.

Here’s another topical I found. It’s called Progesto-Life. It’s a Bioidentical Progesterone Cream. I like the looks of this one but it might be similar to the oil I already have.

Both my current OBGYN and my fertility doctor said that added Progesterone won’t hurt. I will see what my OB says about running out the the Crinone gel and what I should do going forward.

If we see a heartbeat, I’ll edit this post to include her recommendations!

Pray for a heartbeat!

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♥

 

7 Weeks

I’m 7 weeks today. Yay! I’ve been so sick and tired that I remain optimistic.

hCG

My blood work came back on Friday. My hCG didn’t double, which has me a little disappointed. Why could it just be off the charts?! BUT, my doctor is happy with the rise, so I’m not going to freak out about it. (yes I want to freak out a little) But I’m so sick, so that’s allowing me to stay hopeful!

The signs

  1. The call from the doctor came early. I know I’m reaching, but I feel like doctors call early with good news because they don’t want to make you wait! And it’s easier to make a good phone call, so it’s an easier call to make. So that’s one of the signs.
  2. I’m sick almost all day long! Not enough to throw up, but clearly nauseous for a majority of the day. I’m sure this means my hormones are soaring!
  3. My breasts are tender. This and the sickness really make me happy. I’ve read that other women feel the symptoms stop, and sure enough, they find out the pregnancy isn’t viable or even that it was a blighted ovum. I think I already posted this article, but it explains what a blighted ovum is.
  4. High progesterone! I keep forgetting, the doctor said my high progesterone was a sign that there are twins! And twins means there is a higher chance that at least one of them will be viable. To some this might sound strange, but having gone through fertility treatments and IVF, I’ve come to understand that when you start with 2, you have a higher chance of having a baby. Sadly, this is because if you lose one, you still have the other.
  5. Fetal pole. When I get one of those nervous feelings, like this is all too good to be true, I remember that she saw a “strong fetal pole”. Omg! I want to explain fetal pole – I love what I found on Wikipedia! My doctor said my fetal pole was strong at 6 weeks, which makes me feel good since Wikipedia said it’s possible to not see that until 9 weeks. Yay, another thing making me feel good!

No heartbeat

One thing that keeps bothering me is that we didn’t see the heartbeat. Grrr, the darkness of wanting a baby and not knowing if it’s happening. I am so blessed to have 2 children. But that doesn’t change how much I want this baby. This baby was God’s plan. *Pray*

Next step

But I go back on the 20th for a follow up ultrasound. That will be the true tell if I have a viable pregnancy. *Pray*

If you want to keep up with my journey, go here to give me your deets. I’ll send you an email when I make a new post. Thanks for your prayers and support!

Still Pregnant!

I’m still pregnant! This isn’t over yet!

Today I went in for a follow up hCG test and ultrasound. When I got there, the Dr. said my progesterone is very high, and I reminded her that I’m supplementing. She said, “no, this is higher than that.”

She proceeded with the ultrasound. I felt like it was taking forever to see anything! Since I did IVF with both of my children, I’m experienced in having and viewing these ultrasounds. It seems that regular OBGYN offices don’t have the nice equipment that the fertility clinics have.

Through all of that grain, the black and white fuzz, she said, there it is. “I actually see two sacks.” WHAT??

They are similar in size, and consistent with the timing. She explained that when you have 2 fertilized eggs attach, the whole process slows down. Having said that, it would be too early to see a heartbeat at this time. The followup hCG test they did today will tell us more. I’ll get those results tomorrow.

“There’s a strong fetal pole.” I love this article about the gestational sac and fetal development.

So for today, I can rest easy and enjoy being pregnant for at least 1 more day!

Shared with my Parents

Speaking of enjoying being pregnant, I decided to tell my parents today. I wanted to give them a chance to enjoy it too, even if it was only for 1 hour until I got out of my doctor appointment.

I didn’t know how to tell them. I’ve actually been thinking about that for 2 weeks! Here’s how I said it: “I have some interesting and exciting news!” I made sure both my mom and stepdad were there listening. “I’m six and a half weeks pregnant!” Silence.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from them. I’m old, they’re older! I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I finally heard my mom’s voice crack, “you are?” It was a sound of joy. And a little chuckle from my stepdad. It was nice to hear their response.

Unfortunately, I was breaking down because I was literally in the car on my way to the doctor, where I thought for sure I was going to hear bad news.

My husband didn’t want me to tell them yet. I wanted to share the news earlier than you’re supposed to, because I want prayers. And if something happens, I want their support for that too. He looks at it as making all those people feel sad. Just a different perspective.

I’m so glad that I thought of telling them before my appointment! They are so thrilled, and of course in shock, but good shock!

One more day to enjoy being pregnant!

♥

If you want to keep following my story, go to Contact and give me your details. I’ll keep you in the loop when I post. Thanks for your prayers!

6 Weeks Pregnant

Hello world! I’m 6 weeks pregnant (verified by the pink stick) and I’m going to the doctor tomorrow to see how things are going. It’s a little early for most, but I’m old and it’s important to check my hormones early in case I need any supplements.

To be honest, I’m already taking Progesterone that I had left over from fertility treatments. But I’m still walking on egg shells.

Full disclosure… I wanted this baby. We have always been trying. I just didn’t think it would actually happen! But it did! So now it’s crucial that everything progresses normally because I’m sure my husband won’t be so careless in the future!

I’ll come back tomorrow with an update from doctor visit #1!