Am I in Danger of Miscarrying?
Question
I am 31, have two children and had no complications with either pregnancy. I have a 2nd degree pelvic prolapse. (I was actually four days from a hysterectomy when we found out we were pregnant.) I am currently 11 weeks 3 days pregnant today. At 8w3d my progesterone level was 7 and a sonogram showed what my OB said was a blood clot. I was told to expect some light bleeding and possible cramping. Thankfully, I’ve had neither. After 1 week of Prometrium twice a day for a week my progesterone level was 16.
Am I in danger of having a miscarrige? Are there medical reasons why I have a low progesterone level with this pregnancy?
Thank you for any help you can provide.
Peggy
Answer
Last Updated: February 21, 2015
Dear Peggy,
I am assuming that, on the sonogram, your baby had a heart beat. You are at risk of miscarriage with a low progesterone level, bleeding and cramping. A progesterone level of 16 is better than 8, but still low. With the available information, I can not give you a reason for your low progesterone.
Since the progesterone level is still low, instead of the oral Prometrium, I would recommend that you receive progesterone in oil (not medroxyprogesterone) 200 mg intramuscular injections two times per week. In two weeks check a blood progesterone level 3-4 days after a progesterone shot. At that point you might be able to decrease the dosage based on the NaProTechnology protocols of the Pope Paul VI Institute.
George Delgado, MD
I am assuming that, on the sonogram, your baby had a heart beat. You are at risk of miscarriage with a low progesterone level, bleeding and cramping. A progesterone level of 16 is better than 8, but still low. With the available information, I can not give you a reason for your low progesterone.
Since the progesterone level is still low, instead of the oral Prometrium, I would recommend that you receive progesterone in oil (not medroxyprogesterone) 200 mg intramuscular injections two times per week. In two weeks check a blood progesterone level 3-4 days after a progesterone shot. At that point you might be able to decrease the dosage based on the NaProTechnology protocols of the Pope Paul VI Institute.
George Delgado, MD
Answered By:
George Delgado, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.
President and Founder of Steno Institute and Medical Director of Culture of Life Family Services (COLFS), San Diego, is a Professional Member / Supporter of CANFP. Board certified in both family medicine and hospice and palliative medicine, Dr. Delgado received his medical degree from the University of California, Davis, and completed his residency at Santa Monica Hospital/UCLA. Dr. Delgado is a Natural Family Planning Medical Consultant, trained in NaProTechnology.
