O.k. maybe plummeting isn't the best word to describe my progesterone levels but my results were BAD yesterday! Plus, the nurse was not very consoling about it…I know it’s not her job to be consoling but at least a little bit would have helped.
My previous results were 51.8 now it is 34 in Zone 1. I am suppose to increase my dosage up to 200mg again 2x weekly. I asked the nurse if this is normal to have them fluctuate this much and she said no that they’ll just keep an eye on things and then she asked if I have had any problems lately. I said nothing but my swollen ankles/feet. I don’t know if the fact that I had a really bad 24 hour flu could have anything to do with my hormone levels but I just felt so sick when I heard the results. The first thought that went through my mind was I am a bad mother for not getting my levels checked when I was suppose to. I was suppose to go in at two weeks not three weeks but I was so SICK at the two week mark that I couldn’t make it.
Well, needless to say since I am already more emotional right now when I got off the phone with the nurse I went and bawled about everything, put my feet up and tried to relax for awhile because I just want to protect my baby and make sure everything is healthy…when Dh came home I had him give me another 100mg shot since I just had 100mg the night before and then I’ll begin the 200 mg on Friday. I feel so helpless with this whole progesterone thing because it is out of my control. I just hate the fact the my body is not good at producing this hormone because it makes me worry.
Since my feet and ankles have been swelling so much lately I went into CVS and took my blood pressure just to make sure and instead of wasting a trip to the midwives office. The results said normal so I guess I just need to keep putting my feet up and drinking lots of water. Has anyone else experienced really puffy feet and ankles at 24 weeks? Sorry if this post seems negative…I am just a little down right now about my results.
By the way, I did receive the letter from Dr. H.ilgers explain why I am taking the medications he has prescribed. If you don’t remember the letter was for the Midwives so that they could see that what I am taking is o.k., the reasons behind the protocol, and that there is nothing to worry about that this is a normal low-risk pregnancy. (that is what I thought the letter would say) It was instead scattered with the words “HIGH RISK”!!!! I just about died when I saw this. Doesn’t Dr. H.ilgers get it, that if my mid-wives see High Risk all over the letter why would they take me then, UGH!!!!
I think I just need to do some major praying about things and hope for God’s will with this whole situation. When I saw the endocrinologist last week she suggested that I stay on the thyroid meds throughout pregnancy instead of stopping at 28 weeks. I really liked her advice because she is going to monitor my thyroid levels throughout my pregnancy rather than just say stop the meds. Also, she said she is waiting to see what my original adrenal levels were before she makes a decision of what to do with the hydrocortisone protocol. Things are still up in the air with that decision but that is what the midwives are waiting to hear about. So I’ll just have to be patient and wait and see.
I have to get back to work now…
Good idea on going to the pharmacy to check the b/p! I'm going to have to remember that.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your progesterone levels. Just remember that that's why you're on the PIO. You ARE doing the best thing for your baby!!!
I'm classified as high risk too. Dr. H. told me it's because of the long period of infertility, no other reason. Maybe that would help?
Hang in there! You're doing all the right things :)
Sorry about the swelling and letter saying you're high risk. I hope the progesterone kicks in.
ReplyDeleteHang in there! I am sorry things are so stressful right now. I will be praying extra hard for you. You are doing such a good job loving that little one!
ReplyDeleteOh A, I'm so sorry to hear that you're having a rough time of it. My OB told me that pregnancies aren't really at risk until you drop below around 20 on your progesterone so when I took several dives I held on to that. I do know that stress can drop my progesterone so I'm guessing illness can too. You're getting on top of it way sooner that someone that was not monitoring at all and it will go back up.
ReplyDeleteDid the endocrinologist have any concerns about you continuing with a midwife? If not then you don't need to worry about what Dr. H wrote. No, doctors in general don't get it. According to my file I'm "high-risk due to ART, MTHFR, and advanced maternal age"... whatever! My current midwife doesn't care one bit about how they code me at the OB's office. Hang in there and definitely put your feet up as much as possible and try to relax.
I am sorry about prog all over-I recall mine was as well and worrying got me no where (I know, easy to say in hindsight) and the baby was fine. Praying for teh same for you.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the letter, I am thinking he said what he thought necessary and praying is def the best course. Safety is so much more important than an ideal birth plan, but you know that.
As far as thyroid, he stops it then not b/c you don't need it, but b/c it can potentially interfere with teh baby's thyroid development that occurs at that time. That is what I was told. It is probably not the same in every case, but more a better safe than sorry thing. So def bring that up with your RE, but I have say I go with HIlgers on this one.
Def put your feet up and relax as you've been trying to do and I will def keep praying for you and little fertile thoughts:)
HUGS and PRAYERS!!
ReplyDelete:)
I know it doesn't help to hear me say not to worry... but try not to worry and rest. My clients have dropped to zone 1 before and everything was fine. Just stay on top of the blood draws so you know your levels. You are doing sooo good!
ReplyDeleteThyroid. Dr. HIlgers took me off T3 at 28 weeks. However, my local doc wanted to put me on synthoid. I didnt want to... but knew if I didnt it would cause a strain with my local doc and me... so I called Hilgers office and sent my bloodwork in... Dr. H said, everything looked fine and I didnt need the synthoid... but it wasnt going to hurt anything to take it. So I took it the last 5 weeks of the pregnancy. Local doc wanted me to still take it now... but since Claire is out and my body is changing like crazy post preg, I decided not to take it and have Dr. H look at things in the months to come.
Hope this helps!
Love of love and prayers
Nicole
PS - Dr. H does take you off T3 so the baby can develop without the additional support... so I was off T3 but the local doc put me on snythoid.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the advice girls!!! You're the best. I just needed your support to keep my chin up about things ;)
ReplyDeletexoxoxox and prayers!
I keep coming back and forth because I just don't know what to say!!!
ReplyDeletePraying for you!!!!!!!!
Praying for you too!
ReplyDeletepraying for you! Rest and know that you are a good Momma!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for you!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have some swollen ankles and hands. I make lovely nicknames for them...Shrek hands and Cankles. :)
ReplyDeleteI was on P4 until around 20 weeks or so. I don't remember my P4 rising above 34 or so. I haven't been on it since.
As for the swelling, Dr. S said that my swelling is normal during pg. The docs seem to be more concerned when I have protein in my urine, like last week. The bad part was that I had eaten mexican the night before. Dr. S didn't think that it was the salt, but more the carbs that can cause the swelling.
One of the MA's at my office said for me to lay on my left side with a pillow between my legs, that seems to help me drain some fluid.
Also, I have been on 75 mcg of synthroid the whole pregnancy until last week when one of my docs raised it to 100 mcgs. I am sleeping better and feeling overall better.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
I think that you are doing just fine!!!!
I hope your progesterone levels improve!
ReplyDeleteI sent you a fb message about this. I'm praying for you too!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about all the doctor/hormone frustrations! It is so hard not to get worried, but I'm sure everything is going to work out fine. You are already a great mom, taking care of your baby and body the way you are to have a healthy pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any wisdom to add! I have had three pregnancies while I've been of "advanced maternal age" which would put me in the high risk category, but thankfully my doctor never mentioned it... not once!
ReplyDeleteI am praying for you and baby!
PS: Not that I have any judgement on what Dr. H. said about your risk! I just think it's funny that sometimes "high risk" doesn't mean much.
ReplyDeleteHi Fertile Thoughts! I am an area blog friend of AYWH and GIMH... and just wanted to let you know I will be lifting up your intentions! Also, about the swelling, try to drink, drink, drink. It may seem counterintuitive to add more water to your body when you're trying to get rid of it... but it works wonders, especially with the onset of warmer weather!! Many blessings!
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day! Hope you have a wonderful one! I will be praying the rosary for you and all Mom's today! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteMay God Bless you and your family!
http://hailmaryfullofgrace-mt.blogspot.com/
Love,
Maria :)
You're in my prayers!! Are you OK?
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so behind. I know my progesterone dropped at least once, and it freaked me out, too. Everything turned out just fine, though. I went off T3 at 28 weeks, too. I'll be praying for you!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to reassure you that your levels can go back up. Mine fluctuated alot during my pregnancy. Most of the time I was in Zone 1 or 2. I only think I was in Zone 3 once or twice the 20 times they tested me. I now have a healthy baby boy. Just keep up with the injections & monitoring when you are supposed to. You are a great mother! Oh, and as far as classifying you as "high risk" my NaPro practioner did that too so that my insurance would pay for the progesterone, not because I really was high risk.
ReplyDeleteI'll say a prayer for you & your baby. God Bless!