Messing with my head

I'm starting to feel quite stressed with the conflicting information I've been given about why my miscarriage might have happened.

Three the doctors I have talked to plus a book I got from the library, plus wikipedia say that a 5-week miscarriage is very likely to be caused by something going wrong with the chromosomes during cell division.

However, my acupuncturist said that it was probably because I have low progesterone (my bbts fell below the coverline a lot during the luteal phase when I conceived and this is supposed to be a sign of low progesterone). Also according to traditional Chinese medicine I am too cold. While I am a bit skeptical about all the TCM theories I do know that acupuncture has been proven to be effective in improving fertility.

But apparently the low progesterone theory is really controversial amongst the medical profession because despite it having been studied there is no proof that progesterone supplementation works to prevent miscarriage.

This is where it really starts to mess with my head. If it was cell division problems then there was really nothing I could have done (although, irrationally, I feel guilty that my egg wasn't up to scratch). If it was low progesterone or being too cold then there were things I could have done and didn't like getting progesterone supplementation. And theoretically that I would need to do next time I get pregnant. It makes me feel like I could have saved the pregnancy but failed.

I know from a rational point of view that the miscarriage wasn't my fault but all these feelings are so hard to deal with.

Its hard yah Vanillabean, i even had information given to me that i when i miscarried that there wasnt even a baby there to start with, which was wrong information, but it really did my head in....

my doctor (my family doctor of 30 yrs) whom i trust with my life, told me that if you miscarry at 5-7 wks i think he said, then it was because there was something wrong with chromosomes and nothing wrong with me.

I know how hard this is, and the emotions you are going through that in themselves are hard, please remember you can ring me if you need to, or if you dont want to chat on the phone pm me and i will give you any support i can

Vanillabean, I know exactly how you feel. Even though the MC was not your fault, it's quite natural to wonder what could have been done differently to prevent it. Usually nothing I think!!

I am not an expert on progesterone, but it is one of the things that is being monitored for me now. I'll tell you what I know, but I am not too sure how helpful I'll be!!

Progesterone is produced by the ovaries prior to ovulation, and if conception is successful the ovaries will continue to produce it. It causes the lining of your womb to thicken so that successful implantation can occur. Supposedly, if progesterone is low, implantation is harder.

My fertility specialist (Fertility Associates) thinks it is an important factor, and was going to put me on supplements if mine fell below a certain level. However, mine's been really high so far.

I honestly believe that the majority of miscarriages are due to chromosomal issues. But, it sounds like your acupuncturist is referring to somthing that a lot of specialists also believe in.

I just got this off a website... there is lots of information if you Google "progesterone in early pregnancy". You'll then be able to make an informed choice about what you feel is best for your body.

"The progesterone levels during pregnancy is also crucial for the survival of the fetus, it keeps the uterus from contracting and promotes the growth of blood vessels that give nourishment to your baby during pregnancy. Natural progesterone aids in conception (fertility clinics use sometimes natural progesterone for treating infertility), and the progesterone levels during pregnancy help maintain a healthy pregnancy."


Good luck Vanillabean!! Thinking of you. xox

PS. Self blame is the hardest thing to deal with, but rest assured at that early gestation nothing you did or didn't do could have altered the outcome. Hugs!