IVFers, when did you stop PIO?

Hi!

I'm new to this board and excited to be 9 weeks pregnant with twins through IVF. I have been on PIO injections since before the transfer, and my RE says that I can stop now that I'm at 9 weeks. My progesterone level has been pretty much the same since I got my positive beta--prog has been in the 70s-80s. So that makes me wonder if my body is producing its own progesterone. I'm afraid to stop the injections, worried it could lead to a drop and miscarriage. What has your experience been? Thank you! I will also get my OB's opinion tomorrow. Do you know when the placenta takes over??

Jen

 

I have twins that are 2 now. We did IVF with them. I stopped my injections at 12 weeks. I think it was around 8 or 9 weeks that I switched from the daily ones to the weekly ones. I would just do it once a week until 12 weeks. I know it is very scary to stop anything. Maybe you could have them run your labs again before and after you stop it to make sure there isn't an issue with levels before you go too long without it. GOOD LUCK with your pregnancy!!

 

I was on prog. suppositories till 9 weeks. I was scared to stop too but nothing happened and I actually felt a lot better.

 

I stopped PIO at 9 weeks, but stayed on progesterone supps in the am and pm until 13 weeks.

 

I think I stopped pio at 8 or 9 weeks and then did prometrium suppositories until 10 weeks. I too was SUPER nervous coming off of the progesterone but my Dr assured me that the placenta had taken over by now and the suppositories weren't doing anything.

I second asking your dr or clinic to monitor your progesterone levels just in case there is a drop...

good luck and congrats I am LOVING this twin pregnancy (but haven't stopped worrying)

 

I didn't go through fertility with this pregnancy but I did with my last one.

I was on PIO until 12 weeks and was on the lozenges as well until around the same time.

 

Hi and :sign0016:. I stopped at 10 weeks and felt very confident since all three early ultrasounds were so good. Also, it didn't hurt that I was so darned tired of being a pin cushion. Ouch!

 

i stopped by 9 weeks, when they released me to my OB.

 

I took prog. suppositories until 12 weeks. I was also frightened to stop, but had absolutely no problems. I actually felt much better when I came off of them (so did my DH )

 

I stopped at 12 weeks, the same time my RE released me to the care of my OB. He said I was probably okay to come off them around about the time you are now, but I was just too scared to. My first round of IVF was a bust (BFN), and we thought that it could have been due to low progesterone levels. Even with the PIO shots (I took the twice a day) my levels would hover around 20-30 through out my first trimester. When I did go off of them they took a blood test a few days after and my levels were fine. Good Luck!!

 

I didn't do IVF, but did do fertility meds and I requested to do the progestrone suppositories for the cycle I got pg on. My levels were excellent and my ovaries were huge. When I went for my u/s to see "how many" I was told by my RE that I could go down to one a day at 8wks and stop at 9wks. I knew though that my midwives would want me on them til 12wks. So I stayed at once a week. When I went to my 10wk appt. (1st one with the midwife I think). I asked if I could stop them since I was in pain still from my ovaries being big. At first she said no, but then she looked at my levels and was surprised at how high they were. Then she did an u/s even though she found the hbs w/ the dopplar (think he was just excited it was twins). She said my right ovary was huge and that I should stop. I was a little scared, but all was fine!!

April

 

Thank you all so much. I will definitely ask for the progesterone check a few days after I stop. I'm still waiting to hear my OB's opinion, hopefully Monday. Best wishes to expecting moms for a wonderful pregnancy!

 

Jen,
I stopped mine at 10 weeks. At 8 weeks I was released to my ob and she had me on supp. till 10 weeks. I felt confident since my numbers were good and I knew by that time the placenta was producing progesterone to support my pregnancy. Sounds like everyone's situation and dr's are different so just go with what you dr. tells you.

Good luck

Damiane'
26w 6d
b/g Twins

 

I did IVF and stopped at 10 weeks. That was 10 weeks AFTER the retrieval. If you add back in that 2 weeks to get to the LMP, then it looks like you do progesterone for the entire first trimester, KWIM?

 

I just found out that my good friend miscarried-- she was 11 1/2 weeks today and found out that the baby stopped developing at 9 weeks. That's when she went off the progesterone and I wonder if she is thinking that is the reason. It has me even more nervous about stopping the progesterone today at 9 weeks. My OB isn't in the office til Weds so i think I'll stay on them until then. Thanks for all of your stories, it really helps. It sounds like almost everyone stopped progesterone of some sort between 10 and 12 weeks. And you are all doing very well so that makes me feel good

 

I stopped at 9 weeks. It varies from RE to RE between 9-12 weeks. I think I have heard that multiples usually get to stop sooner than singltons.

BTW - Welcome to TS and Congrats on the twins! :sign0016:

 

I believe I stopped at around 9 weeks too. That is when I was realised from the fertility clinic to my regular OB/GYN. I was originally told I would be on them for 3 months but the doctors felt that everything was progressing fine and I didn't need it anymore.