progesterone cream

I picked up some progesterone cream at the health store yesterday. I've done some reading about the benefits of natural progesterone, and I thought I would give it a try. This is how it works: As soon as you ovulate, your body starts producing progesterone. This hormone helps to build up the lining of the uterus to make it ideal for implantation. Sometimes women don't have enough progesterone, or too much estrogen and it makes implantation nealry impossible. With taking supplements or using creams, it just helps to supplement your natural progesterone and ensure the lining of the uterus is good for implantation. So after driving all over creation to find some, I found some, bought it and applied. It says to apply it to areas where the circulation is good, like the wrists, neck, throat, inner thighs, feet, etc... or in places where the skin is thin. It absorbs into the subcutaneous layer (how's that for big words?? I learned it in Anat & phys, and now can use it in a sentance! cool huh?) which is basically the fat underneath your skin, and then feeds into the bloodstream, spreading it through your body.

I haven't noticed any affects or changes, but this has only been day 2 of using it, I imagine it will take a little longer if I do experience anything. But, it's not only supposed to help my uterine lining, but it should help balance excessive estrogen and help my cycles regulate, and be less painful, and lessen the affects of PMS (husbands are happy dancing everywhere for that one!) The cream I chose is 22mg of progesterone per dose, which is 1/2tsp. Not too much.

And for those who say, is that safe?? Yes it's safe. It is a natural hormone your body produces. It's generally safe to take while pregnant (though you should consult your doctor) your body in it's 3rd trimester actually produces over 400mg of progesterone a day, so 22mg isn't really a whole lot. While it's not a replacement, it's a supplement.

If you do take it to become pregnant, and you do. DO NOT STOP TAKING IT as it could induce a miscarriage, the sudden drop in progesterone levels (the sudden drop causes your period to start every month.) They advise you continue use until 12 weeks, then slowly taper off the cream. But it is safe to take all pregnacy. Good stuff to know huh?

Anyways, that's whats happening in the TTC world. I ovulated several days earlier than usual the past 2 months. Weird. But we'll see how it goes. I am already 6 DPO! Its going by fast!

For more info on using progesterone cream, just search google about it, there's tons out there!

Blood Test

So I called my doctor's office yesterday to see what was taking so long getting my blood results back. The nurse told me they had just gotten the results and that my doctor wanted to look them over first before they gave them to me. So, they were supposed to call me back but never did. So I called again today and guess what? The lab performed the wrong tests! Lucky me gets to go back in and get another 8 vials of blood drawn and I get to wait another 10 days-ish for the results. How sucky is that??

Oh well, atleast I have the HSG scheduled.

Answers.

So I went and saw my new OBGYN today. I'd heard great things about him, and that he also has a special interest in fertility. I've wanted to see him for a while, but we just got insurance that he accepts, so I made an appointment as soon as I could! Today was my appointment and I went over my medical history with him, and we lingered on the topic of pregnancy and my 4 miscarriages and he was very surprised that I still had not had any tests done to see what is going on. I told him that my doctor basically would tell me to try to get pregnant and then they would see how my body handled it and he was not thrilled about that.

So he explained to me that new findings show that a 20% of repeat miscarriages are caused by clotting disorders like thrombophilia. Basically a clot forms in the placenta and eventually destroys the pregnancy. He said that since I had a 2nd trimester miscarriage it made it even more likely that this could be a problem for me. So they drew 8 vials of blood today and sent them off to the lab to be tested. If it does happen that I do have a blood clotting disorder, when I do get pregnant I get to take 2 shots a day of a medicine called heparin throughout the entire pregnancy and through postpartum recovery. Not looking forward to that, but if it gets me a baby I'm all for it. And this made me wonder, since I had my son and the only "complication" was mild preeclampsia onset at the end of my pregnancy, why wasn't this possible disorder a problem? He told me that it can not only be genetic, but acquired at later points in life, so I could have acquired it after my son was born, but that gives no explanation to my 2 miscarriages before him. Anyways, we'll know in about 3-5 days the results.

He also told me if I am not pregnant now, than once I start my cycle again to call and schedule an HSG test (Hysterosalpingogram) which is where they inject dye into my uterus and it flows up the fallopian tubes and then they take an x-ray of it. They look for misshapen uterus, blocked tubes, or anything in the uterus like a fibroid, polyp, or scarring that prevents the embryo from properly implanting. He said sometimes the dye that is injected can clear out any blockages in the tubes, remove scar tissue, and basically aid in the process of getting pregnant. I heard it is a little painful and uncomfortable, but the results are usually pretty good- conception wise.

If all those come back normal we'll do a semen analysis, and then he suggests genetic testing to make sure neither of us have any genetic defects that are causing repeat miscarraiges.

Well, HOPEFULLY I am pregnant now, and these things will not be necessary. Well, except for the blood clotting thing, because if they came back positive I'd get on those shots right away.

I am very relieved, even excited at the chance to get some answers. Who knows, they all might come back normal and there's nothing wrong with me, but atleast this will remove any doubt! I am due to test a week from tomorrow and I am going to try with all my might to resist the urge to pee on a stick until then. We shall see! Wish me luck folks!

Go Green. Or Red. Or Blue...

I'm always looking for a remedy or things to help in the fertility department, and one thing that I was curious about this week was gemstones and their relationship to fertility. For ages gemstones have been known to have healing powers, and meanings. I know that, for instance Citrine is supposed to ward off evil thoughts, Amethyst is supposed to prevent intoxication, and that Garnet is supposed to ensure safe travels (ironic that Noah on the Ark had a garnet inside the ark?). I've seen pieces of jewelry out there labeled as "fertility jewelry" and it sparked my interest. Being a jewelry maker myself, I figured if there was any reality to these gemstones having healing effects, then maybe I could whip myself up a piece and get pregnant! So first I did some research on what stones to use, and I've found several options.

1. One person said that any green stone can help promote fertility. I think in theory the green color symbolizes life, renewal, nature, and so forth. This is lucky for a lot of people because there is a huge variety of green gemstones available. Some good choices are Jade, Emerald, and even garnets and opals.2. Moonstone is a hormone balancing stone that is associated with feminine energy and brings balance to the menstrual cycle and synchronizes it to that on the moon. You can make a fertility elixir by placing a moon stone in purified water and leaving it outside at night under the moonlight. It should be left outside for at least a couple of hours on a clear night. Remove the stone and use the water as healing elixir by drinking it.I thought this was kind of interesting. Don't know if I'll try it, but it's interesting to say the least! 3.Carnelian- Boosts fertility, Promotes sexuality and planned reproduction, Stimulates, balances and heals the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and vagina, Alleviate premenstrual syndrome, irregular cycles and cramps by helping to rebalance reproductive hormones. 4. Rose Quartz- The stone of love, the first necessary stepping stone to creating a healthy baby. 5. Pearls – These are the most closely tied gems to fertility. Since oysters are natures aphrodisiac, it would seem that the pearl would also contain some of those properties. Lastly, it is thought that since it requires patience and time to create a pearl, just like the patience and time required to create a baby, is why the pearl is so powerful to fertility
6. Rubies are thought to prevent miscarriages.

When I researched "Gemstone Therapy" it basically calls for programming your gemstones, basically palming them, and stating some kind of mantra like "These gemstones will heal me, and bring me a healthy baby, or pregnancy." Then it says to place the gemstones on your body, near your ovaries, uterus, on your temples, and lay in a dark place and meditate for 15-20 minutes about the outcome you desire. It is supposed to help with all kinds of afflictions, not just infertitily. I would think it's worth a shot.

Also, the shape of the gemstone doesn't necessarily matter, but they suggest round, oval, heart, or egg shaped gemstones to have the best effect.

To purchase your own gemstones, visit your local craft store, like Michaels or JoAnnes. Most gems are available on a string, but you can also purchase individual pendants. Also, two good online stores are www.artbeads.com (free shipping) and www.firemountaingems.com.

There are many places on the web where you can purchase fertility jewelry. I've planned a fertility line to offer on my store and that will be coming soon. For now, I plan to scavage my jewelry box and see what I have that can give me a boost!