I’m not a doctor, but after 4 pregnancies (1 was a miscarriage), I’ve learned a lot about the things that come with.  For example…progesterone…

What Is Progesterone?

Progesterone is a hormone that is produced by a woman’s ovaries to help prepare the uterus for pregnancy (it does other things in non-pregnant women).  In pregnant women, it creates a nutrient-rich environment for the baby by producing glycogen and arterial blood to the lining of the uterus.  Progesterone also causes the cervix to thicken and create a mucous plug which prevents bacteria from entering the uterus.

Progesterone Level Chart

(Progesterone During Pregnancy)

First Trimester: 9-47
Second Trimester: 17-147 ng/ml
Third Trimester: 55-200 ng/ml

*Most doctors like to see a progesterone count of 10 or above during the first few weeks of pregnancy.  Low levels may mean an impending miscarriage OR that your dates are wrong/things got off to a slow start.  If your levels are low, you will likely have a repeat blood draw in 48-72 hours to track your progesterone and hcg levels to make sure they rise appropriately.

Welcome back!

The spotting has increased – and is no longer an unassuming unobtrusive light brown.  Light contractions and a dull ache has made it’s presence known.  Or lack of, whichever.

My hcg levels came back – 496.  Progesterone, 2.6.  That’s really low.  On both accounts.

Granted, my God is a mighty God, an awesome God – and true, miracles are always possible.  I’m just not banking on my situation being one of them.

496 is a level consistent with anywhere between 1 and 3 weeks pregnancy (says my doctor’s nurse practitioner).  I’m supposed to be at 6.  And, while the numbers could have been swaggered a bit, possibly leaving me at 5 weeks…there’s no way to move it back as far as 3.  Unless everything was just hanging out together, yet not, for a while (the actual fertilization can take up to a little over a week.  CAN.  Two or more weeks would be very unlikely.  Possible, I guess, but in a tiny not so much sort of way.)

Then, of course, the bleeding…which says a lot on its own.

So, there we go.  It’s over.

And yet, it’s not.