Help in Preventing Miscarriages

Achieving a successful pregnancy is the first hurdle when starting a family, but sadly it is not always carried to full term.

Officially a miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy that happens sometime during the first 23 week with around three quarters of miscarriages happening in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy (the first trimester).

The risk does increase with age with those under 30 having a 10 percent risk of miscarriage, age 35-40: 20 percent chance of miscarriage and if over 45 a dramatic increase to a 50 percent chance of miscarriage

The importance of progesterone

Progesterone is vitally important in maintaining a pregnancy as its role is to maintain and stabilize the lining of the uterus so the fertilized egg can implant.

In the later weeks of pregnancy the placenta makes large amounts of progesterone which maintains the fertilized egg, but in the first 10 to 12 weeks the placenta is not fully formed and the ovary has to make extra progesterone.

If the ovary does not do this for some reason then the lining of the uterus becomes unstable and is shed together with the fertilized egg.

If this is the cause of early miscarriages then using progesterone cream during the first 3 months of a pregnancy can help, but it must be remembered that there are many other causes of early miscarriages.

Women with a history of miscarriage may not be offered treatment until they have had 3 or more miscarriages so in those circumstances ensuring good progesterone levels by supplementing with progesterone before conception can only be helpful.

How Progesterone Deficiency Contributes to Miscarriage

Progesterone is often called the “pregnancy hormone” for good reason. Without adequate levels, the uterine lining cannot maintain the thick, nutrient-rich environment that a developing embryo needs. When progesterone levels are too low in those critical early weeks, the lining may begin to break down, leading to miscarriage.

There are several reasons why a woman may have insufficient progesterone in early pregnancy. Stress, poor nutrition, being underweight, thyroid problems, and conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can all affect progesterone production. Age is also a factor — as we get older, the quality of ovulation can decline, leading to lower progesterone output from the corpus luteum.

Practical Support for Early Pregnancy

If you have a history of miscarriage and suspect low progesterone may be a factor, there are some practical steps that may help:

• Track your cycle: understanding your luteal phase (the time between ovulation and your period) can give clues about progesterone levels — a short luteal phase may indicate low progesterone
• Consider supplementation before conception: some women use bioidentical progesterone cream in the second half of their cycle to help build adequate levels before pregnancy
• Support overall health: good nutrition, adequate sleep, stress management, and a healthy weight all support hormone production
• Vitamin B6 and zinc: both nutrients support progesterone production and are found in foods like poultry, fish, nuts, and seeds

A Note of Reassurance

Miscarriage is far more common than many people realise, and it is important not to blame yourself. There are many causes, and low progesterone is just one possible factor. If you have experienced recurrent miscarriages, do speak to your healthcare provider about having your hormone levels checked. Early intervention with progesterone supplementation has helped many women go on to have successful pregnancies.