You wanted to know what role progesterone plays in conception and in pregnancy. And it plays a really important role in both. Progesterone dominates the 2nd half of a woman’s menstrual cycle, and begins to take over after ovulation, and it helps to maintain the endometrium (or the lining of the uterus) in preparation for pregnancy. And then once a woman is pregnant, it plays a very important role in maintaining the pregnancy. In some cases, doctors recommend checking progesterone levels about a week before a woman’s next period is expected to begin to see where the levels are at. And a level of 6 to 25 is considered normal, but a level of 2 or below may mean there was an unruptured follicle. And if your doctor has checked your progesterone levels, talk to them about what your results mean, and based on their knowledge of your circumstances, they can put it into context, interpret it for you, and give you tailored information and advice. Progesterone, like I mentioned earlier, does play an important role in maintaining pregnancy, and around 7 to 9 weeks gestation, the placenta takes over and begins to produce this. And during the 2nd half of pregnancy, progesterone helps to keep the uterus calm and quiet and it also helps to prevent the water from breaking prematurely. So if a woman has a history of preterm delivery, then it may warrant progesterone supplementation in future pregnancies to increase the chances of her going to full-term or at least nearer to full-term than she made it previously. If you have more specific questions about your circumstances, don’t hesitate to talk with your OB provider who can give you tailored information and advice. And if you have more questions in the future for me, feel free to ask them on our Intermountain Moms Facebook and Instagram pages, and recommend us to your friends and family too.
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