Question about missed miscarriages and progesterone levels

[Anonymous]

I had a missed miscarriage a few months ago -- we saw a good strong heartbeat at 7.5 weeks, but the 11.5 ultrasound showed the baby had stopped growing around 8.5 weeks. I had no sign anything was wrong -- no bleeding at all, and still had bad morning sickness.

Would a progesterone deficiency lead to a miscarriage such as this, or does progesterone deficiency typically lead to earlier miscarriages with bleeding (because the body can't sustain the pregnancy properly).

My feeling is that my miscarriage was *probably* caused by a chromosonal issue, rather than an issue with my body, because my body did not seem to reject the pregnancy whatsoever, but rather, the baby just died. Also I've had a successful pregnancy before (not to say that hormone levels don't change, but it's another piece of evidence pointing to something being wrong with the baby rather than something being wrong with my body).

However, in the cycles following my m/c, my luteal phase seems short and I'm worried about progesterone deficiency. So now I'm looking backwards and wondering if a progesterone deficiency could have caused the miscarriage.

Any thoughts would be great. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for your loss. A low progesterone level would likely lead to an earlier m/c and it should result in an active m/c vs. a missed m/c, as the body would start shedding the lining. I have had a couple of missed m/cs and my luteal phase has been wonky in the subsequent cycles, likely as a result of the hormonal changes from even an early pregnancy. Missed m/cs are typically the result of chromosomal abnormalities and I accepted (and even had testing) that both of mine were from that. You can also ask to go on progesterone supplements if it will make you feel better. Just be warned that most docs have you stop taking them around 8-10 weeks when the placenta takes over.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, that is what I thought so it's good to hear from someone else!

I'm actually going to see an RE next week - just for my own peace of mind I'd like to see if my hormone levels are ok or not. I realize I'm being sort of impatient and aggressive, but I am ready to have #2. This miscarriage has taken so long to get over (physically). Much longer than I hoped or anticipated.

Sorry for your losses as well, PP.

[Anonymous]

Had two missed mc, the second one with progesterone supplements and the embryo was chromosomally normal. They still can't explain half the causes for mc...
So sorry and gl!

[Anonymous]

I also had two missed miscarriage where the fetus died, but my body never figured it out. Both turned out to be chromosomal. You can always do progesterone supplements - there's no downside.