IVF Pregnancy: Stopping Progesterone & Estrogen - What to Expect

Question
I am 8 weeks pregnant with twins doing ivf. What will happen if I stop my medications (progesterone and del estrogen). Will I miscarry?

Answer
Hello Kim from the U.S.,

No.  You could probably stop them at this point.  The placenta has taken over hormone production by 8 weeks.  Many clinics stop the medications at 8 weeks gestational age.  I continue them until 10 weeks gestational age just to be sure.  Some clinics will continue them until 12 weeks gestational age.  The biggest risk if the placenta has not developed enough and is not producing adequate progesterone levels is that a miscarriage can occur but this is highly unlikely at this point.

If you are asking this because you are using progesterone injections and it hurts too much, then ask your doc to chance to Endometrin, Procheive or Crinone vaginal suppositories.  They work equally as well and don't hurt.  The estrogen is of no value at this point.  It has already done its job, which was to assist with implantation.  You can stop that one without any worry.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.