Chapter 55: Using Progesterone Support During Pregnancy

Hilgers TW

Pregnancy Early Pregnancy

Chapter 55: Using Progesterone Support During Pregnancy

Hilgers TW

The Medical and Surgical Practice of NaProTECHNOLOGY, 2004

RRM Academy Synopsis

Progesterone support in pregnancy shows no rise in birth defects

A NaProTECHNOLOGY textbook chapter on progesterone support in pregnancy concludes that natural progesterone is safe when used in pregnancy. Over 2000 pregnancies with progesterone support showed no increase in birth defects. The chapter describes who receives support and how blood tests guide it.

Key Findings

Progesterone support in early pregnancy has been used for nearly 60 years.
Indications have included documented luteal phase deficiency, a history of recurrent pregnancy loss, and vaginal bleeding in the first 6 to 8 weeks.
For women with indications, the NaProTECHNOLOGY protocol checks blood progesterone every two weeks and plots it on a standard curve by week of pregnancy, and four zones guide the amount of support.
More than 2000 pregnancies reviewed or reported with progesterone support showed no rise in birth defects or in genital anomalies.
Among women on the protocol, the chapter reports lower observed rates of gestational hypertension, toxemia, postpartum depression, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid than the published standards it cites.

RRM Context

Luteal phase deficiency means the body makes too little progesterone after ovulation, and it is a recognized cause of early pregnancy loss. NaProTechnology pairs Creighton Model System charting with hormone tests, so the cause is documented before support begins. Finding the cause first is a central restorative principle. Charting also records each cycle before a woman conceives, which ties care before pregnancy to care during it and allows support to begin early in the pregnancy.

Our editorial summary of this paper, not the article's abstract.

Abstract

This chapter describes Hilgers' nearly 25-year experience with progesterone support in pregnancy and the protocol used at the Pope Paul VI Institute, including its indications, observed effects and safety. Under the protocol, serum progesterone is measured every two weeks and plotted on a standard curve for normal pregnancy divided into four zones, and the dose is set by the zone in which the level falls. Hilgers reports lower incidences of gestational hypertension, toxemia, postpartum depression and meconium-stained amniotic fluid in supported pregnancies than in published standards, with no difference in postpartum hemorrhage. In its safety review, the chapter reports no increase in birth defects or genital anomalies in over 2000 pregnancies reviewed or reported with progesterone support.

Topics

Pregnancy › Early Pregnancy › Progesterone Support · Reproductive Endocrinology › Luteal Phase › Progesterone Support · Therapeutics › Hormonal Agents › Progesterone and Progestins

Thomas W Hilgers

Tom Hilgers, T Hilgers

Hilgers et al. 2004, Hilgers 2004

Chapter 55: Using Progesterone Support During Pregnancy

Progesterone support in pregnancy shows no rise in birth defects

Key Findings

RRM Context

Abstract

Topics

By this author

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