At 7 weeks of pregnancy, progesterone level is 6.8 nmol/L with vaginal bleeding—do I need progesterone injections to support the pregnancy?
May 11, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
At 7 weeks of pregnancy, a progesterone level of 6.8 nmol/L accompanied by bleeding may indicate threatened miscarriage, which generally requires progesterone injections for fetal preservation. However, if the cause is embryonic demise or molar pregnancy, such injections are usually unnecessary, as normal pregnancy cannot proceed in these cases. Embryonic demise or molar pregnancy should be managed under a doctor's guidance with procedures such as dilation and curettage (D&C) or laparoscopic surgery.
Under normal circumstances, if a pregnant woman at 7 weeks gestation has a progesterone level of 6.8 nmol/L and experiences vaginal bleeding, whether or not she needs injections to maintain the pregnancy depends on the underlying cause. If it is due to threatened miscarriage, progesterone support (commonly referred to as "fetal protection" injections) is usually required. However, if the cause is embryonic demise or molar pregnancy, such injections are generally unnecessary. Specific details are as follows:
1. Injections are needed
Progesterone is a steroid hormone primarily produced by the placenta and corpus luteum. At 7 weeks of pregnancy, normal progesterone levels should range between 63.6 and 95.4 nmol/L. A level of 6.8 nmol/L is considered low and may indicate a threatened miscarriage. In such cases, prompt treatment with fetal protection injections under medical supervision is necessary. Examples include intramuscular injections of progesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), or recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin.
2. Injections are not needed
If low progesterone is caused by conditions such as embryonic demise or molar pregnancy, normal pregnancy cannot continue, and therefore fetal protection injections are not indicated. Instead, treatment under a doctor's guidance may involve procedures such as dilation and curettage (D&C) or laparoscopic surgery.
In daily life, it is important to get adequate rest and ensure sufficient nutritional intake to support fetal health.
