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32 weeks pregnant, using Natpro

by A.
(Canada)

After two previous losses, I began using Natpro and have enjoyed a healthy pregnancy. I am now less than 2 months away from my due date. I have used Natpro twice a day for my entire pregnancy. My question is, do I stop using the cream once I deliver (or prior to?) and how do I use the cream as my body adjusts again to a cycle? I plan to continue to use it after my delivery as it has been extremely beneficial in reducing anxiety - I am optomistic that it will help with "baby blues" and even reduce the risk of postpartum depression. Thank you in advance for your guidance.

Comments for 32 weeks pregnant, using Natpro

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Apr 20, 2012
 32 weeks pregnant, using Natpro
by: Wray

Hi A I'm so delighted to hear this! I had five miscarriages, but no one thought to offer progesterone. Although thousands of women give birth daily, no one seems to know what actually causes it to occur. Some popular websites say it's all under the control of oxytocin, but one study says….. "The mechanisms regulating human parturition and labor remain unknown." It goes on to say….. "Although a number of the key hormones and proteins involved have been identified, the relationships between these factors in time and tissues remain unclear. Placental production of Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is proposed as an early event regulating the cascade of events. Central to the onset of parturition will be a mechanism for progesterone withdrawal and estrogen activation in human." Another study says…"Functional progesterone withdrawal may be induced by locally produced prostaglandins that alter myometrial nPR expression." But what is known is that prior to labour and during labour there is an increase in the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins, cytokines and chemokines. The amnion is the major source. Oxytocin plays an important role too, as it's secretion from the pituitary stimulates the oxytocin receptors in the myometrium, which causes contractions by increasing intracellular Ca(+2) and production of prostaglandins. But it appears that prostaglandin synthesis is also critical to the onset and progression of labour. Progesterone, plus it's most important metabolite, allopregnanolone, inhibit oxytocin and the inflammatory cytokines. So progesterone withdrawal is essential to initiate the process. But what controls this is not clear. Continued below.
Apr 20, 2012
 32 weeks pregnant, using Natpro Part 2
by: Wray

Hi A These studies are rather a mouthful, but you might be interested, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
Some women taper off the progesterone in the last month or so, others have continued till birth, it doesn't seem to make much difference. This study here confirms that using progesterone till term does not prevent labour. You might like to see these comments here. So if you continue till term, I suggest you don't use it once in labour, but to continue it afterwards. Another reason I wish I'd known about it, as I had PND. In women who do not breast feed, cycles can return 5 to 10 weeks later. In those that do, it can be many months later, or only when breastfeeding is discontinued. The variation is enormous. It's best to use progesterone daily, stopping and starting could cause the cycle to begin again. I'm not sure how much you've been using, but as it seems to have helped you, I suggest you stick to the same amount after birth. We do have a page on Pregnancy and another here. Please let me know how you get on. Take care Wray

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