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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Beta hcg level with slight decline
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Beta hcg level with slight decline
by vickilion, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
I am a 38 year old non-smoking mother of 2, whose pregnancies and deliveries were unremarkable. My daughters' ages are 8 and 6. My LMP was approximately Oct26. Dates of intercourse were 11/10, 11/11 and 11/12. I went in for an early ultrasound 12/24 mearly to make sure everything was "where it should be, yolk sac and gestational sac were seen, but the embryo measured to be 6 weeks, not 8. A fetal heart beat was not seen, with some concern from the sonographer. However, I do realize that conception could have happened 2-3 days after intercourse and the gestional age could be off. The Dr. said we could just be too early to have the heart beat show up, but if I wanted to I could have a beta hcg test and repeat it on the 26th. Which I did, results were 95,000 on the 24th and 93,700 on the 26th. I have experienced no cramps, and no bleeding at all. I realize that the hcg levels should double over two days and my levels have not. In all that I have researched thus far, almost all women state that they have experienced some form of spotting or heavy bleeding along with the hcg level plateau or decrease. My Dr. thinks that I am looking at a possible miscarriage and another ultrasound in scheduled for Jan. 3. If I am heading for a miscarriage, what time frame am I looking at. Could it be days, weeks, etc? At what point is a D&C considered. Any additional information that you can provide would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-DT, Dec 28, 2002 12:00AM
Thank you for visiting the Family Practice Forum.
This question comes up quite a bit. There is very little one can do in the first trimester, if in fact a miscarriage is about to occur. However, I don't want you to get too ahead of yourself here. While it is true that the HcG should be doubling every few days, you have no symptoms of a miscarriage right now (i.e. cramps, bleeding, abdominal discomfort). Certainly you don't HAVE to have these symptoms to be having a miscarriage, but it is much more common to have them, then not to.
Therefore, since I really can't say for certain that you ARE having a miscarriage, it is impossible to give you an anticipated time the (potential) miscarriage will occur. A D&C is considered typically after there has been significant cramping, bleeding and if/after tissue has been passed. Again, lets not get too ahead of ourselves here. The heart is not fully formed until week 7-8. It is possible that either due to the position of the baby or the gestational age, that a heart beat could not be seen.
I realize that I am in some respects being optimistic, but you really need to understand that all you have told me that would point to a miscarriage is a dip in the HcG, which MAY occur in normal pregnancies. Worrying is the last thing you need to be doing.
Eat well, get enough rest, take your prenatal vitamins, follow your doctors advice and get an ultrasound on 1/3 ... the rest is up to "mother nature". I hope all turns out well for you.
This question comes up quite a bit. There is very little one can do in the first trimester, if in fact a miscarriage is about to occur. However, I don't want you to get too ahead of yourself here. While it is true that the HcG should be doubling every few days, you have no symptoms of a miscarriage right now (i.e. cramps, bleeding, abdominal discomfort). Certainly you don't HAVE to have these symptoms to be having a miscarriage, but it is much more common to have them, then not to.
Therefore, since I really can't say for certain that you ARE having a miscarriage, it is impossible to give you an anticipated time the (potential) miscarriage will occur. A D&C is considered typically after there has been significant cramping, bleeding and if/after tissue has been passed. Again, lets not get too ahead of ourselves here. The heart is not fully formed until week 7-8. It is possible that either due to the position of the baby or the gestational age, that a heart beat could not be seen.
I realize that I am in some respects being optimistic, but you really need to understand that all you have told me that would point to a miscarriage is a dip in the HcG, which MAY occur in normal pregnancies. Worrying is the last thing you need to be doing.
Eat well, get enough rest, take your prenatal vitamins, follow your doctors advice and get an ultrasound on 1/3 ... the rest is up to "mother nature". I hope all turns out well for you.
yes i am freaked out and i know i should try and remain calm but after having been told that i did in fact lose my baby...on wednesday they began to reconsider. evidently my HCG drop isn't as high as they expected which leads to more confusion.
i may or may not miscarry. i have had no bleeding or cramping although i must say i'm not the "right" person to be told what to look out for and to "rush to the e-room as soon as you begin to cramp or bleed".
this morning i found myself completely depressed and afraid to do anything. i felt some sharp pains on my right side and again this could be gas.
the ultra sound measured a 6 week pregnancy. okay...so it isn't ectopic if it is seen in the uterus correct? i know this but as you can tell i'm a bit freaked out by all of this.
crying on monday and tuesday and then suddenly i may be pregnant after all.
any ideas???
i've only been told that i surprised them with how high my HCG count was on monday and once again with how little it has dropped.
comfort please? ideas? anything...
i have never carried. i have had 5 abortions over the last 20 years.
Thanks so much for posting,
Toni
Stephanie