Question Title: 2nd week after IVF transfer low but doubling HCG along with bleeding

Forum: The Maternal and Child Health Forum
Topic: Pregnancy - Abnormal

My first pregnancy test was a negative number (11/30), my second went to 7.5 (12/2). I began spotting on 12/2 which turned into a normal period 12/3. Third pregnancy test showed a 19 HCG (12/4). While they say this is low it is still hopeful that it is in fact more than doubling. Although I am bleeding and have cramping along with light headedness at times could this pregagnancy work? They want me to go back for another pregnancy test on Monday, 12/7. HELP!! I have asked my doc and they say that this happens sometimes. Well, that doesn't relieve my stress.

Has this ever happened to anyone else? If so, what was the outcome?

Dear Tammy:
Three embryos were transferred. It is possible to lose some of a multiple pregnancy and retain the remaining twin/tiplet. This is the hope that you are being offered by a low hCG level that doubled in the face of bleeding. There have been healthy, normal babies born in the circumstance you describe: menstrual flow-like bleeding and implantation. There is nothing that you can do, save continue the medications that have been prescribed to support the uterine lining.
I would be remis to not also offer two cautions: 1. Small amounts of early placenta (trophoblast) can develop in the absence of a healthy fetus and give a "chemical pregnancy". 2. The absence of fallopian tubes does not preclude against an ectopic pregnancy (so call stump, interstitial, and angular ectopic pregnancy).

Keywords: Bleeding, positive hCG, IVF

This information is provided for education purposes and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician.

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