clueless

hi everyone! i don't mean to sound ignorant but what does beta mean? what about progesterone? im trying to get it together with the ivf lingo. can somebody please clue me in?

[Helen72]

Beta is blood test that tests for HCG levels.  Elevated HCG means you are pregnant.

Progesterone is a hormone.  If you ovulate your progesterone levels become elevated.  Since during ivf you do not ovulate, after your eggs are retrieved you will have to take progesterone to let your body know you are pregnant.  When your progesterone falls you get your period.  Most ladies take progesterone till about 12 weeks of pregnancy and then your placenta produces enough progesterone that you do not need to supplement.