My HCG levels and miscarriage

I just found out I was pregnant on Friday.  Well, on Saturday I had a little brown color in a discharge.  I went to the hospital as I was intructed and they did blood tests and utrasound.  Well, my HCG levels are only at 235.6 and they say I am about four weeks.  Is that normal to bleed a little bit.  Also, I am not bleeding at all from my cervix.  The doctors didn't really tell me anything, I am confused.  The lady that did my ultrasound showed me where the baby was and told me my utering lining was good.  Who do I believe and what should I do?

[Forum-M.D.-SP]

An HCG of 235.6 at four weeks is in range, but unfortunately it is impossible to tell from just one level what the outcome will be. I am confident and hopeful that things will work out. A little bit of early bleeding is pretty common, occurring in as many as 30% of all pregancies. About 50% of the time, the pregnancy goes on to be healthy. The other 50% of the time, the outcome is not so good, either a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. It is always important to follow bleeding. A second beta-HCG two days from the first can help - more reassuring if it is rising. An ultrasound should be done around 5 1/2 weeks if your beta-HCG levels are rising as they should - this will be too early to see a heart beat but still far enough along to see if it has implanted in the uterus (in which case we can rule out ectopic). I would take steps to be prepared and be followed, but at the same time with what you have described the chances of progressing with a normal pregnancy are still very good. Good luck!

[Biegal13]

A related discussion, Simiar to question above was started.