Am I in danger of a miscarriage?

Hi,

We've been trying to conceive for almost 5 years, and finally found out I was pregnant on 6/30/06.  Since my period had never been regular, I waited until I was 17 days past my LMP (5/13/06) to check, because being late for a few days to a week was "normal" and meant nothing to me.

My hCG level taken on 7/10 was 5600, 7/14 was only 7900.  I took another test on 7/17, but won't know the result until tomorrow.

Ultrasound on 7/14 showed only a sac, and I do not experience any morning sickness.  The only sign of pregnancy that I can feel is the sore breats.

I'm worry sick, and cannot seem to be consumed by negative thougths.  Please help.

Thanks.

[Titi2]

Another question is how far along do you think I am, and when should I expect to see a heartbeat, if everything goes right for us?

If I do miscarry, what should I expect to happen next?

[sparky168]

I don't think you should worry about a miscarriage yet.  Many women on here have gotten a slow start with their HCG and went on to have healthy pregnancies.  Also you could have ovulated late because AF is so irregular for you.  I have the same problem.  The doctors think you are like 9 weeks but really you are only like 7 weeks.

[chichi7374]

When do you think you Ovulated???

[sparky168]

You shoud start to worry if you have heavy cramps associated with bleeding.  That's a sure warning sign something is wrong, but I wouldn't worry about that until you have to.  Mother nature throws surprises quite often that fool the doctors.  Good luck!!!

[Berko]

i really, really hope for you that everything works out fine. from my calculations i think you're about 7 and a half to 8 weeks pregnant - is that correct? i know that numbers are supposed to be doubling every 2 days, but  - what did the dr. say? there are many women on here that write how they didn't see much in the beginning and were worried, but then saw things later. i'm not trying to get your hopes too high, but i just want to try to calm you a little. even though you don't feel many symptoms it's certainly a good sign that you still have sore breasts and from my understanding have not been spotting or anything. are you cramping? lower back pain? i would say try to relax until you hear your results tomorrow - it could be everything will be ok and the hcg numbers were just weird one day or mistake. nothing you do or don't do will change if m/c - if it's not a healthy pregnancy then a m/c is the way of your body to rid itself of something unhealthy or abnormal, but i would suggest anyway trying to rest - keep your feet up and relax. i know it's hard. also, if your dr. was very concerned i'm sure that he/she would tell you of his/her concerns. i'm thinking of you and really hoping to hear that all is ok.

[AnnieBrooke]

The numbers aren't expected to double every 2 days once they get higher.  The chart I relied on says from hCG levels 1200 to 6000, expect it to double in 72 to 96 hours, and after hCG level 6000, expect it to double in "more than 96 hours."  (Not specified how slowly is too slowly, or if there even is such a thing as too slowly at that point.)  I don't think the numbers are that worrisome; my doc stopped measuring mine well before those levels.  Probably you'll get a lot more answers at your next ultrasound.  Sorry you have to wait!

[myproblem]

If your cycles are not regular, it is very likely that you ovulated late. Try not to worry yet. Good luck, and keep us posted.

[Titi2]

Thank you all for your reassurance and kind words.  This is our first pregnancy after trying for so long. It kills me to be in limbo like this..

I do not have any pain, cramps nor bleeding at this time, just lots of heartaches!

My doctor told me to hope for the best, but prepare for the worse, after my first u/s only showed a sac (which measures to be 5wk5d), but according to some chart, I supposed to be 9 weeks already.  He said he was concerned because the dates don't match, and my hCG levels did not double.

Please pray for us, and the safety of our baby.  

Thank you.

[AnnieBrooke]

If the sac measured at 5w 5d and you are often late with your cycle, you might have been late with your ovulation too, despite when your period began.  That would explain seeing just a sac, because for 5 w 5d just seeing a sac is not unusual at all.  Your numbers don't seem to be that bad, the doc should do some research and see that all the charts talk about it slowing as the numbers get higher.  I'd try to hold off on major stressing until you know more.  Good luck!!!

[mary345]

i am now 12 wks and when i was 6 wk  and 2 daysi was having some spotting and they checked my hcg levels and first was 4600 then 24 hours later was 6300 which means my numbers didn't double either. anyway  they did an u/s and all they saw was the sac and it was only measuring 5 wk 4 days i went back a week later and they saw the baby. the dr told me b/c my numbers hadn't doubled and there was no baby and my dates where off that the chances of me m/c were very high. but i didn't and i hope all goes well for you too.

[mary345]

i forgot to say that the reason my dates were off is b/c i ovulated later than normal. so maybe that is what happened to you.

[Berko]

i was wondering if maybe the numbers don't need to double as they get higher and further in pregnancy - that's good to know and therefore Titi2, you really have much less to worry about.

[Titi2]

I got the result today.  hCG level only went up to 7725.  U/s still showed only a sac.

Doc asked me to come back next Friday, if we don't see a heartbeat, my baby is lost.

I'm just too sad and dishearten.  Please pray for us.

[Titi2]

Oops, 8725, from 7900 three days ago.