Tracking HCG levels

Good morning to all.

I had a medical MC and have been tracking (ever so slowly!) my HCG back to 0.

I keep hearing these wonderful stories of people getting preggo after MC and before they get AF -- I must admit that I am a little jealous -- BUT oh so happy for all of you experiencing so much joy!!!

I seem to be one of very few people who opted for the medical MC...I'm just wondering if your docs followed your HCG levels to 0 after a D&C (or natural MC)...or do they just assume that the level will drop to 0.  It seems that these two options return to 0 a bit more quickly (I know this isn't true for everyone) than for the medical.

Also, could someone please clarify why the docs tell you not to get pregnant before the first AF (dating is what my doc said) if they're not checking hormone levels -- if they're too high to ovulate, then you wouldn't get pregnant anyway.  Sorry if I'm just not getting it.

Thanks for all you help.  Sticky baby dust to all!!!

[michellejune]

I answered on my other post some of the questions but my doc said they track levels to ensure all of the tissue has been removed and if it's not a D&C would be required. I assume this is the case even if you have a D&C because they need to ensure your system is clear of everything

Even when my level got down to 13 and I was ALMOST in the clear...they wanted me back again. Now that AF started, I hope I don't have to have more blood taken.

[wonderme]

Thanks!  Congrats on your AF...I just can't make sense of it all, perhaps b/c I haven't seen (of course I may have missed) anyone who has done the medical MC.

I did have "AF" exactly 4 weeks from medical, but still had HCG.  This doesn't seem to ring true for others -- only getting AF when levels are down to less than 5...but it also seems if you went natural or had a D&C that you get to 0 faster and maybe that's why...they reach that point before 4 weeks and then have AF.

I guess it will all be moot soon, as I should be less than 5 by now and expecting another AF next week...we shall see.

Good luck TTC...I will be hoping for sticky baby dust for you!!!

[laura99]

I had a D&C on 28th Sept. I live in the UK and they do not track your hcg levels over here. I did a pregnancy test 3 weeks and 2 days after the D&C and it was negative and that same day I got pregnant (I am one of the lucky ones!!) 3 doctors and a midwife told me that the only reson to wait to ttc is to date the pregnancy more accurately. I have had 2 scans so far to date it and they still said it was too early to know exactly (of course they won't take my word even though I am sure when I conceived!!). So I guess they don't want to spend money on extra scans and they tell you to wait to ttc!!  
Good luck!!

[wantingababy#1]

I am seeing a Reproductive Endrocrinologist who tracked my HCG down to below 5.  I used fertility drugs with my 1st Treatment cycle under his care (clomid and metforim). He told me to wait until my AF arrives because he wants to do a procedure (hystyeroscopy) to ensure my uterus healed properly after the MC and to see if there is anything wrong/abnormalities, before proceeding forward again to TTC.  I would start up clomid again after my AF arrives and get the procedure done between day 7-11 of my cycle.  We have not used protection and still waiting for AF, which is advised not to do...   I wrote a blog earlier asking if anyone has went on to not MC after getting prg't before AF, with many positive responses. I am sure there are some that ended in another MC.  I think the Drs advise not to TTC to make sure everything is healed and normal before going ahead again.  Hope this helps