slight decline in hcg level

By my calculations, I am almost 9 wks pregnant.  Last Tuesday at my first prenatal visit, a heartbeat could not be detected during the ultrasound. My doctor said that perhaps I'm earlier in the pregnancy than I thought. On Wed. my hcg level was 43,303.  I went back on Fri. and it was 42,900. We have an appt. tomorrow to have another sonogram and are hopeful to hear a heartbeat.  I am concerned about my decline in hcg. I have had no bleeding or cramping whatsoever. Can you comment on my hcg level and also the concern over not hearing a heartbeat yet?  Thank you!

[Debra_Maine]

I am sorry to say this but it doesn't sound good. The heartbeat can't always be heard at 9 weeks and if you aren't as far along as you thought (ovulated late) then that would explain it. But a decline in hcg is not a good sign. I had a m/c at 10 weeks, but the baby had stopped growing at 6 1/2 weeks. From 6 1/2 wks to 10 wks I never had any pain, bleeding or bad cramps. Then all of a sudden I had blood after sex. The u/s showed the baby had stopped growing and there was no h/b. My point is that you don't always have signs that something is wrong until much later. All you can do is go for the next u/s and that will tell you. I'm so sorry you are going through this. I've been there and I know how hard it is. My thoughts are with you.
Debra

[blondie72]

Declining levels do not sound good.  They should be doubling every 2 days not dropping.  I agree with the other post.  It does not sound good.  You should definitely see a h/b at 9 weeks although you cannot usally hear it then but with u/s you should definitely pick up something.  I am sorry you are going through this.  I had the same thing last year in Sept where I went in at 12 wks for u/s and there was no h/b.  Dr said baby stopped growing at about 10 wks or so.  On a brighter note I got pg again after just 2 cycles and I am sitting here right now with my 2 month old baby boy on my lap.  Do not give up.  Keep your chin up as hard as it will be if you are in fact m/c.  I really am sorry you are going through this but this board has been a wonderful support system since it happened to me and so many others on this board.   Good luck to you.

[momttc]

****.  This is the one thing a woman does NOT want to go through when she decides to have a baby.  You are so excited when you see that positive pregnancy test.. but for those of us who have had a loss know it is just the beginning of 3 months of stress.

I have had 3 ultrasounds!  I've just been crazy with this baby.  Last u/s was friday i was 9w3d and the baby was moving but I was a nervous wreck!!!  sorry to hear of your troubles :(  I've been making my doc do ultrasounds every couple weeks, starting at 6w.  I don't want to go a month thinking I'm pregnant only to find that the baby quit growing.

Nothing you can do if the baby isn't healthy.. it's not your fault, but just God's way.  It's irritating and painful, but once you finally have your baby on your lap you'll look back at the rough road and appreciate him/her so much more!!!!!

A lot of us have lost a pregnancy.  Keep in touch..  you'll find there are a lot of people out there who don't understand what you are going through.  hang in there, momttc

[carolyn55806]

Prepare for the worst, but realize that miracles can happen...also, sometimes there can be a lab mistake in regards to the hcg numbers. My thoughts are with you.

[Stacie30]

In your ultrasound did they check to see if the fetal measurement match your dates? Did the baby measure 9 weeks?

[lovinmom]

I heard that from week 8-10 the levels begin to dip in normal pregnancy.  Most women towards the 10 wk.  I would hang in there.  The baby can move at 8 wks.  If nothing is seen, the baby could be hiding.  Women who have tilted uterus often have a hard time finding their fetus until later weeks when it is larger.  For some encouraging stories to hang in there, go to this web-site:

http://home.earthlink.net/~misdiagnosed/

Take care.  I hope that it goes well.