Possible Miscarriage?

  I'm a healty 25 year old girl that last menstrated on November 23, 1998. I tested positive to being pregnant on December 23, 1998. My husband and I were happy, we were tring to get pregnant and did not think it would happen so fast. I got off the pill on November 21, 1998. Three days ago I had a brown discharge and went to the emergancy room. After a bunch of testing the told me they were not sure what was happening. It was either an early pregnancy or a miscarriage onsetting. The ultrasound showed a 5mm fluid mass without a pole or yolk sac present. My HCG level was 2400. I went home and stopped spotting. I got my blood checked yesterday and my HCG level moved up to 3900 and progestrone level was 18. What does this mean? I spotted twice since then- once a brownish color and once red blood. The blood is minimal, only when I wipe, none on my underwear. Am I still pregnant and early or miscarring? Could this be an blighted ovum? Please tell me about this topic?
Dear Cindy Baca:
When one stops birth control pills, there is a delay in the return of ovulation and the rules for calculating pregnancy dates are not reliable. Thus, although your "last period" would suggest that you are 7 weeks' gestation on 1/12/99, you may really be only 5 or 6 weeks along due to the delay in ovulation.
The hCG level has risen from 2400 to 3900: a normal rise pattern is a doubling of the level each 2 to 3 days. A slower rate of rise suggests that the pregnancy is not developing as expected.
The hCG level of 18 ng/ml is above 15 ng/ml, the value commonly reported as the lower end of the normal range in early pregnancy. This values suggests the early placental tissue is making the correct amounts of this hormone.
The ultrasound is likely imaging the fluid-filled sac wherein the fetus develops. One must wait an see whether this is an "empty sac" also called a "blighted ovum" (a pregnancy wherein the fetus does not form) or whether the timing is just too early to yet see the still microscopic fetus.
Keywrods: early pregnancy, hCG, ultrasound, progesterone. Pregnancy following oral contraceptives.
This information is provided for education purposes and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician.