Could I still be pregnant?

[lyssab23]

Two weeks ago I posted a question about whether or not I could be miscarrying.  Since then, on July 30th, a week after I went to the ER for bleeding, I've been told I did have a miscarriage (around 4 to 5 weeks along).  In the ER I was told that my HCG was at 50, the blood work last week showed the HCG at 70 and I had more blood work done Wednesday this week.  I received a phone call from the doctor today who stated that they need me to go Monday morning for more blood work.  When I asked why they told me my HCG went up to 80 something, istead of going down like it should be.  What could my slightly rising HCG levels mean?  I'm so confused...

[kellibubba]

Hi,
Just wanted to let you know theres a new forum called living with pregnancy loss. Feel free to pop in and have a peep and join.
Thinking of you kel
xxxx

[Cyndi713]

I understand your "what if" thinking, but rest assured, you did the right thing.  If you were having a viable pregnancy, your hCG levels would have been about doubling daily.  That means the day after you went to the ER your levels would have been about 100, the next day 200, the next 400, 800, 1600, and 3200 by the 7th day after your ER visit.  There are several possibilities for why your hormone levels were going up slightly, including an incomlete miscarriage (some of the tissue remains in your uterine lining, excreting small amounts of hCG and growing into irregular tissue) and a blighted ovum (a fertilized egg implants itself, but no fetal tissue is ever produced; may contain a gestational sac).  An ectopic pregnancy is also possible, either normal or presenting as one of these types of miscarriage.  You do not need to have a fever in order to have an ectopic pregnancy, especially if the ovum has not yet grown to the size of the tube.

I am sorry for your loss, but know that you did the right thing.  Good luck!

[lyssab23]

My levels went up to 116 on my next blood work.  The doctor called Monday and said I needed to come in right away to have a methotrexane shot to get rid of the baby bc they couldn't find it anywhere in the last ultrasound and bc my levels weren't doubling like they should be.  He made it sound like I could be at risk if I didn't get rid of it.  I said I wanted to wait in case things could change and get better but he explained that he was concerned that the baby was in my tube or ovary and it could harm me if it continues to grow.  I ended up getting the shot but am worried that maybe I should have waited considering they did the ultrasound almost 2 weeks prior to them telling me to get the shot.  I feel like they should have done another one to double check that they "couldn't find it," before giving me the shot.

[StephRox13]

Chances are if you're not running a fever and not in pain then you're not ectopic.

[lyssab23]

Thanks for your help.  That's what I was thinking it could be but they told me they didn't see anything in my uterus or tubes in both ultrasounds.  I guess I will find out though what exactly is going on if they continue to monitor me.

[StephRox13]

My OB told me if your numbers aren't going down then you could be having an incomplete miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. They will continue to monitor you to see what to do next.