You're good to go once the hCG levels are below 4 or 5. If this happens before you have a normal period, wait at least one normal period as well. (Some doctors say to wait for three normal periods, but most ladies don't wait that long.) If your hCG numbers don't drop that far in a reasonable amount of time (say, a month), ask for an ultrasound, to be sure the uterus is clear.
Thank you for your comment... As I had stated, they drew blood to recheck the hCG level. I got those results this morning, and it indicated that the levels did indeed drop alot. On Jan 7 the hCG was at 3748, today (Jan 26) 1291. What should my next step be? The doc never mentioned anything about a possible D&C or anything to make sure I don't have any other compications... My husband and I are talking about trying again, but the next question is... when can we start trying agian?
If your hCG numbers are dropping, then it is indeed a miscarriage, whether or not you bled a lot. If they are increasing at the normal rate (doubling every 48-72 hours) then you should recheck your dates -- could you be more like 5 weeks pregnant right now? (If you have never had tests done exactly two days apart, use an online calculator for hCG to figure out the rate of change in hCG levels.) If the levels are increasing but slowly, then you should ask the doc about ectopic. The best way to try to diagnose any of this is by checking the hCG levels. Since that is what the doctor is doing, I wouldn't push him. The only thing I would request at this point is two beta hCG tests 48 hours apart, so the rate of change is very clear.