Advice please. M/c 4 wks ago but pg hormone still high

[kjq]

Hi

I M/c'd about 4 weeks ago. Had a scan and all and everything seemed to have passed, but 4 weeks on I'm still required to go to the hospital each week for my preg hormone levels to be checked. Is this right?

At todays appt the m/w thought that today might be the last time, but has just called to say i need to go again next week.

My mum is now worrying me saying that something must be wrong.

Has anyone else experienced this or is there a m/w out there that can explain this to me?

[pepperpots]

how many weeks pg were you?

[NatalieJane]

Ring your midwife back and ask her what she thinks is going on, I am sure there are loads of things that could cause this, and you will only be worrying yourself for maybe nothing.

Good luck.

[Matonic]

Well, I think it can mean a number of things but it's most likely that it's just taking time for your pg hormone to settle down again. They will want to keep checking until it's gone down and is stable - sorry, can't remember anything about actual levels and numbers.

I had this a few years ago and it took around two months before everything was back to normal - no other symptoms bar anxiety though! Sorry to hear you're going through this, hope it clears up soon and straightforwardly.

[kjq]

I was coming up for my tenth week when I started to bleed. When they scanned me the baby was about 6 weeks.

I've been trying to get on with things but when you need to go back to the hospital each week you can't draw a line under it and move on.

NJ the m/w says that most hospitals don't check up on their patients like this and that they are beeing extra careful (whatever that means) but I wish they'd do one more scan just to get it over and done with.

[NatalieJane]

I don't want to get your hopes up, especially if it isn't right, but could you either still be pregnant, (maybe you miscarried one twin?) or be pregnant again? My sister went through a 'wierd time' as she says, she went to her GP and eventually they realised that she had been pregnant, she M/Ced, then got pregnant again in the next cycle, she didn't even know she was pregnant with the first one.

Have you a history of m/c's or anything? Seems strange that she would tell you they were being extra careful and then not give you any clue as to why they are being more careful.

[pepperpots]

NJ i was just going to suggest the same thing. Would there be any chance you could hae got preganant again? Just go to epu and ask them to scan you asap. Have you done any tests? i would have thought that after four weeks the hormone would be relativley low??? so maybe only a very faint line if anything would show

[pepperpots]

NJ i was just going to suggest the same thing. Would there be any chance you could hae got preganant again? Just go to epu and ask them to scan you asap. Have you done any tests? i would have thought that after four weeks the hormone would be relativley low??? so maybe only a very faint line if anything would show

[kjq]

Nj

I asked last week if i could be pregnant again and they just laughed . There is no history of m/c's in the family.

I've just sent an email to the m/c association hopefully they can help.

Thanks

[NatalieJane]

Well I am no expert, but if you erm... did the business this month, with no contraception then there would be every chance you are PG, have you done a test? Having said that you may get BFP and then not be any the wiser as you would be telling yourself it was just because of the hormones not coming down.

Maybe be a bit pushy and ask for another scan? They can only say no...

[neolara]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I had a missed miscarriage similar to yours. I found out at 11 weeks the baby had stopped growing at about 6 weeks. I tested positive on pregnancy tests 4 weeks after the miscarriage but by 35 days I got a negative result. In a normal pregnancy your HCG levels rise until they reach a peak at about 12 weeks. If you miscarry, the HCG levels begin to drop off from the time of the pregnancy ending (which is not necessarily the same time as the foetus stops growing). I can't remember exactly how quickly, but it's something like levels halve every 48 hours (or it could be 36). So that's why people who miscarry can take differing lengths of time for their HCG levels to be undetectable on pregnancy tests. The closer you were to around 12 weeks, I guess the longer it takes to get back to zero. I think you tend not to ovulate until your HCG levels are back to very nearly zero because your body still thinks you are pregnant. It can be quite tricky to work out what is going on because ovulation kits can also repond to HCG in your wee and it can look like you are ovulating when you aren't. I know that after my miscarriage I was very keen to have a negative pregnancy test before trying to concieve again because I didn't want to be in the poisition where I took a test, thought I was pregnant and then was devasted when AF arrived as my body finally got back to normal. I found out most of the above info about HCG levels from Professor Lesley Regan's book on miscarriage "Miscarriage, what every woman should know". I found it fantastically helpful.

I hope you start to feel better soon. It's a horrible time.

[kjq]

WOW

Thanks Neolara. Your post is very informative and has put me at ease.

I was tempted to do a test but now know that it will probably be positive even though there is nothing there. A lot of worrying would've been going on so thanks again.

[mia09]

Hi,

Im new to all this and dont really know were to start, i found out i was pregnant just on a week ago and my doctor estimated me to be around 7 weeks based on my last show of a period (which was a bit light for me) I then on friday started to bleed but had and continue to have no pain at all i went the hospital were i was given a scan but 'no sign' of pregnancy showed up. The doctor said it could be a misscarige or it could be my dates were wrong and i may only be within the frst 4 weeks so a scan would not pick up a pregnancy? Does anyone have any info on this at all? I also had to had a blood test which came back as the hcg being 45% does anyine know what the level should be around 4 weeks? Im totally confussed as i am still bleeding but know appears to be more of a period my cervix was closed when i was examined and i still have had no pain! I have to go back th hospital sunday but just wondered if anyone could help?
(This is my 1st preg)

[Upsidedowncake]

Hi Mia

I'm sorry you're going through this. So many of us have, and then go on to have successful pregnancies aftrwards. But it's a horrible situation.

First off, a scan would not show anything up until over 5 weeks, and bleeding does not necessarily mean you are miscarrying.

Right, Levels. Are you sure hcg was 45%? Levels tend to not to be expressed in percentages.

I had blood tests done at 4 weeks + 1 day and 4 weeks + 3 days, and the hcg levels were 84 rising to 256. So 45 would fit if you were 4 weeks and 0 days for example.

Have they asked you back for a second scan in a couple of weeks?

[mia09]

Hi,
Thanks so much for reply, They did say 45% yes, this was only over the phone as i am going back again tomorrow evening for another blood test which i should get results for Sunday, im just worried as the woman on the phone said it is quite low? its just so hard to concentrate on anything untill its confirmed i suppose.
The reason its hard to determine is that i never have had regular periods and have sometimes missed a whole monthe and gone on to have my next one then the one after has been up to a week late etc so trying to pin an exact estimate of how far i am is proving hard, its just the waiting thats the hardest part. I appreciate your reply though as im sure you understand it can feel like your alone when something like this is happening. I just want to know for sure as IF i am still pregnant the stress is not helping!

[mia09]

Hi all,
Just thought i would update my situation as i have found the info on these threads to be so helpfull and would like to help thers if i can? As i have already said above as i started bleeding on thurs, i had a blod test to determine my hcg levels my first taken thurs (results fri) were at 45 and my second taken yesterday i got the result for today and they have risen to 67 but not doubled! The doctor has asked me back for another test so they can determine what is happening as they are unsure on exactly how far preg i am/was due to my history of erratic periods. Weoriginally thought around 7 weeks then the doc said it was possible i was around 4 weeks. Has anyone had or heard of this happening? As i was under the impression the hcg starts to drop from the day a misscarrige starts so should have droped since thurs not gone up?? Im going back for my 3rd blood test tomorrow evening so should know more tue but wondered if anyone can help before then? I'm totally confussed!

[Upsidedowncake]

Thanks for letting us know, Mia. I only know what the docs told me when I had my miscarriage (ectopic) and my levels were halving every 48 hours.

A non-miscarriage ectopic (which could fit with slightly rising levels) should have been picked up on the scan.

So I don't have any experience of your situation. I hope someone else does, and can help you.

Hang on in there. It sounds like they are taking good care of you. [hugs]

[mia09]

thanks Upsidedowncake, Its so confussing i know, that was the first thing i asked why the scanwouldn't have picked up anything and the doc said it may be as im only in first 4 weeks so a scan wouldnt detect anything anyway?? if i continue to get slightly rising blood levels they are going to do another scan in a week or so (will just keep checking blood to see if the is a drop till then i suppose) i have noticed i have almost stopped bleeding this morning only spotting now so maybe this blood test today will be better? ill keep you posted thanks again. x

[mia09]

Hi all,

Just another update, im so confussed with all of this and would like to help anyone else experiencing the same or similar situation as me. Since my last blood check my hcg levels have risen again from 67 to 121 docs are not ruleing out a misscarrige/ectopic or even a viable pregnancy at this stage but i do have to go back for more blood mon (12th) and a scan tue (13th) to see if they can get to the bottom of what is happening. I was very concerned like alot of people on these threads, that my hcg levels wernt doubling but the doc re-assured me that a 66% increase is classed as a 'normal' increase and there is no 'hard' evidence i have misscarried even though i was beeding for 4 days last week as i had no pain, clots, etc. (apparently although bleeding IS a concern it is actually more common in early pregnancy than most people think!) I, myself have prepared for the worse as its been such an up and down last week i dont want to build my hopes up only to be shattered again, personally, -as much as i would love too- i dont see much good coming from this (judgeing by similar stories i have read) i just want to keep updating as i have came across a couple of people who were having similar probs but never updated so dont know their outcome? I now have another week to wait for a scan to see if they can detect anything (due to not being able to pin exactly how far gone i was/am they want to give more time for scan) but will let you all know good or bad?? Going to try and relax over the next week - not easy!

Take care everyone and best of luck to all of you whatever your situation. xxx

[Oblomov]

Mia
No advice to offer, just support, I am due to be scanned on the 13th. A week ago, I thought I was 6 wks + 3 days. Scanned. Only a sac. 4-5 weeks they think. They suggested I had miscarried. My diabetes is shot to pieces and I could be going through all of this for nothing. No bleeding as yet. So sad, I can't deal with his at all and can't stop crying. Not looking forward to prospect of d&c. I am here for support if you need. Big hug.

[mia09]

Hi Oblomov, First of all im sorry your going through this too, I know how your feeling, all the waiting doesn't help, but try to think positive if they are scanning you again then they must not be certain of what has happened and you may be fine. Im worried about mine too as i have had bleeding and levels could be higher! I too feel very emotional at the moment and i have had to take some time of work as i cant concentrate on anything untill i have an answer, Do you work? can you take some time off and rest you may not want to talk to people etc but try and have your close friends and family around you for support its helping me, and you can chat to myself on here too. Try to remain positive (easier said i know) and let me know how you get on ill have my fingers crossed for you and say a prayer.
Best of luck. xx

[NAB3littlemonkeys]

I had a situation where my blood test levels weren't where they should be for a m/c. Later turned out I had conceived twice, a single baby and then twins. Lost two but the other survived and he is now 2 and a bit and a real darling.

i hope it all works out good for you.

[p2b]

Mia, Oblomov

Really sorry to hear both of you are going through this but as you have pointed out it is good to keep posting. I have my fingers crossed for you both. I suffered a missed miscarriage (two months ago) and last week discovered I'm pregnant again. I am of course excited but also terrified. I would like an early scan if possible and I guess the timing of this is crucial if it's to prove things one way or the other.
Thinking of you both.

p2b

[Oblomov]

Thanks for all the nice posts guys.
Mia, lets try and support eachother, through our posts, until tuesday.
I am working. I cried at work yesterday. Then HR came to ask how I was. She kept asking why my diabetes had gone mad and I said I didn't know. But she kept asking again and again and then I broke down ( no one knew I was pregnant, thay only knew I had been admitted to Kings because of my diabetes going Mad) and I cried and told her everything.
She was really nice and said, if I needed to go home, and that next week, after tuesday, if I needed a d&C, she would arrange everything, without anyone knowing.
Anyway, they know now.
When I came home from hospital, last week, after being in for 5 days, I went to work the next day. My mum thought I was mad, but if I hadn't I would have had ds home with me and so I took him to nursery and went into work. Just for a short day. It took my mind of it and helped.
Over the weekend, I didn't do alot of blood testing, although I should have. I didn't speak to my mum or my best friend. I just wanted to world to go away and for this all to go away.
I am feeling a bit better today. I can't wait for tuesday. It can't come soon enough.
And no, I am def NOT pregnant, we haven't made love, since conception, so Iknow that is not an option for me.
Are you working Mia ?
How are you doing today ?

[mia09]

Hi all, firstly Oblomov ofcourse we can support eachother thats what myself and everyone else are here for, anytime you want to talk or have a rant!
Also thanks to p2b & NAB3littlemonkeys for your reply I guess now its just a waiting game until tuesday. Im off work for the rest of week now and mon tue next week Oblomov, im going to try and take things easy as this has been on going for a week already so im really stressing at the moment.
Im sad to hear you were so upset today its hard when you talk about it i think it just makes it more raw - not tat you shouldn't talk about it it sounds strange but as much as it upsets you it will help in the long run as you dont wnt to bottle it all up its sometimes good to have a cry - let it all out as they say.
Well i will check on you again shortly keep smiling. xx (big hug)

[Oblomov]

Hi Mia, How are you doing? I am at home today with ds. A friend is coming over. I just can't wait for tomorrow now. I am pretty certain that they will confirm what I think.
I am wishing you all the best.