Low HCG but still hoping

[Ketryne]

Hi there, I’m looking for some positive stories if there are any out there to get me through the next 24 hours.

I’ve had one successful pregnancy, then two miscarriages last year. Pregnant again and had a hCG blood test on the day after a positive test (4weeks+0 , 11do).
Blood hCG was just 18. My specialist told me not to hold out hope but has booked me in for another blood test on Monday (5 days after my first test).

I’m taking progesterone pessaries which prevents bleeding so can’t even rely on that as a sign. My test lines were faint but have got much stronger.

Anyone had results this low and a successful pregnancy? Despite my specialists skepticism, I can’t let the hope go yet.

I’m sorry you didn’t get any replies on this, but I am also in the same boat and can’t give up hope ❤️ I hope you got a HCG increase yesterday! X

Good luck, @Ketryne. ❤

At only 11dpo, a lower level isn't necessarily an indication of non-viability, so I'm a bit surprised your specialist told you not to hold out hope. Far too early for that kind of talk, in my opinion, even with a history of recurrent miscarriage (unless there are established medical reasons why).

I know this doesn't help with worry though, but truly only time will tell. Stronger lines is positive!

I can also say that in my experience progesterone absolutely hasn't stopped an inevitable bleed. I was using x1 400mg cyclogest daily, if that helps.

If you're only 11dpo i wouldn't say you're out yet. at 15 dpo mine was only 80 and i'm now 19 weeks pregnant so fingers crossed for you,

Thank you, and I really hope you get the rise you need too. It's a horrible, stressful time isn't it?

Had a brief call from my specialist last night to tell me my result had risen to 370 (16dpo) which is now 'very promising', so I'm actually a bit mad at him for being so pessimistic and putting me through the weekend from hell.

This just feels like getting over the first hurdle though, rather than a win, and I'm going to have to take it one day at a time and try not to go insane in the process.

Thank you, I really appreciate that - and I completely agree he was very premature. It put me through such a lot of unnecessary stress, only for things to be 'promising' by Monday. I think he's just very driven by statistics and probability, and must get used to seeing certain patterns play out.

That's really useful to know about the progesterone. He said we couldn't rely on bleeding as a sign because of the progesterone, as some women won't. So will be having regular blood tests and scans. It makes it hard to trust anything my body is doing through. I think I'm on 2x 400mg cyclogest, not sure if that's abnormally high?

Thank you, and congratulations! By 19 weeks, are you finally able to relax and enjoy it?

I'm now 370 at 16dpo so I've got all my fingers crossed I'm over the first hurdle. Both of my previous miscarriages happened around week 7, so just trying to cling on till after that.

Honestly just trying not to think about it til after the 20 week scan next week. I am still v nervous. I am high risk for complications as i am diabetic - i had a chemical the month before this and with my daughter i lost her twin at 10 weeks so as you can imagine its very hard to relax until baby is in my arms (and then i will obsess about SIDS) but that's parenthood. you'll never relax again!

At 4+3 my hcg was 19 I was warned it was probably a failing pregnancy but it wasn’t and ds was fine

Hi, I hope everything goes well. I was on 4200 mg. I was told we could go up to 6200 mg per day if needed. I was also on aspirin. I had low first hCG (at 14 dpo) and then bled although on progesterone; she's 20 months old :-)
Just to say that I couldn't trust anyone, anything, not even my own body, let alone my doctors and midwives. Take care and good luck🙂

that was meant to say: 4 200 mg, up to 6 200 mg...

This is so reassuring, thank you. I really appreciate hearing these stories. My previous blood results showed no reason for aspirin but my specialist had said pre-pregnancy that I should consider steroids. Based on the balance of side effects/risks I decided not to take them when I got my BFP, but he said he may ask me to reconsider depending on how things progress. It's so hard to make these kinds of decisions and I understand completely that feeling of not trusting anyone. I'm so thrilled you got your little one after it all.

It's all so stressful isn't it, and each milestone feels so far apart. Wishing you lots of luck for your 20 week scan 🩷

It’s so tough after miscarriages. I’ve had a few and also on progesterone and aspirin (plus antibiotics and heparin!). I had low hcg last year, the progesterone gave an increased result in my hcg so it was difficult to tell what was happening. Unfortunately mine resulted in an ectopic, it was very tough as it didn’t get sorted out for months!

I'm so incredibly sorry you went through that. Ectopic pregnancies must be so horrible to deal with. I hope you've been able to process it all and try to move on, even though it must be incredibly hard.

Not the same of course, but my first miscarriage didn't complete for a few weeks, I was in limbo for a while and then medical management didn't work for me, so I know what you mean about how difficult it is when it's not resolved quickly. In comparison, my second one was an open and shut case, done within a week. It was much easier to move on from, apart from the added worry of having had two within 6 months.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever comes next for you.

Thanks! The first miscarriage was awful, but the next two weren’t so bad as I had surgical management which was a lot easier. My ectopic was more frustrating than anything else. Yes it was disappointing at first, but I had come to terms with it quickly and just wanted it to be managed. Ended up stopping the progesterone myself (they wouldn’t give me a definitive answer as they couldn’t see the ectopic or anything in the womb so couldn’t be sure - it was obvious it wasn’t viable though), as my hcg was increasing and they said progesterone was playing a part in that but weren’t sure how much. I had weekly scans and bi-weekly blood tests which was frustrating as I had lots of work on. Luckily they found it eventually and I could have the injections.

If only conception could be simple!!

Just wanted to put an update on this in case anyone in the same situation finds it later.

Had a scan on Tuesday at just under 8 weeks (by NHS dates) and saw a heartbeat. So far, everything is developing well - measured up at 7+2 but this is in line with my ovulation dates which were behind this month.

This is the furthest any of my recent pregnancies have got (aside from my successful pregnancy with my son), and I'm just starting to let in a little hope that this might go the distance. Still a hugely long way to go and I can't stop thinking about all the stories I've heard of people seeing heartbeats at 7 weeks and then nothing at 9, but I'm just trying to function as normally as I can.

I've got another scan booked in for next friday, so just have to make it through till then.

Thanks for all the comments before, they were really reassuring.