why has no-one measured my hcg levels?

[dooscooby]

Hi there
I'm currently very worried and a bit confused. After a m/c at 6 weeks in August, potentially an early m/c in Oct 4.5 weeks (?) I am now supposed to be 9 wks pregnant. I had a scan last week at 8 weeks for some reassurance, but it was inconclusive and found growth to be more like 6 weeks - gestational sac and yolk sac there, but no fetal pole or heartbeat.

I'm not waiting for a follow up scan but the EPU refused to see me until 10 days had passed. I even called another EPU and asked if they would see me, they said they would and when I turned up they refused and were basically horrid.

I appreciate that a certain amount of time has to pass to ascertain whether this is a missed m/c, but no-one has even measured my hcg levels at all and they've refused when I've asked for it as they said it won't tell them anything. My understanding is that if they did my hcg levels twice within 48 hrs I'd atleast have an indication of which way this might be going - I just feel in complete limbo and with christmas approaching it's very hard. My doctor has never even done a urine test nevermind a blood test, for any of the pregnancies. Is this right?!

I feel so sorry for you. Your experience seems to mirror my own and I can only send you best wishes and strength. There seem to be alot of unsympathetic health professionals out there who put 'the rules' before any sense of mental welfare of their patients. Lots of good ones too, but the few baduns ruin the party for the others.
I am not sure about the HCG test - last time there was a query over my pg I was told they didnt do this 48 hr test any more in my area as it wouldnt prove anything - I dont know the background to this though.
Is there any chance at all you could afford to get a private viablity scan? They cost about £80 in my area and for your own wellbeing it might be worth caning the credit card. x

I'm sorry you have not been treated more sympathetically and that you are going through this.

Is there a possibility that this could be a new pregnancy following the October miscarriage? If so you would be well under the stage that a heartbeat could be detected and a fetal pole would not necessarily be detectable. A private viability scan will not tell you anything more than you already know at this stage.

Doctors no longer do urine tests - the home pregancy tests are as good as any test available in the nhs, so they take your word for it.

It would be a total waste of a test if you have done a home pregnancy test already.

Thanks for the supportive comments. The scan I had at supposedly 8 weeks was private, because I was nervous waiting until 12 weeks and finding out bad news.

My last period was October and at the time I felt very strongly that it was a very early miscarriage - I had early symptoms and had the spotting and then bleeding in exactly the same way as my first m/c. The only problems was that on the day my period was due I didn't test positive. I then bled 4 days later and so never got a positive test. I went to the Doctor to explain that I thought it might have been an early m/c and she was very dismissive and said that if i was pregnant then I would have had a postive test. I explained that my first pregancy didn't test positive until a 7 days after my period was due (and since then, this time I didn't test positive until 4 days after my period was due).

So, I went away thinking I must have invented it and maybe it just was a 'funny period'. There is therefore now a chance that it was indeed a miscarriage and I fell pregnant straight after it, which could have messed up the dates on this pregnancy. I'm hoping that this could be the explanation and everything somehow might be just fine!

The waiting is agony though and now I'm worried that the snow will scupper my appointment tomorrow. I'm also a bit nervous that there might be some underlying problem with my hormones as I never seem to test positive until much later.

Hi
so sorry to hear you are going through this. I had several miscarriages and much toing and froing for scans and hcg tests in the early stages. In my experience, the hcg tests can't tell you anything so early on, they just added to my confusion and uncertainty.
You have my sympathy, the early weeks are so hard, especially at these times when you can't be sure if things are going to work out.
Have you got in touch with the miscarriage association? They have phone numbers of people who will talk to you, I found it really helpful when I was going through the uncertainty.
I wish you all the best, hang on in there.

Please tell us how you get on, we are thinking of you today xx

re your hormones. I doubt there is anything wrong with them, just a bit messed up after your mcs maybe? FWIW after my July mc I though mine were ok as my periods returned but when I got pg in sept I bled for 6 days. No lasting problems but I was slapped on the wrist by the consultant for not waiting longer (dh in Iraq...conception windows are precious!)

Please keep us updated
x

if you've had a negative since your suspected miscarriage, this is likely to be a new early pregnancy! and way too early to see on any scanning machine.

Hi
Just to say I had a follow up scan today and it showed no growth. So, now I'm just waiting for nature to take it's course and hoping it won't take too long or be too distressing.

Best wishes

Oh doo so sorry to hear your news.
Dont forget you have choices so if nature takes its time, there are other options.
Are you going to have any investigations into your mcs? I hope I'm not being insensitive talking about this now but losing 3 all at such an early stage might be significant - I'm speaking as someone who has had 4mcs all at 5-6 wks and is now happily 15 wks after testing and treatment. I really wish a happy outcome for you asap

Look after yourself, rest up or go completely party crazy...whatever you feel like. Take care and let us know some good news in the new year
xx

Hi there
I really hope to get tested but as the second m/c was 'unconfirmed' I'm not sure whether my Doctor will offer anything at all. I'm going to see on Thursday and if not then I'm going to look into private testing as I can't really face just keeping trying again without being able to rule in or out at least one thing that might be causing the m/cs.

I'm actually one of the few people who is pleased to return to work today - it finally feels like the end of a very miserable christmas period!

Dooscooby I am so sorry for your losses. I do hope the testing helps and this is the last time you are in this position. Hopefully work will maybe take your mind off things if only a little