I wonder what others think about why women who are worried about how their pg is progressing early on have to try so hard to get info. I really had to push to get my betas done during the early part of my pg. As it turned out the foetus was not developing, and I knew this from around 4.5 weeks. In high risk situations such as older mums, I think this should be offered to all.
I had to work out for myself from the readings that the foetus was struggling. Babymed has a brilliant calculator that lets you see how far off the norm the doubling rate is. In the scientific literature if the rate is less than 53% the foetus is in trouble and the pg likely not viable.
It just seems so simple, quick and cheap to have this info if you are anxious early on. It will not work above levels of 6000 though, so for many who are already above this when first tested the rule does not apply.
For me my level doubled at first then started to fall back, so that now, even before my 7 week scan, I will not get a shock, and know in all likelihood we will m/c. Government guidance is that EPAUs should be staffed with people who understand about beta hCG and the way it behaves in early pg. I did not find this to be the case at my local hospital, and had to find everything out for myself and demand repeat tests.
Anyone else with the same issues? I feel so strongly about this because I read on mumsnet so many anxious women struggling to understand what is going on with their pg, and also not finding out until a nasty shock at first scan that all was not well. It seems routine beta testing could alleviate this happening for many, and if women want the results they could feel more in control.
Sorry to rant, just wondered what others felt about this?