Slow rising hcg levels

[Ms90love]

Hi all

Wanted to reach out as I'm really upset and worried and so is my husband. We had been trying for ages and got our first positive pregnancy test on 29th April. Then started experiencing abdominal pains and upset stomachs. And twinges here and there in my shoulder.

GP sent me to the hospital on Wednesday 11th (5 weeks and 6 days LMP) and they took my bloods at 8.30pm but didn't have the machinery to scan me. On 12th I went to the Early Pregnancy Unit for a transvaginal ultrasound but they could not locate any pregnancy but did find what they think is quite a large cyst on my right ovary. They also said my hcg levels were low at 360.

Redid bloods on 13th 8.30am - levels only increased to 396

Redid bloods today 25th at 9.30am and levels only increased to 493.

They mentioned they suspect ectopic/non viable pregnancy. Tomorrow the EPU will contact me again regarding being scanned by a senior member.

Has anyone had success stories in situation similar to mine?

If not, did you opt for medicine (which one? or surgery? And how did you cope?
When can you start trying again?

Thank you so much in advance

I Op sorry you are in this situation.
I was in a similar situation last month..HCG was rising normally but less than it should be at that point.
Couldn't see anything on scan so diagnosed as pregnancy of unknown location.

Luckily I didn't need to opt for treatment as I started to miscarry naturally, if I'd had the option I would have tried the meds first before surgery xx

@peanuttybutter I'm so sorry you had to go through that. How are you doing?

I am awaiting the scan (and assuming more bloods) before they decide on next steps. My husband and I are trying to remain optimistic whilst realistic.

Are there different medicines that allow us to try again soon?

Sorry you are having such an uncertain time

I've had 2 ectopics and I wouldn't be surprised if this does turn out to be ectopic OP so I would prepare for that. Your levels are low so you'll most likely be offered methotrexate- it's not the nicest drug but is effective when taken when hcg is low. It does mean you can't try again for at least 3 months though as it can be dangerous to a new pregnancy to have in your system x

I think unless it resolves naturally you have to stop trying for at least 3 months. Fingers crossed it's either a sticky bean or it resolves itself on its own. Keep us updated. I know when I was going through the same thing I found lots of posts that didn't have the outcome.

Thankyou @peanuttybutter @donchafeellikecrying for your responses.

Had the scan today and was told still no signs of anything. Couldn't see ectopic but can't rule it out. They said I can either wait for another blood test tomorrow see if your levels are going down, have a surgery or take the injection.

We were contemplating waiting for tomorrow but the likelihood of this passing naturally doesn't feel high as I haven't had any bleeding at all either so we are worried waiting another day may increase risks of problems. We were however told that if we take the injection we cannot try for 6 months.

We are thinking to go for the injection even though we are heartbroken and 6 months is a long time.

Hi
I am so sorry you have to go through this.
I had an ectopic pregnancy in 2019 and went for the medical option (methotrexate). It all worked out fine.
I am now 11 weeks pregnant by the way, so it does not ruin your chances.
My older sister AND my mother both had ectopic pregnancies and had operations. They both had children after as well.
Hope this gives you some reassurance.
All the best
U

@Ullabella92 - thank you for your message and congratulations!!

How long were you told to wait before trying to conceive after taking the injection?

Thanks

Hello all

Just an update. We decided not to have the injection yesterday and opted for another blood test this morning. My levels showed to have decreased slightly from 493 to 465. I'm hoping this indicated that it should pass naturally without the need of the injection.

Will keep you posted.

@Ms90love once mine started to go down the bleeding didn't take long to start. As long as your numbers are decreasing and they are monitoring you then you can take every few days as you go. Sorry for your loss.

If it's any consolation I started bleeding with my pregnancy of unknown location on 5th April and then I ovulated 20 days later and I'm now pregnant again (without a period in between) and this one is in the right place. So it doesn't stop your chance of getting pregnant again.

I had an ectopic pregnancy October 2020. My HCG was low and wasn’t rising as it should and then dipped, so I was told that I was miscarrying. However, two weeks later I hadn’t had a bleed and was still testing positive. I was scanned again (third time) and the pregnancy was found in my right tube & bloods showed that my HCG had started to rise again. I decided to go with the methotrexate, which was fine. It stung a little when they injected it into my bottom but that was all. I also threw up the next morning, they did warn me that it could make me feel sick but apart from that, there were no ill effects. My bloods were taken every other day for around a week and a half until they fell to less than 10 and then I was discharged. I was advised not to get pregnant for three months as the methotrexate impacts the production/reproduction of cells so can be detrimental to any new pregnancy. We got pregnant in June last year and now have my little boy, so it’s definitely possible to have a successful pregnancy after an ectopic. I’m sorry you’re going through this, it’s truly one of the most (emotionally) painful things. Take care of yourself x

On the 19th I ended up passing the sac naturally without needing the injection (thankfully - never thought I would say that word in this situation). 2 days later my levels dropped to 74.

Currently my bleeding has stopped and I am due to go on Thursday for another blood test. They want to check weekly until the levels go to zero.

I feel quite isolated from friends and family as noone we know has gone throguh this. Our friends are at different stages in their lives and it is hard to have anyone around us who doesn't understand. How did you all cope?

@peanuttybutter - thank you for sharing this! It gives me hope! How did you start monitoring your ovulation again? And did you start trying as soon as you stopped bleeding? My husband and I are still very sad but we do want to start trying again soon

@babymuffinxo - thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Congratulations on having your little boy!

@Ms90love take some time with your partner, it took me quite a while for it to stop hurting I’ll admit, and I do still think about the baby that might have been. We didn’t really tell anyone at the time as it was the week before Christmas that the ectopic was discovered and action taken - we didn’t want to ruin anyones Christmas with our sad news. When you’re ready, and you’ll know when you are, you can try again. I hope you’re okay x