I need some reassurance

NicoleY · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 07:09 AM

i got my third beta back yesterday, it was 1487, so it didn't quite double. counting in the difference in lab draw times (one in the morning, one in the afternoon) my doubling time was 51 hours which I KNOW is within the 48-72 everyone talks about. i just don't need this, i need everything to be perfect. this is the exact time in my last pregnancy where me betas started coming back bad. this is off just enough to make me start wondering if this is the beginning of the end. i know u/s is the only true way to see what's going on and i wish that they would do it today, tomorrow, soon - something. it didn't help that i had food poisioning on Tuesday and spent the entire day in the bathroom.
so the breakdown is:

11dp3dt - 227 (7:30am)
14dp3dt - 810 (11:30 am)
16dp3dt - 1487 (8:30 am)

i tried explaining why not doubling, even if the darn thing would have only come back at 1621, wears on me to DH. He couldn't come out of doctor mode and kept giving me clincial talk. i need comfort talk.
did i ever mention that my OB with Noah doesn't do lab draws unless you have a history of ectopic. she thought they caused to much worry and that u/s was really the only way to tell. i've thought she was a nut for the longest time, but now i'm starting to agree.

SpoiledHouseWife · #2 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 08:14 AM

Betas slow down after they hit 12oo ui of hcg I believce at one point it will take upto 4-5 days to double, hang in there!

SpoiledHouseWife · #3 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 08:17 AM

I found this....
A: It doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong, but it warrants further exploration including an early ultrasound (6 weeks LMP, 4 weeks after ovulation). Slow-rising hCG can be related to impending miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. One important thing to remember is that on average hCG levels double approximately every two days from 4-6 weeks LMP, then doubles every 3 days when the level is 1600-6000, then the doubling slows to every 4 days or so. Levels peak a week or two before end of the first trimester (14 weeks LMP) before declining in the second trimester.

I have read many of the HcG questions/answers in your archive file. However, I am unsure of the answer to my question. I am 6 weeks pregnant (8 weeks from LMP which began 11/22/98). My HcG level was doubling every two days for approx. 4 weeks, then it was rising steadily, but not doubling. Last Friday (1/15/99), my HcG level fell (from 116,504 on 1/13 to 109,032 on 1/15).

I have been pregnant twice and have no children. Since I have been through two losses, I am beside myself with fear. Can you please tell me that what stages in a normal preganancy your HcG level stop doubling and then begin to decline? I can't find appropriate information to help guide me through this latest preganancy.
Thank you.
K
Dear KL:
hCG rises during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. The initial rise (the first 6 weeks) has a doubling time that approximates 2-3 days. The value peaks at 100 to 200 thousand mIU/ml and fluctuates around this peak value.
After an ultrasound has identified fetal heart motion, further hCG values are less helpful than ultrasound monitor of fetal growth.
Keywords: hCG This inforamtion is provided for education purposes and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician.

Denise F · #4 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 08:48 AM

Nicole,

I'm sure things are going well for you, try not to stress out about it. The stress can make it difficult to carry a baby. Easy said then done, I know, but please trust your body it can handle this preg. for you. You are in my prayers.

Denise F

Tweetness · #5 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 09:14 AM

Nicole -

What is the next step for you? Will you have more bloodwork done or do you have to wait awhile for the ultrasound?

Waiting is the worst - I know!!!!

Thinkin' about ya!

Justine · #6 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 09:22 AM

Nicole -- this whole thing sucks doesn't it. I'm sure everything is ok. What happened last time is NOT going to happen again. Hang in there. You are still well within the "normal" range and I know, I know I hate that too. Please think positive. It is just a number. How are you feeling? What is your body telling you????
and if your anything like me -- get on the phone and demand an ultrasound apt or additional bw - whatever you want. I'm such a witch. Make an OB apt. do whatever you need to do to get through this weekend.

We are here - please feel free to vent. It WILL be OK!!!!

NicoleY · #7 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 09:41 AM

well the nurse called a couple hours earlier than normal, thank goodness, i don't think my sanity could have taken it. my ultrasound was scheduled but not until 6/24, that's 12 days away, how i am suppose to be mentally stable until then???? i questioned the nurse about the non-doubling number and she said "he was okay since it almost doubled", she also said my P4 looks great and i can stop the PIO and change to the fizzy tablets. i think i might use up what i have left in the bottle then switch. but she gave no b/w order.
so i called DH and said i want b/w. call Gregg, his BF, and tell him to write me a blood draw order. our insurance won't cover orders written by loved ones so DH can't do it. but if it comes down to it i will have him do it and pay out of pocket. i am the kind of person that would much rather know than not know.

my body is returning to normal, i still had cramps yesterday from all the vomitting and diarrhea on Tuesday. i'm exhausted, have boobs, drink and pee a lot. so i seem pregnant.

i know i seem like a nut job, but between the hormones and the mysterious numbers who can blame me. thanks for the reassurance ladies. i think you can all relate that i just want something to go well, not so-so, not questionable, just for once i want something to work with me on this infertility adventure.

CherylR · #8 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 09:45 AM

You are certainly not a nut job, just seems that way when we want something so badly.
Hang in there, Mommy!

Justine · #9 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 09:48 AM

No - I don't think your a nut job -- on the contrary I think your sane. because I'm sitting here doing the exact same thing -- with every pang - I think I'm on the verge of a miscarriage, I squeeze just to make sure they still hurt (talk about a nut job), every time I take down my pants I say a prayer that I don't see any blood, etc. etc. -- get the script and breathe!!!! easier said than done - as I wait for the phone to ring with beta #2.

Having you start decreasing your meds is a GREAT sign!!!! KUP and keep venting!!!!!

ainara · #10 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 10:15 AM

Oh Nicole I can surely relate to you sweetie.....Hang in there, I know it's hard but try to relax. Betas don't have to necessarily double most doctors look for a 60% rise and that's considerate normal. Besides betas don't mean a thing I had perfect numbers, doubling great and it was a blighted ovum, and another lady here had lower numbers than me and it's now almost ten weeks pregnant with twins. Stop reading about it, and obsessing about it (sometimes I wish I didn't have internet to research everything) and wait for the U/S and above all enjoy your pregnancy, because you are pregnant girlfriend!!!

reneerenee · #11 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 10:24 AM

I have no answers but wanted to wish you luck. I am sure everything will work out beautifully.

It is so unfair that you (we) can't just enjoy our first weeks/months of pregnancy like all the fertiles out there...It sucks we have to stress over every littl\e thing...

dgoeb · #12 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 11:15 AM

O-oh Nicole! I just saw this post. Please try to relax (I know it's easier said than done). I think your numbers look GREAT! When I was PG w/ H & B the RE told us he NEVER would have guessed I was pg w/ twins as my beta's were not high. If I were you I would finish up your prog oil too (just for the piece of mind). What does your DH do? I totally feel for you when you said he was talking medically & NOT emotionally. Sometimes they don't get it as it's not their body & hormones are flying all over in their bodies. Always know we're right here for you if you ever need us (again, sorry for not seeing your post till now) Hang in there girl I know the US date seems like it's FOREVER away, but it will come. ((HUGS))

want2beamommy13 · #13 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 11:56 AM

Hey Nicole,

I just wanted to pop in here too becuase I KNOW how you feel only your numbers are WAY better than mine ever were at this point. Just try to stay calm and THINK POSITIVE! Trust me, that U/S day will be here BEFORE you know it!

NicoleY · #14 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 01:33 PM

Your ladies truly are the bestest!!!

Deb I have the pleasure of being married to a surgeon (facial trauma), whom I love dearly but has difficulty turning off his medical training and just being my husband. I work in a hospital so unfortunately between the two of us that means we know enough for it to be dangerous. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

I've decided to have the b/w done tomorrow morning, no weekend waiting, I just want the bandaid ripped off, so to speak.

Thanks again for putting up with my being all over the place. You guys are far better than chocolate.

Tweetness · #15 (**permalink**) 06-13-2008, 10:41 AM

Nicole -

I'm anxious to hear what you found out. I'm thinkin' about ya & hoping for some good news.