Less commonly, a low or plateauing hCG level during early pregnancy is caused by an ectopic pregnancy, in which the embryo starts to grow outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. An ultrasound can help your doctor determine whether you have an ectopic pregnancy. If you have symptoms of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, such as vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain, contact your doctor immediately.
Perkins also has extensive experience working in home health with medically fragile pediatric patients. A molar pregnancy can result in higher levels. Your doctor will ideally take several pieces of information into account before diagnosing a miscarriage. If the pregnancy is very early, declining hCG levels may be the only way to determine that miscarriage is likely until a little more time passes. An ectopic pregnancy can result in rupture of a fallopian tube or other injury that threatens your fertility and life.
A miscarriage that results in retained tissue increases infection and bleeding risk. Pregnancy loss can also take an emotional toll. A diagnosis can provide closure and allow grieving and the healing process to begin. When you miscarry and also anytime you give birth , your body no longer produces hCG.
If you have a miscarriage, the time it takes for your levels to go to zero varies based on how high your levels were at time of miscarriage. If your hCG level was in the thousands or tens of thousands when you miscarried, it may take several weeks for your levels to return to zero, according to the American Association for Clinical Chemistry.
This makes it easier to calculate your due date. If you have a D and C dilation and curettage procedure as part of your miscarriage, your doctor may recommend waiting two or three cycles before trying to get pregnant again. This is because a D and C can thin the uterine lining, and a thicker lining is better in pregnancy. The lining will build back up over a few months. Early miscarriage can be a painful emotional and physical experience.
If you suspect you may be having a miscarriage, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can order tests, including the hCG blood test, to provide you with further information. But you could also be suffering from blighted ovum , ectopic pregnancy , or a miscarriage.
Your doctor may perform a single hCG test at each prenatal appointment to make sure your first trimester is progressing properly. Comparing the results will let her see trends in your hCG levels.
Besides falling or plateauing hCG levels, other signs of miscarriage include:. After suffering from a miscarriage, your hCG levels will continue to decrease. They should return to normal in about weeks, depending on how far along the pregnancy progressed. By Nicole Harris July 02, Save Pin FB More. Blood tests can be either qualitative meaning they determine if hCG is in your blood or quantitative determining exactly how much hCG is in your blood.
Your doctor may want to check your hCG level in early pregnancy if you experience symptoms of a miscarriage, such as bleeding and cramping. Slow-rising hCG levels can also be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. If your hCG level is high enough, ultrasounds can be used to detect a gestational sac and monitor fetal development. Everyone is different, and hCG levels can fluctuate without indicating a larger issue.
If your hCG levels aren't exactly doubling but are still increasing, that's a good sign. Because of these natural variations, hCG patterns alone cannot determine whether or not your pregnancy is viable. Hormone testing should always be followed up by an ultrasound before a diagnosis is made. In the early weeks of pregnancy, hCG levels that decrease are more likely to indicate a miscarriage than those that increase at a slower rate.
The hCG level tends to peak between weeks 8 and 11 of gestation. Once you enter the second trimester, hCG will level off and decline closer to the level it was back when you were just 6 to 8 weeks pregnant. Although it's tempting to read into every detail during the first few weeks of pregnancy, it's best to try and be patient for your first ultrasound appointment. Increases in hCG are expected for a viable pregnancy, but this information must be viewed within the context of additional tests, signs, and symptoms.
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