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Emmecat
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Topic: HCG results Posted: 10 March 2008 at 11:31am |
Ok, so the nurse finally rang...confirmed yes I am pregnant and my HCG was 31 on Friday...which is low but she said that's cos I was so incrediably early in my pregnancy. I asked if I could have a blood test today to see if the levels had gone up, and she said yes I could but if I could manage to hold out then Friday would be better as they'd expect to see a nice big jump in a week. She was quite suprised as said they normally didn't see figures that low...great! 
Mind you, I was only on cycle day 28, which was in reality probably at least 2 days before my period was due haha.
I don't want to get too stressed or caught up in the whole HCG thing so think I might have the tests on Friday morning and then leave it.
What do you guys think? Is keeping track of this good or just asking for more worry?
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Maya
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 11:37am |
LOL it's a double edged sword. I had them done every two days with the gremlins and in the end my doc said no more as I was getting too stressed out about the numbers and anxious in between the tests.
This time round I only had two done a week apart and I was still stressed lol, I wasn't going to get them done at all but the anxiety got the better of me.
It's all up to you. One thing that is important to remember tho is that getting them done won't change the outcome of the pregnancy either way, so think about how you might feel if the levels don't rise properly, would you cope "knowing in advance" that something was wrong? And also take into account that hCG numbers can do crazy things and still be normal so if they are a bit slow to rise everthing might be fine but you might stress unneccessarily.
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 Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
  The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
 Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
 Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Maya
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 11:38am |
PS. CONGRATS!
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 Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
  The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
 Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
 Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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blondy
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 11:38am |
Generally, the HcG levels don't get tracked at all, unless there is cause for concern, or you have previously had problems. (I only had one blood test to confirm the POAS, then nothing after that).
Everyone's levels rise differently, and sometimes too much information just stresses you out...
I say wait for friday (as hard as it might be!  ), and try and think or do something else in the meantime to keep your mind off it!
Good luck!
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tropics
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 11:40am |
Emmecat there is a good chart on the web I think by the diagnostic centre I have just had a look at the chart and 30 is average for around 3 weeks 4 or 5 days  they have a medium line and a upper and lower percentile line on the graph, I plotted mine when I was having it checked every few days if you cant find it on the net pm me your email address and I will email it to you, I couldnt figure out for the life of me how to put it on here
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Emmecat
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 11:42am |
Well I wasn't too stressed initially as I was expecting them to be a little lower even at 12DPO! AM now 15DPO so maybe I should just wait til Friday and then they really should've jumped!
Am tired as and have sore bbs and twinging in my lower abs so hopefully they are all signs that the pg is taking hold.
But like you say Maya there's nothing we can do about HCG levels that don't rise anyway! I can see the blood thing getting addictive and I want less stress in this pregnancy...not more! lol
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Emmecat
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 11:44am |
Kye - that's great ta. Will PM you
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jack_&_charli
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 12:27pm |
awesome news emmecat!!!!! congrats!!!!
IMHO.....i wouldn't track the HCG levels, i've seen it stress to many ladies on here out and as emma said, knowing the levels won't change anything.
the less stress the better
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Kicker
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 1:39pm |
Congratulations.
I didnt even have a confirmation blood test. The doctor just said that if my HPT was positive (i did do 5 of them) then that was good enough to say i was definately pregnant. I didnt even think about tracking the HCG levels.
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cuppatea
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 2:01pm |
I recently went through this, I had two faint positive at home (before AF was due) went to doc to confirm and got a negative on the pee test so had a blood test done which came back as 30. Because it was low I had another done 2 days later. My 2nd result wasn't good and I basically had two weeks of stress, blood tests and a scan before I miscarried. Obviously having the tests didn't change anything but instead of being upset about miscarrying I was upset and extremely stressed out for 2 weeks before it even happened, but having said that the bad hcg results prepared me for a not so good outcome at the scan and the scan result prepared me for the miscarriage, so perhaps it was a good thing.
Just know that one test can't tell you anything so just because it is low doesn't mean there is a problem it is only when two tests have been done that you get a better indication as the level should double in 48-72 hours.
I did the 2nd test to put my mind at ease but unfortunately my result came back as 44 so it hadn't doubled but then it also hadn't been 72 hours so I was stuck in limbo and waiting for another test.
It's difficult, I would be inclined to take the test today as it has been 72 hours and you will get an indication straight away rather than stressing till Friday and then having to wait till Monday for the results. If you are like me then it would be too difficult to avoid the test altogether.
Good luck either way
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Emmecat
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 4:45pm |
Cuppatea- sorry you went through your m/c, I've done that myself and it's really horrible. Mine was a missed m/c at about 13 weeks so pretty damn gutting. You raised some interesting points and it's so good having this board to come to and find support, so thank you 
With regards to my HCG levels, there are 3 reasons why I'm not overly concerned about my numbers:
One, I had 5 BFP HPT's, each progressivley darker than the last (and the one on Saturday was instant and dark as!). My bloods were taken on Friday at 12DPO, at least 2-4 days before my next period was due! SO any number showing up was pretty incrediable haha 
Two, I'm waitng til Thursday (so I can get the results Friday) to give the numbers a chance to really grow and if they don't then there's nothing I can do about it now. My lil bean is either gonna stick or she's not. I sound philosophical however please don't get the impression that I'm blase cos I will care enormously if this pg doesn't work out but at this stage I and the nurses have no reason to think otherwise.
Three, from the graphs I've seen, 31 is pretty much bang on for where my HCG should be at less than 4 weeks. And like I said, there's just nothing to be gained by me getting all stressy- I could soooooo easily go that way- but am refusing to this pregnancy! I'm just gonna enjoy it and think positive. The alternative is just not worth it (for me).
I have a plan of attack and am covering bases as much as poss but from unfortunate past experience I've come to realise that this is just another part of life that isn't guarenteed-even at any stage for the next 8 months- so I find it helps to have a backup plan lol 
Jess- thanks for your good wishes. For some reason I've calmed down a lot now. Once I've done Thursday bloods that'll be it (unless Dr wants me to do more if in the unlikely event of something looking wrong)! It would do my head in having bloods every few days plus I'm a big girls blouse and hate needles lol I should get a 6 week scan ok though although like I mentioned above, nothing is guarenteed!
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katie1
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 4:45pm |
Congratulations on your pregnancy. I never had the tests done for my first baby but have had them done this time because of the miscarriage in between. I had two done a week apart and they were good. I have decided not to get anymore done as I don't want to stress. I think like the others said it is up to you and how you feel. It sounds as though things are on track so far from what Kye said. The nurse probably just doesn't see those numbers because most people don't get tested until another week or so later once their period is late.
I am sure all is GREAT!
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Emmecat
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 4:48pm |
Thanks Katie  I think it's ok too
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Kels
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 5:35pm |
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Busy mum to Miss 15yrs, Miss 10yrs and Master 4yrs
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Maya
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 6:43pm |
Emmecat, my levels at 15dpo were 37 with this bub, so like yours, bang on average, and she is a wee ball of energy in there now!
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 Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
  The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
 Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
 Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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cuppatea
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 6:58pm |
Hi Emmercat, I didn't mean to imply that your numbers should raise concern, my gp said to me that my numbers could just be cos of it being so early, my Af wasn't even late when I went to get it confirmed, and the 2nd test was just suppose to be to make sure all was ok but then it showed a problem.
I would actually be tempted next time to put off confirming pg until 6 weeks so I can forgo the blood tests and go straight to a scan.
All the best for Friday, hopefully your wee bean is busy sticking and your numbers will show a lovely big rise.
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kebakat
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 7:16pm |
I had my hcg done 3 days before AF was due and mine was 92.
All the best for friday.
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Shezamumof3
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 8:27pm |
Sounds all good to me Emmecat  Most people dont even have hcg done, so it sucks when ya gotta have it done cos it makes you stress and worry! I know, been there done that
But your symptoms sound all good, sore boobs etc. Just try and relax and enjoy the fact that your preggers
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Emmecat
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 9:01pm |
cuppatea wrote:
Hi Emmercat, I didn't mean to imply that your numbers should raise concern, my gp said to me that my numbers could just be cos of it being so early, my Af wasn't even late when I went to get it confirmed, and the 2nd test was just suppose to be to make sure all was ok but then it showed a problem. I would actually be tempted next time to put off confirming pg until 6 weeks so I can forgo the blood tests and go straight to a scan.
All the best for Friday, hopefully your wee bean is busy sticking and your numbers will show a lovely big rise. |
Hi Cuppatea- it's ok, didn't take your post as anything but supportive I guess I was trying to say in my reply that as I've also had at least one m/c (and I think at least one other), that it would be very easy to get wound up and stressed about HCG etc so after this next test I am making the decision (unless otherwise advised by Dr) to not continue checking it...simply cos I know I'm a worrywart and I'll just stress out big time over something I essentially have no control over! 
The nurse I've been dealing with is fairly abrupt and not enthusiatic about those of us (aka me) who test early. She would prefer it if I waited at least a week after AF was late and while I can see her point very clearly, I alas have no patience haha I think what you said about not testing and just going straight to a scan is a great idea and exactly what I plan to do after Thursday! Great minds think alike hey 
Thanks everyone else for your well wishes. It's so supportive on these boards- I love it! 
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KiwiL
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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 9:03pm |
Congrats Emmecat!! I had regular HCG but it was due to some worries with earlier miscarriages. In some ways it was reassuring, but in other ways it was stressful. For me I became a bit reliant on constant reassurance... so after my last HCG and first scan at 7 weeks, it's been a long, long wait to get to my 12 week scan with nothing.
If you can bear it, I would say just try to relax and go without the tests. More than one miscarriage in a row is really rare. I know you worry, but in the end you cope.
Good luck though! Best wishes for a healthy and uneventful pregnancy. xx
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