Are My HCG Readings a Cause for Concern?

Sometimes too much information can be a bad thing. My docotr has never assigned a number to my HGC levels(I am 26 weeks along with number 2).
Numbers can be misleading and not everything with pregnancy, labor and birth and especially child rearing follows what the book says. And by the way, just so you know--I have never read a book that said what your HGC levels in numbers should be.
Don't freak out. There is so much more to come and much of it you can't control.

Hi C.,

I don't think you have to be concerned, but I am not a doctor.

Take a look at this website. Hope it helps. Congrats on your pregnancy.

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/duringpregnancy/hcglevel...

On the contrary, exponentially increasing HCG levels are a very good sign that your pregnancy is progressing well. They're supposed to double every few days in the first trimester. I'm surprised you're not nauseous. Congratulations, and best wishes for a healthy pregnancy!

don't you think you should be taking to you obgyn about this!

I'm not a dr., but I always thought it was a good sign that the HCG levels are high? Are you testing your own levels or something?
Lynsey

I have had three successful pregnancies, am pregnant with my fourth, and have NEVER had my HCG levels tested. Doctors are not God. They have no idea what the HCG levels in YOUR BODY should or should not do. A pregnancy is not a medical event - it is a natural part of being a woman. Your body knows what to do, and will continue to do so with no medical intervention whatsoever. With my last two kids, I didn't even have an ultrasound - what could it possibly tell me, other than the baby's sex? Relax. If you've had no pain or spotting, what are you so worked up about? God is in control, whatever happens.

A baby's gestational age can always be 2 weeks up or down between doc's and your calculations. You have good high numbers, so I don't think you have anything to worry about, but you should speak with your doctor. We aren't experts here. Just regular moms like you. Good luck and congrats!

Please speak with your doctor. The ultrasounds are now so hi-tech that they can detect things that urine tests/blood tests cannot.

My sister recently had a scare b/c her prenatal blood work was all elevated, but the sonogram looked "normal" and she wasn't getting "huge" at 4.5 months. Her doctor referred her for a 3-D ultrasound...twins! It explained the elevated levels and could only be detected by a technician.

Why are you measuring your own levels? Your doctor will do this when you go for your monthly visits. Try not to calculate too much and just enjoy the experience. It goes by very quickly and no two pregnancies are alike!

If you are concerned ask your doctor, being stressed out is not good for you or the baby. If the doctor is ordering these test and he is not concered trust that he/she will take good care of you and your little bundle. We all worry in the 1st trimester, but you need to take 1 day at a time and no stress. Your doctor will do everything possable to keep things going.

Good luck and congrats.

Wooooahhhh! I have had two children and can tell you that I have no idea what my HGC levels were nor did I at the time of my pregnancy. And with my first, they did think that at the time they "confirmed" my pregnancy that there was a good chance I was actually in the midst of losing the pregnancy. Is there a reason your doctor has sent you all these times for bloodwork? If you are doing it on your own, I suggest you STOP, relax and let your body be. You are needlessly worrying about things you shouldn't.

Also, calculating the conception day is different between a doctor and a patient. You may know the exact day you conceived, but they calculate much differently.

some of the responses you've gotten so far are inacurrate. The quantitative HCG levels should double every 2 days in early pregnancy. As you get a little futher along, the levels do not double that way anymore. Typically once the level is over 1000 a sac should be visible via sono. Once a viable sac and fetal pole are seen on the sono, that becomes a more useful tool. HCG levels are typically not followed after that unless there is concern of falling HCG levels to track a miscarriage back to baseline. Typically once sono's start, then what we should find is an accurately measured baby for dates as well as a viable heart beat (typically btw 120-180). If say 2 weeks between a scan has occurred, we want to see that the baby has grown in 2 weeks size and the heart beat remains in normal range. Remember... you are considered 2 weeks pregnant the day of actual conception.
Everyone's pregnancy symptoms are different and every pregnancy is different. Just because you don't have classic pregnancy symptoms (ie morning sickness, etc) doesn't mean you don't have a health pregnancy.
You should report any bleeding, cramping. (However these also can be common in early pregnancy). If you have concerns with your pregnancy or display any symptoms of miscarriage (ie. sudden cessation of pregnancy symptoms, bright red blood, or cramping) you should contact your OB immediately. If you are not comfortable with your current OB, you should consider getting another opinion or trying out someone you might find you're more comfortable with/confident. Also be careful what you read (check with your OB if you're not sure of something) and don't go too crazy with the web surfing b/c it usually ends up scaring women more.

hope this helps! congrats! And don't stress too much as this can have a negative impact on pregnancy.

With the numbers rising quickly, it could mean a multiple pregancy. It is a little early to tell, but maybe take a look at this site:
http://www.bobrow.net/kimberly/birth/hcglevels.html

Either way, talk with your doctor. They should let you know if you should be concerned. Everyone is different. Every bit of science in the world is never exact when it comes to the Human Woman's Body. :-)
Good Luck!!

They are supposed to double each week at the beginning. Then it levels out after the first trimester. This is one theory in why there is "morning" sickness- because some people are very sensitive to this dramatic increase. That is also why they feel better when the hormones level off in second trimester. Why are you measuring them? I would leave that kind of ting to your doctor. Pregnancy can be long and full of many confusing symptoms. Try to relax and enjoy it. best of luck!