not a good day...

[daisy1211]

So I am currently five weeks pregnant tomorrow. TTC#1 since January 2008. This is my first cycle of IVF. I have been getting blood work every three days since last Tuesday, 9/29. My beta hcg level that day was 26, on 10/2 it went up to 101, and then today I was at 194. So I know it is supposed to be doubling every 2 to 3 days. And mine has been doing that. The only problem my nurse keeps telling me is that they are concerned that my level is still not there, they are also concerned at an ectopic pregnancy/MC. Like today it was supposed to be between 200 to 400. So basically I keep falling below that number. Any suggestions on how to keep my spirits up? I am so discouraged by my nurse right now.

[crazyrunningmama]

Nurses have been known to be wrong. Without setting yourself up for a fall, try to keep you hopes up. Actually, try to keep yourself as distracted as possible until you find something out for sure - silly movies, trashy magazines, phone every friend you have and ask about their lives. Take good care.

[AmyKT]

Also, how many embies were transferred? If two or more, it could be that multiples started developing and then one stopped and one continued, thus making the appearance that the rise was slowing. I don't know. I just hope it's all ok. My thoughts are with you.

[goldfinches]

What day did you transfer? Were they 3-day or 5-day?

I understand your worrying. I'll tell you, every person's beta is different. There are the "average", then those that are higher, and those that are lower. When's your u/s to help reassure you?

I always thought ectopics rose faster than normal?

[daisy1211]

First off, thank you all for the well wishes! So I had my retrieval on 9/15 and they transferred back 2 embryos on 9/18. I ended up having to go to the ER last night, due do severe cramping and bleeding. They did another blood test and it went up from 194 on monday to 259 yesterday. They also finally did an ultrasound, but they couldn't see anything. They thought I was still too early to see anything. I have to go for another blood test today to see where the number is at. Again, thank you all for everything...I have found this very helpful!

[christophersmom]

Daisy - Hugs to you. I am so sorry you are going through this. I knew when my numbers were jumping around I had heard some success stories, so keep your thoughts positive and I hope the baby is settling in. It probably is too early to see anything and I hope it all works out.

[goldfinches]

Daisy, you should have gone to your RE for an u/s on friday, by my calculations. At least by today. Just wanting to write and send you good thoughts.

I also had some un-normal betas, and bleeding/cramping, (at 9 weeks). Turned out to be the second embie we had transfered had implanted and miscarried, it was totally missed in my first u/s at the RE's. That sounds like what may have happened with you, just earlier than with me. When it's so early, they may call it a "blighted ovum".

Let us know how everything is!

[kel32brown]

In this ugly road of infertility, I've learned to trust my nurse. I'm sorry - it does look like your numbers, while doubling early, aren't growing as fast as it takes to get a viable pregnancy. There's always a chance that she's wrong - but she's usually right.

Does your IVF center have a miscarriage or loss group or support group for you to participate in? When I was in your shoes in July it was very helpful to me, moreso than the encouragement of 'don't worry - this probably isn't happening' of sweet, well-intended people around me.

Trust your gut, if your gut tells you that these numbers aren't quite up where they belong, believe it, and make peace with your situation. My HCG doubled, but was a little low... my experience was that it stays at the lower end of the 'normal; and then we miscarried at 8 weeks. A friend in a buddy group had the same experience. You're right to be worried -but get some support for the stress and grief that accompany this.

[Sasha299]

I would say don't stop your meds and don't listen to the nurse - they are not all knowing. My levels started out low and barely doubled in just over 48 hours but I went onto have a successful pg. Also, my whole pg I KNEW that something was wrong and I would m/c even through huge gushing fill your pad in less than an hour bleeds and the baby hung in there.

Your levels are too low to