Reason to be worried? « Back to Group Discussions

[SunnyPerch]

I took a pregnancy test this morning. No particular reason why, except maybe relief/worry that my constant nausea has started to abate. Anyway, I happened to have an extra test in the closet, so I just did. The line indicating pregnancy was obviously positive, but not a dark pink. It was much lighter than the test bar. And certainly lighter than my positive tests from the end of Jan.

I had a first-tri m/c last fall, and I think it can be very hard to relax about this issue once you realize you are not immune to such losses. So needless to say, I'm pretty worried. I should be ten weeks along now. My OB can't see me until the end of this month, over two weeks away. He won't order me an ultrasound until he's seen me for the first visit. We have a family vacation planned next week and I just don't think I'll be able to enjoy it for a minute if I am worried about the viability of this pregnancy. I don't know what to do. Any suggestions????? Do I try to find another provider just to check this out (if that's even possible to accomplish in the next week)? Thanks in advance...

[springmum]

I don't really know for sure, but doesn't HCG levels start to actually taper/decrease towards the end of the first tri? I think it's closer to 12 weeks, but I wonder if it starts to affect the levels in urine?

I really don't know for sure, I'm sorry you now have this worry hanging over, and I'm hoping it is all okay (hug)

[DelawareMom]

I'm so sorry that you're worried. I don't know about where you live, but the Planned Parenthood near us offers an  u/s for about $60. Maybe there is one near you, or a clinic you could go to with your concerns. Good luck!

[OkiMom]

Im pretty sure some tests just don't get as dark as others. Ive taken more than one test in one day and they have been varied on darkness. If you are really worried is there a way to get into a doc to do an ultrasound?

[SunnyPerch]

I called the office earlier and explained my situation to the receptionist. She was supposed to send a message to my OB and call back. But...I haven't gotten any calls yet, and now it's after 5. :(  The more I think about this, the more worried I am. The line is very faint. Has anyone had a similar experience? If so what was the outcome (good or bad)?

[icy02]

There are several crisis pregnancy centers around me that do u/s for free. Is there anything like that you can look into? I'm so sorry you are upset by this, I would be too. It really bothers me that your OB doesnt seem to care enough to fit you in. I hope you can get an u/s soon. I will keep your LO in my thoughts and prayers.

[springmum]

Maybe ask on the main pregnancy forum to see if anyone else has experienced it - I haven't personally tried. Sorry you  couldn't get in to the OB today, hopefully you can get some rest tonight and get in early tomorrow.

[SunnyPerch]

Thanks, everyone, for your concern. DelawareMom and icy02 - thank you for the suggestions. As far as I know we do still have a Planned Parenthood in town. I had no idea you could go there for an u/s, but I may be making a call or visit tomorrow depending on what happens with my OB in the morning.

Springmum, I will post this on the main pregnancy forum. Good idea.

I am pretty disappointed also that my OB's office never called back this afternoon. This is making me doubt my already-reluctant decision to go for a hospital birth rather than stay home with my midwife. I know my midwife would have been here in a matter of hours if at all possible, or at the very least shared some words of wisdom or comfort via phone. I showed my husband the test and discussed my concern. Maybe it's bravado, but he totally blew it off like there is nothing to worry about, since there IS a line after all, however faint. I just don't know what to think.

[OrangeMoon]

I am so sorry you are going through this worry hun And that kind of "no call back" thing is a big reason why I stick with midwives. I hope you have some happy answers soon <3

[SunnyPerch]

Thanks, OrangeMoon. I will post back when I get some answers!
 

Originally Posted by OrangeMoon 

I am so sorry you are going through this worry hun And that kind of "no call back" thing is a big reason why I stick with midwives. I hope you have some happy answers soon <3

[LisaSedai]

I think it is totally crappy of the OB not to let you have a quick U/S check, especially since you have experienced a loss in the past. That and his office not calling me back would have me switching providers. I hope you find your U/S and have a good, reassuring one.

[SunnyPerch]

My doc is off today so I can't talk to him, but after my call yesterday they've ordered a blood test at the hospital. I'm upset. I've read online that after 5-6 weeks of pregnancy, HCG levels are much less predictive of pregnancy viability than an ultrasound. So basically I feel like I will be wasting both my time and money for an HCG test which won't tell me much by itself, especially since these are mainly useful when there are a series of them for comparison. But they want that before proceeding with anything else.

This morning, I explained to the receptionist I wanted an ultrasound also, but she said, well that was all i asked for on the phone. I am pretty sure I asked for "a blood test, or ultrasound or something.." but I was probably babbling a bit and sort of assumed that the doctor would know what all to do/order, and that we'd talk on the phone about it beforehand. I didn't realize I was actually "putting in my order." It wasn't until afterward when I had more time to research online last night that I realized a blood test alone, at ten weeks, will be fairly pointless. What the hell will that tell me, especially when I don't have any prior ones to compare it to?! Ugh.

[springmum]

So frustrating! normally I wouldn't suggest this, but is there a local walk-in or emerg that wouldn't be too busy/germy that you would feel comfortable going to? They should be able to do an ultrasound. 

I remember when I was 8 weeks pregnant with DS and fell on my butt after tripping on something. The only place I could go at the time was the ER, and they did a quick scan and showed me all was well. I know clogging ER's with non-emergent things is not the best advice, but it seems like you are exhausting all your other resources.

I haven't had my first midwife visit yet, so I'm still under the care of my GP, but I know if I called with a concern, in a flash she would get me what I wanted for reassurance. Sounds like after this, you'll definitely need to do some thinking on this office - hope it all works out for you.

[zubeldia]

sunny, I know it sounds a bit extreme, but I would either try a clinic or go to the hospital and say you've had cramping/bleeding and get an u/s. Honestly the limbo is horrible, and you deserve some answers. I do want to say, though, that my friend thought she was having a chemical pregnancy because of a lighter test and yet her numbers were in the thousands and doubling once she had the blood work done. Moreoever, I've heard a few times that when hCG gets to a high enough number that pregnancy tests get lighter... google it!

KUP.

Zub

[SunnyPerch]

Zubeldia, thanks for the reassurances.  I am hesitant to go to the ER because a. my husband would freak out and b. they charge outrageously

SpringMum, thanks also. I may still call Planned Parenthood to see if they offer u/s. Maybe they'd be cheaper than the er? I am just so not knowing what to do right now. I think I might just call my former midwife and offer to pay her just to come do a quick exam, maybe measure fundal height and see if we can get the heartbeat on her doppler. She's wonderful, and my decision is more in spite of how much i like her, not because of her, but I'm just a little scared of trying a homebirth again. But I know she'd be here for us.

[SunnyPerch]

I just took another test (different brand) and the positive line was VERY bold. You were right, Okimom, guess there are some wild variations... I'm not totally at ease, as of course this isn't what those tests are designed for, and I still want to get an u/s, but I don't have the same feeling of urgency. I can wait a few days. I also ordered my own fetal doppler and should have it in a few days. :-)

[mitsuo]

Yay for a bold test! I hope that all is well with your LO, and second the Planned Parenthood suggestion if you still have concerns. They tend to be pretty compassionate people.

[SunnyPerch]

Just got a call from the office. My levels are 124,033, and she said I should be 7-8 weeks along. I was getting this info second hand and couldn't determine if the doctor meant 7-8 weeks from date of conception or LMP. If conception, then that should be closer to target. Either way, I think the numbers look good. According to this, they could fall in the normal range anywhere from 7-8 weeks on up to 24 weeks. I still requested an ultrasound though, and she's supposed to pass this request along to the on-call doctor and let me know soon. Depending on that, I will determine if I need to go to ER or PP. Feeling better though...thanks all for the concern.

[OkiMom]

Glad things are looking positive!

With my oldest I took a pregnancy test as a joke at 35 weeks and it was negative.. We got a big laugh out of that one. Ive gotten negative pregnancy tests and positive blood tests on the same day. So, unfortunately those things are a bit odd. You never know if its going to be good or not, that is why I insist on them keeping the pee test and doing the blood test half the time. I just don't trust the pee test very much.

[SunnyPerch]

Okimom, that's funny...I think if I were 35 weeks I would have laughed it off too!

I got in for an ultrasound this morning. Everything looks good -  hooray! The heartbeat was 160 and the lil' guy (gal?) even waved at us. :) Happy and relieved...