beta? getting anxious here.

[musiclady]

Okay, now reading all these posts is getting me a little anxious. I haven't had a beta test done. I dont' get in to see my doctor until the 21st. I've read about the prog. levels, and am just really starting to freak out. I would like to think that nothing will go wrong, but let's face it- who knows?

Should I call my doctor and demand a beta test before my visit? How long did it take for you to get your results back? I'm just wondering if it would be a week before I knew something, or is it more like a day? If it's a week, then I may as well wait for my visit. But seriously, what could she do? I am taking prenatals every day, eating reasonably well, and just taking care of myself as best I can.

Just dumb.

As if there aren't enough things to worry about.

What I need to do is get in bed and go to sleep. Can anyone help reassure me? :

[no5no5]

Most women who have betas & progesterone levels run have risk factors. I have some risk factors, had an early appointment, and had my progesterone checked, but I didn't have my betas checked. I think it is totally normal to not get those numbers checked unless there is reason to be concerned about them.

If you don't have risk factors, be glad. And my advice is that you should assume everything is fine. I know it's hard to do, but the odds are definitely in your favor.

[BlissfullyLoving]

I am sorry you are up worrying.

I did not get betas or my progesterone tested. The betas are done just as a reassurance that the pregnancy is definitely progressing. nono explained the progesterone testing. Even with all the testing the research on low progesterone is not very conclusive. There is a chance that low progesterone indicates a problem, but there are women with low progesterone that have healthy full term infants.

[no5no5]

Originally Posted by BlissfullyLoving

I am sorry you are up worrying.

I did not get betas or my progesterone tested. The betas are done just as a reassurance that the pregnancy is definitely progressing. nono explained the progesterone testing. Even with all the testing the research on low progesterone is not very conclusive. There is a chance that low progesterone indicates a problem, but there are women with low progesterone that have healthy full term infants.

Yep. And progesterone supplementation is not actually proven to increase the odds of carrying a baby to term, even in women with low progesterone levels.

[BlissfullyLoving]

Originally Posted by no5no5

Yep. And progesterone supplementation is not actually proven to increase the odds of carrying a baby to term, even in women with low progesterone levels.

I originally wrote that in there, but I did not want all the mamas doing progesterone supplementation to get worried.

[ErinsJuneBug]

i got mine tested on friday with my regular primary care doc. They were done by the end of the day - but of course they didnt even know what the numbers meant. :

I like to over analyze everything and freak myself out - so i kinda needed to know. If it would make you feel better - than by all means insist.

Im not planning on getting any ultrasounds and will prob decline doppler use, so until the baby is actually moving im sure until then ill go in for a coupl e more betas.

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

I just had my 3rd beta yesterday (results on Monday). Judging from my 3 previous pregnancies, my doctor as a rule doesn't run betas unless you have a really good reason for it, like infertility or a history of miscarriage. Considering I have PCOS and had 3 miscarriages, I'm THRILLED I'm getting mine done. But if this were my first pregnancy I definitely wouldn't have.

[boscopup]

If you don't have a history of m/c or any current bleeding, you don't need to bother with betas. The only time I've ever had one done is when I had a BFP at home several months ago, and got a negative urine test in the doctor's office at what was supposed to be my 6 week appt. He ran hcg quant and prog test. My hcg was less than 1, and I think the BFP at home was a false positive or maybe I'd had a chemical preg that still had some residual hcg in my system.

I've never had hcg or prog tested in my last 2 pregnancies and won't in this one either, unless I start spotting or something.

Btw, that hcg and prog test that was run several months ago... the lab charged my insurance $240!! So they're not cheap tests. I think the prog was $140 and the hcg was $100. I was really surprised at that. So I won't be getting those tests unless I really need them, even though I don't directly pay for them (I would end up paying for them via higher insurance premiums eventually).

[musiclady]

Thanks so much, ladies. I'm so glad that I posted. It really helps put my mind at ease. It's my first- so, you know... worry, worry, worry.

I just want to hear my doctor say,
Yep, lady, you've got a bun in that oven!!!