What's the point of measuring HCG?

[Megan_in_Holland]

Is there any benefit to measuring HCG? As in, if the levels don't look good, can you do anything about it, or is it more just advance warning? I'm asking because here in the Netherlands they don't do a blood test to confirm pregnancy, and as far as I know no one ever checks your HCG levels unless they have a reason to suspect something isn't right. I'm sure I could probably get my gyn to do a blood test if I wanted to, but is it worth the trouble?

[bemommy]

It's really just an advanced warning. And you need multiple levels taken for any real information.