falling hcg levels

[JodynJupiter]

At 7.5 weeks my levels were 23,200 (5 to 6 week level) and three days later were 18,600. I don't have an OB or midwife. My tests were done via Fam Practice doc. How long before the miscarriage? Should I see an OB and have an u/s to rule out ectopic? I am thinking there is no chance for this pregnancy. I wonder how long until it happens. Jody

[Tracy]

i don't have anything to say except HUGS.
I just wanted to hug you.

tracy

[Katana]

I've heard, that on 'average' (whatever that means) that it usually takes about ten to fourteen days from the time the loss happens for something to start.

But that is by no means a hard and fast fact. I think everyone is different.

As for an etopic, usually, there is some kind of intolerable or unavoidable pain. But if it will put your mind at ease to have things checked out, I say go ahead.

And, I think, it does help sometimes to keep getting the hcg levels checked until there is a negative reading, just for some closure.

I'm sorry you're going through this.

:hug

[SamuraiEarthMama]

oh jody! i'm so sorry!

please DO go get an ultrasound and find out just what is going on. i'm not a big fan of 'em, but this is what they're designed to do: help puzzle out what's happening when you don't know.

i don't know if you are a "get it over with" person, or are more patient with your body. your physician can help you get a d&c if you want one, but by no means do you have to get one, at least not right away.

a home miscarriage is sad but you're at home, you can relax and take good care of yourself. if you do this, it could take several weeks or even a month... and even then you might reabsorb everything... it might take a few months to get back on your regular cycle. be patient with yourself...

please keep eating and drinking, and keep taking those prenatal vites... you'll be going through a bunch of hormone changes and you'll need all the nutritional support you can get.

and please do come back here and let us know how you're doing! this is a rough time, and you'll find companions here that will listen to your story with compassion and respect.

peace to you,

k

[JodynJupiter]

Thanks for the warm thoughts and hugs from all. I was just a tiny bit hoping for lifeline, but I know from what I read on the internet that it is very unlikely that the pregnancy is viable. I am 40 and this unplanned baby was something that my whole family had become quite excited about. I am even thinking about trying again. That will be a very very hard decision to make. Jody

[Jacque Savageau]

Jody, if you're not opposed to ultrasound it will tell you either way. What a difficult situation. I'm so sorry you're going through this.

Please let us know how you're doing - I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[wolfmom]

jody - i just wanted to say i am sorry for you and that with an ectopic preg the hcg levels are usually higher than normal and are increasing. Hope you are taking care of yourself.
peace and health,

[JodynJupiter]

Thanks for your support. I am actually feeling bouyant today. Yesterday I checked w/ OB office who felt that I should be followed until hcg levels are back to zero. I made an appt. However in the meantime I have secretly hatched the scheme that my levels were dropping because I am much later than I thought, that maybe I didn't have a period when I thought I did, yada yada yada yada...they will do an us and find a baby. This fantasy has no basis for reality and very unlike me. But for some reason I feel better even though I don't really believe it. I guess that it is better than being Un-pregnant. My appt isn't until next week, so who knows how many mood swings I will have until then or if I will start bleeding. They said it could take up to a month. I probably won't tell anyone else about my delusions so thanks for letting me share w/ yall. What a goon.

[taradt]

((hugs))

i think the feelings of hope are normal, at least they were for me. i didn't want to have my ultrasound because as long as i didn't have it then i didn't have to admit there was a problem, even though all the signs pointed to it and i *knew* in my heart that things were not right i just didn't want to admit it to anyone, myself included. but i think that for me that was part of the healing by slowly accepting what i knew to be. even after i knew my baby had died i *still* had hope until the actual miscarriage.
listen to your heart, it usually knows what is going on. and be extra kind to yourself

tara

[SamuraiEarthMama]

they're not delusions at all, jody! it's your body's coping mechanism, and your natural maternal instinct that will do anything to help your baby.

there was a point during my first miscarriage where i knew it was inevitable, but i also hadn't yet lost it. i think it is a special place of grace, where you aren't pregnant but aren't NOT pregnant (if that makes any sense). i felt very vulnerable but also peaceful and light and... different. it was not a bad feeling. it was a sense of transition, moving to a new place of acceptance and knowing my body was doing the right thing at the right pace for myself.

even though i "knew" the baby had died, i treated myself gently through the miscarriage process, like a labor. i drank and breathed, kept things quiet and softly lit, unplugged the phone and created a space of respect and honor for my baby to be born. we treated the little sac and placenta gently, even though we "knew" it couldn't feel anything. but it felt right to us.

it's all part of being a mother. it's still your baby, and you still want the best possible treatment for it no matter what. you are going to wish for good things for this baby, just like any other of your children. and i think that shows that you are a wonderful mom, not a goon!

hugs,

katje

[JodynJupiter]

Two days ago I thought I had Braxton Hicks and again today. I even had my 10 yo poke me. Her eyes grew big and she was like, HUH? what's going on w/ your tummy? So is that still a normal part of my pregnancy even though the baby is gone? Another hysterical symptom? This is so weird. gotta go remove a splinter...

[Jacque Savageau]

Jody, katje said some beautiful things. I think the mother in you is fighting to save this baby.

If you are miscarrying the contractions would be normal. Miscarriage is a birth and your body contracts to give birth to the baby. Watch for other signs like spotting and cramping. All of these are normal. What would be a concern are; feaver, severe pain (pain you cannot breath through), and flu-like symptoms.

Jody, please take care of yourself right now :hug This is a very stressfull time for you. Is there someone around you that you can reach out to? I am concerned for you and widh you the best.

[JodynJupiter]

Thanks, I have really appreciated all the supportive thoughts from you guys. I have many good friends who are ready to do anything for me and who I can call to bounce things off of. I am so pleased to have holidays behind and just be able to putter around the house and take care of things. Or not take care of anything as the case may be. The RN at the OB office was very helpful and answered all my questions patiently. I am not even a pt of their's yet. My fam practice doc has called me personally w/ all my hcg results and called back to follow up regarding seeing an OB. It is just hard to come to terms with protecting yourself like you are still pregnant and facing the reality that a baby isn't going to be coming into your life. Jody

[abimommy]

I am so sorry for what you are going through Jody.

Be extra gentle on yourself, don't be too hard on yourself about wishing things were different. Everyone here has probably had those same thoughts run through their minds. It is heartbreaking to hope but it is something everyone does.

:hug

[ameliabedelia]

I don't have anything to add, just wanted to send you a :hug, and I am sorry about your loss.

[JodynJupiter]

Thanks:)

[JodynJupiter]

Has it really been 10 days since my last post? Anyway, had an ultrasound, pg not viable~had stopped at about 6 weeks. I was 10 weeks last Friday and finally started bleeding today. I will follow up w/ an hcg test in office or maybe even a home urine pg test after I am done. I am happy to have this behind me...and will admit to enjoying coffee again! So far no cramping, certainly nothing extreme.
Not sure if we will ttc again, but in the meantime, thank you to all for your support and best wishes to you and your families however they are growing.
Oh, btw, for those who are interested, I had calculated my hcg rates online and am very close to the day that the predicted values would be back to zero. I guess the rates are supposed to halve in the case of miscarriage as they would double in the case of growing embryo. I had the two rates early on from my doctor and plugged them in. Don't know if that is a fluke or something that can be counted on w/ any regularity.
http://www.ivfer.com/hcg.htm

[Jacque Savageau]

Jody :hug I've been thinking about you. I'm so sorry about your baby. Please feel free to lean on us as much as you need to. Sending you peaceful thoughts for the weeks ahead.

Please make sure to keep your body well hydrated right now and get pleanty of rest. Go ahead and enjoy the coffee too.

[SamuraiEarthMama]

hey, jody! i've been thinking about you, too... thanks so much for checking in and letting us know how you're doing. i'm so sorry this is happening but you seem to be handling things with grace and dignity (or as much as can be mustered in such crappy circumstances).

would ya do me a favor and drink a mocha for me? oh, man, i miss 'em! dip a biscotti in it and think of me... and i'll be thinking of you, too!

take care!

katje