Talk to me about Chemical Pregnancies

FishyMom

So my beta came back today at a 3.9. My RE wants to test again tomorrow. What number constitutes a chemical pregnancy? How soon are you able to cycle again after a chemical pregnancy? In your opinion is this a chemical pregnancy? Thanks ladies!!

Veterans are always welcome.

Twinkie0612

I think for my clinic anything over 5 is pregnant, so 3.9 would just be a BFN. 

 They also require 2 betas even if the first is negative. According to one of the nurses, they have had one patient have a negative first beta and go on to have a positive second beta and a healthy pregnancy.

Sorry for the disappointing beta.

FishyMom

@twinkie0612 that is a crazy story!! I am glad that mine would not be considered chemical! Thanks!!

babydreams13

Sorry you are going through this.  I had 2 of them. With my second IVF my BETA was a 5.  He made me come back 2 days later to retest my BETA.  I believe it was almost down to ) at that point.  I then has the RLP BW because this was our 2nd IVF and I wanted answers. Also during the break month I had a hysterscopy and endo biopsy- all clear. So the following month we did a FET.  My BETA came back at 8. RE said he saw a few BETAs that low go into positive pregnancies.  I went back 2 days later and my BETA went down to about a 5.  So I asked lots of questions about the chemicals.  Basically my RE said implantation did occur but he thinks there were issues with embryo quality.  

I'm not sure about the actual number that constitutes a chemical preg. I searched the website betabase for success stories with low betas. On the chart there weren't many people who went on to have successful pregnancies with low betas under 10.  My RE was fine with starting again the next cycle. I however am on a break from my RE and will be seeking 2nd opinions.  

Based on your siggy it seems like you still have a good amount frozen so I bet your RE will let you cycle again when you are ready. Hang in there I know this SUCKS!

FishyMom

Thanks @babydreams13 I was hoping you were around to give me some advice. I did the RPL after the MC in October, so I don't think I'll have any other testing. I know this embryo did not thaw well (lost 30% of its cells in the thaw). I am starting to wonder about embryo quality since I have a MC (with no real answers as to why) and not this. I am worried that our other ones will thaw the same way. What kind of questions did you ask after your second one? I have a list, but wondering if you asked anything that got an answer that shocked you. I really hope your second opinion gives you some answers, I know how hard it is to go thru testing with no results that gives you answers. Thanks again!!

poohniki

So sorry! I know my RE has said he's seen a healthy pregnancy from as low as 3. You can see in my siggy that I was not that lucky. 

Hoping if anyone can have a miracle from that low number, that it's you. ((hugs))

rlk2

I'm so sorry:(. U had two experiences with low betas....both times it didn't end well. My first beta was a 6 and went to <2 (which is when my clinic calls it a bfn) in a week, then our second fresh cycle beta was 2.5 and didn't go down for two weeks. After the first cycle we waited two months after only because our clinic didn't cycle any sooner and the second fresh cycle, we took another 2 month hiatus by our choice. Nothing about this process is easy and again, I'm so sorry you are going through this! Big hugs.

princessisadora

I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this. Beta hell is not fun. My beta hell did not have a good outcome (you can see in my siggy) but there have been positive outcomes starting with low betas. As for cycling again, my RE didn't think there was any reason to wait as long as my HCg went back to normal. I'm just not ready to do it again.

mmhopeful

Be careful.....my 1st beta was 7.5....2nd beta I was told was negative but it was 2.3.....3 weeks later....it was 144 and was ectopic.  Ask for more bloodwork in a few weeks to confirm and give yourself some peace of mind. 

FishyMom

Thanks @mmhopeful my doc likes to make sure everything is ok before cycling again, so she may make me wait.  We will find out.  I already went to my blood draw for this morning, just waiting for the call. 

I know that this is not going to end well.  I have never had any hope for that, and I also not holding on to any.  But am more concerned about when I will get to start again.

mmhopeful

Ashris13 said:

Thanks @mmhopeful my doc likes to make sure everything is ok before cycling again, so she may make me wait.  We will find out.  I already went to my blood draw for this morning, just waiting for the call. 

I know that this is not going to end well.  I have never had any hope for that, and I also not holding on to any.  But am more concerned about when I will get to start again.

We were set to start again and specifically requested a pregnancy test because we had been "on our own" for a few weeks.  They originally did not have that on the list of BW checks.  Be specific.  No matter what....you'll get through this.

Sunny B

I'm sorry I'm hoping you get some answers soon and can start again soon!

katib77

To me a CP is anything that lasts less than a week no matter what the betas, because if we were not in IF treatment I could have just been a woman who thought her period was late.  I don't know what the traditional idea of it is.  For me my first beta at 13dpIUI was in the 40's then dropped to 23 by 15dpIUI and I had already started a period.  If I was someone waiting for a late period to test I would never have known about it.  

babydreams13

Ashris13 said:

Thanks @babydreams13 I was hoping you were around to give me some advice. I did the RPL after the MC in October, so I don't think I'll have any other testing. I know this embryo did not thaw well (lost 30% of its cells in the thaw). I am starting to wonder about embryo quality since I have a MC (with no real answers as to why) and not this. I am worried that our other ones will thaw the same way. What kind of questions did you ask after your second one? I have a list, but wondering if you asked anything that got an answer that shocked you. I really hope your second opinion gives you some answers, I know how hard it is to go thru testing with no results that gives you answers. Thanks again!!

First off in my post ) meant 0. LOL. You and I have no luck.  Seriously!  I feel like we both been on this board for a while.  So sorry.  After my second failed IVF I asked lots.  What are my chances the FET will work? Why do you think it isn't working? What can we do differently? Are there any other tests I need to figure out what is wrong? He then said the RLP, hysterscopy, and endo biopsy just to rule anything out.  I also asked for AMH to be tested since we never did that.  I was put on Prolactin meds- Cabergoline.  So after this chemical FET I had a long talk with my RE. His new plan is a lupron flare protocol, a 3dt, and transferring 3. It was good to hear what he would change but I'm most likely leaving him.  He suspects embryo quality issues.  I think there is more to the story therefore with the new RE I am planning on meeting with I will get immune testing.  Basically ask your RE why he thinks it isn't working and what can be done differently.  Are you on baby aspirin?  Is there a reason you are only transferring 1? Maybe now for the third transfer your RE will suggest transferring 2.  I love my RE but its just not working.  I hope you get some answers and can proceed soon.  

FishyMom

Hey @babydreams13 I went back to make sure I had all my questions written down for my RE and realized I did not respond to you... sorry!!  We really do have the worst luck, I remember cycling with you in September our transfers were so close together...  ((Hugs))  I feel like we are veterans now and I never thought I would get to that status...

I am going to ask about the baby asprin, my RE has never mentioned it.  The reason I am only transfering one is because 1) DH is terrified of twins 2) my RE really thinks that if we transfer 2 we will have twins because our first cycle worked and this was only our 2nd shot.  Depending on what she has to say today we will probably stick with 1 unless the next one does not thaw well like this last one.  I am terrified of the answer but I am going to ask about egg quality too.  We have 8 more frosties waiting on us and I really dont want to think that they are all not viable.. but we will see. I am also going to ask about the MTHFR causing our MC, I really dont think that is the reason...

I really hope you get some answers too, you deserve them! 

babydreams13

Ashris13 Yes we have been through too much and I thought IUIs would work for me and now look at me.  uhhh. This whole thing is draining. 

In your situation having so many emrbyos left putting one back makes sense. We have always put back 2 but I didn't have as many embryos as you. Only 2 of mine froze and we transferred 2 during both fresh IVFS. Now we have nothing left.  So I more IVF it is.  Going for my consult in 2 weeks and hoping for some answers. 

Let me know what your RE says.  I hope 2014 is our year!  When do you think you will do another transfer?

FishyMom

@babydreams13 Well I went and talked to my RE today and she said that everything looked fine with the last transfer, she thinks that the emby just was not great after the thaw. She recommended that if we have another one that thawed like this we should do 2. We talked about the risk of twins and she feels it is really high for us. She said as soon as AF came we can take BCP and get going again. So I start BCP tonight!! Yay! She also said that she does not feel that the MTHFR is the reason for the loss, she thinks it was just a fluke.

babydreams13

Ashris13 Glad you got some answers.  You have to do what you are comfortable with. My DH and I are fine with twins but thats bc they run in my family.  We feel like at this point we need to do whatever to increase our chances.  My RE (who I'm leaving) actually suggested transferring 3 on day 3 next time but IDK.  I want to see what this new RE says.  

Glad you are getting started!  2014 has to be it!