an "i'm going to sound clueless but I will ask anyway" question

MelissaMiso

***previous pregnancy mentioned***

Pardon my total cluelessness here but please help me understand Beta test. I didn't have this done with my first pregnancy so I have no idea what they mean and who they choose to do this test on.

Pintobean39

You may have had this test done and not realized it if you went to the Dr early in your pregnancy. My Ob just includes it in with all the initial blood work. If there seems to be no initial complication such as spotting or cramping they usually don't do a repeat test.

danieleandwayne

Yeah, some offices do this for all pregnancies-- others, only if you ask. And still others only if you're undergoing fertility treatments OR have a history of losses.

marijaa333

You did not sound clueless at all, I had no idea what the test was either. It's not explained anywhere and how/why would we know?? I now feel totally misled by your announcement and hope you actually post something that makes you sound clueless. ) 

Cue Pantene Not Sorry ad.  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzL-vdQ3ObA)

gabbagal

**previous pregnancy and losses mentioned**

I didn't know what it was before joining this board either. I just knew that when I got my first BFP, my OB wouldn't see me until at least 8 weeks so they told me to go to my Primary Care doc to get a (one time) blood test to confirm the pg. When they called back with the results, I had to google hCG b/c I didn't know what it meant or what the good ranges were! Unfortunately, the only time I had multiple draws to test levels were after my m/cs to make sure the #s were going down.

sunflwra

Not silly at all.  I didn't have one with my first or second pregnancy, but then I had my loss and even though it was thought to be a cord accident and was in 2nd tri, I was told to call and schedule an appointment as soon as I was pregnant again so that I could have beta and progesterone testing done.  As others have said, it measures the HCG hormone in your system and they typically take 2 measurements about 2 days apart to ensure the beta numbers are doubling as they should.  They may also take them after losses to track someone to zero.

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Davie813

It took me a while to figure that out, too.  I didn't have them either with DD--the OB didn't want to see me until the first ultrasound (done at 6 weeks).

MelissaMiso

Thanks everyone.