**TW** HCG levels not doubling after 48 hours anymore/Subchorionic hematoma?

ashleyluxe

**TW just in case anyone doesn't want to read about spotting/incompetent doctors** 

I started spotting a couple of weeks ago.  Called my fertility doctor twice (I will refer to him as Dr. Dolt) because I am O- and I wanted to make sure I didn't need Rhogam.  He basically shrugged it off saying that spotting is normal and if I bleed go to the ER.  Well, last Saturday I passed a couple of small clots/had some red blood.  So we went to the ER who administered Rhogam after waiting for 6 hours.  I asked what my hcg level was.  They told me that they didn't test it.... seriously?!  They also did not do an ultrasound and did not seem overly worried as I had zero pain.  So I went to my fertility clinic and did bloodwork on Monday morning.  My results were 3800 (rising) and really high progesterone.  I asked the nurse if the progesterone would drop drastically if I was miscarrying.  She said it wouldn't because I am on suppositories which I am not on.  So I told her that.  Then she said that after a certain point hcg stops doubling every 48 hours and to come Wednesday for my already planned ultrasound.  

So Wednesday comes and I am finally ready for the 6 week ultrasound.  The tech does her thing... tells me she thinks I have a cyst and there's just a gestational sac there.  She talks to a different doctor (the actual fertility doctor wasn't there... big shocker he never is.)  So I go in thinking the worst because the tech did not seem positive.  She didn't see a yolk sac completely but almost thought she did.  I've been told before that I have a tilted uterus so maybe that causes some transvaginal ultrasound complications.  I see Dr. Nice (that's what I am going to call this doctor because she's a delight) and she tells me that she thinks I am not 6 weeks but only 5 weeks at this point.  She said it looks like I have a subchorionic hematoma and NOT a cyst which would completely explain the spotting/bleeding.  She said it looks like I have a clot in my cervix that will slowly pass or pass all at once so don't be alarmed unless bright red bleeding and cramps happen.  She's completely happy as long as my hcg levels increase from Monday as where I am with them it will likely take longer for them to double now.  She seemed convinced that if my levels rose that all is well and wanted me to go in for bloodwork every few days until we see something on the ultrasound.  I have another ultrasound booked for this upcoming Thursday.  

I called yesterday for my bloodwork results and my hcg had only risen to 5884 since Monday (48 hours).  I spoke to the nurse again who said that she and the fertility doctor, Dr. Dolt don't know if that's a good sign at all.  I asked her why and she said it should be doubled.  I reminded her that she told me Monday that at this level it may not double every 48 hours anymore and may take longer.  She said that with the spotting she doesn't know.  I asked if she read Dr. Nice's notes at all.  She then said, "Oh well maybe you are only 5 weeks along because of the IUI."  I did not have an IUI.  We conceived naturally with cycle monitoring and Ovidrel.  I reminded her of that.  She sounded shocked.  (????)  She told me that the numbers are not good and that I need to be prepared to miscarry.  She said Dr. Dolt would not want me to come for bloodwork until the ultrasound because if I am going to miscarry then it's going to happen and it won't matter to him if I know ahead of time or not.  I told her that he's never been pregnant and that I'd rather know.  She then said to maybe wait and come Tuesday "if you are really that worried".  Then she admit to me that she hadn't even spoken to Dr. Dolt yet!!  

My husband is LIVID.  He doesn't trust these people as far as he can throw them.  How can one doctor be so optimistic and have an actual answer for us but the next day the other two totally disregard it all?  He convinced me to listen to the first doctor who actually cared enough to figure out the source 

I was also researching online and found the following:  
Most importantly, remember, typical doubling times increase with higher hCG levels.
·         Under 1200 mIU/ml: 48-72 hours
·         Between 1200-6000 mIU/ml: 72-96 hours
·         Over 6000 mIU/ml: more than 96 hours 

Sorry about the novel!!  I just really wanted to vent some frustrations and see if anyone else has had this hcg "issue" or has any insight.  Happy Friday!!!

jessafishy

Is there any way to switch to Dr. Nice? I would be dropping Dr. Holt like he's hot.

I'm sorry you are dealing with such shitty people. Honestly, if this is the best they can manage for bedside manner and patient care then they really should find a new day job.

kkerner87

Ugh doctors can be so frustrating and insensitive. Im sorry you're going through this stress. I think i would be finding a new doctor or only seeing "Dr.Nice" if possible.

Uhlease13

Wow, that is so wrong and I'm sorry you're going through this. I agree that I would try to switch docs! I don't have any experience or advice, but fx for you!!

ChocolateIsLife

I am so sorry you are having to deal with such incompetence. I would definitely look into another doctor, or Dr. Nice. There seems to be a great lack of communication and disconnect at your clinic, and that is the last thing you need to be dealing with. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.

ashleyluxe

@jessafishy No, she's not a regular doctor there so sadly I cannot switch to her.  She only fills in when the moron is away which is pretty often.  Luckily, I do have an upcoming appointment with a midwife so hopefully all goes well next week at the ultrasound and then a week later I will be with a midwife.

Edited:  To tag you!  

EmEeGee

I would relay your entire story to Dr. Nice and ask if there is anyway to book your appts with her exclusively. If not, I would change practices. That's some BS. I may be in the minority, but I don't like to float around the practice and get to know all the docs just for the sake of who shows up on delivery day. I knew my OB as my Gyno, I trusted her, she knew my history, her attitude and temperament fit my needs and that's all I needed. 

Im sorry you're going through this stress but I'd go with Dr. Nice's take on your situation for sure. 

mrs_fogue

ugh, what a mess these doctors have made.  Try not to stress and hopefully just giving it some time will prove that everything is ok.

ashleyluxe

@kkerner87 @Uhlease13 @ChocolateIsLife @EmEeGee @jessafishy
 Thank you all for the kind words!!  I am definitely not staying with this doctor.  I guess he doesn't really do deliveries which is totally fine by me.  

Honestly, it's just the icing on the cake with this clinic.  They've found nothing wrong with us but have still tried to push expensive injections and IUIs onto us every cycle and we've only been with them for 3 cycles.  I started going because I was having irregular cycles after the pill and a **tw** miscarriage (I was pregnant right after stopping the pill and miscarried very early).  By the time we went to see them I had had 2 regular cycles.  I think they are really just a money grab and they want you to fail so they can have more of your money.  

I am going to see a midwife in a couple of weeks.  So if all goes well with all of this I won't have to keep going to see them.    

ShakeUpTampa

That really burns my britches for you! Certainly switch if you can in any way. I am back at the same OB office I used for my first pregnancy and there was one man who I was in such tears the way he spoke to me when I had a migraine that I said he was not permitted near my vagina ever again! They listened. Just like you (and I saw your reply on my post, ty!) Google was more informative than the ER Dr who I have come to hate for the way he spoke to my Grandmother, Myself, and about my Son in prior ER visits non pregnancy related. How can the nurse and google say YES UTI can cause some spotting but he say nope not at all that is wrong...sometimes I think men need to stay the hell away from our vaginas if they are that ignorant! I'm hoping for a great outcome for you and that we both get through this weekend without anxiety or stress! xoxo

emwj10187

@ashleyluxe oh dear, this sounds like a nightmare of contradicting information.  Are you able to get to a different clinic and get a second opinion? Just remember that you're still pregnant right now, and that is a wonderful thing. When i was going through the empty sac thing, after taking my HCG levels they said that don't normally see anything until 10,000-12,000. Every medical opinion is different, and not all of them are correct. I'll be keeping you in my prayers!

ashleyluxe

@ShakeUpTampa When I started spotting that was one of the first things I read... Utis can cause spotting!!!  

I am so sorry your family has had to deal with such an insensitive doctor.  I guess they can't all have amazing bedside manner but come on now... if you're a jerk you're probably in the wrong profession!  Doctors should be caring and compassionate!

ashleyluxe

@emwj10187 thank you so much for all of your kind and positive words!!! 

I have also read that about hcg an ultrasounds so I'm a bit less worried.  

ashleyluxe

Update:  

My family doctor just called to see what was going on because they received some paperwork from the ER.  

He reassured me everything sounds okay to him and to just relax and take it easy because of the SCH.  He thinks my numbers are rising how they should at this point and said since I'm in no pain this is all pointing to a good outcome.

He requested for me to have the fertility clinic to send them my records because they haven't been sent anything at all.  Colour me shocked!  Lol!

ShakeUpTampa

Glad to hear your Family Dr is at least seemingly on top of things! Spotting started again today again so on the fence of go to the other ER near us to get the blood work checked or just float through the weekend until Monday

virginiaham

Face palm x100.  Holy crap, girl, what a disaster they've been.  So glad to hear a reassuring update and I'm glad you found the info that the beta doubling time does slow down.  Finding that was a huge relief to me as well.  FX for you!

cooaladolly

That's absolutely awful for you to have to go through! I wish I had more helpful encouraging words for you, but trust your instinct and damn the Dr. Dolt's to hell!

sjohns908

I'm sorry you had to deal with such a stressful situation, but glad to hear your doctor thinks everything looks good! 

ashleyluxe

@ShakeUpTampa. How are you feeling?  What did you decide to do?

ashleyluxe

@virginiaham Honestly I don't know why they kept going back and forth on the doubling rules.  Glad the other doctor and family doctor both reassured me that it is normal to not double after a certain point otherwise I'd be a lot more stressed than I am now.  Thank you so much for your kind words.

ashleyluxe

@cooaladolll @sjohns08 Thank you both so much!!!   Just trying to relax and not stress too much before my next ultrasound. 

buttercream_frosting

I am so sorry you had to deal with all that. The dismissive and incompassionate attitude pissed me off. I hope you get clear answers soon and FX that all is normal.

ShakeUpTampa

@ashleyluxe tired...so far just watching carefully while wiping, a little fleck of bloody mucus once in toilet but I had bought 3 .88 cheapy tests just to do every other day through Monday and they are lighting up big time before urine goes over whole bar so on Monday as long as no bleeding my first thing will be asking them to see if the UTI is clearing up and tell me HCG level , I will refuse any further services until I have that information. If HCG has gone up then I may let transvaginal to see if they can do any dating or see progress but not going to put myself through unnecessary procedures if HCG has not gone up. I of course am google obsessed as well  

emwj10187

@ashleyluxe great news from your family doc! 

ashleyluxe

Hi, ladies!!  

Update:  I am a week behind what we thought but had an ultrasound today!!  Baby has a strong, big heartbeat!!!  SCH is still there, but meh... I will take it!!  

I've been a little down because of the bleeding and passing some clots so I was really worried but all is well!  

buttercream_frosting

Glad all is well. PG is a MF! Wishing you a healthy boring pregnancy.

ashleyluxe

Thank you, @buttercream_frosting!!  I've been through so much already... this little bean is so grounded!!

ShakeUpTampa

Yay!!!! I'm so happy for you! What is your EDD now? Were you basing off LMP or Ovulation? I'm getting hope from all these good check ups! 

ashleyluxe

@ShakeUpTampa If I base it off of either it is still equaling October 11th-ish which would make me 7 weeks but I am measuring 6 weeks.  Repeat ultrasound in 2 more weeks and then they will have a better estimate.  The reason I am so certain on my dates is that I obviously know my LMP date and I gave myself an Ovidrel injection on January 15th so I know I had to have ovulated around January 17th. 

So I am either October 11th or October 18th.  Or maybe even somewhere just in the middle.  I reset my ticker and dates for October 18th just in case.. didn't want to see everything a week early if it turns out I am later than we thought.  I was really hoping for October 11th because that's our wedding anniversary.  

How have things been going with you?  I've been a little MIA because I was really anxious over the bleeding/clots so I didn't want to get attached to the idea of being pregnant.  

ShakeUpTampa

@ashleyluxe well spotting stopped so that eased me, then reviewing my pregnancy with my son , when he showed up on U/S and the fact that just because I got a positive OPK does not mean I ovulated next day , could have been up to 72hrs later in reality so I had already set my timer back a week based on positive OPK on cycle day 20 or 21. Tuesday can't come soon enough, the moment I KNOW there is fetal pole and heartbeat is the moment I become less anxiety filled. Seeing so many positive turn arounds with just dating people off as eased my dr google obsession though lol

ashleyluxe

@ShakeUpTampa I will be thinking about you!  Dating can be very off even with OPKS.   I literally injected myself with ovidrel which causes you to ovulate and my dates are probably off even though they should be pretty precise.  So you never know!  Sending positive thoughts and vibes your way.  Keep me posted on Tuesday!!

Myelhsa

So happy to hear that @ashleyluxe!! I'll also be wishing you a happy/healthy/boring 9 months!

ashleyluxe

@Myelhsa I really hope it becomes boring after this drama!!  Wishing you the same!!