Is the first trimester....

Pats&Adri

usually stressful?

We went to our my first doctor's appointment yesterday (according to my last period, I'm 5 weeks along), but the doctor said my hcg level is very low. She said that I probably conceived late in my ovulation cycle, and I had to get my blood checked again today. I'm waiting for the results for Friday to see if my levels have gone up from the past 4 days.

Is this normal?

Sorry to bug with the question... It's just all I can think about and as much as I am trying not to stress it, I am super emotional.

Thanks for any help you ladies may be able to give me!

Patty

Mrs.HisOnly

It all depends on when you ovulated. If you ovulated later than usual then your betas could still be low.  The # isn't really the issue it's more how often they are doubling. The #'s should double every 24-72 hours. Plenty of women have low 1st betas and lead to have successful pregnancies. I know a girl from the IF boards whose 1st beta was in the 30s-40s about 2 weeks after ovulation and she was pregnant with twins!

Did they tell you what your beta was when they tested it? If they check the results in office you should get them sooner than Friday, IMO. I always got mine the same day or the day after.

Pats&Adri

Thanks for your response! I'm about 2 1/2 weeks after ovulation.

They told me that my # is in the 40s. :

I took a blood test this past Saturday which resulted in that number, and I took another blood test today. So I'm praying that the numbers have doubled the way that they are supposed to.

TWINS?! Woah!

I guess I'm just scared. It's my first pregnancy ever, and I wanted to talk to people who might have been through this. I appreciate your words!

Albah

Mrs.HisOnly:

It all depends on when you ovulated. If you ovulated later than usual then your betas could still be low.  The # isn't really the issue it's more how often they are doubling. The #'s should double every 24-72 hours. Plenty of women have low 1st betas and lead to have successful pregnancies. I know a girl from the IF boards whose 1st beta was in the 30s-40s about 2 weeks after ovulation and she was pregnant with twins!

Did they tell you what your beta was when they tested it? If they check the results in office you should get them sooner than Friday, IMO. I always got mine the same day or the day after.

 

This is a great explanation!  Try not to stress on low beta's; the doubling is the key!!

 And yes, pregnancy overall can be stressful for different reasons and the 1st tri in particular creates a lot of worries on viability...it is normal to have concerns but do try to take a deep breath and go along for the ride!! We always have to think positive! But I hear ya, my stress during the 1st tri had to do with the vaginal spotting I had early on but thankfully, all worked out beautifully! Good luck and keep us posted!

Albah

Mrs.HisOnly:

It all depends on when you ovulated. If you ovulated later than usual then your betas could still be low.  The # isn't really the issue it's more how often they are doubling. The #'s should double every 24-72 hours. Plenty of women have low 1st betas and lead to have successful pregnancies. I know a girl from the IF boards whose 1st beta was in the 30s-40s about 2 weeks after ovulation and she was pregnant with twins!

Did they tell you what your beta was when they tested it? If they check the results in office you should get them sooner than Friday, IMO. I always got mine the same day or the day after.

 

This is a great explanation!  Try not to stress on low beta's; the doubling is the key!!

 And yes, pregnancy overall can be stressful for different reasons and the 1st tri in particular creates a lot of worries on viability...it is normal to have concerns but do try to take a deep breath and go along for the ride!! We always have to think positive! But I hear ya, my stress during the 1st tri had to do with the vaginal spotting I had early on but thankfully, all worked out beautifully! Good luck and keep us posted!

Laura

MrsJOSEnADRI

I think the first tri is the most stressful b/c there's so much uncertainty.  But, try to just take it one day at a time and don't worry too much about numbers.  I know it's easier said than done.  For me, work helps me to stay distracted and not focus so much on any anxiety that I may have over the pregnancy.  Also, try not to read too much online or in pregnancy books.  That probably sounds like horrible advice, but I remember that I read soooooo much in my first tri that it just added to the stress because it was information overload and most of it was about all the things that can go wrong.  After a while, I just stopped reading and started focusing more on my OB appoitnments if I had any quesitons. I've been a lot more relaxed since about 20 weeks on than I was in the first 20 weeks or so. 

HTH! 

Pats&Adri

Thanks Ladies. Great advice. I will be trying my hardest to NOT think about numbers, and levels, and all that stuff. I just have to stay positive and stress-free. I'm glad to see I'm not alone though with all of these first trimester jitters. Thanks again

Mrs.HisOnly

Oh! and best pieceof advice I can give you....STAY AWAY FROM THE 1ST TRI BOARD!  It will just depress, worry and drive you crazy!

TtotheG

My #'s were low at first, too - by the 2nd blood test they were through the roof! As everyone said, don't stress too much Enjoy the first tri - it all goes by so so so quickly.

mjz

PPs covered everything really well, but I just want to say congrats and good luck! Pregnancy can be very stressful, but try to relax and think positive. Keep us posted!

cocojack10

mjz:

PPs covered everything really well, but I just want to say congrats and good luck! Pregnancy can be very stressful, but try to relax and think positive. Keep us posted!

Ditto!

Pats&Adri

Thank you!!!