New here & already freaking out!

LindsKat

Hi ladies, this is my first time posting here. I got my first BFP yesterday at 10dpo after my second cycle of Clomid.  Throughout the day, I started feeling a pain on my lower right side. This is something that happens to me before AF arrives.  The pain didn't go away, and we started to worry (probably overreacting, but still) so we went to the ER last night.  They said that since my LMP was May 12, I am 4 weeks.  They did an u/s and couldn't see anything, but they said that was normal.  They did blood work and my HCG was 82.7.  They said it should be around 500 at 4 weeks and that if I were only 2 weeks, this would be normal. Then they started talking about ectopic pregnancies and gave me paperwork about miscarriages.  Needless to say, I left sobbing.

I know when I ovulated because I have been temping for months. Between the Clomid, temping, and OPKs, I am very confident that I was 10dpo yesterday. Based on that, would it make sense for my level to be 82.7? Has anyone else had similar levels at this stage? My temp is still high and I did another HPT this morning, with a darker line than yesterday. I will be calling my doctor tomorrow morning, but that just seems so far away right now. Sorry for rambling.

KatieM558

Ok, breathe girl, breathe.  I honestly don't know anything about numbers and charting and all that.  But I do know that my first few weeks I had very similar feelings.  In my opinion the ER always thinks worst case scenario.  Just try to relax and be patient.  ( I know that's hard. )  Go for a walk, think positive, and maybe eat some ice cream.  I will send good vibes your way.

csheedy10

Oh my word..first of all I cannot believe that they were freaking you out like that..Every woman's beta levels progress differently. At 4 weeks my betas were at an 81. I don't know if this is normal or not but I am not having anymore done. They were only done to confirm the pregnancy. I think that your betas sound fine. In all realty from what I have heard it doesn't matter what your betas are at as long as they continue to rise. Stop temping, stop testing, and just relax. I am sure you are fine. A little cramping is fine. Unless it gets worse or bleeding I would not go to the ER.

jeng329

If it makes you feel better I am miscarrying but you're numbers are a lot higher than mine!  My number was a friggen whopping 14 at 5 weeks!

Hang in there!  Cramping is normal.  You're not bleeding which is positive.   

tdmd09

First, I'm sorry the ER freaked you out so badly.

Second, keep in mind that ER doctors/staff aren't OBGYNs, they're ER people. They are "jack of all trade" people, meaning they know a moderate amount about lots of stuff, and aren't experts on anything in particular (like pregnancies). They do know how to deal with emergencies, and what they were most concerned about, based on your symptoms, was a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (which is a major emergency), so they treated you appropriately.

Third, because they're not OBGYNs, they don't know a lot about the significance of Hcg levels. The "normal range" of Hcg for weeks of pregnancy is enormously broad (like at my hospital, the normal range for 4 weeks is anywhere from 5-5000). One number won't tell you anything EXCEPT whether you can expect to see something on an ultrasound. The exception that is if you have an ectopic, you can have a low Hcg level but still see the pregnancy sometimes. 

My beta at 11DPO was only 54, if that makes you feel any better. Your number sounds fine, and what is important is that it doubles within 48-72 hours, so I would make sure your doctor repeats your blood work.

The good news is if they didn't see anything on the ultrasound, then they ruled out an ectopic pregnancy (at this point). An ER, however, cannot tell you that everything will be OK and you'll have a baby in 9 months. So they usually diagnose you with a "threatened miscarriage" which basically means you're having some kind of bad symptom/problem with your pregnancy and they don't know how it's going to turn out (again, that's your OB's job). It's kind of a way for them to cover their butts, honestly, although I know the terminology is hard to swallow.

Try to relax until tomorow, and then call your doctor in the morning for a follow-up blood test. I'm glad your ER visit didn't reveal anything bad.

LindsKat

JenG- I am so sorry to hear that you're miscarrying. I wish you the best of luck.

 

Thank you so much for all of these responses. I do feel some relief after reading everything you all had to say, and I feel a little better about my level. Everything you all said makes sense and really does ease my mind. Now I just wish tomorrow would hurry up and get here so I can call my OB!

Thanks again!

alkvoelker

Here's what I read in What To Expect When You're Expecting (which EVERY expecting woman should read). Basically, there is no NORMAL when it comes to your levels. As long as they don't drop and keep rising, there shouldn't be any problems.

https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/ask-heidi/hcg-levels.aspx

LindsKat

That is a very interesting article... makes me feel so much better. I have to buy that book! Thank you so much

dande2129

tdmd09:

First, I'm sorry the ER freaked you out so badly.

Second, keep in mind that ER doctors/staff aren't OBGYNs, they're ER people. They are "jack of all trade" people, meaning they know a moderate amount about lots of stuff, and aren't experts on anything in particular (like pregnancies). They do know how to deal with emergencies, and what they were most concerned about, based on your symptoms, was a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (which is a major emergency), so they treated you appropriately.

Third, because they're not OBGYNs, they don't know a lot about the significance of Hcg levels. The "normal range" of Hcg for weeks of pregnancy is enormously broad (like at my hospital, the normal range for 4 weeks is anywhere from 5-5000). One number won't tell you anything EXCEPT whether you can expect to see something on an ultrasound. The exception that is if you have an ectopic, you can have a low Hcg level but still see the pregnancy sometimes. 

My beta at 11DPO was only 54, if that makes you feel any better. Your number sounds fine, and what is important is that it doubles within 48-72 hours, so I would make sure your doctor repeats your blood work.

The good news is if they didn't see anything on the ultrasound, then they ruled out an ectopic pregnancy (at this point). An ER, however, cannot tell you that everything will be OK and you'll have a baby in 9 months. So they usually diagnose you with a "threatened miscarriage" which basically means you're having some kind of bad symptom/problem with your pregnancy and they don't know how it's going to turn out (again, that's your OB's job). It's kind of a way for them to cover their butts, honestly, although I know the terminology is hard to swallow.

Try to relax until tomorow, and then call your doctor in the morning for a follow-up blood test. I'm glad your ER visit didn't reveal anything bad.

 

I haven't had any type of scare and even this made me feel better! Awesome information. I hope it made you feel a little better too, OP. 

Mrs.DeliaMarieP

I think there was confusion on their end as to how far along you are, and I am so sorry that they got you so worried.

They are right, you are 4 weeks pregnant, but their numbers (at least at the hospital I work at, and I'm assuming this one as well) go based on date of conception, and do not include the approximate two weeks prior to ovulation.  So, your 82.7 is perfect for being about 4 weeks pregnant, and since you are 10dpo you are actually only about 3w4d pregnant or so, so that number is great, and is also perfect for being two weeks past ovulation/conception.

Please try not to worry any more tonight, and call your OB tomorrow, he/she will probably have you go in for a second beta.  FX for good approximately doubling betas for you!!

LindsKat

Thank you very much, this made me feel better.  I just got off the phone with the OB, going in for blood work right now.  The nurse basically said everything you said!

goofyteacher

While I'm sure some betas are at 500 at 4 weeks I don't think that's a common number.  I'm sorry they freaked you out, that's ridiculous.  If you really think you are 10DPO then you are totally in the normal range.  I was at 73 @ 11DPO, 105 a@ 13DPO, and 487 @ 17DPO.

https://www.betabase.info/showBasicChart.php?type=Single

goofyteacher

Also, please stop rushing to the ER.  Unfortunately they do very little but freak people out and if you are miscarrying there is nothing they can do.

Everyusernameistaken

Lurking from 3rd tri... With regards to the right side cramping, I had this all through my first tri and was convinced it was an ectopic pg until my ultrasound revealed a healthy little jellybean.  Just wanted to let you know that while I don't know anything about betas and numbers, cramping can be totally normal.  I'm sorry they freaked you out in the hospital.

Best of luck for a healthy and happy 9 months

LindsKat

Thanks everyone! The nurse called this afternoon and said my level is now 168! A little more than doubled in just over 24 hours :-) (The first was around 1 am Sunday) She sounded really positive and said these numbers are excellent.  My first appointment is next Tuesday. I feel MUCH better!! Thank you all so much for putting my mind at ease with all of this.... your comments really did help!