Getting HCG levels checked? (m/c mentioned)

tealowl

Should I go get my HCG levels checked? My m/c is recent, and I've seen on here and other boards it's something some ladies do. My doctor just told me to wait at least one cycle before TTC, she didn't say anything about getting levels checked, and I didn't know to ask.

Assuming that my next cycle would be sometime in July, my HCG levels should be down all the way by then? I just don't know if that is necessary or not.

tealowl

Whoops, I was going to post this on another board first.

themrsJRD

I actually thought that once you have had a cycle that meant your HCG was back to 0 or very close to it because you couldn't ovulate when your level was up.

ETA: I had a natural m/c at home as well and the cycle starting the day of the m/c was 55 days long which is long for me. So just be prepared that this cycle could be longer because of the HCG leaving your system. 

tealowl

themrsJRD:

I actually thought that once you have had a cycle that meant your HCG was back to 0 or very close to it because you couldn't ovulate when your level was up.

ETA: I had a natural m/c at home as well and the cycle starting the day of the m/c was 55 days long which is long for me. So just be prepared that this cycle could be longer because of the HCG leaving your system. 

That's what I was thinking, but wasn't sure. I had a natural m/c at home, but then ended up in the ER a few days later and the doctor manually did a D&C, if that's what I should be calling it. I need to update my siggy.

So, it's reasonable for me to expect longer cycles now, and maybe AF won't come in July at all?

Before this, I had shorter cycles (24-28 days usually), and wasn't sure if I would go back to that immeadiately or not.

themrsJRD

teal owl:

themrsJRD:

I actually thought that once you have had a cycle that meant your HCG was back to 0 or very close to it because you couldn't ovulate when your level was up.

ETA: I had a natural m/c at home as well and the cycle starting the day of the m/c was 55 days long which is long for me. So just be prepared that this cycle could be longer because of the HCG leaving your system. 

That's what I was thinking, but wasn't sure. I had a natural m/c at home, but then ended up in the ER a few days later and the doctor manually did a D&C, if that's what I should be calling it. I need to update my siggy.

So, it's reasonable for me to expect longer cycles now, and maybe AF won't come in July at all?

Before this, I had shorter cycles (24-28 days usually), and wasn't sure if I would go back to that immeadiately or not.

I really am very sorry for your loss It is so sad and scary.

Well, I just finished that 55 day cycle on 6/1 so I don't know how long my cycles will be now. I'm hoping now that I made it through the first one it will pick back up where it left off, with 30-35 day cycles. I guess I have to wait and see. I have had A LOT of spotting though which is completely different for me, like nearly every day spotting. I hope that's not how my cycles will be from now on. 

I think that 60 day rule should still apply. Hopefully your cycle comes back without any help. If it doesn't then maybe you will need to get the levels checked. 

Rocknroll64

I'm sorry that you have to go through this, the waiting and not knowing really sucks. After my first miscarriage I didn't get betas but I had some cheapie pregnancy tests so I tested the HCG out.  My cycle after my miscarriage was 42 days, but long cycles are normal for me.  

I went on to have a chemical pregnancy and the cycle after that was brutal and I wish I had had betas done to follow the HCG out of my system but my doctor didn't give me the option. I was still testing quite positive on a HPT almost 6 weeks afterwards until my period showed up.  It's the worst thing in the world to keep getting positive tests after a miscarriage, especially since mine was so early and it almost gave me hope that maybe they were wrong and my pregnancy was still viable.  The only thing that really kept me from thinking I was still pregnant was the fact that my temps were down to Pre-O temps. You can see this cycle in my charts on fertility friend.  It's the Mar 5 cycle.  There's another example of why temping can help your sanity.

Anyway, I know this time really sucks especially since you probably want to get back on the horse and start trying again.  If you ever need to vent or talk you can always pm me.  

tealowl

Thanks for the advice ladies. I'm going to buy a thermometer this week. I didn't OPK/temp when I was TTC before, I got pg on my first cycle, but I didn't think to start temping now. It'll help me learn how to do it anyways. =]

 Which therm should I use? I know there's a Walmart brand a lot of ladies here use I think, but I don't remember the name of it...

Rocknroll64

teal owl:

Thanks for the advice ladies. I'm going to buy a thermometer this week. I didn't OPK/temp when I was TTC before, I got pg on my first cycle, but I didn't think to start temping now. It'll help me learn how to do it anyways. =]

 Which therm should I use? I know there's a Walmart brand a lot of ladies here use I think, but I don't remember the name of it...

A lot of the ladies use the mabis brand thermometer.  I use the CVS one and I really like it.   You can get them at Target or any pharmacy.  I recommend charting your temps in fertility friend.  Good Luck!  

tealowl

I'm going to call the doctor and ask them about coming in for a checkup to make sure everything is done. I had called them the day after I went to the ER and they didn't make any mention of me coming in at all. Maybe because the ER finished everything (I had a blighted ovum and my cervix was tilted, which was causing extreme pain because the ovum/tissue was getting stuck? And thats why I was having problems completing the m/c at home, so they said. I think it was the worst pain I've ever had.)

And now I have lots of homework to do on FF about temping. =]

TRS48

Sorry to jump in on this but I've been reading a lot of posts referring to "betas". What is that? 

Rocknroll64

TRS48:

Sorry to jump in on this but I've been reading a lot of posts referring to "betas". What is that? 

A beta HCG test is a quantitative blood test for the pregnancy hormone HCG. Which means that It tells you what the level of HCG is in your blood.     

TRS48

Oh ok, thank you!

ky29

I'm sorry for your loss.  I'm sure everyone's situation is different & every doctor is different.  Mine didn't suggest testing mine.  I took a test about 14 days after my d&c, which came back positive.  I was taking my temp though, and it was slowly declining, so I saw that as a good sign.  AF showed up 1 day shy of 4 weeks post d&c.  

pantherRN

With my first loss, we used cytotec at home. Once I was done bleeding, I had a US to make sure that I passed everything. I never had blood work. The only thing my MW told me was that if I didn't get a period in 60 days to call her. 

I wasn't pregnant long enough the second time for bloodwork.  

bumpuser1282882

Again, I am really sorry you are going through this. I had to have blood work done to follow my hCG back to 0. I think it took about three draws before it was 0 again. This was suggested by both doctors I saw after my mc (my regular doctor and the locum doctor).

Good luck with the temping! 

MrsM507

I have zero advice from personal experience, I just hate that you are going through this! I'm so sorry for your loss. After my sisters m/c at home they did labs and an ultrasound... But I would guess it would depend on each person and how far along they were etc... I hope your transition back to TTC is as easy as possible.