Do Betas on their own mean anything good, bad or indifferent?
My dr. felt around and told me that I felt 2 weeks behind where my last period puts me at for pg. And I've had some spotting. She told me to wait 2 weeks for an u/s and after my exam had them draw betas. Nurse said it puts me at 6-7 weeks pg.
Does this mean anything?
I should add, she was telling me that you can't make a weak pg strong or a strong pg weak, it'll be whatever it's meant to be, and that I have a beautiful, healthy baby right now and I'm very lucky. I asked her if she was preparing me and she said No.
I should also add, I've known her since I'm 5. She's delivered or done surgery on more than half of my family, so sometimes she's more candid than your average dr.
Re: In layman's terms...
Link to general/detailed info on beta numbers as well as average beta numbers/week gestation.
As far as I know one beta only confirms if you're pregnant (beta >5). They are generally used to see if the pregnancy is progressing as in the beta is doubling every 48-72. So say your beta was 100 today they would want it to be at least 170-200 by Saturday. As you can see in the link though peoples numbers vary wildly. Some women will have a 68 at 4 weeks pregnant where another woman has 400. So using it to date you could be very inaccurate.
Are they planning a dating ultrasound sometime between 8-13 weeks? I've been told by my ultrasound tech that's the most accurate time window to date you.
Did they schedule you to come in for another draw in 48-72 hours? Betas are much more helpful when you can compare the numbers.
If you are only 6 weeks then you are an October mom with me, so good news all around, eh? It also adds two weeks on to your pregnancy so that a bummer I guess
SH - no, she told me to just get the u/s. That's kind of when she was like it'll be what it'll be type thing...she wasn't rushing me back in for more blood. Kind of odd I think.
I imagine she's not getting more blood work because 56,000 is pretty high. She'll just date with the ultrasound now.
I didn't even read that part. Oops. I really wouldn't worry about it. 56,000 is a great number for how far along you are, so I'd just try to relax for the next couple weeks. Easier said than done, I know. We're here for you if you have any questions or panic attacks in the mean time!