WWYD (betas)

sweetpea2003 · April 2014

I'm wondering if I am being strange or if anyone can relate.

I've had two betas so far - one at ~14 DPO and one at ~18 DPO. They were fine, 156 and 763, doubling and average. My last beta was Monday. FWIW, I am also on progesterone supplements.

My OB knows my loss history and has given me the green light to do as many betas as I need to feel okay about things. Part of me really wants to keep having them, but a bigger part of me wants to bury my head in the sand and try to be "normal" and not micro analyze every little thing.

I have an u/s scheduled for 5/1. If you were me, would you go and have more betas done? For whatever reason, my curiosity right now is being trumped by the desire to just enjoy being pregnant without the anxiety of the "call" every evening with the numbers. Is it irresponsible to not get them? My OB is okay either way, and has let me make the choice on my own, but a part of me wishes he would just tell me what to do!! LOL.

carlsonbaby2014 · April 2014

. I completely understand where you're coming from. I had betas done really early and was told I could repeat every 48 hours or 1x a week. I felt the same struggle as you. On one hand I wanted to know what was going on with my hcg levels, but on the other I knew that the most telling thing would be my first u/s. I opted to do 48 hour draws for the first week and then switch over to 1x a week just to have "something to do". I know the betas aren't the best thing to judge a healthy pregnancy off of, so I keep that in the back of my mind. But I did really love having "something small" to celebrate. My first u/s is this coming Tuesday. Lots of ((hugs)). PgAL brain sucks! Best of luck in deciding what is right for you.

mtaylor404 · April 2014

I think you will get mixed responses here based on individual experiences. I would say don't get them. For me, betas caused more anxiety than comfort (especially when my numbers didn't double in 48 hours this pregnancy.) However, mine were well into the thousands when I had them checked, which could be the reason that they weren't doubling. Yours seem to be in the range where they should continue to double. If you think that you would get more comfort from hearing good numbers then you will anxiety if the doubling slows (usually around 6,000ish), then go ahead and get more betas. Also consider the anxiety you will feel as you wait for "the call."

BookishMomma · April 2014

I only had 2 betas done, at 18 and 20 dpo. (A bit of background: I didn't test that cycle until 14dpo. I know, it's a small miracle. I had a lot going on in my life that month.) I was satisfied that the betas were doubling and then I just waited for my ultrasound appointment. I'm on progesterone, too. I think it makes sense to just try to be as "normal" as possible and enjoy it if you can. IMO, it's not irresponsible because even if your betas were bad, there's nothing more you could do about it.

sweetpea2003 · April 2014

Thanks everyone! I totally agree. I think that, as of today (ha!), my plan is to skip betas and just wait until the u/s.

I'm even dreading the u/s a bit because I will be 5w6d by LMP and know that is a major gray area for what one will see. I think the OB just wants to do a baseline, rule out ectopic, etc. But I wish I could just fast forward to 7w or so when you know you should see a hb.

nyg2042 · April 2014

I had two betas done and then waited for my first ultrasound. I would personally wait, but I think it is really up to you and what your comfort level is. Once the betas get higher, doubling can take longer and that may freak you out even more. Just my two cents...good luck with whatever you decide! Keep us updated.

CaitNMatt · April 2014

mtaylor404 said:
I think you will get mixed responses here based on individual experiences. I would say don't get them. For me, betas caused more anxiety than comfort (especially when my numbers didn't double in 48 hours this pregnancy.) However, mine were well into the thousands when I had them checked, which could be the reason that they weren't doubling. Yours seem to be in the range where they should continue to double. If you think that you would get more comfort from hearing good numbers then you will anxiety if the doubling slows (usually around 6,000ish), then go ahead and get more betas. Also consider the anxiety you will feel as you wait for "the call."

This is exactly my experience as well... Betas caused me way more anxiety bc mine were already into the thousands do they weren't really doubling anymore. Plus the waiting for the phone call gave me a panic attack everytime!! But you should do whatever will make the first few weeks more calm and reassuring!

sweetpea2003 · April 2014

haha! I wish that the thing that kept me calm (no betas) was equally reassuring (getting good beta results).

I guess my feelings are mixed because my last pregnancy last year I took the hands off approach, had 2 or 3 betas, and then waited "like a normal person" for my first u/s at the end of the first trimester. I was on progesterone, had no bleeding, tons of symptoms, etc. and then... no heartbeat. Again.

So I think I'm just coming to terms with the fact that NOTHING aside from being well clear of the 9-13 week mark (my trigger time because of my three losses) actually gives me any relief from the fear.

This sucks .

ToriGirl2014 · April 2014

No advice, just wanted to say I feel the same way ~~ luckily or unluckily I am with an RE who tells me what to do and when to do it ... and it's frequent. I am going in for 3rd beta on Friday morning and will probably have a panic attack in the afternoon as I wait for the call.

2momsinCA · April 2014

I did so many betas with my two losses that I grew to hate that anxiety of waiting on the number. With one of my losses I was close to tripling every 48 hours and it still it didn't stick. So I hate betas. I did not do them at all with this pregnancy. And I was on progesterone for all my pregnancies so I felt like I really was doing all I could to make it stick. I just waited till the first ultrasound at 7 weeks this time. It was an anxiety ridden time where I tried to have a "what will be will be" attitude but nothing compared to the anxiety of wait on test results every other day. I'm all in favor of don't do them!

MickeyM04 · April 2014

I would probably take a pass. With DS I got two betas, felt pretty good about the numbers, and then within days I was freaking the F out again. And by the time of my first u/s? Holy crap, I completely forgot about my good betas. This pregnancy I didn't even bother, and I had to wait until I was nearly 8 weeks for my first ultrasound. Honestly, I didn't feel any more nervous waiting for the ultrasound this time than I did last time. If we have a third (not likely, but still possible), I will skip the betas again. If I were you, I would probably skip any more. Your ultrasound is in a week and you got good numbers so far. And even if you get good numbers again (and again), you will still be nervous for your ultrasound, trust me. Congrats on your BFP!

sweetpea2003 · April 2014

Thanks, everyone. I'm definitely holding off until Monday. I'll gauge how I feel over the weekend. Hopefully I can hold off until the u/s next week.

I appreciate all of your thoughts and support.

:x

Sweetiepops · April 2014

I completely understand wanting to put it out of your mind and not think about it. My doctor did the same thing for me, and I chose to have it done 3 or 4 times before my first ultrasound. It honestly did make me feel better, even though in my first pregnancy (loss) my numbers rose normally too. The most reassuring thing was that ultrasound though, and sounds like yours is coming up soon

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WWYD (betas)

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Began trying for a baby January 2012
BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013
BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013
BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014

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WWYD (betas)

Re: WWYD (betas)

Began trying for a baby January 2012BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014

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Began trying for a baby January 2012
BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013
BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013
BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014