Betas were doubling and now they're not

missmarypoppins · October 2014

Hi ladies. So i know my clinic is being hyper vigilant with me and they are having me come in a lot for bloodwork and ultrasound. Which was great, but now I'm freaking out.

My betas doubled the first 3 draws but my fourth draw they did not. I was at 2470 at 5w and then 96 hours later at 5w4d they were only 3730. I know betas start slowing down but I thought that wasn't until after 6000 or a heartbeat. I'm really thinking this is a bad sign. In her voicemail (can't believe I missed her call!!!) the nurse said "everything looks good for where you're at." But how can rising by only 50% in 4 days be good

Has anyone dealt with a wonky beta like this? I'm supposed to go back Friday but I may have them fax a blood order somewhere near home for tomorrow morning. Or should I just have faith and wait?

ETA: the ultrasound between 5w and 5w4d showed a good amount of growth. At 5w we just saw the empty gestational sac but at 5w4d we saw the yolk sac and fetal pole. I just don't understand all that growth with such a little hcg jump.

pblge · October 2014

Honestly, I wouldn't worry at all. In fact, I asked my clinic to stop giving me beta information after a while because it was stressing me out unnecessarily. After the first few, ultrasounds are a lot more meaningful, and I really don't know why clinics keep checking betas. I'd have to go back to my notes to be sure, but I don't think they were doubling anymore by this stage. My suggestion would be to not ask for more betas and focus on the fact that your ultrasounds are doing exactly what they should be doing.

Is your next ultrasound on Friday?

xc1148 · October 2014

I had the same experience. i actually missed the call from my nurse, and I was kind of glad because it enabled me to replay the voicemail over and over "EVERYTHING LOOKS GREAT". That's all you need to focus on!!!! Your doctor's office has seen thousands of procedures, they would tell you if something was wrong

I am not going to tell you to relax, but I am going to tell you to stay away from Dr. Google. Seriously. Stop it. All you can do is stay healthy and listen to your doctor.

Keep us posted.

pblge · October 2014

Check out the chart here: https://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/tools/beta_doubling_calculator.phpphp
This shows when doubling times slow down, and it's well below 6000.

southernyankeegirl · October 2014

That wouldn't worry me when the numbers are that high and still increasing, and you've already ruled out an ectopic, AND there's growth on an ultrasound, AND it's measuring within normal range. You are doing great!

Seriously, I think the extra early monitoring for infertility patients is great if something does go wrong so they can tailor their approach for another try. But for the vast majority of us, it's a source of stress that doesn't particularly prevent any normal early pregnancy issues.

If you had gotten pregnant on your own, you still wouldn't have any betas or ultrasounds for probably another month or more. I always tried to remember that when I was over analyzing early betas and growth (omfg I was sooo nervous that my baby measured 3 days behind at the first u/s). Your best signs that everything is likely fine is no bleeding and no cramps (and even with a bit of those, things are still likely fine - I had lots of cramps, and some women bleed all through a healthy pregnancy). I would try to ignore the "average" or "ideal" and just accept "normal" as "no additional need to worry" and not look further for issues that probably (hopefully) don't exist.

Just try to hang in there - there's nothing that worrying will prevent. There's no reason to panic based on your progress thus far. Deep breaths, and try to stay distracted!

missmarypoppins · October 2014

Thanks ladies. I'm really trying to stay calm.
@pblge‌ my next ultrasound is scheduled for Friday. So far away. Thanks for the chart link!

@southernyankeegirl‌ you're right there's a lot that looks good so far. I just can't shake the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop so to speak.

@xc1148 I know they wouldn't lie to me right??? I just worry that they're trying to keep me calm. But I have to believe if it didn't look good they would tell me that.

southernyankeegirl · October 2014

missmarypoppins said:

@southernyankeegirl‌ you're right there's a lot that looks good so far. I just can't shake the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop so to speak.

I wish I could tell you this gets better, but it really doesn't, at least not for quite awhile. I'm approaching 3rd trimester, and I still have moments where I feel like I'm doomed to have something tragic happen.

My therapist has been instrumental in helping with anxiety, and I've tried really hard to keep thinking positive. I highly suggest seeing a therapist if you can.

It has also helped me to remind myself that worrying won't prevent the bad things from happening, and won't really make me more prepared if something does go wrong. All I can do is take this one step at a time, and part of that is choosing (sometimes forcefully so) to be optimistic.

Hugs, lady! First tri sucks for PAIF. It does get better - at 26 weeks, I feel *almost* normal.

xc1148 · October 2014

missmarypoppins haha no they wouldn't lie to you!!! They are not in the business of keeping people calm, they are in the business of science, sometimes a little too much! You'll be fine

weansworld09 · October 2014

I agree with everything @southernyankeegirl‌ has said. The growth is definitely way more important & I often have to remind myself not to worry or over analyze things.

AMShark · October 2014

xc1148 said:

missmarypoppins haha no they wouldn't lie to you!!! They are not in the business of keeping people calm, they are in the business of science, sometimes a little too much! You'll be fine

I agree with this 100%. When I got bad news from my RE during IVF#1, she didn't try to give me false hope. The first sign was a long silence, followed by a very gentle, "This doesn't look good..." In my experience, medical staff will not unnecessarily string you along.

If they say, "Everything looks good..." then that's a professional opinion, based on their expertise.

I'd tell you to relax, but I'd feel a little like a hypocrite, considering 2 out of my last 3 post on this board were about my own little freak outs. Oh, what the heck, I'll say it anyway - Try your best to relax. Growth on the u/s seems so much more certain than beta #s.

Canuck13 · October 2014

Like so many ladies have mentioned, I think the positive growth is the most important factor now. My RE operates so differently; I only had 1 beta and as long as it was over 100 they wouldn't do any more. I had to then wait 3 weeks for U/S #1. THAT was super nerve wracking. But anyway, my point is really that although I would have liked at least 1 more beta for peace of mind, sometimes I feel like Re's do too many....

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