no rise in hCG-OB just told me I’m definitely miscarrying

gnosis1234

New member
I had a missed miscarriage with my first pregnancy back in December at 8 weeks, had a D&C. We tried again right away and I’m now 6 weeks pregnant, have been feeling great and super positive. My OB sent me for 2 hCG levels 48 hours apart. My first one on Thursday was 2004. Two days later it was 2008. Called my OB and after scolding me for calling the emergency line on a Saturday, she looked at my numbers and immediately changed her tune and said she’s sorry for my loss and this definitely means an impending miscarriage. She said if I don’t start bleeding this weekend, to followup on Monday about my options (taking a pill vs another D&C). I know these numbers aren’t good. I’m prepared for the worst, I’ve never cried so much in my life… but has anyone ever had a success story with something like this? I’ve read that as your hCG gets into higher ranges like over 2000, it takes longer, 72-96 hours, to double. I’d at least like another hCG drawn Monday but that wasn’t offered to me. An ultrasound wasn’t offered either. I know I’m only 6 weeks but even an ultrasound to rule out ectopic would be nice. I refuse to do anything to terminate this pregnancy until I’ve at least had an ultrasound confirming that it’s not viable, or I start bleeding.
 
@gnosis1234 I’m so sorry. It’s so hard.

If another hcg or an ultrasound is what you need for closure, I think you’re absolutely right to ask for it. Your OB shouldn’t have an issue with it, it’s such a small request in the grand scheme of things.
 
@zimboboer Just one more blood test is all I want I think..I’m nervous that an ultrasound might be too early to show anything anyway since I’m only 6 weeks, so it might cause me more confusion than closure. This would be so much “easier” if I just had an ultrasound and baby had no heartbeat. That’s what happened last time. It was devastating but at least it was definitive and final.
 
@gnosis1234 Hugs. ❤️.

There would be a gestational sac on the ultrasound (that is there by 1500, sometimes earlier), possibly a fetal pole, but you’re right, it would probably have been too early for a heartbeat.

Ugh I know what you mean. My MMC happened around 6.5 weeks - I had an ultrasound at 6 weeks, then a second at 8 - the embryo had only a couple days worth of growth since the first. It was awful, but it felt definitive.

I think another hcg is definitely reasonable. Your OB, even though she doesn’t sound like the best fit, should be empathetic. It doesn’t hurt anything and closure is such a huge part of this process.
 
@zimboboer That’s basically exactly what happened to me with a similar timeline, 7 week US looked okay and then had a STAT US at 8 weeks due to some spotting and baby had only grown a few days 😞 We just figured I was one of the many women who fit into the statistics. But 2 in a row.. I was so confident this would never happen.
 
@gnosis1234 I’m sorry, mine did the same thing. You’re supposed to double up and you did not. I had my d&c in Jan. Get genetic testing to see what keeps going wrong, and get a reoccurring pregnancy loss panel done with a specialist as well.
 
@jeff4607 I’m hoping my new OB is better than my current one. I already got a call from their high risk nurse liaison a few days ago, before I even got this hCG bloodwork, and it sounds like they’re totally okay with getting me in early for a fertility consultation. And that was just based on one miscarriage. Now that it’s looking like I’m about to have a second, I’m sure I’ll get the full battery of testing. Edited for clarification: the NEW OB is okay with me coming for an early consultation and workup. The old OB that I’m trying to leave, sucks. lol
 
@jeff4607 I’m just confused because we had no trouble conceiving naturally. We were so lucky. We got pregnant pretty much right away the first time we tried, and then pregnant again 2 months after my first MC. So would they still consider me a candidate for fertility treatments if we haven’t had trouble conceiving?
 
@gnosis1234 No. Just the second. First was unknown as it was very early (under six weeks). My sample from my d&c for the second confirmed trisomy. Which helps. But then doesn’t. My blood work came back all normal. So good for me. But bad for no answers. I was told lightening hit me twice.
 
@jeff4607 Oh my gosh 😭 I guess if I get another D&C with this one, I should request to have it tested? & didn’t even know that was an option. I’m so sorry for your losses.
 
@gnosis1234 Yes. Request to have it tested. Takes a few weeks. I had it tested twice. First when i took the miso pill and came back inconclusive. The second was the procedure since the pill didn’t take it all out, and got the results. So be aware it may not come back conclusive
 
@jeff4607 Thank you for the head’s up and for all of this info, I’m talking to my husband now and we both 100% want to have this one tested. We wouldn’t have known that was an option if you hadn’t commented, so thank you. I’m selfishly hoping I’ll just be able to have another D&C. I’m a nurse and work 12 hour shifts and I really don’t know how I’m gonna go back to work while dealing with all this and potentially bleeding at any moment.
 
Another update. Finally had an ultrasound. Not ectopic. Baby is still alive but HR is 106. Not to sound awful but I’m ready for this to just be over. Looks like even more waiting now. This is excruciating
 
@inprincipio I was actually in the process of switching OBs because of some other major issues with my current one. It just so happens that all of this is happening before I was able to establish care with the new OB. But I am hearing from the new OB tomorrow so at least I can get a second opinion!
 
@gnosis1234 I’m so so sorry you’re going through this. ❤️ If it would give you peace of mind I think it’s worth asking for another hCG test. If you have concerns around a potential ectopic pregnancy it may also be worth asking for an ultrasound prior to making a final decision on termination to ensure the location of the pregnancy if possible.
 
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