Things just don't add up.

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Things Just Don't Add Up.

2 posts on this thread and the last post was on April 17th, 2009 1:13 PM

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sunnysmile9 - April 15th, 2009 6:12 PM

[Original Post]

I've looked through the forums and found people who are similar situations with their low hCG levels, but haven't been able to find any thoughts on my current situation.

I'm on the pill, so when my husband and I found on Monday that we're pregnant, we were shocked but totally elated. We're 22 and 23 and have been married for almost 2 years, and financially stable (even in this economy). Even though it wasn't planned, we were still excited to find out the news. We decided to go to an urgent care place and have the home tests confirmed, which, of course, they were. However, the doctor was concerned about the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy since I was having some cramping so she sent me to the ER to get an ultrasound.

We went to the ER, had blood work done and had an ultrasound. We also met the most insensitive doctor ever. Anyway, we come to find out that the ultrasound showed nothing in my fallopian tubes or uterus ... and my hCG level is only 100.

My last period was at the beginning of March (don't know the exact date), and the ovulation calculators I've used all predict my ovulation right around the middle of March (17-22-ish). However, I know for a fact that I must have conceived the last few days of March/beginning of April because due to illness/husband being gone on business/etc, we didn't have sex until the end of March. However, I haven't had a period since the beginning of March. Is it possible to ovulate without a period? I didn't think so ... but wouldn't it be pretty impossible for me really be 5-6 weeks pregnant knowing that conception didn't take place AT LEAST until a week after when the ovulation calculators say? We're ~2 weeks post conception date right now. The first time we had sex after my March period was ~5 days before I should have gotten it again.

Anyway, so the doctor tells me that based on my last period, the lack of anything in my uterus, and my hCG levels, that this is probably a miscarriage. I am seeing an OB tomorrow, who will order bloodwork to test my hCG levels again. If they've increased, there might be a chance for a viable pregnancy, but if not ... it's definitely a miscarriage.

I'm just really confused. This is a really complicated math problem with a bunch of numbers and figures that don't add up to where they should be. Any thoughts are appreciated.

clindholm - April 16th, 2009 9:22 AM

The ovulation calculators are only an estimate, everyone ovulates at different times and has different cycle lengths. The info you have is all based on a 28 day cycle with ovulation occuring on day 14. Obviously you know when you conceived so you must have ovulated late in your cycle. Typically they can see the sac very early but I'm not sure if it's possible at 2 weeks post conception.
I would get the bloodwork and see what that tells you. If it turns out to be a miscarriage, I would not have any procedure done until you have another ultrasound to confirm since you ovulated late. You should have at least 2 blood draws 48 hours apart to ensure that the number is doubling.
The ER doctors are not OB's, they will only tell you what they see or don't see. Tell your OB when you suspect you conceived and he/she will test/scan accordingly. It sounds like it's too early to see anything.
Good luck!

babyblue2 - April 17th, 2009 1:13 PM

I totally agree. If you ovulated late, then a sac probaby would not show up for another few days to a week. At this early stage, its amazing what difference a day or two makes. Have your HCG levels checked a few more times to make sure they are doubling. If not, then you may have had a chemical pregnancy, in which case, your body will take care of what it needs to do. Good luck :)

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