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Is it or isn’t it?

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jronquillo
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed May 13, 2020 3:55 pm

Is it or isn’t it?

Post by jronquillo »

Hey everyone.

I need all the advice I can get. I’ve had two healthy pregnancies and this has never happened to me before. This all started on April 30th, when I got my BFP and was three days late. Fast forward to May 3rd and I started bleeding like a normal period for 7 days. In that meantime my HCG was checked on the following days:

Monday May 4th- 35
Wednesday May 6th- 57,
Thursday May 7th- 84,
Monday May 11th- 238

I had an ultrasound and they couldn’t confirm anything because my levels aren’t high enough but she is still worried that it may be ectopic due to the bleeding. I have no idea how far along I really am, they’re saying 4 weeks, I never tracked anything. I don’t know if I ovulated late. It’s a mystery at this point. My next appt is Monday for another HCG recheck and hopefully I can get some answers & a recheck ultrasound. Ever since she told me she’s still worried I swear everything that I’m feeling, I wonder if it’s because of an ectopic or is it normal? Like I have dull cramping on the left side, just a full, heavy feeling. Also my lower back is sore. I dunno. Is it or is it not ectopic?

EPT Host 20
Posts: 3155
Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 10:58 pm

Re: Is it or isn’t it?

Post by EPT Host 20 »

Dear jronquillo,
I am so sorry to hear of the worrying time you are going through and will try my best to help.
When diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy, doctors use a combination of transvaginal ultrasound scanning and blood tests to check HCG levels. Usually scans take place at around six weeks gestation as there is a reasonable chance of seeing an embryo at around this time. If scans are inconclusive, doctors would carry out a series of blood tests to check hCG levels to see if the numbers are rising as expected. However, in isolation, hCG tests only provide a part of the picture - declining levels indicate that a pregnancy has ended and will be miscarried. It can also possibly indicate an ectopic pregnancy that is "self-resolving". Also hCG levels rising by less than 66% over 48 hours means it is likely (but not certain) that it is ectopic. If levels rise normally, they suggest the pregnancy is implanted in the uterus. You may see from this that hCG levels only indicate certain possibilities and are not in themselves a definitive guide. A positive identification of an implanted embryo on a scan is usually needed before a final diagnosis/certainty that the pregnancy has implanted in the uterus. This is the reason why your doctors are waiting until your appointment to carry out more scans and tests.

Having said this, I do think that if you are currently feeling pain which seems unusual and is concerning you and, in particular, if you experience any worsening bleeding or spotting, it is better to get checked out to be on the safe side. As pain is unique to each person and I have such limited information, it would be better to get professional medical assistance by someone who can examine you.

Sending much love,
Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811

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