Should I get my levels checked?

[Kholl]

Hello everyone! I just had a miscarriage (heavy bleeding started April 30); by May 4th, my level was at 1. To my amazement, I got a strong BFP on May 27th, just two days ago.

The doctor recommended drawing blood to check to see if HCG is doubling... while that seems like the obvious thing to do, I am hesitant. I know that unless the numbers are super high, I’ll obsess and panic. And honestly I don’t need another thing to obsess and panic over. Getting the numbers doesn’t change the outcome, but it DOES influence my mental state dramatically and honestly... I don’t know if it would really help me if the numbers are on the low end or if they aren’t rising as quickly as I feel they should...

Does this make sense? What did you do? Did it help? Thanks in advance.

 

[WheelDon2]

First off, congratulations!

I would say do what is best for your mental state right now. Maybe do blood work in a week or 2 if you feel up to it. Or don't at all.

Do what you can mentally handle without stressing yourself out about it. There is no need to worry about things you cannot control.

Just eat right and take your prenatals. Take care of yourself and everything else will fall into place.

Wishing you the best of luck and H&H 9 months!

 

[Akua]

I probably wouldn’t have the blood tests. I’d ask for an early scan though

 

[Kholl]

Thank you ladies for your input

 

[WinterWolf]

Personally I'd have the blood tests. I'd want to know if I was probably going to miscarry, rather than thinking everything was ok and being caught off guard. Also if all is well, then it should help to reassure you.

 

[KHTW]

I am with WinterWolf on this. I would want to know x (keeping my fingers crossed for you!!) x

 

[rainbow.23]

I must say I agree with you Kholl. I think it is a knee jerk reaction of many anxious ladies to get more tests to try and help with their anxiety, when in reality they often throw up more questions then they answer. I have seen countless posts on here asking for advice about hCG numbers and scans where there is a sac but no heartbeat.
I had a loss at term so this pregnancy has been absolutely awful for me so far, I just feel like I'm waiting for another baby to die. I decided to decline all early tests however for the same reason as you Kholl, they would just have made me more anxious as even if they did show a problem there is absolutely nothing that can be done to save a pregnancy in the first trimester.

I've been focusing to self care and relaxation, and trying to remember that statistically there's still a overwhelmingly high chance everything will be ok. Hope that helps, and congratulations on your BFP x

 

[SmithyBaby]

Hello lovely! Congratulations! Firstly, don't panic and try to enjoy this wonderful moment. I suffered a miscarriage on 27th March and had no period inbetween and got my BFP 29th April so I understand how stressful this moment can be! I wasn't offered a check for my levels but I did opt for an early scan. Seeing the little heartbeat has really put me at ease and I know it's in there doing it's thing. Yes, anything could go wrong at any time but for now it's happy in there. You know your own body and mind, if having your levels checked will worry you then don't. Knowing doesn't change the outcome it is just best to do what makes you comfortable xxx

 

[Shanivy]

I'd agree, Id maybe take the blood tests, if they were offered. Just to get some reassurance my levels were rising. At least before I got myself excited. I'd want to know they weren't too low, unviable low. But if you think you'll obsess about it anyway then maybe hold off. And wait until 8 weeks ish & go for a scan? Personally I've had a mc and with the 2 pregnancies since, nothing helped that "its going to happen again" feeling. Even if id had the levels checked it probably wouldn't have taken away that feeling. I just had to take it a week at a time until the scans etc.

Good luck hun. I saw your bfp, and your mc post. I have everything crossed for you xx

 

[Kholl]

Thank you all so much. I am humbled and honored by the support of all the women on this forum!

I am undecided still... I will have a talk with my husband later today, and get his input. He is so calm and reasonable and wise and I always emerge from our conversations with much greater clarity. At the same time, he's a dude, and so his understanding of this feeling is necessarily limited. Other women understand!

Thanks again so much, and I'll keep everyone posted.

 

[Summergurl]

You've had some great advice here Kholl and there nothing I can add except I echo those who say do what is best for your mental state

Wishing you the best of luck & a happy & healthy pregnancy xx

 

[TORino]

Would it give you the reassurance you need if they were doubling normally? I know what you mean with the anxiety thing. I have ‘scanxiety’ and due to a previous ectopic pregnancy and problems with pappA I had close to 10 scans in my last pregnancy. Each one of which caused me stress. Even in the early days when I had the bloods drawn to check it wasn’t ectopic again I found it stressful. Scans do not reassure me. 5 mins aftee leaving the room I was worried something bad had happened to the baby.

Rainbow gives some good advice

 

[Kholl]

Thanks everyone again, so much. I am waiting for a call back from a wonderful nurse, she is a case manager for all the women at my doc's office who are in their first trimester. I think she specializes in first tri concerns, such as bleeding or other scary issues. She was amazing during my miscarriage last month, and was just such an incredible support and made herself available for long talks and answered questions with a lot of wisdom, knowledge, and compassion. I will talk this through with her and then take her advice. I just want to know how much those numbers CAN tell me, and what the chances are of a bad outcome when things look good at this stage, and vice versa.

I'll report back. Again - thank you all

 

[Shanivy]

Good luck hun. Hopefully she can give you better, more helpful info than we can and help you make a decision xx

 

[MoominGirl]

Just wanted to wish you well with whatever decision you make. I think you're doing absolutely the right thing by thinking it through and not just immediately taking the blood tests just because they're offered. I think being armed with the knowledge of what they will actually tell you will help guide you. Everyone is so different in how they deal with things so hopefully knowing the facts will make the right path clear for you. Thinking of you.