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Reading all of these stories makes me so angry inside. When did it become ok for doctors to be so impersonal and to take it upon themselves to give pregnant women that are having problems no hope. I understand that they need to give the facts, but they could also be sensitive to how you are feeling. I am writing from personal experience with both my son and with the pregnancy that I am in right now. When I was pregnant with my son, I had taken a triple test in which they tested my baby for chances of down syndrome. The results that came back were not very promising according to the doctor. She called me up at home and told me over the phone that there was a very good chance that my child had down syndromw and that I should get a amnio as soon as possible to confirm this. I got off the phone and I thought I was going to die. I could not even compose myself enough to call my husband to come and be with me. The end result was that I decided not to do the amnio because it carries a fairly high chance of a miscarriage and I knew that I would love that baby no matter what. Well guess what, he came out absolutely perfect. I am now pregnant with my second child and I am already getting the same type of treatment from the doctor. I am only in my fifth week, and I am having pains in my right side. The first time that I called the office, they blew me off saying it was probably muscle pain. Two days later I called back telling them that the pain was not going away. They sent me for a ultrasound to rule out an ectopic pregnancy, and they found nothing in either my uterus or my fallopian tubes. The doctor then proceeded to ask me if perhaps my periods could just be off. I then asked her what else could be causing a false pregnany test if I was not pregnant. I also added that her office had done a test themselves and determined that I was pregnant. She proceeded to tell me all the negative things that could be going on, but I do not recall her saying or it could be nothing to worry about. I then did a blood test and found out that the hCG level in my blood was less than a thousand and that is why they did not see anything yet becasue the level has to be at least over a 1000 for them to see anything. I have to go back for further testing because at this point I am no further to the truth than I was yesterday. I guess my point is that along with medical school, they should require baby doctors to take a course in empathy because they really suck at it.

Well I am posting a follow up to my earlier posting. I had an u/s done this week to rule out an ectopic. The Dr. pretty much told me beforehand that it was clear by my very low numbers that I was not pregnant but growing some tissue somewhere. We discussed a D&C but after the ultrasound she said no. My uterine lining was very thin- as it should be normally- so the D&C would put me at risk for tearning. Plus she could not see anything there. HOWEVER she did see a suspicious spot by the end of my right tube that she called a "tubal abortion". Apparently this is where something formed in the tube but is/was working it's way out. I have had normal periods the past 3 months. My levels go up then down a little after my period. So the prognosis is this- we are waiting until after my next period. If I still have some level of hcg in my system she is going to treat me with methotrexate to dissolve any/all tissue still present. This has been going on 3 months now and I am just ready to be back to normal. Good luck to everyone out there...

Hi Sam, I'm wondering how you're going with the wait to find out if you have an ectopic pregnancy or not. I am in the same boat and would love someone to wait with. I am only 4 weeks, and my HcG level is 29. NOT promising, besides which I am getting pain in my right side just like I did with my last pregnancy (an ectopic). Have to wait all week, taking blood tests, because, as you say, no point doing an ultrasound when the levels are too low - vcan't see a thing. Horrible week ahead. Best of luck to you, and to everyone.

I am struggling. I have had 4 hcg levels taken in the past 10 days. They are rising but very slowly and are still very low at only 27. I had a period last week so I thought for certain I was not pregnant, so why the rising hcg. I have to go back again in 4 days but i am told this is probably not a viable pregnancy.

I am 6 1/2 weeks pregnant and my hcg levels are low and not rising appropriately however yesterday the ultrasound showed a small sac but a heartbeat. I have no signs of miscarriage only a few light cramps every few days. My doctor says that my baby has genetic problems. My hcg was 1000 on 10/7 and only 1200 on 10/11. He feels strongly that this pregnancy is non-viable. Can anyone comment on this? I'm hoping for a miracle especially because we saw a heartbeat, but know that I also have to face reality. Thank you. Good Luck to all!

I am wondering if anyone has any input on my situation. I had a cervical pregnancy in January 2005. I was treated with Methotrexate and then Dactomycin through April 2005. My periods were not regular after this. I had my appendix out in mid July and my periods became more irregular. I believe my last one was sometime the end of August. On October 3rd, I had a positive pregnancy test with HCG Levels of 121. On October 6th, I had HCG level of 305. Then on October 10th, HCG levels were at 1025. However, on this day they did an ultrasound and it showed what they said looked like a gestational sac without anything in it. Does this sound normal?

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. My numbers have been raising steadily, but not doubling. My possible conception date was Sept 4-13. I found out I conceived on Sept 20 and they said they guessed I was 2 weeks at that time. I haven't had a period since July 21. I was on Provera Sept 1-10 to "Start My Cycle" I was on the pill for 15 years and went off in June. My first HCG on the 20th was 132, 22nd it was 145. As of 10/10 it was 1187. I had an u/s on 10/11 and they saw a sac, but with my numbers being low, they are not optimistic, but I am. I did have spotting on the 9/29 and they put me on Progesterone. Keep me posted on how you are doing since it sounds alot like what I'm going through and you may be a week ahead of me.

I was referring to Susan's post. SORRY!!

I am so happy to have found this website. My husband and I found it while surfing the web for info. My story is the same; I went to the doc ealier this week and he said I was 7 week, 1 day along which seems to be off to us. This seems to be later than my husband and I think; we are thinking I should be more around 5-6 weeks, at the most. Anyway, I had spotting last week, and they put me on progesterone supps to stop the bleeding. For a week, I have had no bleeding but still all of the symptoms; tender b___sts, mild cramping, hormones, etc. We went for a follow up on Tues and thats when he said I was 7 weeks and 1 day along. No h/b though. He didn;t seem too positive and asked me to go back tomorrow (fri) for a follow up u/s. I asked him if I should have my blood levels checked again and he said no. I thought this was a bit weird; I feel like he has given up hope? I just called the office and am going to have my blood drawn today so we can have the levels back by our office visit tomorrow. He told me that if there is still no h/b by tomorrow, we should go ahead with a DNC. What if he is off on his dates? I could be not as far along or maybe we need a week or two more to wait? What is the rush? Has anyone had this situation before? I am thinking of getting another opinion after seeing him tomorrow. Since I have had no bleeding since the progesterone and am still taking it, I feel like we might have a chance???

dear all, i have a qn with regards to the HCG levels and i hope someone can shed some light. i am now in week 6 as calculated based on the IUi done on 19/09/05. My hcg levels are as follows: on 03/10 - 15 / on 07/10 - 88 and on 11/10 202. as it is approaching the end of week 6, the sac still cannot be seen, has anyone been in the same situation and end up with a viable pregnancy? any information provided is appreciated as i had conflicting information form the 3 gyanes that i have visited so far. i am currently on twice weekly progesterone jabs and 6 tabs of progesterone pills daily. from time to time, i experience light brownish discahrge as well as minor cramping.

Hi KMAC, I have a post 2 before you. Especially since you think you may not be as many weeks as your doctor thinks, I would definitely wait. It sounds like he has given up on you already. My doctor has been monitoring me closely and I have a blood test each and every time I'm there. It's important to see if your HCG levels are rising or dropping. In the event my pregnancy turns out to be non-viable, my doctor wants to see first if I miscarry on my own. If not, there's a pill that can be given which should induce a miscarriage. Lastly, he will consider the D&C which he and I are hoping not to have to do. I'm no doctor but I wouldn't rush into getting the D&C. I hope this helps. The best of luck to you.

Grace - I've heard from several sources, that you can't really see anything on an U/S until your HCG reaches like 2000 miu, which would explain why you can't see baby yet. Don't loose hope. My doctor doesn't like to do them that early because you probably won't see much, if anything. He likes to wait until I'm 7-8 weeks, to be sure and see the heartbeat and everything else.

thks Julie. Thats what the gyane say as well, that the sac is only seen if the HCG level reaches at least 1,000. my question was whether anyone has been in the same situation and had a viable pregnancy. that is having super low hcg levels (200 or so) at week 6 and yet able to carry the pregnancy to term.

I am so glad I found this message board. I have very irregular cycles and had a positive pregnancy test 3wks ago. I was having pain in my side so the doctor had an ultrasond done to rule out an ectopic. I was told there was a sac but no heqartbeat and I should think about having a dnc. I have had 6 miscarriages and finally had a baby in January-I had hoped my problems were in the past. But I am not going to give up on this pregnancy until I get a second opinion.

Greg and Shannon, I am an IVF patient and had my transfer 23 days ago – I am considered 5 wks 1 day. They see a sac but no yolk and my hcg level has dropped from 1320 (2 days prior) to 1287 today. they told me that this is an ectopic pregnancy and my levels signal the end of my pregnancy. I think this is a little early to make such a call.

well heres my story....so far this is my second pregnancy, i had a d&e at 5 months with my first due to turners syndrome. now 4 months later i got pregnant again and not so good news so far. i am supposed to be 7 weeks but last week i had my hcg levels checked and an ultrasound and the dr said me levels arent rising like normal. wed they were 2000, friday they were 3500. on wed i had an u/s and nothing at all. the dr said he saw breaking up like i was going to get my period. well i went again on monday and there was a sac but it was empty. he said it doesnt look good so i got anouther hcg test and i have to go for anouther u/s on friday. i am soooo bummed out, two in a row with no success. i feel really unlucky. any advice?