Slow-rising HCG

**Sky** · July 23rd, 2013, 04:24 PM

Hi, this is my first pregnancy and I'm 38 years old.
I was very surprised to find my test positive on 7 July, as we've been trying for 3 and a half years!
My blood HCG was tested on the 11th: 5000 (good)
Then I had a scan (16th) which showed only an empty yolk sac (thought I was over 6 weeks but the technician said it was 5w4d - so I guess it's normal not to see anything more at that stage)...?
I then had 2 more HCG tests and it only went up by 600 in 6 days, then 300 in 2 days:
11/7 4w.5d HCG 5000
17/7 5w.4d HCG 5671
19/7 5w.6d HCG 5955
Surely it should be doubling? Is it a bad sign and what could it mean? Has anyone else experienced such a slow rise?
Going for a scan in 4 days but I'm so nervous and want to be prepared for all possibilities

**minniemouse** · July 23rd, 2013, 05:46 PM

hi Sky,

sorry you are going through this stress, unfortunately any experience i have had with ultrasounds measuring behind and slow rising has not ended well for me.

For me it has meant the pregnancy isn't progresses and i have had a miscarriage

hopefully things go better for you at your next scan

**LionsandBears** · July 23rd, 2013, 06:11 PM

HCG levels of 5000 usually double every 72-96 hours.

With slow rising numbers like that, I wouldn't feel very confident, sorry

i hope the next scan proves me wrong

**Sky** · July 24th, 2013, 10:21 AM

Thanks for you answers, it's so nice to know there's someone out there to talk to - who have experience in these things.
The worst is I have to keep a straight face at work as no-one knows - and I'm uaually a very happy bubbly person so if I'm quiet, they'll notice and ask what's wrong with me (which may make me burst into tears).
I had another HCG test today and it has risen again, but only to 6387 - that's a ~400 rise in 5 days at what should almost be 7 weeks now. Is it really over??
3 more days to my ultrasound. I am so distressed!

**Joeve** · July 24th, 2013, 10:23 AM

Hugs to you it's very stressful.
I had the same thing happen and I didn't get a good result. I think you need to get your scan to get a better idea of what is happening.

**Sky** · July 28th, 2013, 03:09 PM

Hi ladies,
So you were right, it was not good news. The scan showed only a slightly larger sac - no fetus (so a blighted ovum), and the start of haemorhaging. I'll be speaking to my midwife tomorrow as I assume a D&C will follow.
Thanks for your answers, you helped me be more prepared for this sad news.