That is such great news Possum, what a ride you are on.
Everything sounds really great and positive for you and your DH
AFM, by lower back and hips are pretty sore since yesterday afternoon to the point I am going to throw up. I have read on other sites that early hip/back pain is quite common so am not so freaked out
Nicole- have a good weekend and hope that pain eases
Janie- thanks...and sounds like a good list of questions...I've also heard many of those are common symptoms...bet it's exciting seeing your tummy grow!
Devon and TL- thanks for the kind words
JBM- hope we see you here soon...!
afm- well just got the BT results...and they aren't good...ie, they are well outside the 'norm'... they've risen since tuesday from 10,500 to 11,600...so they've been going really slowly, almost plateaued for the last 1.5 weeks.
My nurse said she is basically confused, because the scan results were so good...she told my OB (who is up at the hospital today) and he apparently also said it doesn't make sense, given the scans showed normal growth for the last week and a strong heart beat.
My nurse actually said "well, you aren't out of the woods yet, we just have to hold our breath and keep looking at those scan results...whatever you are doing, keeping doing it...!" (my mum actually wished she hadn't been so negative with her comments, but DH reckons she is just covering herself and being cautious and concerned)...
My question to all of you, is how would you handle this?? what would you think? I know some clinics dont even do BTs after 6 weeks and rely on scans only, and to be frank, if we were just doing that, we'd be relaxed and happy, as the scans show things are spot on...but these lower levels have the nurse and Dr scratching their heads and a bit worried. My nurse suggested maybe my levels are just plateauing early.... I dont know if really low HCG levels is a worry or not.
My DH is much calmer than me with all this...he just looks at the scan results and says we shouldn't worry about the BT results too much.
Possums - I haven't had the experience with multiple BT's. When I got my BFP I had only 1 more BT 3 days later and then it was all scans from there. So I really wouldn't know what my hcg levels were... it is always possible that mine plateaued at some stage too.
My advice would be to put the BT's out of your mind at the moment. The ranges are so variable and at the moment it is just going to be causing you stress that you don't need. Focus on the scans. Everything that they can see is perfect. The all important HB is right on track and the size is within the correct levels. If you are wanting to keep a close eye on how things are going - I would be asking for scans not BT's. Ask whether you can have some regular scans to start with to check that everything is developing properly. You then get the added benefit of getting to see your little one lots!
Remember - stress is not good for you and as such not good for your baby. Do whatever you need to do to try and reduce that stress.
I am thinking of you and that the hcg levels are just irrelevant.
possums - it's all looking so overwhelming for you! hold onto the fact that your bubba is growing and looked fine on scan this morning!
the ranges are so large and varied - there is a notion of what "should" happen, but realistically, that's only what is expected. looking at a table from the net (sydpath) at 7-12 weeks your levels should be anywhere from 11,500 - 289,000.
given that range - and knowing this sort of range shows up on almost all the sites i've checked - i'd say that there are obviously a large number of people who have numbers like this. you're part of the bell shaped curve - just at the very lower end. i know you'd prefer to be at the upper or at least middle ranges, but it seems that your body and your baby don't think that is a necessity! keep in mind your baby HAS grown, it's heart IS beating - and not just beating, but beating more strongly than it was a week ago - these are all positive signs!!
i can understand your stress, and i am in no way trying to negate that, just offering you some alternative POV's on what might be going on...
Janie and BG- thanks for those words of advice. I think I will do as you say and just focus on the scan results which were so good, and just assume my slow rising HCG levels are just part of me which don't fit the 'normal' pattern, but which really don't matter ...maybe we have just slowed down a bit sooner than in other pregnancies.
I feel in myself, that things are going to be OK too. So I will just be happy and keep talking to and encouraging our baby on. I mean, all that growth has happened in the last week, even with those only slightly rising levels!
Thanks ladies. You are always a help and support...especially for a stress head like me
Possums, I also agree with Janie and BG. Focus on the scans rather than the BT's. You had great scan results this morning even without fast rising hcg levels. Flicker's heart is flickering stronger and faster than a week ago, and measuring at the right size. All fantastic signs. Are you able to have some more scans to check progress? I guess since your nurse and OB are scratching their heads over this one, they're not going to leave you hanging and just waiting to see what happens? I think I would be requesting scans over BT's though in this case.
Janie, I've noticed some pimples on my back since about 5w. Interesting about the stuff nose. I was sick a few weeks back and am still suffering a stuff nose, mostly at night and in the morning. Thought it must still be the cold lingering, but maybe it is just a pg symptom.
One thing that is driving me nuts at the moment is the loo trips. I have stopped drinking after about 7pm to try and see if it makes a difference to the number of times I get up every night, but no! Still up 3 times, can't get back to sleep afterwards, can't get comfortable and I'm only 13 weeks! lol what's going to happen to me in 4 months time! I dread going out in public in case I can't find a toilet! lol
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as well as the stuffy nose
that the hcg levels are just irrelevant.
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