I am about 6 weeks PG after an FET of a PGD-tested bubba. The blast had been screened for 8 different chromosonal probs as two of my previous MC's were trisomies.
I have been getting lots of BT's. The initial HCG level was very low which we optimisitically supposed was late implantation (apparently unusual with IVF). The levels were then good but now the progesterone (P4) and estrogen (E2 levels) are dropping dramatically . They are supposed to rise during pregnancy... I am on one P4 pessary at night - just protocol with my clinic. I did not need it during my previous two successful pregnancies.
In two of my past MC's (one chromosonal, one unexplained), the losses started out just like this. The HCG continued to rise but then the P4 and E2 started to drop, I would get a HB, but then still lose the bubba .
I'm not experienced with this at all but could you call your clinic and ask them? When are you due for your next set of bloods? could they give you a clearer picture?
Sending you heaps of sticky vibes and baby dust. Stay put little one!!
Thanks ladies for your well wishes. It has been a very looooooong week. I am still very anxious about what is going on. Despite all the losses after DD, the PG with DS was very uncomplicated (though I was stressed then, too, but all the results were reassuringly spot on with him). It doesn't make it easy when you get off to such a weird start, ie: unusually late implantation and jumpy hormonal levels. I have been wondering if my body is packing it in a little and a bit worn out from all my PG's (failed and successful) over so few years???
OK, I really need some advice. These are my figures so far. I don't see my OB or have a scan until Friday, but this is doing my head in. I am on one progesterone (P4) pessary a night...
I'm sure there are ladies out there who know the numbers much better than I do, but they are not unlike mine and I am now 26 weeks along. My FS told me that once the HCG reaches 10,000 it becomes pretty meaningless, and will not double at nearly the same rate as under 10,000.
Also, while it's pretty hard to tell what your true progesterone is when you are on pessaries, mine bounced around a bit and was a fair bit lower than yours.
Thanks Bugsmum. No, I have to wait it out until my US followed by OB appointment, both on Fri morning. But I have found out progesterone levels can be affected by stress (and I have had some un-pregnancy related stress of late). So now I am feeling even more guilty.
The clinic told me it is not so much the level, and that it can fluctuate, but that there have been some significant drops. They got in touch with my Ob (I have not seen him yet) and he does not want me to increase my pessaries.
Oh how stressful for you. It must feel very unsettling to still be without a definitive answer. It sounds like you have enough stress in your life already. What do you have planned for the week? Will you be able to rest or relax a little between now and Friday? All the best hun.
Hold on precious bub.
Firstly, progesterone levels fluctuate throughout the day and also change depending on whether the test is fasting or not. I decided to "experiment" when I was getting tests and evertime I tested after fasting, progesterone was lower. btw - my P4 levels were never over 71, so yours are great in comparision. And I was on 200mg suppositories daily.
Secondly, it is pointless to measure HCG after 6000ml. The doubling time extends and it's different for everyone. The 48-72 hour rule is only up to about 1200ml. You're past that point now. As an example of why i know this stuff, I followed my HCG to 31000 at about 6wks. For "fun" I had it tested again at 10-11 wks whilst I had the amaternal serum testing done. It was 35000!! I thought it was all doomed. HCG will peak at 8-10wks then reduce and plateau.
I have no idea about E2 because I've never tested it, but it's a hormone, I imagine it's going to fluctuate like progesterone.
Please step away from the bloodtests and remember this mantra "I am pregnant. Baby is safe and growing strong. I am calm and relaxed and confident in my body and my baby."
Then stick your head in the sand or take up meditation or something until you get a scan I know it's hard this early (I've just been through the early bit, again). But please try to step back from obsessing, take a deep breath and trust baby is doing it's thing without you needing to stress about it.
it's so much easier to tell someone else this than follow such advice myself Doesn't make it false though.
To those that might have been following this story: an update...
I followed Tashybabe's excellent advice. Tash - thank you!!! I really was over-obsessing and driving myself crazy. So I went MIA from BB and have been keeping myself very busy.
It actually turns out that when we went to our scan a week back we found the measurements were 6 weeks (should have been 7-and-a-half). We knew there were a few days leeway there due to suspected late implantation. But the sack was completely empty. No fetal pole or yolk (I think in the past this would have been referred to as a blighted ovum). I had an appointment with my Ob straight after the scan and he said there was no hope, that I would MC.
I have chosen to MC naturally. If nothing happens in the next few weeks I will go in for a D&C (my fourth). I am doing OK. DH and I have so much to be grateful for with our two beautiful children who are the light of our lives. I will not be doing any more cycles - my two recent FET's were remaining from our successful cycle with DS. I just couldn't leave those embies sitting there and not give them a chance. At least I tried...
Thanks to everyone for their kind support on this thread. It really helped me through a difficult time.
Is it over?
. They are supposed to rise during pregnancy... I am on one P4 pessary at night - just protocol with my clinic. I did not need it during my previous two successful pregnancies.
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I know it's hard this early (I've just been through the early bit, again). But please try to step back from obsessing, take a deep breath and trust baby is doing it's thing without you needing to stress about it.
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