*UPDATE* Finally heard back, and Dr. seems concerned

[LuxFleur]

So after getting a positive on Monday (I'm not sure I should call it a "BFP" since it wasn't so big and fat at 76 iu/l on 12dp5dt) our doctor told us to test again that day (it took 48 hours to get the test results due to the weekend) and then again 48 hours after that, which was yesterday. The progression has gone like this:

12dp5dt: 76

14dp5dt: 139

16dp5dt: 227

He said the "evolution was correct but quite slow." Quiet slow certainly isn't "good" I'm sure. He didn't say he's concerned but "quite slow" certainly implies that. He wants us to just test again on Friday (48 hours after most recent), then on Monday (72 hours later, since lab closed Sunday) and then again 48 hours after that.

I really don't know how to feel. No ultrasound scheduled yet. We were supposed to go on Vacation for a week starting Tuesday, but I guess we will be cancelling that.

I am having pregnancy symptoms in that I am EXHAUSTED, and smells are already starting to bother me. I also have some darkening of skin pigmentation already.

It's hard because I really don't know what to do! Should I be on bed rest? Just take it easy? It's hard to focus on anything. I've just been watching movies mostly to take my mind off things.

Anyone ever been in a similar situation?

xo

EDIT: Please do not tell me to NOT follow mt doctor's advice, it is stressful, adds stress, thanks!! xo

[Belangalo]

I think the best thing you can do is focus on the "evolution being correct". You may have had a late implanter that is just taking its time to catch up! I've read stories of ladies with low starting numbers which end up with perfectly normal pregnancies 😊 And I've also read of high numbers not resulting in anything but heartache.

During the early stages, pregnancy is so fragile and having been through IVF - the worry after the BFP is crippling and I found it much MUCH worse than the 2WW. So it's very normal to worry about every little thing.

I took things easy. I had bed rest when I felt tired and pretty much stopped a lot of unnecessary activity. I also accepted that I had absolutely no control over whether or not my embabie was going to stick around since I couldn't control whether or not the DNA inside had split without chromosomal abnormalities 😞 This time is worked for me and I'm 19 weeks. There is no reason why this can't be your time either.

Take it easy, take each day as it comes. I measured time by toilet visits without bleeding or cramps...and then by scans. I still haven't relaxed and scans just make me scared and worried every time. I honestly think IVF robs us of the innocence and joy in pregnancy and turns us into worriers. Good luck! 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

[Hidden]

As an expert at early pregnancy serial testing and panicking my advice to myself would be you can't really influence the outcome, but high stress levels aren't going to help you or baby. We feel like we want to know whats going on but the reality is there is never a clear positive answer that stops us worrying. I am not convinced that all this endless testing will achieve anything for you other than scramble your head and stress you out even more. I would personally stop testing now and maybe just test again in a weeks time if you have to ... not every other day.

At my clinic you POAS and then thats it until your scan at 7 weeks. You don't get HCG bloods or anything else. You are just pregnant. Yes you worry and yes you do endless POAS tests but nothing stops you fearing the worst, especially when you have miscarried before.

I think for your own mental health I would try and take a break from the incessant tests. if you next test is less than double you will worry even more. if it has doubled you will just think its a fluke and worry that it hasn't doubled enough. its a no win game.

Also as everyone said on your other post. HCG isn't linear and doesn't automatically double every 48 hours - it can be every 72.. so doing all these tests isn't giving you the true picture.

You are pregnant congrats, try and enjoy it x

[Jess1981 in reply to Hidden]

Wise and sensible advice completely agree. I can't see this constantly checking blood is helpful. . Im glad I never did HCG blood tests (apart from to confirm a miscarriage) I think I would have been incredibly stressed. With this pregnancy I tested once and left it alone I don't think it by testing al, the time it actually helps or changes the outcome. Positive test and hope all is well at viability scan 🤞🏻😬 pregnancy after infertility and miscarriage/s is always much harder 😞 HCG varies massively between pregnant women anyway, I would also advise to step away from the testing and just be booked into the viability scan. The fact the HCG is increasing is encouraging and hopefully a sign things are going well. Wishing you the best with your pregnancy luxfleur Xx

[LuxFleur in reply to Jess1981]

I'm pretty sure that with my clinic, you have to reach a minimum number before they will look at things on the scan. So I'm sure that's why he's testing so much. Also they close after the first week in August for vacation (I'm in Europe), so I imagine he's hoping to see me before things shut down, but that he can't maybe do that until my numbers climb. I'm also on nightly injections so maybe he doesn't want me to keep having to do that if I lose the pregnancy?? Anyway, I would not call it stress free at all, but I am much calmer than I was than with my last pregnancy, where things looked much better until we lost her at 10 weeks in a MMC. I was just frozen with terror every day then. This time I'm just trying to take each day as it comes, but yes it is still nerve wracking. xo

[Jess1981 in reply to LuxFleur]

I get that but not all clinics check HCG before scanning - my miscarriage specialist just booked my viability scan after I had a urine home positive test. By 7 weeks a heartbeat should be detected. If you think the testing is reassuring you then do it but if it's causing you more stress then I wouldn't. Put yourself first. Right now calm is what you need. I'm pregnant after 3 losses in a row so I know the fear very well , I also lost my second daughter Amelia at 20 weeks pregnant last November. For me there isn't a safe point I will always worry it could just go wrong suddenly like it did with Amelia. The care I've had with this pregnancy has been incredibly supportive and I hope you get supportive medical care it's very hard being pregnant after a miscarriage. But most women that have a loss do go onto have a healthy baby. One day at a time is the best way to get through the tough early scary weeks . Xx

[LuxFleur in reply to Jess1981]

It's not reassuring, but it's what I have to do because my doctor is ordering it and I don't want to deal with the stress of going against medical advice. So, not testing is not an option for me but I am doing the best I can with it!

[Jess1981 in reply to LuxFleur]

😞 try not to stress, HCG varies so much between women. Unless there is a reason to think it's going wrong try to be positive and get through each day like you are doing . Everyday is a step closer 🥰Xx

[LuxFleur in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Since the doctor is telling me to do these tests, I feel like I have to do them. But maybe it would be better if I tried my best to stop paying attention to them. I don't know.

[XOXO13 in reply to LuxFleur]

I had HCG tests every two days for two weeks, standard at my clinic. Whilst it provides some reassurance, my stress levels were high and I felt so anxious waiting for the calls to come in to let me know what my numbers were. One time, the clinic called so late that I just couldn’t relax and started panicking and convinced myself it was bad news. So I am slightly leaning towards the advice given above, take a step back from the HCG tests to see if it relieves any anxiety and allow you to enjoy the fact that you are pregnant xx

[LuxFleur in reply to XOXO13]

I do not believe I have that option, since the doctor is telling me to do them. I don't want to go against medical advice!

[Belangalo in reply to LuxFleur]

You do what you feel most comfortable with. I ignored my doc when he requested more HCG testing. I suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum and used it as an excuse for not making the 1.5hour round trip to the clinic for a 5 min blood test. He honestly didn't care as his focus was and remains the milestone scans and seeing the baby and heartbeat. I ordered the Harmony test and did it but he didn't even give me those results! 🤣 He just looked at the 14 week scan and said...all looking good and no worries.

Honestly, I just didn't need constant testing to add to my stress levels. 😅Particularly since in early pregnancy there is literally nothing they can do to stop a miscarriage once it starts.

Rest up, do what you need to do to stay sane and if that means finding a counsellor then do it! Good luck!

[LuxFleur in reply to Belangalo]

For us it is a 5 minute walk and costs €12, so, it's not such a big deal to get the tests. xo

[Crazy_girl]

You are having pregnancy symptoms. Enjoy this phase and get all the required blood tests done in parallel. It’s easy to say, but try not to think much. Eat healthy and get some good rest. All the best 👍

[MissSaoPaulo]

I don't think there's really anything you can do - it's all up to that little embryo doing it's thing. All you can do is take care of yourself as best you can and hope it's busy dividing and growing in there. Sending you big hugs, the waiting must be agonizing xxx