Second beta hasn’t doubled

[helodie]

Hi all, (warning, bit of a vent here)

after my elation at a BFP last week *of course* this rollercoaster has come back to shake me up again.

My first beta last Wednesday was 445 on 14dp2dt.

My second beta on Friday was 772 so not quite double 48 hours later.

I called the clinic yesterday to arrange the first scan as directed (how naive of me) to be given a very negative and worrisome message from the secretary which has essentially left me feeling like there is no chance for this pregnancy and it’s surely going to end in a chemical.

A gynaecologist from the clinic rang me in the afternoon to ask me to do a 3rd beta, which was tricky since I’ve been away on a long weekend until today and am far from my original blood test lab. Nonetheless she emailed me a prescription for the test and I went along to the only lab I could find.

My poor husband and I were jerked from pillar to post yesterday, unsuccessfully trying to salvage a nice day on a very rare break whilst going back and forth between calls with the clinic. 😓

So I get to the lab and the receptionist there says she does not recommend I get the test done there as using multiple clinics means the results could be difficult to compare. I know this but was just following my Dr’s instruction 🤷🏻‍♀️. I called the clinic back to confirm she was happy for me to get the test elsewhere and waited hours for her to get back to me, to no avail. In the end we gave up and came back to our hotel.

I’m just so upset on multiple levels, one at being ignored on such a scary day with so little direction from the clinic, and secondly for all the excitement and hope for a viable pregnancy being squashed.

I feel decidedly not pregnant now and just sad and resigned, waiting for a bleed.

Am I overreacting? Everything the secretary said made it sound like it was a forgone conclusion 😓

[Missfh]

Your betas look absolutely fine, they don't need to double in 48 hours, they should double in 48-72 hours which yours are well within.

It's ridiculous that the clinic should be so negative about this. Also, as much as we all are desperate to know what's happening inside us, all the blood tests and scans in the world won't change the outcome at this stage.

Try to relax. There is zero harm in waiting a few days and doing a blood test when convenient for you. You can use an online bhcg calculator to work out the doubling time if your tests aren't exactly 2 days apart. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Missfh]

That is really good advice. I am usually a serial tester but it really doesn’t change the outcome. My tests did everything they should on my last transfer and I still got the devastating news at the viability scan that the pregnancy had not progressed. I’m just taking one stage at a time this time round. I’ll do one test on OTD and if that’s positive I’ll try not to worry and see what happens at the viability scan.

I also think these numbers look good. Try to enjoy the moment that you are PUPO xx

[helodie in reply to Hidden]

thank you Hope42 - this is also good advice, again for me it comes back to wanting to control the uncontrollable and I think the tests give us a false feeling of being able to influence what’s going on. This is such a tough process xx

[helodie in reply to Missfh]

thank you Missfh - this is the kind of reassurance that I needed to hear and ideally from the people in charge of my care - so thank you for stepping into that void ♥️

I had another beta yesterday and we are going to discuss the results today 🤞

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

It is promising that beta numbers are increasing- just try to keep yourself busy till the next test and stay chilled [hard to do but try]

Sending you a big hug and good luck wishes

Janet

[helodie in reply to JA-fnuk]

thanks Janet

[Hidden]

I agree with Missfh and Hope42, your betas are increasing nicely and its not linear that they should be exactly double on 48hrs - its between 48 and 72.

If its any help I had a beta of approx 830 on 14dpt 5dt (yours would be higher than this on an equivalent day based on your increase) and the clinic said it was high enough not to need a second and just booked me for a viability scan. I am sorry your nurse has been so unhelpful and really worried you, I am thinking positive though! (for what its worth I didn't feel pregnant really until 9 weeks so don't take that as a sign) xx

[helodie in reply to Hidden]

thanks Daisy, that’s really useful to know. Yes I’m still fervently symptom spotting (or rather absence of symptom spotting) and putting all this clunky data together to form a messy and inaccurate picture.

I’ll be discussing my 3rd beta from yesterday with the clinic today and we will see what’s to be done, thanks again x

[Hidden in reply to helodie]

Good luck x

[Riri88]

Hi Helodie, just wanted to wish you good luck with the results today. Just know because of these things my clinic never does beta’s. Once you have a positive urine test, they book you for the viability scan and that is it. I agree with the others it isn’t as strict to double every 48 hrs and can be up to 72 hrs so I hope even though there might be more time between the 3rd test you will receive a nice higher number to reassure you. And as others said as well, sadly knowing the numbers or not won’t make any changes to the outcome so try to find relaxation ways and distractions and try to stay positive!

Also I would actually complain/give feedback about who you spoke to and their wording as that is very insensitive and they should know better as most patients will be on high anxiety already given the whole process of IVF…

[helodie]

thank you Riri, yes I think you’re right, I will have to give them feedback.

Unfortunately my gyno is new to the hospital and I think perhaps just inexperienced. She has worried me so much this last week I do need to let them know there are some improvements to be made for the next person.

Thank you again x