QuestionMy wife had a tube reversial surgery 8 months ago. We just found out that we are pregnant the doctors say 5 weeks but I know it to be more like 3 at most. On tues her HCG level was 305, thursday it was at 210. The dr sent her for an vaginal ultrasousnd fearing a tubal preg, she had started to prepair for an immediate DC. SHe then told us that the ultrasound showed a normal enteruterian pregnancy with a sack that was very very very small, she then suggested that we wait till monday and have anouther hcg test run. Im so confused and she is devestated. There has been some small vaginal discharge brown in color and cramps but could it be that this is just so early. The dr says small discharge and cramps are not uncommon in the first trimester and that she was not suppriesed especially after the tube reversal after 14 years and the fact that she is 38, This will be my first child and I dont know what to do. Do i take her to the hospital and request a hcg test to see if its declining. Maybe im delaying the enevitable but it just seems to me that there are too many questions on the table any suggestions would be great
AnswerHello Allen
I can understand completely how you're feeling.
Early pregnancy is a very difficult time to establish what is going on and even if everything seems to be ok early on, things can still go wrong within the first 12wks.
HCG rises progressively from conception (usually about 7-14 days after a period). Levels double on average every 31-48 hours as the embryo grows, until values reach 6500 mIU/ml (6,500 IU/L) at around the eighth week after the last menstrual period (LMP). The fact that the hcg levels are dropping are not generally good and normally indicates a failing or failed pregnancy, but hcg levels have been known to drop & then start to rise again. Please do not take this as a diagnosis, just general information.
Spotting is common in pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester (12wks). However it can also be the first signs of an impending miscarriage. Because it's so common spotting often isn't investigated & if it ceases the Mother then goes on to believe everything is ok, only to experience miscarriage later on, whether this happens naturally or a missed miscarriage (where the body retains everything despite it's failure to thrive) is found at the fist scan. This is what happened to me & it seems to happen an awful lot.
To be honest in this situation and at such an early stage, all I can advise you to do is sit and wait. It's torturous I know, but it's unlikely that they'll investigate further unless you have been booked in for a follow-up appointment. This is because the situation you are in is extremely common & resources just aren't there to be able to do this for everyone.
You could always visit your doctor and ask for some reassurance, suggesting a blood test or a follow up scan? Do be prepared for a 'sit & wait' from them also, but it's worth a try.
Things these days are done 'medically' with no thought to parents wellbeing or peace of mind. I found this myself & know exactly what you're going through. Don't think that they don't care because they do, it's just that it happens so often & diagnostics wouldn't help or prevent it.
My advice to you would be this: Go see your doctor, the worst that could happen is a 'no'. Enjoy every moment of you & your wifes pregnancy. If anything happens, remember that this was decided at conception & it's nothing you have or haven't done. This happens to every 1 in 4 women particularly in first pregnancies. Most of these women then go on to have healthy babies.
It's all small consolation when you feel like your World has just ended, but I believe I would have felt a little better had I known this myself.
I wish you both the best of luck - please do come back if I can help with anything else. I've been where you are & my thoughts are with you.
Kindest Regards
Sarah
