HCG Levels After D&C: Understanding Post-Procedure Levels & Bleeding

Question
Hi. I found out I was 5 wks and I was miscarrying. So at 6 wks my doc decided to do a dnc on 5/6/09. The night before my dnc my hcg levels were down to 74. On 5/21/09 I had blood work and my hcg levels were at 115.Is it normal for a hcg level to go up 2 wks after a dnc? I'm still spotting brown blood every now and then. I did have unprotected sex twice since the dnc but I don't think there's any way I could of gotten pregnant again because no sperm went inside of me (sorry for being so detailed). Please help! Is this normal?


Answer
Hi Brenda,

Its good to be very detailed when you are explaining your health related symptoms as it helps a lot in arriving at diagnosis or giving proper advice.

Looking to the dates given by you I suspect that the only chance for your HCG to raise is because of a small bit of placenta remaining inside when the D&C was done. This may sometimes cause heavy bleeding or may not if its a small piece but your spotting of brown blood shows that it can be due to this. but the HCG will raise a bit due to its presence and your periods get delayed since your pituitary gland is suppressed to release hormones to stimulate ovulation. When ovulation occurs then your periods will appear and at this time you are susceptible to become pregnant if you have unprotected sex. Dont be sure of sperm not entering if withdrawal method is practiced since pre-cum also contains sperms. It will take 2 to 3 weeks for your HCG levels to go down and ovulation to start after D&C so chances are less on pregnancy but as its a complex human physiology which can sometimes be very unpredictable i would suggest a monitoring with your doctor. take care & God Bless.

with best regards,
Lady Doc