Understanding Early Pregnancy HCG Levels: A Medical Explanation

Question
My last period started on 4/15/08. This is my second pregnancy, my son is 13 months old. We literally just started trying again. I found out for sure I was pregnant last monday 5/12 at my annual appt. The nurse called back the next day and said I was really early but my numbers were good...hcg 70 & we tested on 5/14 and hcg 138 and prog. 21 then yesterd 5/19 my hcg 353 and prog. 19..my nurse told me not to worry just to come back in tomorrow, that maybe my numbers will double this time...i am so scared now, all i can think is miscarraige or ectopic..i know the hcg went up but not enough...please let me know what you think, it's the not knowing and understanding that is killing me..........they didn't do this w/my son but i guess bc by the time i seen them w/him i was 8 weeks and could do an u/s...

Answer
Dear Samantha,

You ARE very early, but in a healthy pregnancy we expect hCG levels to double every 48-72 hours. There is a broad range of "normal" for the actual amount - but the doubling is what we look at.

Here's the deal... there really is nothing at all you can do - especially this early. All you can do is wait and see what happens. If the pregnancy is a healthy one with no inherent problems, everything should straighten out and be fine! If there would happen to be any kind of an issue, your body will eventually recognize it and nature's way of dealing with it is a miscarriage. I know this simplifies everything way down and it is not so simple when you are the one going through it, but in all actuality, that is the way it is. As much as we wish we could control it all, some things we just can't.
:-)

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well and will have a good thought for you.

Brenda