QuestionHi. I am supposedly 7 weeks pregnant or was, but the other day i started spotting red and later on it started coming out heavier so i went to the doctor and they did an ultrasound (internal and external). during that they basically said i was only 4 weeks (or basically less than 5) along even though my dates say almost 7 (and i wrote it down so i konw i'm not wrong but my cycles are irregular) but there was a gestational sac in the uterus and a yolk sac (but no visible fetal pole) and the tech seemed to think everything was fine and congratulated us. after that i talked to the doctor, got a blood test and the HCG levels were at 880 which the doctor said were low (but i don't know if he meant for 6 weeks or for 4). I had cramps that day that i would discribe as uncomfortable not painful and later on i passed some tissue (grayish) but the bleeding was never excessively heavy probably not quite as heavy as a period but definitely not worse and that was the only time tissue came out. after and before that it was just like watered down blood. the doctor also did a pelvic exam and said my cervix was closed which was "a good thing" but that he did find clots. Today my bleeding is much lighter and the cramping is gone. i was told to go to a follow up blood test to see if my hcg levels increased but since i passed tissue i'm wondering if that is even necessary. the bleeding was not brought on by intercourse because it had been over a week. also if they say i'm only 4 weeks is it possible that the baby died at 4 and stopped developing? I'm just wondering if there is any reason to think i might still be pregnant. I don't have insurance right now so if it's unnecessary i don't want to go through all the extra time and cost plus holding onto unecessary hope. I still feel pregnant but i don't know if that matters. My lower abdomen is very tight like it's been since about 4 weeks (on my scale) and i'm still tired. i hope i wasn't too confusing i just don't want to leave anything out. thank you for your time.
P.S. if i should get the blood test where can i go besides an ER? does planned parenthood do that sort of thing? thank you again.
AnswerDear Kristin,
Since you have irregular menstrual cycles, it is not impossible that the previous dating of the pregnancy was miscalculated. Irregular periods often mean irregular ovulation as well. So it is very possible that you simply conceived later than you thought.
The hCG level of 880 mIU/ml would be low for 7 weeks (normal 7-8 weeks= 7,650 - 229,000 mIU/ml), but very good for 4 weeks (5 - 426 mIU/ml).
Now, because you have had the bleeding, cramping, and passage of tissue, there is also the possibility that the pregnancy is no longer viable. That is why your doctor is wanting to get the additional hCG level. In the early weeks of a healthy pregnancy, we expect the hCG level to double every 48-72 hours. If the hCG level is not rising appropriately or is falling, it is a very good indicator of a problem with the pregnancy.
As far as the places you can get the hCG level drawn, most OB doctor's offices draw that right there in the office. Every Planned Parenthood is different, depending upon the size of their facility, but you could call and ask if they run quantitative blood pregnancy tests or serum beta hCG levels.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
