Understanding HCG Levels and Ovulation After a DNC

Question
Hi there.  I had a DNC on March 8.  It took me 6 weeks to get my AF.  My husband and I were trying again, so I took a hpt just before I got my AF again on May 25.  However, the hpt came back positive.  Turns out, I still had HCG left over from the DNC.  I have had blood tests done since to monitor it and on June 18, it finally hit zero.  Is this an unually long time to go down?  Can you ovulate when your HCG is 10 or less?  And after it hits zero, do you ovulate right away or will it wait until the next cycle?  I have now just got my AF again yesterday (21), but it is on day 27 which my usual cycle is 32 - 35 days.  So screwed up.  Any info would be helpful.  Thanks.

Answer
Dear Jen,

Sometimes it can take up to 8 weeks for the hCG to return to non-pregnant levels, but 13 weeks is a rather lengthy amount of time.

More than likely you were not ovulating while the hCG levels were at a pregnant level. As far as whether you will ovulate with an hCG level of 10, I would say that would be dependent upon each woman and her specific cycle pattern and hormone levels. It is not a question I can answer with a 'yes' or 'no' for you. Is it possible - yes. Did you, specifically - I have no idea.

After ANY pregnancy, whether it is a delivered pregnancy or a pregnancy loss, the return to normal cycles is somewhat of a guessing game. Some women will have post-D&C/delivery/miscarriage bleeding and then resume cycles 28 days later like clockwork. Others will wait 6-8 weeks. Still others will spot off and on for weeks and not return to normal for 3-4 months. It is just WACKY! I will say that the majority of women will have a normal period within 6 weeks time (which you did), which means they will usually ovulate within 4 weeks time.

It really sounds like you would benefit from doing one of the following - either invest in an Ovulation Predictor Kit or begin taking your basal body temperatures, OR start having sex every other day from Day 11 to Day 21 of your cycle (Day 1 being the 1st day of your period). This would allow for any variation in your ovulation day due to changes in the length of your cycles.

I hope this information has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well and fantastic results.

Brenda