Understanding Early Pregnancy hCG Levels & Concerns

Question
Hi! I am currently pregnant with my third child (first was a healthy baby girl, second ended in a blighted ovum at 5 weeks). My periods typically range from 33-35 days. My last period was September 13. I went in for HCg quant testing on October 16 and it was 30 (this was a day or two before my expected period, but was after a positive mome pregnancy test). On October 19, it was 114. The nurse at my OB's office is being very negative about this pregnancy. She keeps basing the figures off of the fact that it has been 5 weeks since my last period. I am pretty sure I ovulated October 3rd or 4th (based on cervical mucous and cervical position). I keep telling her that it has only been two weeks since I have ovulated, but she tells me that the HCG scores are based on LMP, not ovulation. Am I four or five weeks pregnant? I have another HCg test scheduled for next week, and my doctor has said he is not concerned about my levels since they nearly quadrupled in 3 days. But I am having a hard time reconciling what the nurse keeps telling me.  Thanks!

Answer
Hi Kelly :)

You know, some medical personal shouldnt be expressing concern about issues that are really none of their business to be  worried about. I agree 100% with your doctor, and there really isnt an issue to be concerned about. Your HCG level is a little low, but thats not uncommon! The main indicator that something is wrong, is when it doesnt double. Well your HCG is doing more then doubleing, and this is a great indicator. So please, dont worry, unless your doctor gives you reason to. If she persists, I would definatly speak to your doctor about it. I hardly think that a doctor would be thrilled about someone disagreeing with his opinions, especially when it comes to his patient. You certainly dont need the upset.

Well I did some quick calculations, and if your cycle is a 33 day cycle, you are estimated to be, 4 WEEKS, and 6 days into your pregnancy. Your conception date, would have been October 2nd,  and ovulation date, most likely have been roughly September 29th.

Now, if you cycle was a 34 day cycle, bump the above dates up by 1, and a 35 day cycle, then bump it by 2 days, so it gives you more accuracy.

Now, if your cycle was a 35 day cycle, you would be about 5 weeks, and 1 day right now.

So as you can see, you are either at the end of your fourth week, or the beginning of your 5th ..:)

And yes, the nurse is correct when she tells you the scrores are based on your last period.

Hope this is of some help, and please ignore this negative nurse. She has absolutely no business expressing her views on your pregnancy. She is not your doctor.

Hope this is of some help, and thanks for writing!

-Kristy