Understanding 1 cm Ovary Size in Early Pregnancy: Causes & Concerns

Question
Age:23           children:1         LMP 07/30/04
I am approximately 6 weeks pregnant with my second child. This is my second known pregnancy. I found out I was pregnant at 3 weeks LMP exactly through an Early result home pregnancy test. A week after I tested positive I started having flank pain on the left side. I have had kidney stones before, and rather than let the pain get out of control, I decided to get checked out right away. I was scheduled for a kidney U/S and a Pelvic Ultrasound the next morning. After the U/S I went home, only to get a phone call later on that afternoon that I needed to go to the ER because they dicovered a 1 cm space in my right ovary and it might be an ectopic. I went to the ER and it was the day before the start of my fifth week and they checked my Betas and it was 662 mIU. I scheduled an appt. with the OB and Went and had another draw 2 days later and the numbers were 1500+ mIU. The OB said he really didn't believe it was an ectopic, but he didn't really give me any other options or advice. It's been almost two weeks, and I have no pain, but I am still worried. I know ovarian ectopics are rare, but what else could this be? A Corpus Luteal Cyst is one thing I've read about, but all this reading is just making me more nervous. I would like to know specifics about ovarian ectopics, such a typical gestational length, typical hormone levels. And also more info about corpus luteal cysts. I just can't seem to find what I'm looking for. Thank you in advance. Carly Gossett

Answer
If you had a doubling of your HCG in 48 hours (from 662-1500) you do not have either a tubal pregnancy or an ovarian pregnancy. At six weeks gestational age, a sonogram should show a gestational sac, a fetus, and a fetal heartbeat iin your uterus now. Usually, you will have a corpus luteal cyst until 11-12 weeks gestation. The corpus luteal  cyst produces progesterone, which maintains the pregnancy until the placenta forms (at around 11-14 weeks). If you are not having any pain or bleeding, I really would not worry. Ovarian ectopics are extremely rare and you would have had a tapering off of your HCG rather than a doubling. Good Luck with your pregnancy.