AboutDr. Harriet Johnson Expertise I have been a Gynecologist for 3 years and can answer questions on early symptoms of pregnancy, pre-natal care, miscarriage, birth defects, nutrition, exercise, potential problems, concerns, labor and delivery, post-natal care etc. I can also answer any questions related to female issues.
Experience OB/GYN Physician for 3 years.
Education/Credentials Graduated from medical school with an MD degree and then went on to complete my residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center. I am board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Question I don't even know where to begin this question as it has been a very confusing month for me. Bare with me as I try to give you as many details as I can.
After truly believing that I was in fact pregnant this past month (LMP at that point was August 25) I was confused to get several negative HPT. This would have been my second pregnancy so I recognized the symptoms right away. Almost too well! When I got my period on September 23 I thought that things seemed really strange to the point that I said to my husband....I REALLY think that I was pregnant, but figured I would never know. It just seemed different than normal and brought on a wave of emotions I cannot quite explain. I moved on thinking wow my mind really played some tricks on me, but when I continued to just not feel right and have cramps and pressure that was waking me up in the middle of the night, I thought it was time to see the doctor. I thought maybe I had a cyst or something, since three HPT had confirmed that I was not pregnant.
When I got there he took a long history, had me take a pregnancy test, which was negative, and then proceeded to do an internal exam and transvaginal ultrasound. When he did the exam and pressed on my uterus I was with out a doubt sore. When I was done, he told me that I was in fact pregnant, which he found from the ultrasound and showed me, but he needed to do blood work to see if I was at the beginning or end of the pregnancy. After 48 long hours I got the results and it was not good. My first HCG level was 0.3 and my second was 2.9. The following week because I was throwing up he ran them again and it was at a 0.
In the meantime he has run two more ultrasounds showing the sac and embro/fetus.
After doing research, I am so confused as to what to believe. Everything I read says that this is not possible.
He wanted me to wait two weeks for the bleeding to start and it has almost been that.
Is it possible to still have something in there an have an HCG level of a 0? Even though he saw it on the ultrasound? I saw it too, so that is why I am sooooo confused!
How long should I be waiting to do this without a D&C when I am continuing to have cramping and pressure? I feel very achy around my uterus...almost bruised.
4 HPT, 3 in office tests, and 3 blood tests all say no that I am not and never was pregnant, three ultrasounds confirm that I am/was without a doubt. Please help me!
Is this possible? How long should I be waiting? At what point do I question or get concerned?
I am sure this is confusing for you too!
Thank you for your help!
Answer Hi Margaret,
If the embryo stopped developing very early on, your hCG levels would have started lowering, which explains the negative pregnancy tests. It can take several weeks for your body to realize that you aren't pregnant and start to release the tissue. Normally it will take 1-4 weeks for you to miscarry, however if you still aren't progressing after 4 weeks, you will most likely need a D&C.
