Expert: Lawrence Jay Rappaport <B>M.D.</B> - 11/2/2005
Question I am 31 years old. This is my first pregnancy and the first day of LMP was 9/9.
I will be 8 wks tmrw and I started spotting lightly (brown blood) on 10/26. Called the OB & she said this is normal, could be leftover blood from implantation, stay off my feet, no stress, etc. Well, it stopped. Everything was fine until Sat afternoon 10/29 when I went to the bathroom & noticed spotting again, this time pinkish red... I freaked out & call the DR again & they said to stay off my feet, call back if any bad cramping, heavier bleeding, etc. Well, the spotting faded to brown & went away (never got heavier, only one time red and only when I wiped). I have not spotted since then. I also have no cramps or pain or anything. Well, Mon my OB called & wanted me to get blood work done so we "could see where things stand". Got it back & my HCG is 2480. She called yesterday & said that was a little low, should be in the 5-6000 range, also my prog was only 7.7 & should be 9 or higher. Prescribed prog supp (100 mg) which I started last night. Have to go back today for more blood work to see if levels are doubling. She said my numbers definitely should be doubled from Monday. I have my u/s Fri morning. So basically I have been scouring the internet for ANY information on low HCG, low Prog, and am finding that you can really only base the info on your u/s. Does this sound right? I am trying not to panic about losing my baby... my husband refuses to believe these "numbers" and won't even think about something wrong until we see the u/s. I am praying like I have never prayed in my LIFE. The thing is, I feel fine, no bleeding, no cramping... still have sore breasts, peeing all the time, other signs of pregnancy... I'm just not sure what to think at this point & I'm scared to death to go get my blood work done again! Could someone please reassure me?
Answer I don't see why you believe anything is wrong with the baby. It is quite common to have occasional spotting in early preganncy. The HCG values at 7-8 weeks gestation range from 15,000-200,000. A value of 2480 is a bit low at this stage of pregnancy. HOwever, if you are more than 6 weeks from the first day of your last period, a sonogram will show a fetus and a fetal heartbeat. If, on Friday, the sonogram shows a fetus and a fetal heartbeat, you should not worry. If, on the other hand, there is only an empty sac but no fetus or heartbeat, it may indicate a non viable pregnancy. Wait for the sonogram. Don't worry. If you repeat the blood work, there should be a doulbing of the HCG value in 48 hours, so if it is greater than 5000, you also should not worry.
