AboutBrenda Expertise I have been an R.N. since 1988 and come from a family of nurses. I have clinical experience in labor and delivery, as well as post-partum care and pre-term pregnancy complications. I have also worked in Community Health Clinics dealing with this area of expertise, including WIC (Women, Infant, & Children) clinics performing nursing evaluations and assessments in determining a need for services or intervention for pregnant women, newborns, and young children. I have worked in immunization clinics in and around my community as well. I also have several years experience in OB and Pediatric Home Care Nursing. In addition to that, I am a mother of two, ages 21 and 16, both of which I had hoped would be vaginal deliveries, but ended up being C-Sections... one of which had me in pre-term labor...another which was frank breech (bottom first)... one who rejected the breast... and so on... to list my personal experience would be a bit lengthy! I'd simply like to help anyone who might have a question or concern that I can draw on my expertise to answer!
Experience I have been an R.N. since 1988 and come from a family of nurses. I have clinical experience in labor and delivery, as well as post-partum care and pre-term pregnancy complications. I have also worked in Community Health Clinics dealing with this area of expertise, including WIC (Women, Infant, & Children) clinics performing nursing evaluations and assessments in determining a need for services or intervention for pregnant women, newborns, and young children. I have worked in immunization clinics in and around my community as well. I also have several years experience in OB and Pediatric Home Care Nursing. My experience also includes approximately three years working in Behavioral Services.
Education/Credentials Graduated from the Mary Lanning School of Nursing in May 1988. Have been a licensed Registered Nurse in the state of NE since 1988.
Question Hi
My LMP was on 25 June 2007, and I did the blood test this Monday, 31 July 07, the value is 75. I am 34, and this is my first prgnancy. there is little brown blood make me feel very worry.But I dont have any pain.My GP asked me to do another HCG test next week. What can be happening to me? Thanks a lot!
Answer Dear Cathy,
The normal values for hCG in early pregnancy are very broad. If your LMP was 6/25, that calculates to approximately 5 weeks on 7/31 (based on a history of regular 28 day cycles). At 5 weeks, the normal range for hCG is 18-7,340 mIU/ml. So, although on the low end, you were within the norm. It may simply be that your pregnancy dating is a bit off and you aren't quite as far along as expected. This early, one week can make a very big difference.
The more important determination is whether the hCG is rising appropriately. We expect hCG levels to double every 48-72 hours in early pregnancy. I'm actually quite surprised that your doctor didn't have you return for a follow-up hCG draw on 8/2 to see if the level had doubled. That would be much more indicative of whether the pregnancy was progressing normally.
As far as the brown spotting, there is no reason to be alarmed yet. Many women have some spotting and/or vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy. Studies show that anywhere from 20-30% of women experience some degree of bleeding in early pregnancy. Approximately half of pregnant women who bleed do not have miscarriages. Unless you begin to experience heavy vaginal bleeding (like a period), cramping (severe like bad menstrual cramps or worse), and/or passing clots or tissue with the bleeding, I would not be overly concerned at this point.
I hope that this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
