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We did the 4th blood test today to check Beta HCG level. I requested my family doctor to do this. My clinic won’t give me referral since they don’t think it is necessary and it is obviously an extra work for them. The first U/S has been scheduled on Nov 30, 2010.

There is about 2 weeks waiting time when we have no idea what is going on in my body. This extra HCG can give me reassurance and a peace of mind.

The result came back nice and strong – 23dpt Beta HCG 4083, which is almost 3 times than 17dpt HCG 1371.

I will do another blood test on Nov 24, 2010. I am still cautiously optimistic.

I did #2 Beta today and HCG level is 521. Nice and strong.

My HCG level is a little bit high at this stage – about 3 times higher than 3 days ago. We are not sure if it will be one or two or even three babies growing in my uterus- we transferred 3 3-day embryos. I did some online search regarding HCG levels in single and twin pregnancies.

HCG levels in pregnancy

HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone made by the pregnancy that can be detected in the mother’s blood or urine even before the woman’s missed period. This hormone is what we look for with a “pregnancy test”.

HCG is first detectable in the blood as early as 7-8 days after ovulation by very sensitive HCG assays (research assays). In real life, blood pregnancy tests will be positive (> 2 mIU/ml) by 10-11 days after HCG injection or LH surge.

In general, the HCG level will double every 2-3 days in early pregnancy.

85% of normal pregnancies will have the HCG level double every 72 hours.

HCG levels peak at about 8-10 weeks of pregnancy and then decline, remaining at lower levels for the rest of the pregnancy.

There is a large variation in a “normal” HCG level for any given time in pregnancy.

NORMAL SINGLE PREGNANCIES

HCG levels from normal twin pregnancies

Twin pregnancies tend to show higher HCG levels on a given day of pregnancy. However, there is a large variation in HCG levels between pregnancies, and great overlap exists between single and twin pregnancies.

NORMAL TWIN PREGNANCIES

The information in the table above is part of a study carried out by Dr. Sherbahn that compared HCG levels from single, twin and heterotopic (combined intrauterine and ectopic) pregnancies.

I could help and requested my clinic to do an early Beta this morning.

The Beta HCG level came back strong! – 170 at 11dpt.

I also went to see my family doctor after the blood work. She told me ” just relax and enjoy your pregnancy.  The baby(s) will take care of themselves.

Keep cautiously optimistic.

I’ve seen so many cute stickers before and now I have one of my own!

Make a pregnancy ticker

My boobs are getting sorer and sorer; my belly is bloating; ClearBlue Home Pregnancy Test sticks are siting on the table … It’s tempting… I can’t wait!!

This morning, first thing after I woke up was rushing to washroom… pee on a stick!  I used a ClearBlue digital stick.  I normally use regular stick. When I saw the hour glass symbol was flashing, I thought I was not doing the right thing. So I asked DH to pass me the package to read the instruction. While I was checking, the symbol stopped flashing and “Pregnant” appeared immediately. I was in shock and couldn’t believe it was true. I was yelling to DH to get me the regular HPT stick. I pee on it again and the positive + sign also showed up immediately!!! I have never seen this lovely sign show up in the last 2 years trying to conceive! Oh my… I am pregnant!!! I was literally shouting at my DH. He was so excited that he didn’t know what to say. What a miracle!

I didn’t know what to do in the next 10 minutes. I just walked around the house and try to keep myself calm.  Anyway the whole day I was trying hard to keep myself calm.

I am cautiously optimistic. I will do HPT in the following days to confirm the ++. I want to call my clinic tomorrow to request an early blood test on Saturday instead of Nov 10.

I am so happy and I feel I am blessed.  I want to share my happiness virtually with everyone who visits IVF Adventure! Good luck to all.