hCG Test #2

This morning it was Karen who called with the results of my second blood draw.  It was nice to speak with her since she has been my go-to nurse since we went through the IVF class and egg retrieval process.  

My hCG level on Tuesday was 205 IU/mL.  Today's level was 313 IU/mL.  Ideally this number would increase by 60-70% every 48 hours to indicate a healthy pregnancy.  My increase was 53%, which is obviously less than 60%.  

Karen said that sometimes hCG just has a "slow start" and the rate of increase will get faster as the pregnancy progresses.  So I am supposed to continue all medicatios as I have been doing them and come back for a third blood draw in another 48 hours (Saturday).  The problem is that we are leaving this evening for Kenosha, so we won't be here on Saturday.  Instead I will return on Monday morning (96 hours later) and she will do the math to project what two 60% increases would be from my Thursday numbers.  

There are three potential outcomes of Monday's blood draw:

1.  The number has met the 60% increase benchmark and we will assume a   healthy pregnancy.  At this point, we would schedule the first two ultrasounds.  

2. The number has increased again, but by less than 60%.  In this scenario, we will continue to monitor the rate of increase by drawing blood every 48 hours until the 60% benchmark is met, or the number begins to decrease.

3.  The number has decreased.  This would suggest that the embryo implanted, but was not firmly attached.  The decreasing hCG would indicate a miscarriage and would be determined a "failed transfer."  

I informed Kelly, Allison, and Haley of this update.  They all agreed that we should remain positive and hope for outcome #1.  Allison shared my numbers with Brian and he said that his OB/GYN group uses 50% increase to assume a healthy pregnancy, so he would not be concerned by my results.  Obviously Eric and I did some internet research on the topic, and I found an article that said 99% of women with an increase of 53% or higher went on to have healthy pregnancies.  So I am remaining hopeful (and also anxious).  

This weekend will be a good distraction from thiking about these three possible outcomes since we will be out of town, with family, and focused on Allison and Baby Tillis.  At this point there is nothing to do but wait and see!