Why does my doctor want me to do blood work every two days for a week to see the hormone numbers? I am early into the pregnancy, but is this what some OB's have you do?
Everyone was pretty much right with the answers. My OB-GYN was checking on the numbers to make sure they were doubling (however I was bothered that he wasn't being honest from start with me, since I guess the #'s started going down after the first month). However, when I was suppose to be in my 7th week, I got my period, therefore miscarried. I was sad, mad, unhappy and everything a mom can go through when something terrible like this happens.
I've had a few friends who needed to do this (to make sure the numbers are doubling at the proper rate,)but they were all on fertility drugs/IVF/Insemenation, etc.
Hi M.!
This might be helpful: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/duringpregnancy/hcglevel...
Guessing your doc might be checking for your hCG levels and/or progesterone levels?
I had to do this for a few reasons: there was a history of miscarriages in my family, I had trouble conceiving, and I started spotting. The doctor is checking the progesterone and HcG levels - every couple days they should be more than double the prior blood test. Some women's HcG plateau, so they would continue to check progesterone...if it's low they will put you on something to make it higher and continue to check level to ensure that is helping/working properly.
I wish you luck!
I agree that your doctor is probably checking the hcg and/or progesterone levels to see if the pregnancy is progressing properly. I would say this is not routine in my experience. You don't mention if you have had a history of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, fertility problems, or bleeding/abdominal pain in this pregnancy. If any of those are true for you this would not be surprising. If not, the next time you go to get your blood drawn ask why they are doing it. Not just what they are checking for, but if they are doing it because they have concerns about the pregnancy or what. Hope you have a happy and healthy pregnancy.
