HCG Take Two

Well, it's hard to believe it's already 5 weeks into the pregnancy!  I am still experiencing much of the same symptoms as last week, though my upper back pain has been thwarted by the efforts of my acupuncturist, thankfully!  I haven't been very hungry, and I'm not sure if that's nausea or compliments of a little anxiety from waiting for the second blood test or due to the amoxicillin for my leg (which will be continuing at least another week).

Yesterday, we took a new weekly picture.  I am getting more excited by the day!  (As if you couldn't tell by the gigantic smile on my face!)

5 Weeks Along

I also went yesterday to have my blood drawn again for a second HCG test.  The nurse expects it to be above 10,000, and hopefully above 15,000 so that we can schedule the first ultrasound.  Apparently they got the results more quickly this time (perhaps because I was so anxious to get the test done, I went at 7:45am?), so she called and left me a message last night but without the actual results!  So when I was finished teaching, saw the message, and tried to call, the office was already closed and I couldn't get any information, which led to my nervousness.  To abate some of my anxiety, I ended up taking another home pregnancy test (Whew!  Still positive!), but the test didn't give me an actual number so it really was just a waste of pee.  Haha!  Talk about a sleepless night anticipating calling this morning!

The nurse told me that my level had reached 9242 this time around.  Talk about deflated hope because I was anticipating much more!  The doctor on call reviewed the results and said that this could still be low normal.  After doing some reading, I learned that HCG can double every 48-72 hours, so if I'm doubling every 72 hours, my value is still in the normal range.  I'm scheduled to retest on Sunday and then, hopefully, we'll be above 15,000 and can have the ultrasound. (If I figure on the 72 hour doubling, I should hit 18,000-ish by then.)  Most of the sources I've read still show me in the 5 weeks pregnant range with the 9242, which is comforting.

HCG level on 02/19/14

I haven't had any change in my early pregnancy symptoms and no spotting or pain.  I am a little concerned that a slowly increasing HCG level might mean an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, but I am a little bit of a worst-case-scenario kind of person sometimes.  With God's help, I am doing my best to stay calm, stress free, and positive.

So, here's to hoping and waiting some more...

From www.2heartsnetwork.org:

Dearest Mary, I look to you now for the help of your maternal love. You understand my trials as an expectant mother. You bore Jesus in your womb. You know the doubts and anxieties that beset me; you know the bodily suffering I endure. Like you, may I turn all these sorrows into joy. You overcame anxiety by a loving trust in God; you overcame doubt by gentle resignation to His will.
Your motherhood lifted your mind above earth and kept it close to God.
So speak to Jesus now with me, beloved Mother, as I seek prayerfully to learn to bear the trials of motherhood with joy.
Mother of Perpetual Help, Pray for me!