Beta plateau

NerdyGirl · 01-04-2008, 01:51 PM

Hi ladies. I've lurked in this section before, but now I need some advice. I got my BFP 12/10 and had some spotting off and on for a few weeks. My betas were good until 6wk, when they only doubled every 3 days. I went in for a sono at 6w2d and baby measured 5w6d. We waited another week and I had a sono Wed (7wk) and it was still measuring 5w6d. My beta did rise very slightly, but we're waiting for the m/c to start. My questions: How long after the beta plateau did you begin your m/c? And how is your m/c dated? I know the baby stopped growing at 5w6d, but I haven't had the actual m/c yet, so will it be considered to have continued until the actual m/c or when growth stopped?

Also, we have to wait a full cycle after m/c to start trying. Is this common?
Thanks

maddieb · 01-04-2008, 01:56 PM

Michelle,

First, I'm so sorry for what you are going through. Hugs to you.

My doctor wants us to wait two full cycles before actively trying again. She told us we don't need to actively prevent, but we are not going to start back on any monitoring/etc. until then.

*~SugarPlums~* · 01-04-2008, 01:57 PM

This sounds like a blighted ovum to me, not sure if you ever got to see the hb.

I have had 2 bo's and for both I decided to wait and let the mc happen on its own. They both tooks weeks to pass, one after I should have been almost 11 weeks. If it does not pass then you may need a d&c.

Every Dr is different as to when you can start ttc again, some say 1 cycle, and some say upto 6 cycles. The norm for me was usually 3 cycles.

Sorry for your loss.

NerdyGirl · 01-04-2008, 02:29 PM

SugarPlums~ Thanks. We didn't see the hb, but we did see the fetal pole and yolk sac, so I don't think it was BO. My RE is doing another beta next week and if it hasn't come down adequately, we'll schedule a D&C. I'd prefer not to have one if I can start the m/c on my own. 11 wks?!? It's already a little uncomfortable (emotionally at least) knowing I'm waiting for the inevitable. I hate the mental part, thinking I'm 7w2d when I'm not really, you know?

maddieb~ Thanks. We're not preventing, but we're not doing any treatment for a full cycle after the m/c per the RE...which is kind of preventing, I guess. It took clomid/trigger/IUI to get pg, so it's not likely that we'll have a "surprise".

Twisted Cyster · 01-04-2008, 03:55 PM

Hey Nerdy Girl,

I just wanted to say that I am sorry for your loss.

I m/c at 9 weeks in July 2007, but found out the baby stopped developing at 6 weeks. We waited until one af had passed, then tried again but decided to give it one month of just being together without checking ovulation etc. to get back in touch with each other. Low and behold, that was all it took and so far we are at 11 weeks pg today (knock on wood).

I wish you the best of luck and am here if you want to pm and chat.

Sheri

*~SugarPlums~* · 01-04-2008, 04:26 PM

The waiting is mentally taxing. My first mc was a missed miscarriage. We saw the hb at 8 weeks, the next day the baby died but we didn't find out until 13weeks. I held that one in 5 weeks! We ended up doing a d&c for that one.

3 of my mc's I waited for them to happen naturally and 2 I had d&c's for. There are pro's and cons o doing both. The 3 I waited for naturally was because my Dr thought it best that way. It was emotionally draining and I even requested him to do a d&c, but in the end just let it happen. 2 of my losses required emergency d&c's.

I had to wait long to resume ttc after the d&c's, 3 and 6 months, but the other ones I was told after I had a cycle I could resume.

NerdyGirl · 01-04-2008, 04:35 PM

Sheri~ Thanks. We have MF so we'll need another IUI, but we're def. going to take this time to enjoy being together and appreciating our relationship. That's wonderful that you got your BFP so soon! And your numbers look fantastic. How great to be so close to that second tri

SugarPlums~ Part of me thinks it would be better to have the D&C, in terms of the emotional need to move on. But then I wonder if it could do any harm or cause me to have to wait longer. Did you continue to have symptoms during the time the baby stopped developing and your D&C? (Sorry if that's too personal) It just feels depressing to still have the symptoms knowing the baby's not ok. What would cause a need for an emergency D&C? Is there anything I should be looking for that something may need to be done sooner?

*~SugarPlums~* · 01-04-2008, 04:55 PM

Well, I had a sudden stop of most of my symptoms at around 8.5 weeks, except I still had light sore bb's. I had no spotting what so ever so I never even thought there was a problem. That was with my first pg/mc so I was niave to many things. The reason he did a d&c quickly after finding out was because the risk of infection is high when you retain a non-living fetus inside for a long time. That was a pretty horrible time, a few days after the procedure I started leaking breast milk and it was so difficult.

My second emergency d&c was after having given birth to my twins at 18 weeks and I had 'retained' placenta. That would have definitely caused infection and the Dr had no choice but to do it.

I would say if you have very bad pains but are not really passing anything or you get unusual discharge, or high fever, you should definately call your Dr.

Each of my mc's were different in that some were very painful and I bled a lot , to hardly any cramps and very little bleeding (more like spotting). I don't know how yours will be because every mc is different , as I have learned.

My first one, (first d&c) I think (mpo) was performed wrong and I think that is what led to my Incompeten cervix. I had an ultrasound 1/2 hour before the d&c just to make sure the baby had in fact passed. After the procedure the Dr said he found no fetus, just tissue! I told him that could not be true because the ultrasound showed otherwise. I was medicated and he said we would talk later. The following night I started have cramps that were so bad, they were coming every few minutes, they were contractionsbut I didn't know it then. I passed clots the size of oranges! If I had known then what I do now, I would have sued him, but like I said, I was niave and young.

PCOSDC · 01-04-2008, 05:57 PM

Sandra: You are so strong. I don't know how you have survived and perservered through all your hardships. I have to say that I am thankful that my m/c occurred so early. I can't imagine carrying your baby for almost 20 weeks and then lose it.

*~SugarPlums~* · 01-04-2008, 08:08 PM

I do have to say that although all my miscarriages were hard, that one was bye far the most difficult one I had ever gone through. It was very hard to get through and was difficult on our marriage. I would wake up and was 100% certain that I was hearing a babies cries, only to wake up in the dark to a cold and empty house. I never understood why I had all my losses but this one just angered me. I couldn't understand, why after all my other losses, would I be able to carry these and feel secure that I was finally going to have my miracles babies.

When I saw other pregnant women, it wasn't just jealousy I felt, but after that loss, it was also anger. Anger because it came so easily to them, anger because I sometimes felt they took things for granted.

I am better now, especially since I did end up having my miracles on my own with no medical help, I feel that this was truly ment to be. (even though I fully do not comprehend why)

Michelle-I hope my posting this has not upset you, if it has let me know. I want you to know that I do understand what your going through.

NerdyGirl · 01-09-2008, 05:18 PM

Sugar~ Of course it doesn't upset me! I was having dreams right after the sono that the baby was crying in another room, but I couldn't find it. Or that I was holding him (it's always a boy) and he sort of slowly disappears. Now, I'm def in the SUPER ANGRY phase. I just want it OVER NOW.

I had another beta this morning to check to make sure it's dropping.
Last week (7wk): 8877
Today (8wk): 8821

I am about to call my nurse and BEG for the D&C! I feel like I'm losing my mind right now, honestly. I still have all of my pg symptoms and it seems like this will never end.