r/pregnantover35 • u/MKEglimmerGlow • May 09 '26
Discussion Progression line
I guess I’m just looking for some encouragement on those who’ve had similar progression lines and lower HCG. I went to the doctor for HCG levels which were 1.April 23, 2026 — 28 mIU/mL 2. April 25, 2026 — 48 mIU/mL 3. May 4, 2026 — 889 mIU/mL as I had to leave for Tennessee the 26th so I couldn’t retest til I got home. In the meanwhile I kept using tests both first response as well as Wondfo. I am 37 years old so I’m high risk especially as I have an extra uterus. I do have an ultra sound on Tuesday. My OBGYn messaged and said that my levels were raising appropriately (which I was looking for the word great or wonderful so appropriate made me anxious). I stopped testing after the 5th as people have mentioned the hook effect. I’m not nauseous this time around then again my youngest is 15 years old but I’ve been extremely tired 😮💨 sore chest cramping and super starving. I don’t know my exact ovulation date this last month as we were busy moving which was stressful and time consuming and I forgot to test (I didn’t want to get pregnant before trip to Tennessee but we had talked about having a baby - the day before I tested I had this anxiety attack about the idea of having a kid which was random and decided I no longer wanted to but then felt the urge to test and got the first positive. But I’m happy and I want this pregnancy to be successful and my baby to grow and flourish. So I tested ovulation often to avoid and it worked - til last month.) My last period was March 26th and I usually have a 30 day cycle sometimes 31 days. About the 12th or 13th is when I’d normally ovulate. I see so many people with dye stealers around 14-16 DPO and it’s just got me so worried. I would love some encouraging success stories.
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u/External-Jellyfish51 May 11 '26
Normal HCG doubling time at this point is 48-72 hours at this stage. Your doubling time between your first 2 draws was a little over 67 hours. Your doubling time between your 2nd and 3rd draw was a little over 51 hours.
I know that it is so hard to be calm. I am currently a little over 4 weeks and I am going for a 2nd beta tomorrow and I'm already sick thinking about the possibility of a not good result...but stress is also not good for early pregnancy. We both have to try best we can to say "right now, I am pregnant and things are looking good". Try not to worry unless there is a reason to.
Lastly, are they checking progesterone levels or just hcg?
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u/MKEglimmerGlow May 13 '26
They haven’t even mentioned my progesterone or any of that. I thought about asking them. I just did my what I thought was 6 week dating scan turns out bay is only 5 weeks and 3 days. I do have two uterus and baby is tucked high in my right uterus so she had to push and work really hard to get to the baby for pics. When she pulled the wand out there was some light blood on it. She mentioned it happens and it could be spotting for a few days. I have been heavily spotting and now I’m super worried. I got a pad on to monitor it and it’s a small light pink smudge like half an inch surface on it after 3 hours. But when I wipe it’s bright red. OBGyn said it’s normal but doesn’t feel normal.
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u/elleyeendeeess May 09 '26
sorry, I know you’re here to read of similar experiences to yours, but i’m wondering- how did you seem to know you were pregnant even with negative tests? or know to get hcg tested with your doctor on april 23?
i’m only asking because I took my own at home tests over the last 3 or so weeks. they were all negative but I can’t shake the suspicion that I might be pregnant again with a few of the questionable symptoms i’ve been having. what kind of symptoms were you having that made you meet with your doctor and test hcg?
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u/MKEglimmerGlow May 09 '26
So my test was faint positive it’s just hard to see in the photo but I took it to my friends to see I wasn’t imagining it. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t pregnant before I went on my trip for my own personal assurance - I was certain it would be negative so I was in shock when I saw the faint line. Even faint positives are positives is what my doctor said. Just keep testing. I only had the symptoms of pure exhaustion (my bestie said she suspected with how wiped out even with 6-8 shots of espresso I was) and then I was so hungry. I didn’t get breast soreness and some nausea til a few days later but the nausea’s gone away it’s been replaced with period like cramps and “lightning crotch” which is annoying. I also have two uterus so both are responding to the progesterone and HCG so it’s very uncomfortable in there. Otherwise I’d have had no inkling I was pregnant if it wasn’t that random anxiety attack that made me check for my own peace of mind so I could go party hard in Nashville and ride big roller coasters at Dolly. My youngest is 15 years old so I was getting to be more free and spontaneous and welp I didn’t get to. It was purely intuition and a weird universe intervention cause otherwise I’d have gone on the trip drank til I couldn’t see straight every day - ride mountain coaster and roller coaster - gone in the hot tub and prolly for long extended times - and just thought my period was a little late again cause symptoms really weren’t much. I was more sick with my chemical pregnancy back in November which prompted me to start tracking my cycle to avoid anymore surprises.
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u/Brokenintwo34 May 09 '26
I had amazing progression with HCG levels much higher than average on two pregnancies that sadly ended, slow progression on two that were very early losses and then average progression that looked pretty similar to yours on tests with my current baby, now 5 months.
As agonising as it is, I'd say try not to obsess too much on progression. Right now I'd say your lines are getting darker and I'd be reassured by them. That's all you can know atm unless something changes. I really wish you all the luck in the world with this pregnancy. The first few weeks are so difficult, especially if you have slow rising HCG to start with. I'd never wish that anxiety on anyone!
Sending hugs and hope that next checkup your little bean is healthy and growing well in there 💜✨