[Shadeauxe]

So, I had a natural MC about 12/10. My hcg levels as of yesterday were down to 7 from 19 the week before. I think my period just started, but I won't know for sure for a few hours. Is it possible for my cycle to restart without the hcg being 0? I swear I saw someone post something about this a few days ago, but I just wanted to confirm. I hope the doctor says it's ok to TTC now, because I'd hate to waste the opportunity and almost 5 weeks of pelvic rest is getting old fast.

[onedaysoon]

I'm entirely sure, but I think it has to be low, but not absolutely 0. I had no blood draws after, so I'm not even sure how my own dropped.

[ashj_1218]

Anything under 5 is considered a negative level (since lots of women have a standing level of under five...you don't want to know where that comes from, it ruined me for life! Lol). So yeah, you are probably getting your period. Those two points to drop prolly took no time at all and could have even been gone by the time you got the results.

My falling levels were not watched carefully either. But with my first chemical they were drawn. I had an HCG of 26 and then one of 13 and then my period came two days later. So very similar in fashion.

[Shadeauxe]

Great! Thanks for the information! I will start using the OPKs tomorrow if this is indeed my cycle. Also, all bets are off as far as the whole waiting to TTC as far as I am concerned. I don't care what the doctor says. haha

[Erin84]

Originally Posted by Shadeauxe

Great! Thanks for the information! I will start using the OPKs tomorrow if this is indeed my cycle. Also, all bets are off as far as the whole waiting to TTC as far as I am concerned. I don't care what the doctor says. haha

[onedaysoon]

Originally Posted by Shadeauxe

Also, all bets are off as far as the whole waiting to TTC as far as I am concerned. I don't care what the doctor says. haha

I said the exact same thing...then I got the green light!

Good luck and have fun!

[Servilia]

You can start a new cycle while your hcg is still elevated.. I went two cycles post-mc before my hcg reached negative. Thing is, you can ovulate before your hcg is negative, and you'd get a period too..

[missy123]

Why are you on pelvic rest? And what is your name?

[Shadeauxe]

Originally Posted by missy123

Why are you on pelvic rest? And what is your name?

Uhh, that's a strange combo of questions, haha. I have a demented mind that works very quickly, so I read this and my mind thinks, "If my name is Tammy, does it affect how long I should be on pelvic rest? Am I on a list somewhere? Who is spying on me?!?!" hehe

My old doctor and the nurses especially were hyper-paranoid. Before my MC when I had spotting, they started the pelvic rest (as in no sex/tampons not that I have to lay around in bed all day) just as a precaution.

Then when I found out I was going to MC, they continued it because of infection risk. Then they kept scheduling ultrasounds like my uterus was going to self-combust at any moment and by god they were going to find out what it looked like in there, or maybe I have an incredibly attractive uterus and they were using it as an excuse to gaze upon it in all its glory just one more time.

They also kept insisting after every ultrasound that I might have particles left over. Never mind that they couldn't actually see anything, they just thought there MIGHT be some particles because I was still bleeding (it had only been a week since my natural MC) and I must have a D&C ASAP or I might hemorrhage to death and ruin my Christmas and there are no doctors to save my life in the ER because they are all on vacation in Bali or some sh*t like that.

Needless to say, I got tired of the Chicken Littles at that office and switched doctors to one who is way more down to earth and on the same page as me. He told me not to have a D&C because it would make everything worse and wait for my period because everything was fine and to stop having ultrasounds for pete's sake (not his exact words and who cares about this Pete guy anyway, he's an egomaniac). They did, however, want to rule out infection risks and wanted me to wait to have sex until my hcg went to zero and for one cycle before TTC.

So, here I am, almost 6 weeks later, starting my cycle and the hell if I am going to wait for my hcg to half-life itself down to zero. I doubt there is any risk of infection at this point and even the most sensitive pregnancy test probably wouldn't come back positive.

I bet you're sorry you asked.

Oh, and my name is Courtney.

[missy123]

Originally Posted by Shadeauxe

Uhh, that's a strange combo of questions, haha. I have a demented mind that works very quickly, so I read this and my mind thinks, "If my name is Tammy, does it affect how long I should be on pelvic rest? Am I on a list somewhere? Who is spying on me?!?!" hehe



I bet you're sorry you asked.

Oh, and my name is Courtney.

OMG, my mind works super fast too and that made me LMAO!!

I will ask such random questions that just pop into my head from time to time so please forgive me! I am glad I asked!

Hi Courtney, Welcome to the group and have fun DTD... You have so much more willpower than I do. I would have a hard time waiting 2 weeks.

[ohnicole]

I hope it only takes one cycle for you!

[Servilia]

Originally Posted by Shadeauxe

They did, however, want to rule out infection risks and wanted me to wait to have sex until my hcg went to zero and for one cycle before TTC.

Sorry I cut out most of your post but I only really wanted to address this one.. from my experience, what they should really be doing to make sure there's no more risk of infection is visually seeing whether there is any remaining retained tissue rather than relying on HCG alone if they are worried about infection. In my case I had retained tissue (and hence heightened risk of infection AFTER my hcg went negative. Oh and my RE never said no sex (except if I was actively bleeding/passing tissue since it means my cervix may be open). Of course I'm sure your doctors were erring on the side of caution in telling you no sex and they're doctors, not me, but you'll want a final u/s confirming that the retained tissue is gone, rather than relying on hcg alone.
Good luck!

[ashj_1218]

Okay...I just had to laugh at the "Bedrest/name" thing. I was laughing so hard before you even answered I now can start the day on a delightfully silly note!

[Toots216]

I laughed so hard at the bedrest/name thing too....

Anyways, I think you can stop worrying since your AF started. My hcg was in the single digits when my AF showed up after my first mc, and I never had to have "pelvic rest" except for when I was bleeding from the mc. As long as your new doc thinks everything is ok, it probably is!

Just a warning though...my first AF after the mc was really gross. Heavy and clotty, which is not the norm for me (sorry tmi!!).

[Shadeauxe]

Thanks everyone for the info. None of the TMI stuff ever grosses me out, so it's ok. One of the best thing about this board (for me) is being able to talk about that kind of stuff. Random people don't really like those kinds of details, but I think it's interesting. The human body really is amazing even when it's doing something you didn't want. It was a marvel to see how efficient it was in doing everything that needed to be done.

I also enjoyed writing my little rant about the nurses.

[AZsnowflake]

I had a missed miscarriage in early december too, and a D&C to finalize it on the 17th and I started spotting on Jan 1st, dr said it is my period, the last 3 days have been regular/heavy flow. Can't wait til it's over so we can TTC! Dr said I only had to wait til the first period was over. but we were allowed to have sex 1 week after the d&c just had to be protected.

[sandel07]

I had a miscarriage on Oct 26th, I have had 3 periods since and as of 2 days ago my HCG levels are down to 19. So obviously you can have a period with HCG levels in your system, but do you ovulate? Is there a risk if you become pregnant before dropping below 5?

[Shadeauxe]

I don't think there is a risk, but I don't know for sure. My doctor made it seem like the only issue was not being able to date the pregnancy. However, different doctors have different "rules".

[AZsnowflake]

Originally Posted by Shadeauxe

I don't think there is a risk, but I don't know for sure. My doctor made it seem like the only issue was not being able to date the pregnancy. However, different doctors have different "rules".

This is the same reason my doctor gave me, just not being able to date the pregnancy. However I'm more inclined to think "who cares if you can't date my pregnancy really early, eventually you'll know how far along I am via U/S and will be able to make sure baby grows accordingly from that." Just my opinion of course and at the moment we are still using protection but this will probably be the last week we do so no matter what my levels come back at this week. (I am currently being monitered until my levels fall as well.) To answer your question about ovulation Sandel07, I don't know for sure but since my doctor said we should use protection so I don't get pregnant until my levels fall (again, dating reasons) I am inclined to think that you can ovulate before your levels are all the way down, they just need to be low enough.

[Shadeauxe]

Wikipedia Entry

I found this interesting. Apparently hcg is used to trigger ovulation in IVF so I can't imagine that levels have to be below a certain amount or this would be a stupid IVF procedure.