Are HCG levels important in determining early miscarriage?
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced during pregnancy by the cells that form the placenta. HCG can first be detected by a normal blood test 11 days after conception and after 12-14 days when given a urine test. HCG levels should double every 72 hours and will reach their peak in the 8th to 11th week of pregnancy. They will subsequently decline and level off for the remainder of the pregnancy. In early pregnancy HCG levels for pregnancy should consistently rise. If levels decline or increase at a low rate the pregnancy will likely result in miscarriage. HCG levels may continue to remain in the blood for 4-6 weeks after the loss. Does the use of progesterone supplements help prevent miscarriage? Progesterone helps to build the lining of the woman’s uterus for the fertilized egg to implant. Once conception occurs, the placenta continues to produce progesterone for the duration of the pregnancy. Pregnant women have 10 times more progesterone in their blood during pregnancy. Level
