Ultrasound is 5 Weeks Off
QUESTION
Dear Ms Ultrasound,
I am 11 weeks pregnant according to my LMP, but last week I had an ultrasound that showed 6.1 gestational weeks. I also had a blood test, and my HCG was 33,000, but a previous blood test showed 41,000. This means that in a week my HCG's went down. I will have another ultrasound on Dec 4th. I had some light red spotting last week, but it stopped and I have not had any cramps or more spotting.
At the last ultrasound we saw a little something moving slowly, the baby's heart was weak and could not get a heart beat. 11 months ago I had a miscarriage at 5.5 weeks and my doctor gave me prometrium, since my HCG's went down. Should I be worried? Is there a chance that my HCG's can go up?
Thank you very much,
Maria
ANSWER
Dear Maria,
When HCG levels go down, it is not a good sign. In a normal pregnancy HCG levels should double every 24-48 hours. If you have regular periods and know you should have been nearly 11 weeks, this means that the pregnancy is not growing normally. Even at 6 weeks you should see a normal heartbeat. The only way you will get a definite answer is to wait for your next ultrasound.
-- Jane, RDMS
Jane Foley
Jane Foley has worked as a Sonographer (Ultrasound Technologist) since 1979. Jane has lived and worked in many parts of the world including Saudi Arabia. She is a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer or RDMS. She pulls a wealth of information from her experience in the field of Radiology and her interactions with such a broad cross-section of cultures she has visited. She now makes her home on the island of Maui with her English husband, Michael.
