what to expect after chemical pregnancy? (Ghost, please)

[leorira11]

So.... it's over.

Beta dropped from 1187 on Monday to 312 on Wednesday. Still nothing visible on u/s. Definitely a "chemical" pregnancy.

My doctor said we could start our new fresh cycle when my beta gets to zero and I "get a period".

I'm having follow-up blood tests once a week (or more if necessary) to monitor my beta levels. I'm hoping they drop really fast.

In any case -- when can I expect my period? As soon as my beta reaches zero? I explained my concern to my doctor that I never get a period without some type of drug intervention (either Provera or BCP), even after my miscarriage/D&C last time. She said that she expects I'll bleed when my beta gets to zero.

How long after my beta reaches zero (ie, under 5) can I expect my period? How long is long enough to contact my clinic about Provera?

thanks!


ETA : I stopped taking my vaginal progesterone suppositories on Wednesday night (after we got the news that the beta was dropping). I mentioned to my doctor that I would expect to bleed now, because I stopped the progesterone. She said I wouldn't until the beta was zero. Is that true? I've been feeling very crampy and "period is coming". Should I continue the progesterone until the beta is zero, to make this more like a non-IVF miscarriage?

[Ghost]

So.... it's over.

Beta dropped from 1187 on Monday to 312 on Wednesday. Still nothing visible on u/s. Definitely a "chemical" pregnancy.

My doctor said we could start our new fresh cycle when my beta gets to zero and I "get a period".

I'm having follow-up blood tests once a week (or more if necessary) to monitor my beta levels. I'm hoping they drop really fast.

In any case -- when can I expect my period? As soon as my beta reaches zero? I explained my concern to my doctor that I never get a period without some type of drug intervention (either Provera or BCP), even after my miscarriage/D&C last time. She said that she expects I'll bleed when my beta gets to zero.

How long after my beta reaches zero (ie, under 5) can I expect my period? How long is long enough to contact my clinic about Provera?

thanks!


ETA : I stopped taking my vaginal progesterone suppositories on Wednesday night (after we got the news that the beta was dropping). I mentioned to my doctor that I would expect to bleed now, because I stopped the progesterone. She said I wouldn't until the beta was zero. Is that true? I've been feeling very crampy and "period is coming". Should I continue the progesterone until the beta is zero, to make this more like a non-IVF miscarriage?

I hate to make the news any worse, but they still need to watch for an ectopic. The free fall in hCG levels suggests it's some sort of a loss, though.

My understanding is that progesterone is the key. hCG only prevents menses by promoting progesterone production by one or more follicles. hCG does not stop menses directly. Wasn't this an FET? Do you have any follicles involved in this cycle to make progesterone in response to the hCG?

[leorira11]

this was a FET - no follicles at all.

I have a follow up blood test in a week.

So I should get a period because I stopped the progesterone, even if my hcg hasn't reached zero? Does it make sense to continue the progesterone until my hcg reaches zero, to make this more of a normal miscarriage?

My doctor described waiting until my beta reaches zero, then I would get a period immediately, then I could start a new fresh cycle.

I'm just concerned that this won't be the way it works out...

[Ghost]

this was a FET - no follicles at all.

I have a follow up blood test in a week.

So I should get a period because I stopped the progesterone, even if my hcg hasn't reached zero? Does it make sense to continue the progesterone until my hcg reaches zero, to make this more of a normal miscarriage?

My doctor described waiting until my beta reaches zero, then I would get a period immediately, then I could start a new fresh cycle.

I'm just concerned that this won't be the way it works out...

Well, the period can come while hCG is still present, but your doctor will not start another cycle until the hCG is back to zero because he will want to make sure all embryonic tissue has cleared. Sometimes there is a lingering hCG source that must be addressed because it might be ectopic and also because it could interfere with follicular development in your next cycle.

[leorira11]

okay - so I started bleeding today (Saturday). I was expecting a really heavy flow (like after my BFN cycles), but it's been really light and on-and-off. Maybe it'll be heavier tomorrow.

In any case - if my beta keeps dropping at the rate it was, it should be zero around Tues/Wed. I'll have a blood test on Tuesday to see.

I always start fresh cycles on CD3 (day 3 of my period), but if I bleed now and my beta is zero on Tues/Wed, could I start then?

I know not every clinic insists on getting a period before starting a cycle if you have irregular cycles. I have friends who go in for blood work, and if the baseline is good, they can start their stims without taking provera/BCP to start a period.
I hope my clinic will be okay with this...

If my beta is NOT zero in a few days, I'll start BCP to control getting my period when my beta does get to zero. But if my beta is zero while I'm still bleeding, I'm hoping I can start the stims right away.

We'll see!

[Ghost]

I always start fresh cycles on CD3 (day 3 of my period), but if I bleed now and my beta is zero on Tues/Wed, could I start then?

Only your own clinic can answer that one.