Beta still 19. When wil AF come?

[vballbaby]

Hi ladies! I was wondering anyone could share how long it took their betas to return to zero and what to expect. I'm still feeling like a hormonal mess and still hanging on to the 15 lbs I gained through all this. I'm 3 weeks and 1 day post d&c. Dr took my beta yesterday and its 19.

The nurse was a bit confusing. She says when it gets to zero I might bleed "a little" but it's not a real period. Then after that I should start ovulating and get a normal period.

I'm annoyed easily and I totally kinda feel like I'm pms'ing now. Ugh. I just want to feel normal again.

[mrssqueegy]

I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I don't have much experience to add because I'm kinda in the same boat. Last Thursday (2 weeks post D&C) my beta was 22. On Sunday I got a negative HPT. I had another beta done today but haven't heard back yet. I think I ovulated 2 days ago so if I have a normal LP for me, my period should come on April 6th. We'll see if I'm right.

[babyzebra]

I'm not really sure about this either. I had thought that once your betas go to zero that your "clock" starts over to its normal cycle. So depending on what your cycle length is will depend on when you get AF. I'm realizing that I have nothing to base this thought on and I have no idea.

I also was confused by a nurse today. She didn't seem nearly as pleased as I was when she told me my beta was 300. I'm 2.5 weeks post natural MC. I guess I'm not sure if 300 is good or not. She said it should be much lower in 2 weeks when I go back. I'm just glad it's 3 digits now. That seems much more manageable.

[Ann612]

I'm confused by your nurse's response as well.

They never tracked by betas after the D&C. Only from reading things on here did I think to take a couple pregnancy tests at home in an attempt to make sure it was going back down.

I took my first test about 10 days after D&C it was still enough to turn it (faintly) positive. The second one I took about 3 weeks or so after and there was a second line, but it was *almost* nonexistent. I suspect that would mean my levels were roughly around where you are at now. I got my period at day 32 after D&C. This means I still ovulated during the time when my levels were still high enough to turn a test.

I've never heard of some "little" bleeding after betas are zero. If you've stopped bleeding after the initial recovery period, I think you'd expect the next bleeding to be good old AF. Hope she comes soon!

[babyzebra]

Mar 26, 2015 17:02:53 GMT -5 Ann612 said:

I got my period at day 32 after D&C. This means I still ovulated during the time when my levels were still high enough to turn a test.

This part scares me. I totally believe you, it just doesn't make sense with my understanding of how this stuff works. There is a lot I don't know. Were any of you told specifically to use back up protection during this time to prevent pregnancy (if that was your doctor's recommendation)?

[mrssqueegy]

Yeah I agree with the other ladies. Your nurse is confused. I read that you can ovulate with an HCG of 30 (someone on TCF told me that). I would guess that once your HCG gets low enough your body will gear up to ovulate again. Then you will ovulate and get your period after that. I had a beta of 22 5 days before when I think I ovulated (CD20) and I normally ovulate around CD 15-18. People get pregnant again before their first period so I would think that most people ovulate before their first period.

[mrssqueegy]

Mar 26, 2015 17:15:23 GMT -5 babyzebra said:

Mar 26, 2015 17:02:53 GMT -5 Ann612 said:

I got my period at day 32 after D&C. This means I still ovulated during the time when my levels were still high enough to turn a test.

This part scares me. I totally believe you, it just doesn't make sense with my understanding of how this stuff works. There is a lot I don't know. Were any of you told specifically to use back up protection during this time to prevent pregnancy (if that was your doctor's recommendation)?

My situation is reversed because I was told I could TTC again right after my D&C, but my RE told me specifically that I didn't have to use protection so I imagine that those who were told to wait one cycle should be told to use protection.

[Ann612]

Mar 26, 2015 17:15:23 GMT -5 babyzebra said:

Mar 26, 2015 17:02:53 GMT -5 Ann612 said:

I got my period at day 32 after D&C. This means I still ovulated during the time when my levels were still high enough to turn a test.

This part scares me. I totally believe you, it just doesn't make sense with my understanding of how this stuff works. There is a lot I don't know. Were any of you told specifically to use back up protection during this time to prevent pregnancy (if that was your doctor's recommendation)?

Well, you can't put anything in your vagina for 3 weeks after anyway.  But in general, yes.  After the 3 weeks, it was not yet clear that I had ovulated (I never temped or anything), so we were told to use protection.  

My doctor said periods typically return 4 to 6 weeks after.  I know a few girls here had to wait longer.  

Not sure what I said doesn't make sense?  

[Ann612]

Mar 26, 2015 17:18:09 GMT -5 mrssqueegy said:

Mar 26, 2015 17:15:23 GMT -5 babyzebra said:

This part scares me. I totally believe you, it just doesn't make sense with my understanding of how this stuff works. There is a lot I don't know. Were any of you told specifically to use back up protection during this time to prevent pregnancy (if that was your doctor's recommendation)?

My situation is reversed because I was told I could TTC again right after my D&C, but my RE told me specifically that I didn't have to use protection so I imagine that those who were told to wait one cycle should be told to use protection.

Did they check you had passed all the tissue?  My doctor stressed the need to wait to heal, and to check for tissue.

As you can see, I ovulated and got my period pretty close to normal.  I also had a very easy D&C (no clots or bleeding after).  So after my first period, I was ready to go.  But 2 months and 2 saline sonograms later, it was clear that this was pretty much just an illusion.  I had retained tissue, which also caused a polyp to form.  I had a hysteroscopy/polypectomy today to remove them.  

I would follow what my doctor said, and I don't mean to question yours, but hearing so many stories on here about less than stellar docs and my own experience; I must say this is kind of worrisome to me.  I would feel bad for not saying anything.  

[babyzebra]

Thanks mrssqueegy and Ann612, that makes more sense to me now.

[mrssqueegy]

Mar 26, 2015 17:28:47 GMT -5 Ann612 said:

Mar 26, 2015 17:18:09 GMT -5 mrssqueegy said:

My situation is reversed because I was told I could TTC again right after my D&C, but my RE told me specifically that I didn't have to use protection so I imagine that those who were told to wait one cycle should be told to use protection.

Did they check you had passed all the tissue?  My doctor stressed the need to wait to heal, and to check for tissue.

As you can see, I ovulated and got my period pretty close to normal.  I also had a very easy D&C (no clots or bleeding after).  So after my first period, I was ready to go.  But 2 months and 2 saline sonograms later, it was clear that this was pretty much just an illusion.  I had retained tissue, which also caused a polyp to form.  I had a hysteroscopy/polypectomy today to remove them.  

I would follow what my doctor said, and I don't mean to question yours, but hearing so many stories on here about less than stellar docs and my own experience; I must say this is kind of worrisome to me.  I would feel bad for not saying anything.  

No I did not have an ultrasound to look for retained tissue. I'm sorry that you had to deal with all of that. As far as I know an routine ultrasound after d&c is not standard of care at least not here. I know a lot of people around here have issues with what I am doing but I trust my RE 100%. Thanks for sharing your experience though.

[vballbaby]

Thanks for all of your responses. I guess it'll be a wait and see game. I feel so, so much better after going to acupuncture today.
babyzebra our Dr. told us to be careful, yes. Because both my RE's and OB's recommendation was to have two full bleeds before TTC again. They explained that if your lining is not optimal, and you become pregnant, you could lose it due to lining issues. I think that's the main reason that they want you to shed twice. Has anyone heard different from this?
mrssqueegy your Dr.'s advice has always made me a little nervous, but that doesn't mean it's wrong. I hope you'll wait until you have at least one normal period before TTC. But that's me, I would want to be a little cautious so as not to go through another loss if it's something I could have avoided.
Ann612 32 days from D&C sounds just about optimal. I hope I bleed soon ahhhhh! How was your surgery today?!

[vballbaby]

Mar 26, 2015 17:16:25 GMT -5 mrssqueegy said:

Yeah I agree with the other ladies. Your nurse is confused. I read that you can ovulate with an HCG of 30 (someone on TCF told me that). I would guess that once your HCG gets low enough your body will gear up to ovulate again. Then you will ovulate and get your period after that. I had a beta of 22 5 days before when I think I ovulated (CD20) and I normally ovulate around CD 15-18. People get pregnant again before their first period so I would think that most people ovulate before their first period.

It's weird, because two days ago I thought I felt ovulation pains, however I never used to feel them so it could just be a random pain. I cannot imagine getting pregnant again before my first period. The break is actually welcome at this point!

[Ann612]

vballbaby, very well actually, thanks for asking! I will need to give my body the standard 3 weeks to heal, but because today is CD16, that gives me enough time to heal before my next expected ovulation. So I'm officially finally cleared to TTC again.

[vballbaby]

Ann612,that's great! I hope you enjoyed the meds while it lasted

[shytimes]

Jumping in to add that mine were 12.5 exactly one month after D&C (129 at 2 weeks and 29 at 3). I do not feel like I'm getting a period, but then again, I wasn't actually ovulating prior to seeing my RE, so who knows when that will happen.

I feel like everyone's cycle may be slightly different... but I'm hoping hoping hoping everyone's betas go back down super soon! This b-lows!

[cabgirl]

My period started two days after my final blood draw showed an HCG beta count of 17. When my doctor called with the results, she told me to expect my period anytime, so I imagine the same will probably be true for you. I do think I ovulated during the time when my betas were dropping (based solely on eggwhite CM and what felt like ovulation pain, so I could be mistaken). I agree with previous posters that it sounds like the nurse you spoke to was confused. Once your HCG drops that low, you should be expecting an actual period.

ETA: I feel SO much better now that my first period has come and gone (it started last Friday). I feel like my hormones have leveled out, and my mood is much better. I feel like myself again. I really hope the same happens for you. 

[hollyberry]

I am a bit late to the game but I figure more experiences wouldnt hurt to hear. After my both my losses my dr didn't check my betas. With my first one my dr did a pregnancy test to make sure it was negative after 2 weeks. It wasn't. I went back 2 weeks after just to get the test and it was then negative. 2 weeks after I got my first AF. So it was 6 weeks after my D&C. This time my dr is on holidays until after easter, so I have had a followup one week after the D&C but no test was taken. I bought a test myself and i will check it next week. ( I am waiting only because I dont want to see a positive)

Just so you know, and it may be just me, my first few AF's after my first loss were super heavy, infact they never really got back to normal before my next Bfp. The timing was always ether a couple days late, or early. The loss seemed to have changed things. I don't know what will happen this time of course, I am 3 weeks post loss. I just wanted to warn you that it can be quite different then it was before.

Good luck

[grannypantiesrock]

For my first MC my betas took forever to go down (over 40 days). I went for labs one day and took a FRER and got a squinter when my Hcg was 6! Those things are super sensitive. Based on the research I've done online and my own experience, you will ovulate shortly after your number gets below 5. When my FRERs were negative, I started using ovulation strips and there were only a few days in between the negative FRER and positive OPK. My period came 2 weeks later and was much heavier than normal. I had pretty regular cycles, so I guess this could be different if you did not ovulate regularly. I'm sorry you're going through this. The wait to get back to normal is so frustrating.

[ronniesgirl]

I cried wolf several times before my real CD1. For me, it took 6 weeks. Everything about this sucks.

[bethkate]

With my last loss, 2.5 weeks post-d&c, my hcg was at 20, and my period showed up about 3.5 weeks after that.

Your nurse's comment about bleeding a little is really strange. I wouldn't read too much into it.

[vballbaby]

Still no period, and I'm at the 5 week mark tomorrow. Seems like for a lot of you six weeks was the norm so I'm hanging in there. Got lazy and never went back for another beta, I'll probably go tomorrow.

[hollyberry]

Ya after my first one it was exactly 6 weeks, this time just 4 so they can all be different. You could also just do a cheep pregnency test to at least give you a idea. If its negative then it should be on the way. I never had my betas drawn only used pregnancy tests to make sure the hormones were gone. It's at leasta bit more of a instant answer. It sucks waiting for it to come! FX

[doves654]

Apr 7, 2015 11:15:13 GMT -5 vballbaby said:

Still no period, and I'm at the 5 week mark tomorrow. Seems like for a lot of you six weeks was the norm so I'm hanging in there. Got lazy and never went back for another beta, I'll probably go tomorrow.

My period just arrived today, 2 days before 6 weeks since the m/c. 

[starfishy]

Mine was 30 days after m/c. First two days were much heavier than usual, but slowed down by day 3.

[nikolie93]

Apr 7, 2015 11:15:13 GMT -5 vballbaby said:

Still no period, and I'm at the 5 week mark tomorrow. Seems like for a lot of you six weeks was the norm so I'm hanging in there. Got lazy and never went back for another beta, I'll probably go tomorrow.

I hope AF comes soon!

[Ann612]

Apr 7, 2015 11:15:13 GMT -5 vballbaby said:

Still no period, and I'm at the 5 week mark tomorrow. Seems like for a lot of you six weeks was the norm so I'm hanging in there. Got lazy and never went back for another beta, I'll probably go tomorrow.

ugh!  hopefully soon

[rablissful]

Apr 7, 2015 11:15:13 GMT -5 vballbaby said:

Still no period, and I'm at the 5 week mark tomorrow. Seems like for a lot of you six weeks was the norm so I'm hanging in there. Got lazy and never went back for another beta, I'll probably go tomorrow.

Mine finally appeared at full force Friday (after two days of spotting). I would have been 6 weeks post mc 3 days later. The waiting sucks but you'll get through it! ((Hugs))

[amandaree]

With my last miscarriage it took almost 8 weeks for my beta to return to the negative range. SOOO frustrating. I'm sorry you're still waiting. My RE said that it is possible to still ovulate and have a period if your Beta is below 30. So if you're waiting for a fully cycle or longer before trying again, make sure you use contraception. As my RE explained it, your bleeding from your miscarriage is one thing then it may take several weeks for your period to begin again (some women start like clockwork, I was not so lucky last time, no idea what I'll do this time.) ((HUGS)) sorry you're still waiting.

[vballbaby]

vballbaby,mrssqueegy,babyzebra,Ann612,shytimes,cabgirl,hollyberry,grannypantiesrock,ronniesgirl,bethkate,doves654,starfishy,nikolie93,rablissful,amandaree,

AF came yesterday wooooopp woooop!!! Finally! I know some of you saw my other post from last night on 3T - I just couldn't contain my excitement. So it took exactly 6.5 weeks. It's not even that bad of a period, thank goodness. Just wanted to update you since you were all so sweet to give me support as I waited. I've got one more to go before I can start IVF#2...