Does everyone get betas?

[ladida]

I never had betas drawn in my first pregnancy. My doctor didn't want to see me even until a 1st u/s at 8 weeks. My 2nd pregnancy, which ended up being a blighted ovum, same story. 

But everyone on the internet seems to get betas drawn right after BFP and frequently thereafter. Is there a reason for this? And do you have to specially request it?

Thanks!

[estrellas]

As others have said, not getting betas is actually the norm. Relax!

[riderchik]

No I didn't get betas. Actually in 8 pregnancies I've had betas drawn for one just to confirm miscarriage.

[southernpeach89]

I had them done on my first pregnancy because I had a chemical pregnancy so they had to confirm that my levels were reducing. This time I'm having them to make sure my levels are increasing. I've also had a lot of spotting over the past week so my doctor wants to have them drawn up until my first appointment.

[txshep]

I've been getting the because I've been seeing an RE, and it's protocol in their office. They ran progesterone and estradiol levels along with the beta each time. This is not the norm though. Had I not been seeing an RE, I probably wouldn't have had my betas run. To be honest, the numbers stressed me out each time.

[Deleted]

Nope. Because I was on a board, I requested them with my first pregnancy. She didn't feel it was necessary but I insisted. Then, the didn't rise like they should have, and I spent a hellish week thinking I had lost my baby.

This time they weren't brought up and I didn't ask.

[charliefox]

I think it comes down to the fact that people post about getting betas...you won't see a million threads started because "squeeeee I didn't get my betas drawn, I have no clue what's going on in there!"

Really, the majority of people don't get them and all these U/S are awesome but most people won't get one of those for a while either.

[keen]

My OB orders ONE beta at the beginning, to check progesterone and of course confirm pregnancy. The first scan is usually at 8 weeks but since my HCG was high around 5w I got a treat and had an earlier scan.

[BookishMomma]

Jan 23, 2015 13:08:14 GMT -5 Fearsy said:

I didn't have them done with my first pregnancy. With my second, I had them done right away and that caused an immense amount of stress. After two miscarriages, I decided to decline betas with this pregnancy.

Not all ladies have to request them, however there's really no legitimate reason to have them done unless you've had medicated cycles, a history of complications, or loss.

If your doctor doesn't want to do them, count yourself lucky.

Edited to clarify: I had them done with my first pregnancy but not until we confirmed a MMC.

I declined them this time, too, for similar reasons as Fearsy. They make me bat shit crazy.

edit- tag

[mrskait13]

I didn't have Beta's for #1, but ended up getting them drawn 3 times so far. I think it depends on your provider too, because I switched Medical Groups between pregnancies and I did not even know they were a "Thing" the first time around.

It seems a lot of women who might have fertility troubles get them pulled. With no history of fertility issues I don't believe it is a big push for doctors

[healz413]

I go to an RE, so it's unheard of not to get betas there. I agree that they're stressful, although, since ours were "good," it helped get us to the first ultrasound.

My RE's office calls us with results the afternoon of the day of the test and I find that wait almost unbearable. I know some people have to wait until the next day (or even longer). I can't imagine that!

[snakefisherbub]

Yup I only got them done because it's standard practice with dealing with a RE. My first ultrasound is with my RE as well. You don't really want betas drawn as you can see they can cause a lot of stress.

[lillyq1982]

I have never had them drawn or mentioned to me and honestly still am not sure what they are and I think I am OK with that.

[lilo]

I've never had them, even after my CP. I probably could have asked for them this time, but honestly just wanted to let things happen as they may.

[chriskoo]

This is my first pregnancy, and betas haven't been offered. I don't get my first appointment until about 8 weeks and I don't even think there will be an US at that visit.

[lav17]

For #1 I had betas drawn because I started spotting at 5.5 weeks, so the midwife wanted to check if everything was ok (it wasn't). I already made an appointment, but never got that far.

For #2 I started spotting at 5 weeks again, so I requested betas at a walk-in clinic afraid that I was going through the same thing. They refused until I broke down crying. The number was very low again.

For #3 I was monitored by an RE due to previous losses. They monitored my cycle, confirmed ovulation, then I went in for betas at 14dpo.

For this one, I moved and didn't have an RE yet, so I waited till 5.5 weeks and went to a walk-in clinic to request an OB referral (most of them here don't take patients unless referred). The doctor sent me for regular prenatal testing and included an hcg draw. As Fearsy and BookishMomma, I wanted to avoid the stress of waiting for results early on and was just too nervous to go to a new doctor, have to describe my whole history, etc. I was an emotional mess before I finally went in. The only thing that's keeping me from freaking out about having to wait for betas is that my pee sticks are darker than they've ever been and I started to feel nauseated a few days ago. I still hate that I'll probably have to wait until Monday to find out for sure...

TL;DR: Yes, most people have a reason for getting beta tests. Consider yourself lucky if you are not one of them.

[cookie]

I didn't get them my first pregnancy.

I did this time around because my tests were not darkening over the span of a week and I was very paranoid/neurotic about it and they let me do it for peace of mind.

It actually ended up stressing me out even more because my first number was super low and it was right before Christmas so I had to wait like a week to get it checked again.

[whosurmomma]

I didn't have betas with either of my last 2 pregnancies. Same with my appointments my OBs didn't want to see me until after 8 weeks.

With this one since my US was early and the 2nd didn't match up with my EDD. This OB did betas after weds appt and again today.

Like PPs say I think it's more so for those that have losses and REs.

[MrsEmuTavi]

I've always had them done due to spotting early on.

[fancefpp]

I didn't with my first two pregnancies (my sons) but did with my third because I was still breast feeding and didn't know my lmp. I ended up miscarrying even though my numbers were doubling and looked great (blighted ovum). I didn't want them this time because it means nothing to me after the last experience.

[swordsandneedles]

My GYN had them done because I've been experiencing pelvic pain since Thanksgiving with no clear cause. There was a likely laparoscopic surgery in my future, so they did betas to verify that I was really pregnant with what looked like a viable baby. That's also the reason I'll be having a U.S. at 7w2d. We're still not sure what's up with the pelvic pain, as it's still there, side by side with the cramping but clearly distinct to me.

[rubylovebug]

I didn't have them with my first or second pregnancy. After I miscarried, they offered them this preg & I had them drawn twice (11 & 13 DPO) - they looked good & I didn't have them drawn again in case later draws would make me worry.