Newbie Question about Beta numbers

[cats]

I've noticed that some gals will post their beta numbers early on after their BFP. 

I called my doc and they didn't want to see me until week eight - this Friday.  I haven't been in for any initial blood work or urine tests.  

Is that typical?  Should I have gone in earlier to check numbers?  

[feistypants]

People who have betas drawn usually either have had some TTTC and may have had IVF or IUI, or may have spotting or bleeding early on that would cause their OB to want to check hormone levels to determine viability. Not a worry if your OB didn't think you need them!

[coribelle26]

Ditto feisty. My first pregnancy I didn't have an appointment scheduled until 8 weeks but I went in early for spotting, and then they ended up ordering betas. This time because I had a previous loss, my OB had me do them right away so she knew when to do a viability ultrasound.

I had 7 blood draws in two weeks this time because the home test turned positive SO EARLY and then my numbers were slow to rise. It was a lot of pokes.

[Deleted]

Ideally you won't have them:). I had spotting so they checked mine.

[Deleted]

Betas weren't even mentioned to me, as I'd never had any TTC issues. I think they really only do them when you've been seeing an RE or have had issues in the past. My first appt was at 7 weeks, which felt like forever. I think it's pretty typical, but it was a long time to only trust a blue line on a stick!

[sparty04]

Mine doesn't do them unless there has been a prior problem (m/c and other issues mentioned above).

I did have them done in the ER with my 1st pg because I was there due to dehydration from morning sickness

[vtdiamond]

I didn't have any betas or TTTC. My first appointment wasn't until I was 10.5 weeks along.

[sillygoosegirl]

They didn't give me any sort of pregnancy test. My first appointment wasn't until 8-9 weeks, and it was only weight check and blood draw (tested for blood type, STDs, and I think maybe that was it), didn't even see an OB or midwife that day. My first midwife appointment was, I think, at 10 or 11 weeks, and I felt like I had to beg to be seen that early.

On the one hand, there's just not much for them to do that early in pregnancy for most people. On the other hand, it really sucks to have to wait so long for an appointment when you are sick to your stomach and basically not allowed to eat, drink, or do anything at all until you've talked to your doctor about it.

[Brie]

I only got betas because I have a history of miscarriage. My OB doesn't do them in normal pregnancies.

[estrellita]

Ditto everyone else. I went in at 9 1/2 weeks for an initial appointment and all they did were labs and give me info. I think they just confirmed the pregnancy with the labs but didn't do them again to see if the levels were rising or anything. Like others said, I think it usually happens for people who need the extra tests so people that have had m/cs or did IVF, etc.

[shekels1222]

I had betas done in my 2nd and this pregnancy due to bleeding early in both pregnancies.

[nextbigthing]

I think those tests are more for if you had tttc or did fertility treatment. It was never mentioned to me as a first pregnancy, my first appointment was 8 weeks

[christy082]

I didn't see my OB until 8 weeks either and didn't have betas. Congrats on your pregnancy!

[jorja]

Oct 27, 2014 20:14:23 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Why would you be getting betas if you didn't get IF treatments or had any issues/reasons for concern to this point?

I think that's what she's asking us...

[cats]

Oct 27, 2014 20:20:34 GMT -5 jorja said:

Oct 27, 2014 20:14:23 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Why would you be getting betas if you didn't get IF treatments or had any issues/reasons for concern to this point?

I think that's what she's asking us...

This.  I had assumed they were for those reasons, but wasn't really certain.  What I was finding in my search was more an explanation of how they increase/levels that are positive, not so much the reasoning behind monitoring them.

[bk1]

Nothing to worry about


I had blood work done, but that was because this is my third pregnancy with two previous miscarriages. With my two previous pregnancies I didn't have a first appointment until 8 weeks. 

[Deleted]

Oct 27, 2014 20:14:23 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Why would you be getting betas if you didn't get IF treatments or had any issues/reasons for concern to this point?

I think it's not too well understood that these are only done in certain cases, especially if you've spent any time reading got pregnant or tttc. I fully expected to get them because so many of my friends had, not realizing it was related to their fertility treatments.

So a valid misconception, imo.

[jorja]

I also had a beta done to confirm pregnancy and give them some idea of how far along I could be before they got me in for a dating U/S and I had no fertility treatments or issues of concern other than the fact that it was all a huge surprise.

[zarapipe]

Nope. Most only get them done if there is a prob with the pregnancy or a history of miscarriages, IF, etc.

[luv2rn4fun]

My OB doesn't do them in normal pregnancies (my first appt during my first pg was around 8 wks, no testing before then).

I had betas with my 2nd (ended in m/c) and 3rd (current) pregnancy due to the first two ended in m/c.

No need to worry OP! Wishing you a very happy and healthy 9 months!

[cheeseandcrackers]

I did not have mine checked even after one miscarriage