do I really need a blood pregnancy test?

[Anonymous]

I did a round of IVF and 18 days post egg retrieval did two pregnancy tests: one early results, one "normal." Both were negative. After stopping my meds that evening I got my period the next morning.

My doctor wants me to come in for a beta test anyway and continue my meds. Why? Is there a real chance of any positive?

[Anonymous]

I have done multiple IVFs and FETs. For the last two FETs that didn't work, I did not go in to get the blood test. I just stopped the meds after I kept getting negative HPTs and never even said anything to my RE or nurse (at SGF) until I was ready to start the next cycle. They never said anything about it so I assume it wasn't a problem. Sorry that the cycle didn't work, but good luck with whatever you decide to do next.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP. So you didn't tell them they were negative tests?

it seems weird to me that two tests and my period could be wrong...

[Anonymous]

I just never scheduled an appointment for the beta, never said anything to my nurse about testing at home or stopping my meds, and emailed my nurse when I had my day 1 to start the next cycle. Unfortunately I agree that it is unlikely that two tests and your period could be wrong. You will hear crazy stories out there about people getting negative HPTs and then having a positive beta, but in my experience that has never been the case.

[Anonymous]

Stopping your meds could cause the period and end a pregnancy. I had two people in my cycle - one who never can get a positive HPT but tested positive on a blood test (and had a cute baby boy) and another gal who tested negative until her blood test.

Some people for some reason do not do well with HPTs. I think it is a very small percentage but that is why your doctor does not want to take the chance. Because it is an artificial cycle you need the meds for some 6-8 weeks to keep you from having a period.

[Anonymous]

It is pretty much a mandate for all IVF centers to report the results of cycles by blood test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is pretty much a mandate for all IVF centers to report the results of cycles by blood test.

Maybe, but why is that our problem?

OP: always remember that you don't have to do anything - take a test, take medication, go to a scheduled procedure or follow any kind of instructions. Over many months I have changed the dosage, timing, skipped tests etc etc. Each time, I would just tell that the nurse what actually happened and she would correct my records.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is pretty much a mandate for all IVF centers to report the results of cycles by blood test.

Maybe, but why is that our problem?

OP: always remember that you don't have to do anything - take a test, take medication, go to a scheduled procedure or follow any kind of instructions. Over many months I have changed the dosage, timing, skipped tests etc etc. Each time, I would just tell that the nurse what actually happened and she would correct my records.

Because you want stats to help you decide what clinic to go to right? This information ultimately helps you as a consumer of RE services.

[Anonymous]

Thanks... I appreciate the information, and I think that confirms what I had suspected (that the center wants me to do the test for their purposes, not mine). I don't think there's anything wrong with that, but it bugs me that they aren't transparent about it. Going to do a test at this point means some heartache for me and frankly it's a pain in the ass when I'd just rather move on.

Of course I get that it's my decision, I just don't like the ideaof being told I actually might be pregnant when that's not teh point at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks... I appreciate the information, and I think that confirms what I had suspected (that the center wants me to do the test for their purposes, not mine). I don't think there's anything wrong with that, but it bugs me that they aren't transparent about it. Going to do a test at this point means some heartache for me and frankly it's a pain in the ass when I'd just rather move on.

Of course I get that it's my decision, I just don't like the ideaof being told I actually might be pregnant when that's not teh point at all.

Except that is for your benefit. If the pregnancy is ectopic, which the incidence is HIGHER with IVF, you will and can bleed from the uterus because the embryo implanted outside of the uterus. There will be an hcg level because there is implantation and it is ONLY for YOUR benefit to know sooner rather than later if this is occurring instead of waiting for your fallopian tube, horn of your uterus or possibly your ovary to rupture and you find out in the ER with a belly full of blood. True story.

[Anonymous]

I was going to say something similar to 18:50. I didn't want to come in for the beta with my last IVF cycle (I got my period while still on progesterone), and my RE strongly encouraged me to do so to make sure my hormone levels etc were alright.

I ended up doing it about 4 days late when I had come in to discuss next steps. He checked some other stuff in addition to my HCG levels, I can't remember what all now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks... I appreciate the information, and I think that confirms what I had suspected (that the center wants me to do the test for their purposes, not mine). I don't think there's anything wrong with that, but it bugs me that they aren't transparent about it. Going to do a test at this point means some heartache for me and frankly it's a pain in the ass when I'd just rather move on.

Of course I get that it's my decision, I just don't like the ideaof being told I actually might be pregnant when that's not teh point at all.

Except that is for your benefit. If the pregnancy is ectopic, which the incidence is HIGHER with IVF, you will and can bleed from the uterus because the embryo implanted outside of the uterus. There will be an hcg level because there is implantation and it is ONLY for YOUR benefit to know sooner rather than later if this is occurring instead of waiting for your fallopian tube, horn of your uterus or possibly your ovary to rupture and you find out in the ER with a belly full of blood. True story.

Right, thanks. OP here. Very, very familiar with this sort of true story. I had a negative test, however (twice). It's not just that I'm bleeding.

For the sake of argument wouldn't a sensitive pregnancy test pick up on levels more than 20?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

For the sake of argument wouldn't a sensitive pregnancy test pick up on levels more than 20?

18:56 here...that was essentially my reasoning, though my RE still encouraged me to come in. FWIW, I did not make a special trip to get the test, I just got it when I went in for my consultation (which was just a few days after my scheduled beta). He was not particularly hopeful for a positive, but he did also take the opportunity to check other hormone levels. I can't say for sure the necessity of checking the other levels, only that he did indicate wanting to be safe (despite several negative HPTs up to 11dp5dt) and make sure everything was okay.

Personally, I wouldn't go far out of my way to get the test, but after the conversation I had with my RE (when I was reluctant to get it) I think I would try to drop in within the week. At my clinic you don't have to schedule bloodwork, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is pretty much a mandate for all IVF centers to report the results of cycles by blood test.

Maybe, but why is that our problem?

OP: always remember that you don't have to do anything - take a test, take medication, go to a scheduled procedure or follow any kind of instructions. Over many months I have changed the dosage, timing, skipped tests etc etc. Each time, I would just tell that the nurse what actually happened and she would correct my records.

Because you want stats to help you decide what clinic to go to right? This information ultimately helps you as a consumer of RE services.

not really. Couples are not randomly assigned to clinics so their stats are of limited use.