My beta didn't double. Is there hope?

[Anonymous]

I'm devastated. My first beta was 1600. Today my second beta was only 2500. I was so heartened by the strong start to this long awaited for pregancy. My nurse fumbled through an explanation that was essentially that she didn't have a reason for the slow rise but that sometimes higher betas rise more slowly (which is contrary to everything I've heard and read, but anyway).

Did anyone else experience a slow rise like this and still go on to a viable pregnancy? I am trying to balance hope with being realistic - this process (IVF) has been such a rollercoaster. Appreciate anyone's accounts. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

How many days past transfer are you?

[Anonymous]

Is that within 58 hours? It looks like a good rise to me.
Over 1200 the normal doubling time is every 72 to 96 hours and you are at about 74 hours so that's great. Use this calculator and see the normal doubing times:

http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/tools/beta_doubling_calculator.php

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many days past transfer are you?

Today I'm 16 days past a 5-day transfer. First beta was 14 days past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is that within 58 hours? It looks like a good rise to me.
Over 1200 the normal doubling time is every 72 to 96 hours and you are at about 74 hours so that's great. Use this calculator and see the normal doubing times:

http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/tools/beta_doubling_calculator.php

Normal doubling times are actually every 48 hours - at least that is what my RE looked for. I'm sorry, OP. No answers except to say that this process is tough and if your numbers aren't falling, you're still in the game.

[jindc]

there is always hope, especially with IVF (my first beta was 36...36! Baby measured ahead today at my NT scan so ANYTHING is possible with IVF!)

one thing to consider is a "vanishing twin", especially since your first beta was so strong.

The betabase was a comforting resource to me when I was in beta hell. Definitely check it out.

Best of luck and I will have my fingers crossed for you!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is that within 58 hours? It looks like a good rise to me.
Over 1200 the normal doubling time is every 72 to 96 hours and you are at about 74 hours so that's great. Use this calculator and see the normal doubing times:

http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/tools/beta_doubling_calculator.php

Normal doubling times are actually every 48 hours - at least that is what my RE looked for. I'm sorry, OP. No answers except to say that this process is tough and if your numbers aren't falling, you're still in the game.

My RE agreed with this chart and OP's nurse that normal doubling times depend on how high the beta is.

[Anonymous]

PP with the low beta - she's not asking for low. She's asking for doubling. So although yours started out dangerously low (even for ivf), if yours doubled, then that's what matters. Not the actual number value.

[Anonymous]

Hang in there OP. I'm not really sure what will happen at this point. Usually non doubling isn't a good sign even if the numbers are high. When is your next beta?

[jindc]

Anonymous wrote:PP with the low beta - she's not asking for low. She's asking for doubling. So although yours started out dangerously low (even for ivf), if yours doubled, then that's what matters. Not the actual number value.

I was using it as an example in the context of "anything can happen".

[Anonymous]

have you seen beta base? I did a quick search and didn't find the link, but hopefully someone else can post? or look in the infertility and support forum? I think it's a .net address and the background is beige (I looked at this time more than I like to admit)

I did more rounds of IVF than I care to think about conceiving our child, so I totally get the worry- but technically, I think there's good reason to believe it may not be what you fear

good luck and tell us when you have your third beta. the whole ART process sucks and I really hope- for this pregnancy at least - it's behind you!!!

[jindc]

it's www.betabase.info - I couldn't get on to it just now, but if it doesn't work there are archived sites that provide the archived link that provides you the same info as the regular site

(this blog post provides a link to an archived page, giving you the same info as the regular site....not sure what's up with the site http://ivfonedayatatime.blogspot.com/2013/03/backdoor-way-to-view-betabaseinfo.html )

[Anonymous]

Thank you, everyone. I did check out the link that PP posted above and according to that calculator, my levels are rising fine (betas above 1300 - according to that site - should normally double every 72 - 96 hours). For some reason the beta base didn't connect for me.

I did wonder about a vansihing twin. We had two embryos transferred, so perhaps one is out of the running. My next beta is Friday. Cannot come soon enough.

[Anonymous]

jindc wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP with the low beta - she's not asking for low. She's asking for doubling. So although yours started out dangerously low (even for ivf), if yours doubled, then that's what matters. Not the actual number value.

I was using it as an example in the context of "anything can happen".

Still wouldn't make me feel better if I was the OP. I'd be looking for non- doubling success stories not low betas. Hopefully someone with an applicable experience that turned out successful will apply.

[jindc]

There are lots of non-doubling in 36 hour stories, many are vanishing twin. I would ask in the IVF forum, not the expectant mom one where many women don't even know there betas.

hopefully someone with a better disposition can make the OP feel comforted, not worst-case-is-happening.