# Two pink lines **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 28, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337 "2008-01-28T18:15:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/1 "2008-01-28T18:15:34Z")
So, as I outlined in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=442636) we have been trying for a really long time to have a baby. So, the IUI was not successful, but we were successful on our own šŸ˜ƒ I found out last Monday evening at 9:30 pm, after humming and hawing about doing a test. 2 weeks late isnā€™t unusual for me! Iā€™m about 6.5 weeks along. Gestation, about 4 weeks. I had a blood test on Tuesday and my hCG was 182.9 and progestrone was 17.89. I had another blood test on Thursday and my hCG was 512.34 and my progestrone was at 17.09. I received a call from the Fertility Specialist, who said after reviewing my levels, stated that she thought it wouldnā€™t be a good pregnancy. Of course, I was very upset and left work. When I got home, I did a little investigating. Progesterone levels in the first trimester should be between 7 - 49. That is a huge variance. Most doctors like to see a minimum of 10. Mine likes a minimum of 20-30. Iā€™m confused. Should I be worried? On Friday the Dr. gave me a prescription for Progesterone suppositories, with the hope that my progesterone will go up and help thicken the lining. Now, I had some very light spotting off and on over the past week. Barely enough to make the paper pink. That has all but stopped since Saturday. I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow who will hopefully answer some questions. I feel pregnant. Nauseous, dizzy, tired, VERY sore breasts. Anyone want to ease my mind? Now, I know that given my history this may not work, but at least we tried, right? ---
**Author:** ![fatgail](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fatgail/32/7285_2.png) [@fatgail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fatgail)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/2 "2008-01-28T18:22:54Z")
I had low progesterone with my first pregnancy and lost the baby at 13 weeksā€¦but my progesterone was FOUR, and never increased. My doctor would have been ecstatic to see a 17. With my daughter, I had about 15 for the first few weeks, took the progesterone and got it up to like 20, but that little bugger wouldnā€™t budge šŸ˜ƒ she stayed in that womb until we evicted her. That was with IVF (three tries). I know how hard it is to keep your spirits up, but do thatā€¦Iā€™m convinced it helps. I also had quite a bit of spotting with Charlotte, until like fourteen weeks! But like I said, all was well. You know the chances, you know what can happen, so Iā€™m not trying to blow smoke up your ass, just keep positive, stay healthy, get your rest, and Iā€™ll be thinkinā€™ of you. Weā€™re about to start trying for number two with our frozen embryos, so I know the rollercoaster will start all over šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/3 "2008-01-28T18:51:53Z")
I bled for something like nine weeks, beginning with a gush of bright red blood. I was convinced I was having a miscarriage. The bleeding slo-o-o-o-o-o-o-owly diminished until it dwindled to nothing in about the 16th week. The rest of the pregnancy was pretty uneventful. (My water broke at 37 weeks, so he was a bit early and on the small side, but healthy as a horse.) Good luck, **LV**. Let us know what you find out. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/4 "2008-01-28T19:10:34Z")
Your doubling time for the hCG is 32 hours, which is maybe on the long side but I think itā€™s within normal range. You can get more data than you can handle about hCG levels and doubling times at [http://www.betabase.info](http://www.betabase.info) (but it was down when I tried to check it just now). If two weeks late isnā€™t unusual for you, then you may not be right about how many weeks gestation you are, either, which could account for lower hCG levels. Were you temping or using OPKs? How confident are you of the conception date? The progesterone suppositories are supposed to work very well. If your difficulties have been with staying pregnant, rather than getting pregnant (entirely possible without your knowing it), then they may be just the thing to help this one stick. Good luck! Are they going to do an early scan for you to look for the heartbeat? Do you have another blood draw scheduled for the hCG? ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/5 "2008-01-28T21:39:01Z")
Iā€™ve always heard that the doubling time should be between 24-48 hours, which it seems like youā€™re right smack in the middle of. Hopefully the progesterone will help. Iā€™m sending sticky baby vibes your way! ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/6 "2008-01-28T21:53:28Z")
OK, the betabase is back up, and I see that for hCG levels between 256 and 512, the median doubling time for a successful singleton pregnancy is 38.6 hours. So yours are moving quite nicely. The levels are kind of low if youā€™re really 6 weeks pregnant, but that could be explained by late ovulation (and theyā€™re not outside the levels that have been measured for a successful singleton pregnancy four weeks after ovulation - but on the very low end of that). Good luck - I hope this is it for you! ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/7 "2008-01-28T22:14:37Z")
Thanks everyone, Iā€™m definately feeling a lot better with your stories. ENugent - We werenā€™t temping or using OPKā€™s or anything!!! It just happened. Iā€™m not at all sure of my ovulation date, Iā€™m just going by my lmp, which was December 8th. January 8th, I had quite a bit of bleeding, and it started exactly like my period does, so I didnā€™t think anything of it. Now, Iā€™m quite sure it was implantation bleeding. My problem has been getting & staying pregnant. Weā€™ve had two miscarriages in 10 years of trying. I had surgery 2 years ago to remove a huge fibroid in my uterus, which, the RE told us likely caused the miscarriages. I am going to see my GP tomorrow and get some answers. I trust him, heā€™s been my doctor since I was 12. My RE scheduled an ultrasound for Feb 20th, ā€œif everything goes wellā€ I love my RE, honestly, but it seems likeā€¦I donā€™t know, like theyā€™re miffed that I did this on my own!! Keep in mind, my RE said that there was NOTHING that could be done about my Progesterone, I had to insist on the sups! Iā€™m going to see if my GP can refer me to an OB that I can get in to soon, or at least do an ultrasound and more blood work this week to see if everything is okay. Thanks for all the sticky baby vibes, I sure could use them!! Iā€™ll update again tomorrow after my GP appointment. Thanks ladies!! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Real\_Thing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@The\_Real\_Thing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Real_Thing)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/8 "2008-01-28T23:13:57Z")
Nothing to add baby-wise, just wishing you well! ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/9 "2008-01-29T06:55:12Z")
Good luck Lady Venom. I hope it all goes well for you. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/10 "2008-01-29T07:19:10Z")
Good luck to you!! I can understand why the docā€™s pessimism would be upsetting. Most doctors try to avoid making any promises about outcomes just to be sure the patient doesnā€™t get mad or want to sue if things donā€™t go as hoped, so maybe sheā€™s just erring on teh side of caution. I definitely hope things go smoothly for you. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2008, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/11 "2008-02-08T20:03:39Z")
Update: Wellā€¦after an ultrasound on Wednesday, weā€™ve confirmed the worst. My pregnancy was a blighted ovum. An egg that fertilized and implanted, but did not result in an embryonic sac, thus, no baby. Weā€™re bummed, but okay. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2008, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/12 "2008-02-08T20:07:22Z")
Good lord, youā€™d think they could come up with a better name for it, wouldnā€™t you? Iā€™m sorry it didnā€™t work out but I hope this gives you hope for future efforts. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/13 "2008-02-08T22:26:29Z")
[QUOTE=Lady Venom] Update: Wellā€¦after an ultrasound on Wednesday, weā€™ve confirmed the worst. My pregnancy was a blighted ovum. An egg that fertilized and implanted, but did not result in an embryonic sac, thus, no baby. Weā€™re bummed, but okay. [/QUOTE] My condolences. Sending supporting thoughts our way. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2008, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/14 "2008-02-08T23:21:10Z")
Sorry to hear the sad news. ā˜¹ I wish you well with whatever path you decide to take from this point on. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2008, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/15 "2008-02-09T00:53:46Z")
Iā€™m sorry. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/16 "2008-02-09T01:25:11Z")
Iā€™m very sorry. Take good care of yourself, and of each other. ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/17 "2008-02-10T16:53:31Z")
What a shame. I was pulling for you. Hang in there. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/18 "2008-02-10T17:29:32Z")
Dammit. _hugs you both very tight_ ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/19 "2008-02-10T18:01:29Z")
Iā€™m sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337/20 "2008-02-12T21:30:48Z")
So, Iā€™ll start off by saying thanks to everyone for their thoughtsā€¦and say that Iā€™m pretty scared about now. My RE and my family doctor both received my ultrasound results from last Wednesday. My GP called me at 6:00 last night and said that it showed no sac at all. My RE called this morning and said the same thing and suggested that I come in for bloodwork to see where my levels stand. HCG is still at 14,000+ My RE is thinking ectopic (even though Iā€™ve had no symptoms as of yet). Iā€™ve been bleeding since Thursday evening, pretty heavy with minimal cramping. I have an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow morning. Iā€™m scared. ā˜¹ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pink-lines/435337.md?page=2)