Couldn't Resist

So, online you can write a question and have it answered by a well known RE. This one happens to be an RE in Sacramento.
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This is IVF #3, and wow what a difference a protocol can make. For the first time we made it to day 5 (at Stanford). We transferred two 4AA blasts and froze 5 more. Amazing accomplishment for us! Anyways, we have been trying since 2004 are thrilled that we got pregnant!

Betas...
13dpo = 130 progesterone 45 (high numbers from what I read)
15dpo = 224

So, as you can see they did NOT double within 48 hrs. More like 60, I know people say as long as it doubles within 72 you "should" be okay. My RE was fine with the number, she said they look for an increase of 60% and mine was 72%. She was so fine that she didn't even schedule another beta, but instead an u/s for 2/12/09.

I think I am in need of some reassurance. Can I go off the 60% rule, is anything less than 72 hours okay? I think hearing from another RE would put my mind at ease until the 12th. We worked so hard to get here, and I really want to enjoy it.

This post has been edited by tiffne86: Today, 06:31 AM

Robert Greene, MD
Today
Post #2
Group: ModeratorsPosts: 2,976Joined: 10-July 07From: Sacramento, CaliforniaMember No.: 8,575

Dear Tiffany,
Congratulations! Sounds like all is going real well for you. You should continue to be pleased and optimistic. This issue of the "doubling" has gone from being a scientific average intended to be a loose guide to a misguided legend among patients. Biology does not follow the laws of mathematics. The "average" is a doublins which means that oftentimes it will more than double and other times it will rise by less. I fully agree with your doctor that a 60% or greater rise is cause for celebration. That said, I always encourage cautious optimism until you're able to see cardiac activity on the ultrasound; at which time the miscarriage rate drops below 15%.
Best thoughts,
~Robert
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So, I am DONE worrying and researching. It is what it is, my research is not going to help lil' pumpkin, but instead my stress may harm him. I trust my RE, she got me here. If I don't trust her, what am I paying her the big bucks for? She is fine with it, and I am fine with it. LP grew so fast in the beginning that now, he slowed down a bit, and that is okay.

I also couldn't resist sharing a comment I got on my last post from Stacy G. "Please, please don't worry. You're doing great. At your stage, my doubling time was exactly 59 hours as well, so I just had to write a comment. I, too, was overcome with worry, spending a good portion of the work day calculating and recalculating the numbers. Not so long after that we saw our baby's first heartbeat, and I am now 35 weeks pregnant with a very healthy baby boy. It is all going to be great - you are right on target! As my husband said to me at the time, there is nothing wrong with being somewhere in the "middle" of the good range. It's not a beta contest!!"

I am pregnant and I am going to enjoy it! All I can do is hope, pray, and encourage my little one. Please pray for LP, he/she is so loved and so wanted.