Pregnancy And Baby Care Articles Pregnancy Stages

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...a wide range of hCG levels which are considered to be normal.

The levels are first measured through a blood test approximately 11 days after conception. They are then measured again 12 to 14 days after conception through a urine test. hCG levels are known to double after every 3 days and they reach a peak during the initial 8 to 11 weeks of pregnancy. Following this, they start declining and become stabilized for the rest of the pregnancy.

Women who show apparent symptoms of a miscarriage are tested for their hCG levels. The doctor will determine if the levels are increasing or decreasing in order to find out more information about a possible miscarriage. However hCG levels during the initial weeks of pregnancy are quite difficult to interpret. Low hCG levels during early pregnancy may be indicative of complications in the pregnancy. However this may not always be the case. Just a single measurement of low hCG levels during pregnancy is not really a cause for concern, especially if the test was done in the early weeks. Doctors will perform two hCG tests in order to determine if a miscarriage may occur. The important point to consider is whether the hCG levels are increasing or not. In case there is bleeding and low hCG levels during pregnancy, then this may be indicative of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. A miscarriage is also likely when the hCG levels drop over a period of time in the first trimester. High hCG levels too may be completely normal in some cases, while in other cases they may be indicative of certain complications.

Many women wonder if consuming too much water will affect hCG concentration in the blood. This is not the case. However the accuracy of urine based home pregnancy tests may be affected when there is a lot of water consumption. Stress also does not affect the results of a pregnancy test.

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