Are HCG test shows positive is always leads to pregnancy?

Q : I have 2 weeks delay in period. urine pregnancy test (HCG) done several times in different days shows that i am pregnant.according to LMP it should be 6 weeks+. but during ultrasound doctor couldn t see sac or fetus at all not in uterus and not in tubes. she advised me to do beta hcg blood test too. is it possible that if test shows positive that i am not pregnant but have some other gyno issues to investigate? is it always HCG shows only positive pregnancy? Thank you
A : Hello Yes,positive urine test indicates pregnancy.If your calculations are right,then at 6 weeks there should have been a fetal pole.If there is no intrauterine sac then ectopic pregnancy is the next possibility.For several tests to be false positive is highly unlikely.Do the beta hcg blood test and also get a second ultrasound with a different doctor.

False Pregnancy Test Results

Q : I haven t had my mentrual cycle since mid June. I had been taking Seasonale and have been told many people have had abnoraml cycles after stopping.I took multiple at home pregnancy tests, all of which were negative..beginning in August. I also took to two urine preg tests at my primary care office, which were neg. In addition, I have two blood tests (one in late november, and one in december, both neg.)I have been have all types of fluttering movements in my pelvic area, am constantly hot, and don t have much of an appetite. Is there truth to the hcg levels can vary and that it s possible for blood tests to not show positive after the first couple months when the hcg levels drop? I do not want to be pregnant,but I ve been having ongoing pregnancy symptons and justdon t know what else to do. Please respond. Despite all of these symptons, even more than I listed and unfortunately I have gained a great deal of weight after a serious car accident so although my stomach has grown, based on my excess weight,I don t know if its continued weight gain or something else...my primary is so dismissive about all I tell her,and simply says I am not...when will I believe it. I want to believe it but the only other time that I missed my cycle was when I was pregnant, and I don t want to be. I look forward to your response.
A : it is possible to test negative on both urine and blood tests and still be pregnant, although it is VERY rare... it can be caused by what is known as the prozone/hook effect where the hcg levels are SO high that the tests can not read the results. Documentation has shown that diluting the sample at 1:10 and 1:100 will should return a readable result. Another cause could be something called masking /interference. This is when the woman has antibodies to the hcg already circulating in her system which cause interference with the antibodies used in pregnancy tests and the horomone becomes hidden or undetectable. Some causes can be previous exposure to mice, rats, or hamsters, or b12 therapy an even a few other things which I have not researched more information on. It is likely that the confirmation or ruling out of a pregnancy will have to come by way of a manual exam and ultra sound. [I know about these things because I have experienced them first hand with my second pregnancy... 7 negative urine tests, 2 negative blood tests, and my internal exam was inconclusive, I couldn t be confirmed, but couldn t be discounted either. My Ultrasound is Monday and I m 3 months along... and showing. = ) ] You know your body, trust your instincts and look up information one the things I mentioned and take it with you to your doctor. If she still won t listen, find a new doctor and take it with you until someone does listen. Whether this is a wanted pregnancy or not, your health is just as important at the baby s and you will need ample time to make a decision as to whether to raise a child or place it for adoption. I wish you the best of luck. It s a very frustrating emotional roller coaster to ride without adding the flaws of science to it.

Changes in Cervical Fluids

The Look & Feel of Fertile Cervical Mucus
Changes in Cervical Fluids: What Happens and When

Get Pregnant - 5 Essential TipsAs the customer service representative at Early Pregnancy Tests, I sometimes receive email inquiries about fertility charting, using a basal thermometer, and monitoring natural fertility signs to predict ovulation. And while bbt charting will be the cornerstone of your fertility chart, monitoring changes in cervical mucus (cervical fluids, CM) is very important - particularly because method of charting allows you to anticipate when you will ovulate each month. This week, I received an email inquiry about the difference in appearance and texture between fertile and non-fertile cervical fluids - a great opportunity to clarify how cervical mucus can be used to determine when you are most fertile each month.

As a brief review, changes in cervical mucus (CM) are not only a key signal of fertility, but are also a big part of successfully achieving pregnancy. Cervical mucus is produced by glands within the cervix, and specifically within your cervical canal. During your menstrual cycle, both the quantity and the quality (texture, appearance) of cervical fluids undergo a number of changes. In human reproduction, fertile-quality cervical mucus supports conception by providing a fluid, healthy medium in which sperm can survive and propel themselves. CM protects sperm from the naturally-acidic environment of the vagina and helps sperm to move through the cervix into the uterus. And because cervical fluids insulate and nourish sperm, the presence of fertile cervical mucus can also extend the life-span of sperm, in turn increasing the odds of conceiving by helping sperm "hang out" and wait for the egg to appear following ovulation. (FertileCM is a natural product that can be used to increase the quality and quantity of cervical mucus you produce.)

So, that's the mechanics of cervical mucus - but how can I use this information as part of my fertility charting? As one customer recently asks...

Question: "Dear Pat, I have been using your basal thermometer now for an entire cycle now and I was able to draw a coverline this month! While on the topic of bbt charting, do you have a picture of fertile cervical mucus and can you describe for me the differences between non-fertile and fertile cervical mucus? Also, when can I expect to see changes in cervical mucus during my cycle - e.g., on which cycle days will the cervical mucus become fertile?"

Answer: Of course, variations in individual mucus patterns will differ among women due to unique variables like cycle length, age, hormonal balance, use of fertility drugs, etc. However, the appearance of "fertile quality" cervical fluids typically arrives directly prior to ovulation, meaning that women can use CM as a very reliable means of ovulation prediction. Let's take a look at the changes in look and feel of CM as you move through your menstrual cycle...

The appearance and texture of cervical fluids will change as you move through your menstrual cycle. Also, the quantity of cervical mucus present is also a key sign: When you are most fertile, CM should be quite abundant. Texture: During your cycle, cervical mucus may be absent or profuse, dryish or wet, thick or thin, sticky or slippery. It may "hold its shape" or it may stretch between your fingers like raw egg-white. Appearance: The look of cervical fluids will also change during your cycle and CM may be white, creamy, yellowish, translucent, or transparent.

When It Happens: During the first part of your menstrual cycle, CM may not be present or it will be dry and thickish. The color may appear white. As you enter the follicular (pre-ovulatory) phase of your cycle, estrogen increases and you may experience "transitional" cervical mucus, marked by increased moisture, increased volume, a more stretchy texture, and a thinner feel. Transitional mucus will still be a bit tacky and hold its form to some degree. The color of transitional cervical mucus may be white, creamy, or yellowish, though it will still be mostly opaque.

Directly prior to ovulation, cervical mucus should be abundant. Fertile cervical mucus is characterized by a transparent appearance - and it may look and feel like raw egg white and stretch between your fingers without breaking (see fig 1). This stretchiness is called Spinnbarkeit and indicates that ovulation is likely imminent. Fertile CM will be thin, slippery (like lubricant), stretchy and translucent. Typically, fertile-quality cervical fluids will appear a few days prior to and during ovulation. Following ovulation, the quality of CM will change again due to sudden decrease in estrogen and increase of progesterone. You may experience transitional mucus, followed abruptly by an increasing dryness (non-fertile CM) through the rest of your luteal phase. Below is a table that provides an overview describing CM changes, what the changes mean, and when they occur.

As noted above, there are many variables that can affect how cervical mucus is produced - and women may have different experiences charting changes in CM. Notably, popular fertility drugs like clomid can cause dryness or a decrease in CM. In addressing the problem of dryness, Pre-Seed is a great product - the only intimate moisturizer of its kind to not act as a barrier to sperm. Pre-Seed was formulated to provide a fertility-friendly medium for sperm and Pre-Seed may actually increase the odds of conceiving for many women.

A new dietary supplement called, appropriately enough, FertileCM is designed to actually help women produce cervical fluids during the ovulatory phase of their cycle. FertileCM works by facilitating blood flow and circulation to the reproductive organs, and research studies indicate that key ingredients in FertileCM support the production of endocervical secretions during the time a woman is most fertile.

Best Day to Get Pregnant

The best day to get pregnant can be different for different women, but there are general guidelines to help you to find the best day for you. Women who have regular periods find it easier to determine the best day, and those with very irregular periods find it a bit more difficult, but certainly not impossible, especially with all the new techniques to help determine the optimal time for ovulation.

Women Who Have a Normal Twenty-Eight Day Cycle

Women who have a normal twenty-eight day cycle normally ovulate about two weeks into their menstrual cycle, which would make the best day to get pregnant between the fourteenth and sixteenth days. The egg released during ovulation is ready to be fertilized for approximately 12 hours before it starts to degenerate, and will survive approximately 24 hours.

Women Who Have an Irregular Cycle

For women who have an irregular menstrual cycle, the best day to get pregnant can be determined in other ways. If you know when to expect your next period, count back twelve to sixteen days from this date, which should be the range of dates that you will be ovulating. Your body may also provide other clues to help in determining when you are most fertile.

Cervical Mucus Can Help Determine the Best Day to Get Pregnant

During the menstrual cycle, the cervical mucus increases in volume as well as it changes in texture. This change reflects the body's rising levels of estrogen, shown best when the mucus is clear, stretchy and slippery, similar to raw egg whites. This mucus helps the sperm get safely through the uterus and into the Fallopian tube before meeting with the egg.

Body Temperature Fluctuations

A woman's basal body temperature can also help determine her best day to get pregnant. Basal thermometers can be purchased at most stores, and will show a woman's slightly raised temperature after ovulation. This temperature can increase .5 - 1.5 degrees, making it hard to determine the change on a regular thermometer.

Lower Abdominal Discomfort and Cramping

Some women experience discomfort or cramping in their lower abdominal region during ovulation. Approximately 20% of women feel this discomfort, which ranges from mild aches and twinges of pain all the way to moderate cramping. This condition is called mittelschmerz, and can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

Using an Ovulation Kit or Fertility Monitor

Using an ovulation kit or fertility monitor to determine the best day to get pregnant is another popular method. These kits and monitors, also available at most stores, read the LH surges prior to ovulation and are easy to use and generally accurate for predicting ovulation. Fertility monitors read LH as well as other hormone changes and require even less guesswork. Finding the best day to get pregnant is now much easier than in the past. Using any combination of these ways to determine a woman's optimal time for ovulation will help a couple to get pregnant much easier, and more quickly.

NATURAL METHODS

There are four methods of natural birth control (also called fertility awareness) that are practiced. These methods may be used to either prevent or plan a pregnancy:

* Basal temperature method
* Cervical mucus monitoring (Billings) method
* Rhythm method
* Sympto-thermal method

The effectiveness of the above methods is approximately 80%. The degree of effectiveness may be higher or lower, and is highly dependent on the commitment level of the couple to practice the specific regimen.

Advantages
* Natural methods provide an effective means of contraception for women who are concerned about the risks associated with artificial birth control. By learning about your cycles, you can become more aware of the events that occur naturally in a woman's body. Natural methods can, in combination with other methods (example: barrier, IUD), offer a high degree of effectiveness and therefore reduce one's risk of becoming pregnant.
* There are also religious factors that play a role in women choosing a natural method as opposed to an artificial one, and these factors can aid in one's comfort level when it comes to dealing with an unplanned pregnancy.

Disadvantages
* Use of natural methods offers no protection from sexually transmitted diseases or infections.
* Both partners need to commit some time in order to learn the methods properly. Cooperation, compliance and patience are also a must for any couples considering these methods.
* Abstinence from intercourse during fertile periods may be very frustrating.
* Professional guidance is required in order to learn how to use these methods successfully, and therefore the couple needs to have an established comfort level with their health care provider.
* These methods are not suggested for women with irregular or unpredictable menstrual periods or for women who have persistent or frequent vaginal or cervical infections.
* If you have frequent illnesses, or you are unable to keep records, these methods might not be the right choice for you.


Basal Body Temperature Method
A basal thermometer is used to take an early morning temperature each day, prior to rising. The temperature is charted on a graph. A rise in basal body temperature by one degree indicates ovulation has occurred. Abstinence from intercourse must be from the start of the menstrual period until three days following the rise in basal body temperature.

Cervical Mucus Monitoring (Billings) Method
The amounts and consistency of cervical mucus changes throughout the fertility cycle. Observing these changes in vaginal/cervical mucus may help to determine the peak fertile days of your cycle. Mucus will become increasingly wet and slippery, leading up to ovulation. It will be clearer and stretchy, similar to egg whites. This type of mucus is produced by our bodies to enhance sperm mobility through the cervix, into the uterus and towards the egg. The dryer, thicker, stickier mucus is prevalent during non-fertile days, inhibiting the mobility of sperm through the cervix. Abstinence from intercourse must be up to four days following the peak of fertile mucus being observed.

Rhythm (Calendar) Method
Careful plotting of your menstrual period can give you an idea of your fertile days. An average menstrual cycle is twenty-eight days long. Ovulation occurs approximately fourteen days before the start of your next menstrual period, plus or minus one to two days. Day one of your menstrual cycle is the day that you begin your period. A day of light spotting is also considered day one. As sperm will live for upwards of five to seven days inside a woman's body, a pregnancy can arise from intercourse that occurs seven days prior to ovulation. The egg lives for up to twenty-four hours once released. This means that intercourse must not occur for the seven days prior to ovulation, as well as for the twenty-four hours past ovulation.

Sympto-Thermal Method
This is a combination of the Billings method and the Basal Body Temperature method. As temperature and mucus changes are noted on the chart, fertile days are easier to predict, as peaks and valleys are readily noticed on the graft.

hCG Levels During Pregnancy

Human chorionic hCG or during pregnancy. It may, for a blood test to eight to eleven days before ovulation. HCG maintains the corpus luteum, which is responsible for progesterone in early pregnancy. Help with progesterone, the lining of the uterus thick for a healthy pregnancy. If there is no hCG in the body of the woman in the lining of the uterus begins to shed, and a new cycle begins.


What are the levels of hCG?

It is an area which is considered a normal level of hCG. In nearly 85% of pregnancies hCG levels will double every two to three days. Your doctor can check the beta-hCG level more than once, to see if it increases accordingly. See Justmommies hCG doubling computers.

What are the levels of hCG?


Low hCG levels

Low hCG levels may be a reference to a moment of conception wrongly, an ectopic pregnancy or a possible false. However, pregnancy may be perfectly healthy low hCG.

High hCG levels

High levels of hCG may be a reference to a moment of conception wrongly, a molar pregnancy, or a multiple pregnancy.

What to do with hCG levels?

Some medications that can affect your fertility hCG hCG levels. More than other drugs such as antibiotics and oral contraceptives do not affect the level of hCG. If you have a drug that would affect your fertility level of hCG your doctor should be with you, how to adapt to your tests.