Human chorizontal gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that plays a major role in maintaining the health of the womb, especially in early pregnancy. Low hCG levels are often used as an early sign of miscarriage. Is that right? Come on, check the facts here.
The hormone hCG is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Its function is to maintain pregnancy and fetal development. HCG hormone levels can be checked through blood tests or detected in urine using a test pack.
HCG hormone levels are not always checked during pregnancy control. Doctors usually recommend an hCG blood test to confirm the condition of pregnancy when there are certain complaints in early pregnancy, such as bleeding or abdominal pain.
Rate HCG Hormone During Pregnancy
The average pregnant woman has a blood hCG level of more than 25 mIU/ml. This may make some pregnant women with blood hCG levels lower than 25 mIU/ml worry about having a miscarriage.
Actually, the level of hCG in each pregnant woman can be very different. In early pregnancy, an hCG level of 5–20 mlU/ml is considered normal. So, low hCG levels in early pregnancy are nothing to worry about.
What is more important to pay attention to is the level of hCG in the next 2-3 days. As long as hCG levels increase with gestational age, pregnancy can be said to be going well. Usually, hCG levels will double every 2-3 days during the first trimester of pregnancy.
To determine that a person is at risk of miscarriage, hCG levels need to be checked up to 2 times in a 2-3 day period. The risk of miscarriage can be said to be high if the results of these two tests show low levels, especially if there have been symptoms of miscarriage.
However, it should also be understood that this is not a definite sign. In some cases, hCG levels that fall can rise again and pregnancy can continue normally.
Causes of Low hCG Levels
Low levels of hCG are not always a sign of miscarriage. Here are some reasons why hCG levels can be low:
Miscalculated gestational age
Low hCG levels are sometimes caused by an error in calculating gestational age. So, low hCG levels occur because the gestational age is still young. To find out the actual gestational age, further hCG tests and ultrasound examinations are usually required.
Empty pregnancy
Empty pregnancy or blighted ovum It occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall but does not develop. This is what keeps the hCG hormone low. This egg will then decay like a normal menstruation. Some pregnant women are not even aware that they have experienced this condition.
Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg does not develop in the uterus, so the fetus cannot develop normally and levels of the hCG hormone do not increase. This condition can cause dangerous complications and need to be confirmed by ultrasound examination.
What to Do if hCG Levels are Low?
Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done when a pregnant woman experiences a low hCG hormone. If a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy occurs, there is a high chance that the pregnancy cannot be saved again. Each of these conditions needs to be treated as soon as possible so that complications do not occur which can be fatal for the mother.
However, keep in mind that low hCG levels are not necessarily a bad thing. Even if something unexpected happens, it should be understood that these low hCG levels are not caused by anything you do or don't do.
Miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy also doesn't mean you can't get pregnant again. With doctor's assistance and a healthy lifestyle, you can go back to planning a healthy pregnancy until delivery.
