How Fast does HCG Drop after Miscarriage at 5 Weeks?

When you suffer a miscarriage, it can take some time before your hormone levels return to normal. But how long does it take if you miscarry at 5 weeks?

In this article, we will discuss:

• How Common Are Miscarriages at 5 Weeks Pregnant?
• What is hCG?
• hCG Levels After Miscarriage
• For How Long Will A Pregnancy Test Be Positive After A Miscarriage At 5 Weeks Pregnant?
• How Long Should You Wait to Try And Conceive Again?
• The Take-Away

What is an Early Miscarriage?

A miscarriage is a pregnancy loss that occurs in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The majority of women who miscarry have their miscarriage in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

How Common Are Miscarriages at 5 Weeks Pregnant?

At 5 weeks pregnant, the rate of miscarriages varies rather significantly. One 2013 study found that, after 5 weeks pregnant, the overall chance of losing a pregnancy is 21.3%.

Overall, around 1 in 8 pregnancies end in a miscarriage- with 3 in every 4 miscarriages happening within the first trimester.

Signs of a Miscarriage at 5 Weeks Pregnant

If you are having a miscarriage at 5 weeks pregnant, then you may experience the following symptoms:

• Cramping that is more severe than in your normal menstrual period
• Sharp or Severe Pain
• 5 weeks pregnant spotting or bleeding from your vagina
• 5 weeks pregnant ultrasound showed nothing
• No symptoms of pregnancy at 5 weeks (if you usually would have them)

Usual healthy pregnancy symptoms at 5 weeks may include:

• Fatigue
• Morning Sickness
• Spotting
• Mild Cramping
• Bloated at 5 weeks pregnant
• Mood swings
• Heightened Sense of Smell
• Breast Tenderness

What is hCG?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that the body produces during pregnancy, which promotes foetal development.

To confirm pregnancy, doctors test your urine and blood to see if any hCG hormone can be detected.

They will also perform a hCG blood test to determine whether you are having a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.

Pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, and miscarriage will never be identified based just on hCG levels, but it is useful to understand how these levels function in such instances.

hCG Levels After Miscarriage

One of the main ways we test for pregnancy is by using a home pregnancy test to test for the presence of the pregnancy hormone, hCG.

Although minor quantities may be found in your system at other times, hCG is only generated in large levels when pregnant, peaking during the 8th to 11th week of pregnancy.

When you miscarry, your body stops producing hCG, and levels gradually return to pre-pregnancy levels.

While there is a range of what is considered “normal,” hCG levels might vary based on the individual and stage of pregnancy.

As a result, the length of time hCG remains in your system is determined by your pregnancy stage as well as other lifestyle variables.

The precise amounts to expect will be determined on how high hCG levels were shortly previous to the loss.

If your hCG level stays high, this might be an indication of something more problematic (such as the uncommon instance of a molar pregnancy) and should be checked by your doctor.

For How Long Will A Pregnancy Test Be Positive After A Miscarriage At 5 Weeks Pregnant?

The length of time it takes for your hCG level to return to normal depends on how far along you were in your pregnancy and the type of pregnancy you had.

At 5 weeks pregnant, pregnancy is still in its early stages, with implantation likely happening just a short period of time ago.

This means that your hCG levels were lower and will likely return to baseline level in less time.

It may only take few days for your hCG levels to return to normal after an early miscarriage (miracare, 2021).

 

How Long Should You Wait to Try And Conceive Again?

Traditionally, many doctors advise waiting many months following a miscarriage before attempting to conceive again.

This is because it is better to wait until your hCG levels have dropped to an undetectable level, as, once your hCG levels have returned to an undetectable level, it indicates that your uterine lining has returned to normal, and that it is able to receive a newly fertilized egg.

You can tell whether your hCG levels have returned to an undetectable level, as you will no longer receive a positive pregnancy test result on a home urine test.

Although there is no medical evidence to suggest that you should wait this long, each scenario is unique and will be determined by a variety of circumstances, including your specific medical history.

 

The Take-Away

Having an early pregnancy miscarriage can be a very upsetting experience.

If you are having a miscarriage, make sure to reach out to family, friends or your health visitor for support.

For additional support and information, you can access the following websites:

For information about miscarriages at 5 weeks pregnant: 5 weeks pregnant miscarriage and Can you hear a Heartbeat at 5 Weeks Pregnant?

For support: miscarriage association

 

References

https://www.miracare.com/blog/pregnancy-tests-after-miscarriage/