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Beta Levels in Early Pregnancy

Beta levels in early pregnancy can vary greatly - see chart below. It's the presence of this hormone human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG that will determine a positive on a home pregnancy test.

Beta Levels in Early Pregnancy and Beyond

Weeks after LMP

Days after conception

HCG level for single baby
(mIU/hCG)

3 Weeks 7 0 to 5
4 Weeks 14 5 to 426
5 Weeks 21 18 to 7340
6 Weeks 28 1,080 to 56,500
7 to 8 Weeks 35 to 42 7,650 to 229,000
9 to 12 Weeks 49 to 70 25,700 to 288,000
13 to 16 Weeks 77 to 100 13,300 to 254,000
17 to 24 Weeks   4,060 to 165,400
25 Weeks to Birth   3,640 to 117,000
4 to 6 Weeks Post Birth   Less than 5

 

Hormones actually run the show when pregnancy happens.

It's hormones that prompt the ovary to release an egg - it's hormones that keep the fertilized egg growing and becoming a tiny baby. Conception is a remarkable time of change. Fluctuations in the hormones can cause an array of symptoms such as morning sickness, Braxton hicks contractions and so on. Understanding these hormones help to prepare for what may occur over the nine months of pregnancy.

The increase in the levels of hCG (see chart above on beta levels in early pregnancy), estrogen and progesterone will cause some major changes in the body. The uterus and abdomen muscles will expand to take on the growing fetus. The breast changes to nourish the baby after birth.

The breasts are one of the first things you notice changing during pregnancy. They enlarge as the milk-producing glands swell in size. The rising levels of estrogen and progesterone are the hormones responsible for the changes in the breasts.
 

Progesterone is first produced by the corpus luteum (the cyst that was formed from the egg at ovulation).

This keeps the uterine lining from shedding. A few weeks later the placenta will take over the production of progesterone. Progesterone levels are about ten time higher in a pregnant woman than in a non-pregnant woman.

Low levels of progesterone can cause miscarriages and preterm labor or premature birth. It's progesterone that keeps the uterus from contracting. It promotes the growth of blood vessels in the walls of the uterus where the baby will receive her nourishment.

Estrogen is key in conception, prompting the ovary to release a mature egg to be fertilized.

Estrogen is responsible for changes in the cervix, vagina, breasts and uterus. Estrogen also influences the production of insulin. The levels of estrogen and progesterone are supposed to rise and maintain the pregnancy.

The levels may fluctuate causing an array of problems ranging from morning sickness to gestational diabetes and premature birth. The levels peak out right before birth then drop dramatically. It's the drop that can cause post partum depression, night sweats and mood swings.

Let's get back to hCG and the beta levels in early pregnancy. It's produced by the placenta in small amounts at first, then increases as the pregnancy progresses. It can be detected in both urine and blood. hCG is responsible for helping your body to keep from rejecting the baby. If hCG levels start to fall off in early pregnancy, it could be a sign of impending miscarriage.

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