What Is Normal HCG Level for Pregnancy?

Before all, new moms have to highlight that HCG level can be changed following to pregnancy period and normal level HCG is only one of important indicators of healthy pregnancy.

For new mother who want to know if their HCG level is normal or not, they can use home pregnancy test to measure HCG level since this hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin will rise steadily during the early part of pregnancy. If it is less than 5 mlU/ml (milli-International units per milliliter), you are not pregnant according to American Pregnancy Association standard.  But if the level is above 25 mlU/ml, congratulations!  You are (likely) pregnant.  A transvaginal ultrasound can usually detect a gestational sac after the HCG levels have risen to 1,000 to 2,000. By seven to eight weeks after your last menstrual period, levels of HCG should have risen to between 7,650 and 229,000 mlU/ml. Levels of this hormone will usually top off at between 25,700 and 288,000 mlU/ml by nine to 12 weeks since your last menstrual period. By the third trimester HCG levels may have dropped to a range between 3,640 and 117,000 mlU/ml---still well above a reading of 5 or less for a non-pregnant woman.  Wow!

How is an ectopic pregnancy diagnosed?

After we know what is Ectopic preganacy , what cause and who at risk.  We are keeing check how a doctor diagnose this.

Ectopic pregnancies are diagnosed by your physician, who will probably first perform a pelvic exam to locate pain, tenderness or a mass in the abdomen. Your physician will also use an ultrasound to determine whether the uterus contains a developing fetus.

The measurement of hCG levels is also important. An hCG level that is lower than what would be expected is one reason to suspect an ectopic pregnancy. Low levels of progesterone may also indicate that a pregnancy is abnormal.

Your physician may do a culdocentesis, which is a procedure that involves inserting a needle into the space at the very top of the vagina, behind the uterus and in front of the rectum. The presence of blood in this area may indicate bleeding from a ruptured fallopian tube.

How is an ectopic pregnancy treated?

Ectopic Pregnancy: Risk and Treatment

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself in a place other than inside the uterus. Almost all ectopic pregnancies occur in a fallopian tube, and are thus sometimes called tubal pregnancies. The fallopian tubes are not designed to hold a growing embryo; the fertilized egg in a tubal pregnancy cannot develop normally and must be treated. An ectopic pregnancy happens in 1 out of 60 pregnancies.

What causes an ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancies are caused by one or more of the following:

An infection or inflammation of the fallopian tube can cause it to become partially or entirely blocked.

• Scar tissue left behind from a previous infection or an operation on the tube may also impede the egg's movement.
• Previous surgery in the pelvic area or on the tubes can cause adhesions.
• An abnormality in the tube's shape can be caused by abnormal growths or a birth defect.

Who is at risk for having an ectopic pregnancy?