Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, can tell your doctor many things about your pregnancy. Upon your initial prenatal visit, your doctor may perform a pregnancy test which detects hCG. Throughout your pregnancy, your doctor may periodically check or monitor your hCG levels as the hormone can tell specific things that are going on with your pregnancy.
Normal Ranges
Doctors use a certain guideline to determine a normal hCG range. How far along you are in your pregnancy will determine what your levels should be at. Within the first month of pregnancy, hCG levels can range between 5 to 426 milliliters, according to the American Pregnancy Association. By the end of your first trimester, normal hCG ranges are between 25,700 to 288,000 ml. During your second trimester, hCG levels will begin to drop as this is normal and will fall to levels between 13,300 to 254,000 ml. During your last trimester, hCG levels will continue to decrease to ranges between 3,640 to 117,000 ml.
High hCG Ranges
If your hCG numbers are higher than what is considered within the normal limit, it could indicate a number of things, according to the American Pregnancy Association. A higher hCG level can indicate a multiple birth pregnancy such as twins or triplets or it could indicate your baby's gestational age is inaccurate. You could also be experiencing a molar pregnancy, which is where abnormal placental cells develop in the uterus and the tissue results as a mole. The only way to know for sure why your numbers are higher than normal is for your doctor to do additional testing.
Testing
To tell whether or not you're carrying multiple fetuses, your doctor could perform an ultrasound. An ultrasound uses wave frequency to take an image of your uterus, at which point your doctor could see if there's more than one baby. An ultrasound may also be used to help date your pregnancy to see if the size of your baby matches up with how far along you are. Doctors use a guideline of measurements of different fetal ages to determine how old the fetus is. Your doctor may perform an ultrasound or pelvic exam to determine whether or not you're experiencing a molar pregnancy.
Considerations
Just because your hCG levels are not within the normal range, it could mean absolutely nothing at all. Each pregnancy is very different and some women will just produce more hCG than others, according to the American Pregnancy Association. If you suspect you may be carrying multiple fetuses, discuss this concern with your physician, especially if you have a family history of twins.
Warning
A molar pregnancy is a mass of abnormal cells formed during the fertilization process and rarely includes a developing embryo. The tissue becomes a mole instead of developing normally. This can lead to serious complications. Symptoms of a molar pregnancy include nausea, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, increased blood pressure, no fetal movement and no heart tone, according to the American Pregnancy Association.
