Monitoring your hormone levels in early pregnancy (less than 7 weeks)

Oct 13, 2026

Information for patients at Saint Mary’s Hospital explains why hormone monitoring is used in early pregnancy by measuring human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentrations in blood over days or weeks. It describes how testing is performed, what happens after the first sample, and how results are interpreted using a 48-hour baseline comparison. The document outlines possible outcomes such as continuing pregnancy, miscarriage, or ectopic pregnancy, and gives clear guidance on required follow-up, emergency symptoms, and contact details for the Emergency Gynaecology Unit.

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Why am I being monitored?

What is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)?

What happens right now?

What are the possible outcomes?

Continuing pregnancy

Miscarriage

Ectopic pregnancy

What should I do over the next few days?

Symptoms to look out for

Who should I contact?

Saint Mary’s Hospital Emergency Gynaecology Unit Information for Patients Monitoring your hormone levels in early pregnancy (less than 7 weeks) Why am I being monitored? In order to get a better understanding of what is happening in your pregnancy, we propose to measure the concentration of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in your blood over a period of time. What is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)? hCG is a hormone that is only produced in pregnancy, known as the pregnancy hormone. It is produced in increasingly larger quantities during early pregnancy. By monitoring the level of this hormone in the blood, we can help determine whether your pregnancy is still on going. The test is performed by taking a sample of blood and measuring the level of hCG in it. It may be repeated several times over a period of days/weeks to monitor whether the hormone level rises or falls with time, helping us to give you a clearer picture of what is happening in your pregnancy. What happens right now? After your blood test you may go home. Please note; we will not ring and inform you of your first hCG result. This is because there is such a wide range of what is considered ‘normal’ in early pregnancy, and the first level alone will not help us to diagnose what is happening in your pregnancy. The only exceptions to this are: a) If your hCG level is negative,(not pregnant), or b) It is high enough to perform a scan, in which case the nurse will contact you to arrange this. [TIG 80/02 Updated: January 2021 Review: Date January 2023 Page](TIG 80/02 Updated: January 2021 Review: Date January 2023 Page 1 of 3 www.mft.nhs.uk)[ 1](TIG 80/02 Updated: January 2021 Review: Date January 2023 Page 1 of 3 www.mft.nhs.uk)[ of](TIG 80/02 Updated: January 2021 Review: Date January 2023 Page 1 of 3 www.mft.nhs.uk)[ 3](TIG 80/02 Updated: January 2021 Review: Date January 2023 Page 1 of 3 www.mft.nhs.uk)[ www.mft.nhs.uk](TIG 80/02 Updated: January 2021 Review: Date January 2023 Page 1 of 3 www.mft.nhs.uk) Otherwise your first hCG level will be used as a baseline to compare with your next hCG level, which will be taken 48 hours later. You will receive a telephone call from the nurse once we have the results from your second hCG and have compared it with your first hCG level. We can then see by how much your level has increased or decreased; this will assist us in determining the outcome of your pregnancy. This telephone call may be on the same day or the day after your blood test. What are the possible outcomes? There are three possible outcomes to your pregnancy: 1. If the concentration of the hCG in your blood rises quickly then this usually signifies a continuing pregnancy. A scan will be arranged when your hCG result is at a level that we would hope to seethe signs of an early intra-uterine (in the uterus) pregnancy on an internal vaginal scan. 2. If the level of the hCG result goes down quickly then, regrettably, you have most likely miscarried. If this happens the nurse will explain this to you and give you further information. Unfortunately, nothing can be done to prevent or stop a miscarriage once it has begun. 3. If your hCG level is rising or falling, but not substantially, then this could indicate an ectopic pregnancy and further investigations will be required. You may be asked to return to the unit and you may need to stay overnight. What should I do over the next few days? Please try to observe the following until we are able to give you a better idea of what is happening to your pregnancy: • You must remain easily contactable and within easy reach of the hospital at all times. • Contact the hospital at once if there is any change in your condition. What symptoms do I need to look out for? If you feel unwell in any way or there is a change in your condition you must get in touch with the Emergency Gynaecology Unit (EGU) at once. You should report: • New or increasing abdominal pain.

FAQs

Why is my hormone level being monitored in early pregnancy?

To better understand what is happening, the hospital measures human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentration in your blood over time.

What happens after my first blood test result?

You may go home, and you will not be called about the first hCG result because normal ranges vary in early pregnancy. The first level becomes a baseline for comparison with a second test taken 48 hours later.

How do the possible outcomes relate to changes in my hCG levels?

A quick rise usually indicates a continuing pregnancy, a quick fall most likely indicates miscarriage, and a rise or fall without substantial change could indicate an ectopic pregnancy requiring further investigations.

Oct 13, 2026

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