by: Susan Tanner
...Tropin. Human chorionic gonadotropin. Sound
Familiar? You may or may not have heard of hCG,
but if you have, it may be because you read it on the
box of your home pregnancy test. That's because
hCG is the basis of home pregnancy tests. It's also
the basis for the blood and urine pregnancy tests that
your doctor performs. But there is much more to hCG
than simply being an indicator of pregnancy.
HCG is a hormone produced by the placenta during
pregnancy. It begins being produced and released
into the blood almost immediately after the egg
attaches to the uterine wall. Since hCG is released
into the blood so soon after conception, it can be
detected there even before your first missed
menstrual period, as early as six days after
implantation. Its function is to prevent the disintegration of
the corpus luteum of the ovary and thereby maintain
production of one of the main pregnancy hormones,
progesterone.
HCG Levels
HCG levels rise steadily for the first 14 to 16 weeks
after your last menstrual period, doubling every 48-
72 hours in about 85% of normal pregnancies. After
this time, the levels will slowly decrease. The
increases in the hCG levels in early pregnancy can provide
invaluable information about your pregnancy and the
health of your baby. HCG levels return to zero shortly
after pregnancy.
HCG levels are often measured as part of a maternal
serum triple or quadruple screening test. These tests
are done by measuring three or four substances in a
woman's blood and are used to estimate the baby's
risk of certain problems or congenital birth defects.
The triple screen measures beta human chorionic
gonadotropin (beta-hCG), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP),
and a type of estrogen (unconjugated estriol or uE3).
The quad screen measures the hormone inhibin-A in
addition to the other three.
Abnormal hCG levels do not necessarily mean that
there is a problem. It could simply be due to a
miscalculation of pregnancy dating. Unfortunately
though, abnormal hCG levels could also indicate a
more serious issue. There are several things that could
cause a high or low hCG level, so you should be
retested within a few days to see how the levels are
changing.
A high hCG level could be an indicator of a multiple
pregnancy, in which there is more than one fetus
present, or a molar pregnancy. A low hCG level
could be an indicator of a possible miscarriage or
blighted ovum, or an ectopic pregnancy, where the
fertilized egg implants itself somewhere other than
the uterus.
By now it should be apparent that you will be hearing
quite a bit about hCG during your pregnancy, and
now you will know more about what you are
hearing.
About The Author
Susan Tanner is a wife and mother of three. She is also the editor of pregnancy-guide.net. Pregnancy-Guide is an online community for mothers to find support and valuable information. Please visit Pregnancy-Guide at http://www.pregnancy-guide.net.
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Coping With Hearing Loss: A Writer's Story
Coping With Hearing Loss: A Writer's Story
by: Connie Briscoe
Oddly enough, I've come to think that losing my hearing was one of the best things to ever happened to me, as it led to the publication of my first novel.
I believe that no matter how tough things get, you can make them better. I have my parents to thank for that. They never allowed me to think that I couldn't accomplish something because of my hearing loss. One of my mother's favorite sayings when I expressed doubt that I could do something was, "Yes, you can."
I was born with a mild hearing loss but began to lose more of my hearing when I was a senior in college. One day while sitting in my college dormitory room reading, I noticed my roommate get up from her bed, go to the princess telephone in our room, pick it up and start talking.
None of that would have seemed strange, except for one thing: I never heard the telephone ring! I wondered why I couldn't hear a phone...
Hearing aids > Coping With Hearing Loss: A Writer's Story
Find an Optometrist
Find an Optometrist
by: Tyler Brooker
I'm sure I can sign all of you up for some healthy eyes, and I am sure that none of you will mind. Your eyes are one thing that you dont want to be messing around with. Where would you be without them? Well, you wouldnt know. So to put your name down for good eyes, you first need to find an Optometrist. These people aren't too hard to locate, as there are eye clinics all over the globe.
An http://www.find-optometrist.com Optometrist can, of course, be male or female, and they are responsible for keeping your eyesight in good shape. They are there to examine and diagnose your eyes, as well as give sufficient treatment to correct poor eyesight. This treatment isn't a bottle of "good-eye" pills, or a needle full of eyesight, it is vision correction throught the use of lenses and other optical aids. Glasses and/or contact...
Find an Optometrist
Hearing aids > Find an Optometrist
7 Keys to Turning Cold Calls Into Warm Calls
7 Keys to Turning Cold Calls Into Warm Calls
by: Ari Galper
Let?s face it when it comes to cold calling many of us fear being rejected.
What if I was to tell you I have come up with 7 keys to turning your cold calls into warm calls?
Would you believe me?
Try these 7 cold calling ideas for yourself and see just how easy making a cold call
can really be.
1.
Change Your Mental Objective Before You Make Your Call
When making a cold call the traditional way, your main objective is usually to try and get the appointment or make the sale. The main problem with that is when you do make the call it is quite clear to the person on the other end of the phone that this is your goal and they usually think of an excuse to get you off the phone before they have a chance to hear what you have to say.
To turn your cold calls into warm calls you need to change your objective to creating a feeling of trust...
7 Keys to Turning Cold Calls Into Warm Calls
Hearing aids > 7 Keys to Turning Cold Calls Into Warm Calls
How I Boosted My Conversion Rate by 33% Overnight
How I Boosted My Conversion Rate by 33% Overnight
by: Rosalind Gardner
Once upon a time, I used to work as an air traffic controller.
As you might imagine, rapid technological advancement requires that controllers do a lot of reading to keep up with, and execute, procedural changes in their work.
As such, the first fifteen minutes of every shift was set aside to review new material in the 'Read and Initial' file, posted since your last day of work.
In addition to operational changes, the 'Read and Initial' contained administrative news on local, regional and national levels.
Some reviews would be easy. I'd read one short memo about an upcoming retirement party and then I'd be off to the coffee pot.
However, there were other days when an hour wouldn't have been enough time to properly digest everything. But you were stuck with only fifteen minutes.
So, how did I make sure I fully understood all the information...
How I Boosted My Conversion Rate by 33% Overnight
Hearing aids > How I Boosted My Conversion Rate by 33% Overnight
Cheap And Easy Party Food - Throw A Great Party Without Spending A Fortune
Cheap And Easy Party Food - Throw A Great Party Without Spending A Fortune
by: Angela Tyler
If you are planning a party, you already know that food can be one of your biggest expenses. However, you can take several steps to cut your party food costs. It is not necessary to purchase expensive appetizers and beverages to throw a great party. A little imagination and effort can make your party a memorable occasion.
Here are some ideas and suggestions to help...
Cheap And Easy Party Food - Throw A Great Party Without Spending A Fortune
Hearing aids > Cheap And Easy Party Food - Throw A Great Party Without Spending A Fortune