HCG is the hormone that is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. This hormone is what detects pregnancy during a pregnancy test. It stands for human Chorionic Gonadotropin.

During a normal pregnancy, the HCG levels will steadily rise throughout pregnancy. The HCG levels will peak around the 8^th to 10^th week of pregnancy and then decline until delivery.

There are some average HCG levels that you can use as a guide during pregnancy, but the overall goal is a steady increase during pregnancy. Generally, these levels should double every two to three days in early pregnancy.

HCG levels that decline may indicate that fetal death has already occurred. Levels that are not increasing as they should be, may indicate a pending miscarriage or a possible ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. Please note that some women will have lower than normal HCG levels during pregnancy and will continue to have an otherwise normal pregnancy and baby.

If the HCG levels are declining or are not what they are supposed to be, generally the doctor will look at the progesterone level. If the progesterone level is also low or at an abnormal level for the stage of pregnancy you are in, you may be given progesterone cream to help sustain the pregnancy. This cream comes in the form of a vaginal suppository and the doctor may recommend continuing its use until the 16^th week of pregnancy.

Below is a chart of normal ranges of HCG levels in pregnancy (single fetus pregnancies).