Worried about miscarriage?

1 min read August 12, 2025Week 5

Key takeaways

1 min

Know that if there's a concern, such as bleeding or pain, your doctor may order two hCG blood tests 48 hours apart to see how the level changes; it isn't a routine check to do on your own.
Expect hCG hormone levels to approximately double every 48 hours as an indicator of proper pregnancy development.
Know that an ultrasound can show the pregnancy after the fifth week, but most doctors wait a few weeks longer for the first scan; contact your doctor right away if you have bleeding or belly pain.
Understand that pregnancy anxiety is normal, especially for those with previous conception difficulties or miscarriage history.
Work with your healthcare provider to create a monitoring plan that supports your healthy pregnancy journey.

If there's a concern in early pregnancy, such as bleeding or pain, your doctor may order hCG blood tests 48 hours apart - the level should roughly double in that time. An ultrasound can show the pregnancy after week five, though most doctors wait a few weeks for the first scan; contact your doctor right away if you have any bleeding, even light spotting, or belly pain.

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Worried about miscarriage?

It is common for all expectant mothers, especially those who have had difficulty conceiving or have experienced miscarriages before, to be worried about how everything will go this time.

In the early stages of pregnancy, if there's a concern, such as bleeding or pain, your doctor may ask you to repeat hCG tests 48 hours apart. During this period, the level of the hormone should roughly double [1]. Using this analysis, an ectopic pregnancy can also be detected [2].

After the fifth week, it will be possible to monitor the pregnancy using ultrasound. However, most doctors wait until a few weeks later to perform the first ultrasound [2].

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Frequently asked questions

Your doctor follows your pregnancy at your prenatal visits; repeating hCG blood tests isn't a routine home check. If there's a concern, such as bleeding or pain, your doctor may order two hCG tests 48 hours apart - in early pregnancy the level should roughly double in that time. Contact your doctor right away if you have any bleeding, even light spotting, or belly pain. Go to the emergency room if the bleeding is heavy, the pain is severe, or you feel faint or dizzy.

While ultrasounds can detect pregnancy after the fifth week, most doctors wait a few weeks later for the first ultrasound. This timing helps ensure more accurate results and reduces unnecessary anxiety.

Yes, it's completely normal to worry about miscarriage, especially if you've had difficulty conceiving or previous pregnancy losses. These concerns are common among expectant mothers and don't indicate problems with your healthy pregnancy.

In a healthy pregnancy, hCG levels should double approximately every 48-72 hours during the first few weeks. Your doctor can interpret your specific levels and determine if they're progressing normally.

Yes, hCG level analysis can help detect ectopic pregnancies when combined with other diagnostic tools. Abnormal hCG patterns may indicate complications that require immediate medical attention.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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Medically reviewed content

Reviewed by healthcare professionals · Updated October 2, 2026

This article is based on peer-reviewed research and trusted medical sources.

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