A Guide on How to Increase hCG Levels in Early Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting and life-changing experience, but it can also come with its fair share of concerns. One of these concerns is ensuring that your hCG levels are at a healthy level. hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone that is produced during pregnancy and is responsible for maintaining the pregnancy. Low hCG levels can indicate a potential risk of miscarriage, while high levels can be a sign of a molar pregnancy. In this article, we will understand how to increase hCG levels in early pregnancy and ensure a healthy pregnancy.

What is hCG?

hCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin, which is a hormone produced once an embryo is implanted in the uterus by the placenta. This hormone tells your body to produce more progesterone levels to prevent menstruation, and the uterine lining is protected. It is sometimes referred to as the "pregnancy hormone".

hCG levels can be detected through urine or blood tests, and the normal hCG level doubles every 72 hours during the first few weeks. But as the level gets higher, the time it takes to double can increase to about every 96 hours. High levels of hCG can also indicate miscalculation of pregnancy dating, molar pregnancy, or multiple pregnancies.

Normal Levels of hCG in Pregnancy

The standard varies for each woman, as every woman has a different body, and each body reacts differently to pregnancy. It also depends on the number of babies that you are having. According to research, the levels of hCG hormone can first be detected 11 days after conception through a blood test. They will reach their peak during the first 8 to 11 weeks. It starts to decline after the eleventh week of pregnancy.

An hCG level of less than five mIU/mL means that the woman is not pregnant. Levels above 25 mIU/mL mean that the woman is pregnant. The normal ranges for HCG levels are given below. However, you should remember that the level varies for each woman. So, consult your doctor to know if your level falls into the normal range.

Levels of hCG in pregnancy

You may also like: What Causes Low hCG Levels in Early Pregnancy?

How to Increase hCG Levels in Early Pregnancy?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to increase hCG levels in pregnancy. However, there are ways to naturally increase progesterone in the body that HCG tells your body to produce. Did you know that the placenta, responsible for providing nutrients and oxygen to the baby, doesn’t develop until weeks 12 to 14? Progesterone stimulates blood in the region for a healthy placenta to grow.

Below are some ways to naturally increase progesterone in the body, which will indirectly stimulate a healthy level of hCG in pregnancy:

1. Maintain a healthy body weight

Estrogen and progesterone balance each other out. However, when you have excess fat, the body produces more estrogen. The ovaries don’t know that excess estrogen is being created in the body, so they don’t compensate with more progesterone. Hence, it is important to maintain healthy body weight with an average fat percentage so that both hormones remain at stable levels.

2. Avoid intense exercise

Light to moderate exercise and movement are good during pregnancy. It benefits both the mother and the baby. However, when you over-exercise, the body produces cortisol, a stress hormone for long and high levels. Since the human body is not habitual of creating such high levels of cortisol, it compensates by converting progesterone into cortisol.

3. Reduce stress

When we are stressed, it increases the production of a stress hormone called cortisol. Since the body is not used to producing high cortisol levels, it compensates by converting progesterone into cortisol. Hence, it is important to reduce stress. You can engage in positive activities that make you happy and reduce stress, such as walking on the grass, reading, talking to a friend, etc. When you experience positive emotions, it sends signals to the body that it can resume normal progesterone levels and stop converting it into cortisol.

4. Medical intervention

In some cases, doctors may prescribe progesterone injections or medications to support healthy progesterone levels during pregnancy. This can help sustain the pregnancy when there's a greater risk of miscarriage. But only take progesterone supplements if they have been prescribed by your gynecologist.

The Bottomline

Knowing how to increase hCG levels in early pregnancy is important but it's also important to remember that every pregnancy is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. Maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, managing stress, and getting proper rest can all contribute to a healthy pregnancy. However, medical intervention may be necessary in some cases. Your healthcare provider can advise you on the best course of action if your hCG levels are low.

References

1. Nwabuobi C, Arlier S, Schatz F, Guzeloglu-Kayisli O, Lockwood CJ, Kayisli UA. (2017). hCG: Biological Functions and Clinical Applications. NCBI

2. Korevaar TI, Steegers EA, de Rijke YB, Schalekamp-Timmermans S, Visser WE, Hofman A, Jaddoe VW, Tiemeier H, Visser TJ, Medici M, Peeters RP. (2015). Reference ranges and determinants of total hCG levels during pregnancy: the Generation R Study. Eur J Epidemiol.