Pregnancy Hormones
Human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG is a pregnancy hormone that is produced by the placenta. The placenta is a temporary organ that joins the mother to the fetus, transfers maternal oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, and releases carbon dioxide and waste products from the fetus. hCG levels can be detected in a blood test as early as 11 days after conception and about 12 to14 days after conception by a urine test. Generally, the hCG levels will double every 72 hours, peak in the first 8 to 11 weeks of pregnancy, and then decline and level off. An hCG level of less than 5mIU/ml is considered negative for pregnancy, and anything above 25mIU/ml is considered positive for pregnancy.
Photo: Getty Images
Add a CommentComments
There are no comments yet. Be the first one and get the conversation started!