hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) levels typically double every 48 to 72 hours during the early weeks of pregnancy. This doubling pattern usually happens for the first 6 to 7 weeks of pregnancy. After this period, the rate at which hCG doubles begins to slow down. By around 8 to 10 weeks of pregnancy, hCG levels generally stop doubling and reach a peak or plateau. After reaching this peak, hCG levels may stabilize or even decline slightly through the remainder of the pregnancy. To summarize:
- hCG doubles approximately every 48 hours in early pregnancy (up to about 6-7 weeks).
- After 6-7 weeks, the doubling slows, taking 3 to 4 days or more.
- Around 8 to 10 weeks, hCG levels plateau and stop doubling.
- The plateau level can be very high, often in the hundreds of thousands IU/L.
This pattern reflects normal pregnancy progression and is used to monitor the health of the pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.
