Levels of hCG are measured in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/ml). Beta-hCG levels are low early in pregnancy and rise throughout the first trimester, into the second trimester.

That’s because hCG levels vary greatly between each woman, and there’s a wide range of normal levels. Plus, not every woman has increased hCG numbers with twins, triplets, or other multiples.

Dr. Lang says hCG usually reaches 90–100,000 mIU/mL. But when analyzing hCG test results, they pay attention to trends instead of numbers.

1. Lack of hCG Rise: If hCG levels do not double as expected or decrease, it may indicate a potential problem with the pregnancy, such as a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

Postpartum and post-abortion, HCG levels should naturally decrease within a timeframe of 7 days to 2 months. This decline is crucial to confirm the complete expulsion of placental tissue.