When Does hCG Peak During Pregnancy?

Learn when hCG levels peak in pregnancy and how they affect early pregnancy health.

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hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) typically peaks around the 10th week of pregnancy. This hormone is crucial for maintaining the corpus luteum, which supports the early stages of pregnancy. After the peak, hCG levels generally decrease and plateau for the remainder of the pregnancy. Understanding this timeline can help in interpreting pregnancy tests and observing the health of the pregnancy.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the role of hCG in pregnancy? hCG helps maintain the corpus luteum, which supports the early stages of pregnancy and is crucial for fetal development.
  2. How can hCG levels be tested during pregnancy? hCG levels can be tested through urine or blood tests, which are commonly used to confirm pregnancy.
  3. What happens to hCG levels after the first trimester? After peaking around the 10th week, hCG levels generally decrease and stabilize for the rest of the pregnancy.