hCG is vital for the detection and monitoring of pregnancy. It can be detected in a woman's blood or urine shortly after the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. The levels of hCG typically double every 48 to 72 hours in early pregnancy, which can be monitored to assess the health and progression of the pregnancy. Nurses often use hCG levels to confirm pregnancy, monitor its progress, and sometimes diagnose potential complications such as ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
