In pregnancy, beta-hCG reaches its peak around which week?

• A. 8 weeks
• B. 12 weeks
• C. 16 weeks
• D. 20 weeks

Answer: (C)

Beta-hCG is produced by placental trophoblasts early in pregnancy and serves to maintain progesterone production from the corpus luteum, supporting the early pregnancy. Levels rise rapidly in the first weeks, roughly doubling every 48–72 hours. They reach their highest point toward the end of the first trimester, typically around 9–12 weeks of gestation. After this peak, hCG concentrations decline and then plateau at a lower level for the remainder of pregnancy. So, the peak occurs at the end of the first trimester, not later in pregnancy.