10 Week Ultrasound Shows 5 Week Development

I had a blighted ovum(I was 21, so they're not age discriminate), and my body carried it to twelve weeks, I thought I was just past the first trimester and out of the hight miscarriage risk and then I started bleeding. If you do have one, I'm sorry. It was a strange feeling because I wanted to be sad because I had been expecting a baby, but if there never had been a baby, why should I be sad? Good luck.

Don't panic just yet. My son was at 13 weeks development and i was 22 weeks pregnant, or so they said. The doctors also told me his stomach was way to small, and his head was huge, but the day he was born he turned out beautiful. Everything was just fine. The one thing you do need to worry about is if you aren't getting any amniotic fluid in there... that is a big problem. With my first son I didn't have any fluids, and that caused problems. Wait it out a couple more months and if things don't change I'd start asking questions. You know doctors won't tell you everything you need to know unless you ask all the questions.

I'm so sorry that this is happening to you! This happened to me too after fertility treatment 12. A blighted ovum is an empty sack and has no embryo. The only way for the doctors to know if it's an empty sack, deceased embryo or just a delayed embryo since your dates are solely based on your last period, is to wait and see. Hopefully your cycle was really long and you ovulated past the normal timing. They're doing the right thing for you in repeating the HCG and ultrasound. The waiting is absolute torture though. Since you're on Progesterone, that's why you're not having any cramping/spotting/bleeding and have the same pregnancy symptoms as your first pregnancy. Progesterone keeps you pregnant. THe ovaries produce this hormone until around 12 weeks when the placenta takes over. I hope this information is helpful, and if you need anything else, please let me know.
S. G.

I had a blighted ovum and the ultrasound around 10 weeks showed development stopped at 5 weeks. The baby never formed. My doctor told me that your body can still "think" it is pregnant for 6 weeks after development stops when you experience a blighted ovum miscarriage. I ended up bleeding shortly after the ultrasound, but before that I had morning sickness, I was even showing a bit, so I had all the pregnancy symptoms up until my bleeding. So, I don't know if you have this, but it sounds like you may. I know many women who have had blighted ovum miscarriages. I am so sorry for your loss.

The same thing happened to me in October. I was 10.5 weeks and I knew that for positive. The doctor said what he saw was a 5 week pregnancy. I scheduled the u/s because I had already started bleeding. They wanted me to come back in two weeks to double check but since I was bleeding/cramping heavily, 10 weeks pregnant, and there was no embryo, I had a DnC. I didn't want to delay the inevitable. I knew what was happening. I am now 3.5 weeks pregnant and fear another m/c and am too taking progesterone which I hope helps. I have two healthy kids... and by 10.5 weeks, I knew what I should be looking for on the u/s and it wasn't there. If you have no bleeding it probably is best to wait it out another 2 weeks to see if anything appears.....they sometimes do!! Best of luck I wish you the best outcome here.

A blighted ovum means that a baby never developed. A "missed miscarriage" is when a baby stops developing but the pregnancy continues hormonally. A "missed miscarriage" will eventually become a miscarriage when the hormons levels begin to taper off.

Is it possible that your dates are off? And how good was the quality of the ultrasound machine? If I were you I would have a few ultrasounds several days apart to see if there is any new growth.

Bes wishes to you.

2 months ago I went through the same thing. I was spotting occasionally here and there, so they did an ultrasound when I thought I was around 10 weeks pregnant. The ultrasound tech asked me if I was positive of my dates(which I was), and said the ultrasound showed the baby to be at 5-5 1/2 weeks. she said the sack was empty. I didn't have any cramping. I then spoke with my doctors who told me the baby stopped growing and eventually my body would catch on and miscarry the baby. I chose to go with the option of having the dnc done the next day to not have to go through more pain of seeing and going through the "actual" miscarriage. Good luck to you!

Did they want to do another ultrasound anytime soon? Mine said they never did ultrasounds prior to 12 weeks because they like to be able to see the heart beating and then can verify its a healthy pregnancy. If they didnt offer another one soon I would ask for one outright. You shouldnt have to sit around wondering if the baby is ok or not.

Hello L., I'm so sorry to hear about your lost. Just a little background on myself. I'm a highrisk ob/gyne sonographer.

It does sound like you have a blighted ovum. And it's exactly what your thinking. Development stops right before you able to see a fetal pole sonographically. Because your body hasn't expelled the gestational sac it's still giving off hormones that make you feel pregnant. Most patient with blighted ovums do not have symptoms of miscarriages.

I know alot of people have mentioned that your dates could be off, but I don't want to give you false hope. Yes, we use your last menstural period to HELP US determine the gestational age but that is not the end all. We also use the size of the gestational sac. With a blighted ovum the sac will continue to grow (not as normally though). The sac size can then help us determine if the dates are off or if the baby is not growing.

Of course it is always up to you to request another ultrasound but please don't think they are doing everything if they suggest that it would not help you more

I hoped I answered your question. Good luck with everything, feel free to send me a message if you have any questions.

My story makes no sense, but here it is: I was pregnant and supposed to be 8 weeks along(?). Because of 2 prior miscarriages, the doctor had me come in for early tests. Nothing looked good and told me I was miscarrying. The doctor recommended a DNC. I insisted on one more ultrasound. Sure enough...they saw a sac and fetal pole and everything else you should see, however it was measuring at a very different week of development than I was. (I can't remember the exact week I was at and what it measured at, but could find it in my journal.) I was just happy to see some something! So, we didn't do the DNC, did more tests and waited to see what would develop. Well, the tests didn't go well and another ultrasound showed...nothing. I ended up having a DNC a few days later. I'm hoping and praying that your scenario goes well. I debated even sending this because you are most likely desperately hoping that this turns out well. If you feel like you need someone to correspond with, I'd be happy to. Unfortunately, I have lots of miscarriage history. Happily, I just gave birth to my 2nd healthy child in September. I'll be praying for you by name, L..

You got me. However I had a blighted ovum miscarriage at 14 weeks. A friend of mine just two months prior to my miscarriage also had a blighted ovum miscarriage at 14 weeks. My doctor explained to me that at 14 weeks the hormones are racing in to find the baby and determine the sex. With the blighted ovum there was no baby and hence the miscarriage began. This is just my experience so I don't know it this will help or not.

Cathy R

L., hang in there. Your doctor should have scheduled a second ultrasound and/or blood draw. Wait and see what that says. I've had a lot of miscarriages, and they all seemed to stop growing around the 5 week mark. If this one does miscarry, I highly recommend seeing a specialist since it would be two in a row (your reg OB may not suggest it for another time or two and who wants to go through all that). I wish I'd gone to one much sooner as now I'm afraid to try again even with a plan. (((HUGS)))

I had two miscarriages in a row after my second child. The first I had at six weeks so we never even got to go to the doctor. The second I was 10 weeks and they saw two sacks but no babies...a few days later I started bleeding and I miscarried...I had a D&C, but most of everything was already expelled. I was 39 when that one happened.

They did bunches of tests on me and discovered through a blood test/genetic test...that I had PAI 1 gene mutation. It causes blood clots in the uterus and thus a miscarriage in most cases. Originally with the 10 week miscarriage they thought I had developed a mole. I had never even heard of such a thing, but when they tested the matter collected during the d&c...it turned out it wasn't...thank God. I would have had to wait a year to try again and then constantly be tested to see if it would reoccur.

Anyway, with this next pregnancy, my doctor started me on a blood thinner called Lovenox as soon as I knew I was pregnant. I give myself a shot once a day. I'm 32 weeeks pregnant with our first boy. I'm 40 years old and things are progressing well. The baby is big and healthy...determined by numerous ultrasounds to keep track of everything.

I had my first at 35, my second at 37 and now my third at 40. The first two I had with no problems. I don't know that your age is much of a factor when it comes to miscarriage...but the PAI 1 gene is supposed to be fairly common. My doctor said that after two miscarriages most doctors test for it standard practice.

So hope some of that helps.

Did they do a pregnancy test to see if you were still producing HCG at the right levels? That would determine if the baby was alive and growing...especially if your last period was when you say it was.

I am totally familiar w/ the progesterone. I have been a surrogate twice now and have known several other surrogates that have had problems w/ this. I think it sounds like it simply stopped growing still taking the prog. is what is keeping you from having the normal bleeding side effects. Sorry for your loss!! Did the Dr say to stop your meds?

Is there a possibility your dates are wrong? I am sure your Dr. and the radiologist will recommend a follow up. If nothing changes, then they will consider it to be a problem. You will have to wait until your next ultrasound to see if anything changes unless something else happens.(bleeding,etc.) They will also probably coordinate with blood work to see how far along you should be. I am and ultrasound tech for 12 years.

Hi there- I have experienced that before as well. Then my daughter ended up being born at 37 weeks and she was a full pound bigger then my other children- so I think I was right all along. As long as the baby is growing and healthy- don't worry. Every baby grows at it's own pace. My last pregnancy (he's 6 weeks) they said he was measuring at 28 weeks when I was 32 weeks, but when he was born he was normal and healthy. Sometimes they're just not that acurate.

I had a similar problem with my 3rd pregnancy. I thought I was 8-9 weeks and they said I showed 6-7 and they said it was a blighted ovum and I should go get a D&C. I was spotting and they thought that was another symptom of the blighted ovum. I decided to go check in with my ob-gyn before I followed the ER dr.'s advice and I'm so glad I did! It was not a blighted ovum. My baby was fine, the heart beat was on the next ultrasound and I now have a healthy 2 yr old boy! There are situations where you have a blighted ovum but there is definitely misdiagnosis and mis calculation on your last period. Let us know how the next ultrasound turns out.

Just remember that just b/c you had your period starting on the day you did doesn't at all mean that you ovulated when you think you did. You very well could have ovulated later in your cycle, which would lead to your earlier pregnancy. Trust the ultrasound and I'm sure they may do one for you again to confirm the heartbeat.

Yes, two years ago I experienced something similar. I was spotting, though, so I went in for an unltrasound. There was a heartbeat, and the fetus was firmly implanted, but the heartbeat was only 99 BPM, and it measured at 6 weeks when I knew I was 9 or 10 weeks. I was told I was probably miscarrying, and at the followp ultrasound one week later, the heartbeat was gone. The entire time, I also had typical pregnany symptoms--fatigue and breast tenderness/fullness. Eventually, two weeks later, I passed the fetus and placenta. Several months later, I had pregnancy symptoms and a positive pregnancy test, but my period came, and I passed some tissue that was different from usual. I was 35 at the time. We stopped trying after that, and I am thankful every day for the one perfect child I have. Having her made it all easier to bear, as I felt selfish grieving long knowing I already had one precious gift, which is more than some are able to have. Also, although fertility begins to wane at 35, know that miscarriages are very common among women at any age. Think of all the things that could possibly go wrong between conception and birth, and then imagine what a miracle it is that things ever go right!

Hello L., my name is Kijuana and I had a similar situation a few years ago. I went to the hospital with severe cramping and was told I was only 6wks pregnant when I knew I was 12wks. I agrued back and forth with the ER physician who was adement about my gestational period, but I had just taken a blood test one week previous that pin pointed that I was 12 weeks into my pregnancy. I went back to my OB the next day for and emergency appointment and told him the situation. He then did an ultra sound and found that the sack was empty. He than told me that I had actually miscarried and didn't know it. The fetus had self aborted and the sack was left. I had to get a D&C at that point. So my suggestion to you is definitely get a blood test and stay on top of your doctor with monitoring your progress as far as the development of the fetus. I actually have two daughters of which were both threatenned miscarriages and premature. One was born at 32 wks 3 lbs. 12 oz. and the other at 24 wks 1 lb. 2 oz and I am currently about 6wks pregnant now hoping not to have complications with this one. But in any case I wish you good luck in your pregnancy and having a healthy, beautiful baby.

Ultrasound is accurate to the day. If you base the due date on your cycle, you could be off as much as a month. Don't worry -- each pregnancy is different.

I went through the same exact thing. Yes, the development does just stop. I was also on progesterone. The progesterone is probably the reason you are not experiencing any bleeding/cramping. As soon as they confirm that it actually is a blighted ovum they should take you off of the progesterone and you will then start bleeding shortly after. GOOD LUCK Please let me know how everything goes with you. I will say a prayer for you. FYI After my miscarriage I got pregnant again at age 41, and had a perfect little baby boy, who just had his fourth birthday.

Dear L.,

i too had a blighted ovum--i went in for my 8 week u/s & the gentational sac was at 6 weeks & empty. The doctor told me the sac was empty & that he should be able to see a fetal pole at this time but the sac size was at 6 weeks too--so that is when the baby stopped developing. I certainly was not waiting for that news that day..but i am currently trying again. I have a 2 1/2 year old girl & would love to give her a brother or sister.........but if i cant i am so blessed to have her!!!!

L.,

I can only tell you went I went through. I had two blighted ovums and both times u/s (8&9 weeks) showed that the development stopped at 5 weeks. I had some pregnancy symptoms because my Hcg levels were up, the levels showed positive pregnancies, there just wasn't ever a baby.The next thing my doctor did was test my HcG levels again, and at that time they were going down instead of up, so I was miscarrying, and I did that naturally. Now, I was originally in for a u/s because I was spotting, so my situation was a little different. That being said, it's possible that you could have ovulated later than you thought, and gotten pg later, which would have caused the development to be behind what you had originally thought. I know that this is a stressful time for you, so hang in there! Best of luck!