6 Week Ultrasound, No Fetal Pole or Heartbeat- HCG Levels at 35,000 - Boston,MA

Updated on December 20, 2009
M.M. asks from Boston, MA
13 answers

Hi,
This is my first pregnancy and I had my first ultrasound today. My cycles are irregular but an at home ovulation test kit said that I ovulated exactly 6 weeks and 2 days ago. I times intercourse based on that (that day and the following day). Today I saw a gestational sac and yolk sac, but did not see a fetal pole or heartbeat. My HCG levels came back at 35,000. I am due to go back in 1 week. I have had no bleeding or major cramping (just minor twinges of cramps which I understand can be normal). Has anyone else been through this and had it turn out ok? I was so hoping to see a heartbeat! We were planning to announce the pregnancy to our families this weekend during a hokiday party, but now I think I will wait (I don't want to tell them and find out 2 days later that it is not viable) Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Im going to be a nervous wreck for the next week.

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So What Happened?

We just saw the baby with a nice strong heartbeat! It was just a little too early last week! Amazing how much can change in 1 week. They are dating me at 7 weeks 2 days. Thanks for the advice & support! Good luck to any in the same position

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K.D.

answers from Hartford on

When I was pregnant with my now 4 yr old daughter, I had some light bleeding at around 5-6 weeks and they sent me for an ultrasound but could not see the fetal pole. I went back a week later and all was well. All pregnancies are different so try not to worry but if we waited to tell people until we were about 8-10 weeks. Best of luck!

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N.S.

answers from Boston on

The fact that you ovulated only 6 weeks ago it could be possible it was just to early to detect. I would hold onto your hope. I was 12 weeks w/my son and my heart sank when they couldn't find his heart rate on the doppler. Thankfully it showed up when I went later to get an ultrasound. Needles to say the waiting game is no fun and I know it leaves you on edge.

I would like to comment that waiting to tell the world until after 12 weeks is smart. But I beleive in telling family and close/best friends. They are the people that are there to support you in your life good or bad.

Good Luck!!

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C.A.

answers from Boston on

Congratulations! I have been where you are & I understand the next week or so will be very emotional for you. Please try to involve yourself in anything else to take your mind off the subject.
I had an ultrasound with my 2nd child & had no heartbeat either. I went back at 8 weeks & sure enough it was there & strong. Typically a heartbeat is not visible till 8 weeks. Best of luck to you!

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C.F.

answers from Pittsfield on

Hi M., I've been in that position, so I know how hard it is. And I had had two previous miscarriages, so it was even harder to stay positive and relaxed. Given the irregular cycles and such an early ultrasound, I would give it a little time before you assume the worst. As far as telling people about the pregnancy, our philosophy was always that conception itself was worth celebrating, so we always told people right away (family, close friends). Then if all went well, more celebration. And the times it didn't go the way we hoped we had the support and understanding of those family and friends to help us through the grieving. Otherwise no one would have understood what we were going through, and it would have been really lonely. I will be praying for you.

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D.S.

answers from Boston on

Hi M., i think all is open in your case, and i would try to relax as much as you can. I remember that this is very hard, especially after a miscarriage that i had. From my experiences with 4 pregancies and now two healthy children i would advice you to keep your pregnancy to yourself and your partner until 12 weeks. Life is fragile. Life is stubborn. Life is a mystery. It may very well be that soon you'll be well along with a buldging, happy belly, but it could also be different, always. I find it so hard to just be and not be scared, enjoy what i have and forget about many worries that i have (right now we have a Leukemia scare in the family, and i am trying to relax before the big check up for that tomorrow).
I remember how much i wanted my children (and i know how much i love them now). It is hard to flow with it. Get support frm your partner and your best friend through this time of excitement and fear. Once you have children, you'll be needing that support ever more.
Good luck and i hope that it will all be fine!!!
D.

M.L.

answers from Hartford on

Maybe it is to soon to detect, just relax. Stress is not good! Your Dr. should would of said something if something was def. wrong. Sometimes they cannot find a heartbeat this early. Keep us posted and good luck!

M.

http://www.WorkingGreenMoms.com

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L.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I was just were you are last week. My story is super crazy too. I feel like they should not do ultra sounds so early, they just scare us. Here is a link to my story from last week:
http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/18027829754798866433

I learned a lot from the site http://www.misdiagnosedmiscarriage.com/ like having a tilted uterus can make it hard to see the baby and that if a yolk sac is there then a baby is too. I hope you the best! Keep us posted.

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P.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi. Not sure if this is helpful, but I had no gestational sac at 6 weeks and my HcG levels were low, but rising (just not doubling as they'd wish.) My doctor behaved as if my pregnancy was DEFINITELY unviable and it was a VERY stressful two weeks. He was talking D&C before we even got a 2nd set of results. Eventually as it was seen that it was a true, non-ectopic pregnancy, I relaxed a TEENY bit. But that setting and that doctor (got rid of him) made me nervous for my entire pregnancy. Fast forward - I have a healthy, happy, 22 lb 9 month old. So keep hope alive. However, don't tell your family yet - it's stressful with people asking questions and your outlook needs to be positive in order to allow miracles to do their thing. And every pregnancy that ends in a healthy live birth is a miracle. Good luck and God bless.

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J.H.

answers from Boston on

I had an ultrasound at 6 weeks and all I saw was a gestational sac/yolk sac. They had me come in a week later because the heartbeat doesn't start until 7 weeks. They wanted to make sure that it was viable. After an agonizing week we went back and there it was..a heartbeat!!

It will be a long week, but it is normal not to see a heartbeat until you are 7 weeks. Also if your cycle is not regular you can be off with your dates. Just relax (easier said than done I know!!)and take one day at a time.

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S.C.

answers from Boston on

Hi M..
A veryclose friend of mine did not see a fetal heartbeat until 9 weeks of gestation, so please don't despair. May you have a wonderful pregnancy!
Happy holidays,
S.

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J.B.

answers from Boston on

something similiar happend with DD1
i always had longer cycles. but yet when i conceived they use the standard 'everyone has 28 day cycles and ovulates on day 14' and gave me a due date. i knew they were off by at least a week since i didnt have intercouse anywhere near day 14 and i was tracking my cycles. but whatever.
i had some small spotting - no cramping. went for an u/s at 7 weeks and they said there was no heart beat and that i would be miscarring. i had to go into the office for them to check my levels. those were going up - slowly- but going up. after a week of hell and demanding a second ultrasound after my dr discussed a D&C- i did get a second ultrasound. the pregnancy was fine. it was awful and one of the worst weeks of my life. i fired my doctor and found a great practice for the rest of pregnancy. good luck!

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E.R.

answers from Boston on

The same thing just happened to me. I'm now 13 weeks (and all good) but they scheduled the first US too early and saw no heartbeat. I came back a week later and there it was. Then they picked it up no problem at my 12 week sonogram. It can be a really LONG week and it is possible the pregnancy did not take. It's also possible that implantation took a few days longer than you estimated and the gestational age is a little younger than the drs thought (so no heartbeat yet). I know how hard it is to relax but try to keep in mind that there is not much you can do and nothing you did do that will make a difference. Good luck.

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M.D.

answers from Boston on

Wait before another ultrasound before you allow anyone to suggest to you a D&C. I have heard way too many stories of doctors telling a mum that she'd miscarry anyway so why not just do the D&C, and then it turned out the baby was FINE.

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