Fetus with No Heartbeat

Dear K.,

I went through a similar situation where the fetus was supposed to be 5 weeks and did not have a heartbeat. Sadly, our doctor reccommended a D&C. A friend of mine, who had the same experience chose not to do the D&C and regretted it. She said the actual miscarriage was so painful and she had no control over it, that if she had to do it again she would have scheduled the D&C. That being said, I did experience the D&C and it was virtually painless, well, physically that is. It is always difficult saying goodbye to something so wanted, but on the upside we were pregnant again in just a few short months and all went perfectly.

Best of luck to you!
:)Y.

I too, had a very similar situation with my second pregnancy. (My son was 3 at the time.) I had a bad feeling about the pregnancy from the beginning and to have the dr. say he didn't see a heartbeat honestly didn't surprise me. He wouldn't say if I was going to miscarry or not. But, sure enough about a week later I miscarried. It's tough to go thru no matter what, but it does help to know that a lot of other people have gone thru this but went on to have 1 or more successful pregnancies later. I had 2 more babies a few years later. It did help to have the dr tell me that I had done nothing wrong, it was nature's way of taking care of something that was not meant to be.

Hi K.,

I am very sorry for what you are going through. Unfortunately, I think the ER doctor just didn't want to deliver the bad news and referred you to your regular doctor. It sounds to me like the baby stopped living a couple weeks ago.

At 9 weeks, I went for my first appointment with the OB with what would have been my second child. There was no heartbeat. My baby was gone.

Of course you should follow up with your doctor, but sadly, I don't think you will hear anything positive. Miscarriage is difficult whether it is your first, second or third. Warm thoughts to you during this time.

C.

I am sorry it is a hard thing. I had the same thing happen but I was 16 weeks along. I did end up losing the baby, it was hard. I started spotting on a tuesday and lost the baby the following monday. If you need to call someone I will be here, my number is ###-###-####. I will have to say it really makes you appreciate your first baby. Take care.

J.

P.S. I have had 3 kiddo's since I lost my baby, we have a some great kids.

I went to the doctor at 10 weeks for my first appointment with my 4th pregnancy. The baby measured 6 weeks and the doctor didn't see a heartbeat. He told me there was a chance I got pregnant a month later than I thought I had, or that I would miscarry the baby. He told me to make an appointment for early the next week. A fetus at that stage is supposed to increase in size at a very rapid rate. He would be able to tell what was going on by whether the baby had grown. He also said that if I couldn't wait until the next week to find out, I could have some blood work done because one of the hormones doubles every day at that early stage of pregnancy.

I decided to wait until my next appointment to see, but I felt pretty sure it was a miscarriage. Sure enough, over the weekend I started bleeding and by the time I went in the next week, there was nothing left on the ultrasound.

It was a very strange feeling after 3 successful pregnancies. I waited for a few months and started to try again. About a year after my miscarriage, my 4th child was born. I was worried (a completely unfamiliar feeling for me) up until the first time I felt my baby kick with my last pregnancy.

I hope you and your husband are able to find peace, whatever the outcome.

Hi K.,
I'm really sorry to hear that your medical people are being so inconsiderate to you. They should be talking with you about what might be going on, at the very least. I'm assuming you had an ultrasound because of the measurements.

I can't say what is happening with you and your pregnancy, but I'm also sad to to say that this happened to me, and it was a "missed" miscarriage. Some miscarriages don't process the usual way, with cramping and bleeding right away. The heartbeat just stops, and the woman's body doesn't recognize it, or whatever. A missed miscarriage does take 2-3 weeks sometimes before the cramping and bleeding. Mine happened when the fetus was about 7 1/2 weeks, and I found out when I went in for a checkup at 10 weeks. They did an ultrasound to confirm there was no heartbeat, and that growth had stopped at some previous time. They said I could wait to see if my body would pass the miscarriage on its own. I waited for another 4 days and nothing happened, so I asked for a D&C, which they tend to recommend after 3 weeks anyway, due to risk of infection. It was pretty hard on us, and you might want to get some support from a close friend if it's a miscarriage.
Best wishes and take care. The more I had my son with me, the better I felt.

I had a pregnancy that was similiar. we went in for a checkup and i had felt a little off but nothing major. the baby was small and the doctor couldn't get a heartbeat. He told us to go home for a week and start thinking about somethings but not too over stress. he told us it may be a fluke thing or the baby may be gone and we must consider a Dnc since my body wasn't doining anything. when we went back in a week my body had absorbed the baby but the placenta and such was still there so the Doctor told us i would need a DNC. A DNC is where they clean out the placenta and extra stuff so your body can heal and be healthy again. I was very upset because it was my second miscarriage in a couple years but now I can stop and realize that both of those babies are better off with God and that they have no problems or concerns with Him. I thankfully a year and couple months later gave birth to my oldest daughter and just had to be extra careful while i was pregnant but my doctor knew how to take care of me and would not let me do too much. I am sorry you are in such a scary, painful position. Hopefully everything will work out for the best and dont worry (even though its hard to believe right now) things will get better! Good Luck Roberta

Bless your heart!
I will hope for the best for you and your family

Yes I have been in your situation-twice!
I will tell you the first time had a happy ending-----I have a beautiful 19 year old daughter now--but when I went to the ER at 9 weeks with cramping/spotting I was told there was no heat beat and I should arrange for a D&C when I had my doctor's appt. Similar experience-weekend wait until Mon etc etc.
Well I owe my child's life to the best OB---he double checked by ultrasound and yes there was a heartbeat!!! It makes me tear up 20 years later.
I will tell you had yet another experience where the pregnancy did not continue----9 weeks no heartbeat---probable poor implantation.
Go to your doctor's office today and have a confirmation of the dates and the status of your baby.
There is no way anyone can tell you how hard this is unless they have been there.

Take care of yourself,
D.

Hello K.. I suffered a similar situation 5 years ago. I found out I was pregnant at about 6 weeks and when I returned a few weeks later to get my first ultrasound etc, I was told that there was no heart beat and there should have been. I was then seen by what seemed to me like a billion doctors and end the end, I started cramping and spotting and eventually miscarried at home. I cant believe no one could tell you anything that day, they know. I hope all goes well for you and on the brighter side, I got pregnant again 3 months later and my son is now 5!

I was 12 weeks along, and that's when I did the ultrasound. At first the DR said, "Are you sure you're 12 weeks?" and then he said he couldn't find a heartbeat. My body was still acting totally pregnant...no signs at all...but the fetus wasn't alive. Very sad.

I was 29 (not far from your age), and it was my first pregnancy. And I had two kids after, safe and sound, no complications.

It's been nine years since then. But it happened on Dec. 3, so I think about it this time of year. Sorry for what you've been through. I hope an ultrasound will tell them for certain.

I wish I could offer more comfort. I suppose mine is that the fetus died on its own, more than likely because something just wasn't right with it. Nature takes care of much of this for us, I think.

I will pray for you.

K.:

I dealt with this a few years ago and went to the ER in PHX, AZ. They told me in the ER that I was miscarrying and that there was nothing they could do for me, but they were sorry.

I then went to my normal doctor at a Luke AFB and they confirmed and then I ran to the bathroom because I felt something weird down there and I saw the baby in the toilet.
Thank GOd for automatic-flushers!!!!

It was as far as you are at this time. I would not wish this on anyone and would definitely ask them to do a DNC so you don't have to witness the body of your fetus. I went through a hard time and wouldn't let my husband touch me after that. Our marriage was on the rocks for a year.

After we moved home though, it got better and we immediately got pregnant with my little girl who is now 15 months old.

Keep your faith and know that if they didn't tell you in the ER (I'm still concerned why they didn't, that you can follow up with your normal OBGYN and they will let you know. Ask them for a DNC. Hopefully your insurance will cover it.

Best of luck and keep trying to have another one. Share the experience with your husband and keep that communication line open. I found out later that my husband was just as depressed as I was about losing a baby.

Sending prayers for you and your family,

Kim B.

Yes, that happened to me. Almost the exact same scenario, except I didn't have cramping. The baby measured small the whole pregnancy (which lasted 10 weeks - I had a couple ultrasounds because of PCOS) and then the heartbeat stopped. Best wishes, miscarriages aren't as uncommon as most think. Hang in there..

I am so sorry!
I have been threw this. It could be that the person looking at the ultrasound is not use to looking for baby heart beats.
Or it could be that you're little one has passed, and your body is getting ready to miscarriage.

Chances are they are going to let you're body do the natural thing. Most DR will wait up to a week or two, and then if the baby does not pass they will induce labor, or go in for a D&C. With a D&C they go in and scrap your uterus and make sure they get all the yucky stuff out.
Yes you can still try to have another one. Again DR vary on how long they want you to wait before you try again.
I went on to have one more baby after my loss.

Also it is ok to grieve. This is your little one, and you have connected.
Here are a couple of links
http://www.pregnancyloss.info/
http://www.bornangels.com/
This one is for books
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Da...

I will have you in my heart and prayers.
B.
www.SouthSoundDoula.com

I had a similar experience which did not end well. I went through a couple of cramping episodes and the baby was fine, however at 12 weeks and 2 days pregnant my baby no longer had a heartbeat. It was determined that the baby had died and unfortunatly ended in a miscarriage. The doctors will never tell you that you may be having a miscarriage. I went and had mine checked by more than one doctor to make sure the diagnois was correct. I pray that you will be okay. It is difficult to deal with. Hopefully you are not having a miscarrage. It is possible that the heartbeat is not detectable yet and you are not as far along as first determined. Hang in there.

I, too, have been through this. I was about 8 weeks along and had all the cramping and bleeding, went to the doctor, baby measured small, but they didn't check for heartbeat. My doctor basically said that he couldn't confirm miscarriage simply because the placenta sack was still there and so there is always a small bit of hope, but I knew. I did miscarry four days later, which I was expecting, however it was difficult. I did go on to have a second child, she is happy and healthy. You will make it through this, give your little boy a big hug and let your husband comfort you. God Bless, Carin

I had this happen to me twice. It is heartbreaking and I felt like I was so alone during it. I had two babies prior to the miscarriages and I was able to have another baby after and he is healthy and happy. I was told that the most common reason a baby miscarries is because of a chromosomal abnormality. Good luck to you, and try-try again. - T.

That doesn't sound good = ( I'm sorry!!! Call your doctor first thing!

I had a similar diagnosis a year ago. On a routine visit our Dr. did an ultrasound, no heartbeat was detected and so we did another one by the radiologist. It was determined then that the baby was not viable. We went home and waited. Two weeks later I began bleeding, and eventually had to go to the er because I had lost too much blood. They did an emergency d and c. I'm so sorry you are having to go through this.

Hi K.,
I'm sorry that the doctors don't tell you what's going on. After seeing the other responses, you probably know what to expect. I was supposed to be 12 weeks when I went in for an ultrasound and baby measured 9 weeks with no heart beat. I'm thankful that my midwife was there by my side. I used natural herbs to induce the miscarriage. It took a little while but I did it at home. I went into "labor" in the evening like I have with all my babies. Even at this young age, it is a sad thing to lose your baby. We got pregnant a few months later, and I recently had number 5. May God comfort your family.

as most other post I had this happen also. I had the choice of a D&C or to take this medication vaginally and have a more natural miscarriage. It was awfull!!! very painfull like having contractions. Well it didn't completly miscarry and had to have a d&c anyways. My recommendation is to just have the D&C. And like others have said the baby was most likely not healthy enough to live.

My thoughts are with you!

so sorry to hear of your loss, i just went thru this a few days ago, i understand and no you don't want sympathy, but it's hard. God Bless You, try again, I will God is faithful.....

Kristen I was 5 weeks preggo and they couldnt find a heartbeat and with an us couldnt find anything but a sac, they told me I was pregnant with a blighted ovum, and made to wait 6 weeks for an appt. with my obgyn.
My daughter is 20 months now, so pray and maybe everything will be ok, if not I am sorry and still pray..

The baby's heart starts beating at EXACTLY 5 weeks and 3 days gestation. Your pregnancy sounds like it will end like my first. But I had to have a D/C because I went clear to almost 11 weeks hoping my body would let go, and it didn't, and my doctor started worrying about infection. I had an ultrasound at 8 weeks that showed the baby was behind. A follow up ultrasound the next week showed the yolk sac had never developed and had started deteriorating. My baby never got a heart beat. Then I waited, hoping my body would start cramping and bleeding, but nothing happenend. My friend just experienced a miscarriage. She took a percusset (sp?) and slept through the cramping and bleeding, letting her family take care of her other kids. It was her fourth pregnancy, and she has two healthy boys, so she said it didn't affect her as much. But it's still hard to lose a baby at any stage in any way.

i don't have experience with this but hope with all my heart that that tech just couldn't find it. if you are going to miscarry, i wanted to pass this info along as i just heard about it myself. there is a syndrome, Ashermans syndrome, which involves scarring of the uterus from a d&c. please research this before you decide anything as it can complicate further pregnancies. there are other options: http://miscarriage.about.com/od/medicaltreatmentchoices/a...

i wish you the best.

Hi K.,
Unfortunately, you are miscarrying. I am so sorry. No heartbeat means this pregnancy is not viable any more. You may miscarry on your own or require D&C (dilation & curettage). Follow-up with your OB ASAP & hang in there.

K.,
This happened to me and my husband 7 years ago. My heart totally goes out to you. I didn't know what to do and ended up with a D and C. I am so thankful you already have a child, not because this pregnancy was not full of hope, but because you know you can successfully carry a child to term. Definately take the time to mourn this loss of life. It is a difficult part of being a woman and unfortunatly seems to happen to alot of us. The addage, time will help heal, is true for me, but I always will remember the saddness we experienced. Snuggle with your husband and snuggle with your little one and know things will slowly get better.
K.
PS. We have two beautiful healthy girls, 3 and 6, so hopefully it will go better next time.

i acctually just went through this on thanksgiving. my babys heart stopped at 8 weeks and i found out at 9 weeks. they told me the same as you and 2 days later i miscarried. i didnt even have time to schedule a D&C which i reccomend.
i had bad cramps for about an hour and then it happened. just make sure you get to the hospital soon after. i waited a few hours and got pretty ill. it was very hard on me for a few days but i am very much the optimist and tried to only think of the positive....like maybe its just not the right time, or for us to appreciate the children we already have. it definately brought my husband and i closer. just dont be afraid to try again if you are up for having more.

Hi, I'm so sorry you are going through this. I had a similair situation. In my case it was what they call a missed abortion. The fetus was no longer viable but my body hadn't expelled it. I had to have a Dand C. Definitely follow up with your doctor ASAP. Hang in there.