Questions in the Maternal and Child Health Forum have been answered by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Question Title: No Fetal Heartbeat During Ultrasound at 6 weeks (LMP). Help! (ROBBI-please read)

Forum: The Maternal and Child Health Forum
Topic: Pregnancy - Abnormal

Re: No Fetal Heartbeat During Ultrasound at 6 weeks (LMP). Help! (ROBBI-please read)

Subject: Re: No Fetal Heartbeat During Ultrasound at 6 weeks (LMP). Help! (ROBBI-please read)

[Search][ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Maternal ~ Child Health Forum ] [ Archive/FAQ ]

Posted by hfhs.md.rcs on February 18, 1999 at 20:34:21:

In Reply to: No Fetal Heartbeat During Ultrasound at 6 weeks (LMP). Help! (ROBBI-please read) posted by Stacey in CA on February 18, 1999 at 13:16:53:

: ... I was just searching the web and found this wonderful site... I could not believe how similar Robbi's story (who posted below on 2/8) and my story are. My husband and I conceived on January 16 or 17th. On Monday, February 15 (at exactly 6 weeks LMP), I had an (early) transvaginal u/s even though I did not have any cramping or other warning signs that something might be wrong; - just higher than normal HCG levels... In my u/s, we saw a gestational sac clearly, but could not see a form inside clearly. I was expecting to see the heartbeat! My doctor couldn't locate a yolk sac either. However, my doctor said that he was having trouble discerning something that may have been inside the sac from the back surface of my uterus.. ?? .. I wonder if that is normal or if he is inexperienced with doing scans. The machine he was using was not in a lab, and didn't seem very sophisticated if that makes a difference... It was a small, in-office transvaginal machine; he did not do an abdominal u/s. The u/s result has been worrying me terribly, but my doctor, the nurse and my husband do not seem too concerned. My doctor reacted the opposite of Robbi's (who had a dim prognosis) even though I was a week 'farther along' than Robbi was during her scan.. The doctor said that it is probably just too early... From all the research I have done, this seems optimistic at best. I wonder if maybe he is just trying to keep my hopes up since I miscarried last January. I also wonder if there is any chance of seeing a fetus/heartbeat/yolk sac at our next u/s appointment. I am afraid to keep my hopes up. My HCG level is definitely not low. In fact, it is quite the opposite of the usual low HCG level associated with blighted ovum - which is the diagnosis that I am unfortuneately predicting. There was no evidence of a multiple pregnancy during the u/s which might have explained the high HCG level. My HCG level read 23,060 on day 25 after ovulation! I feel that I am going totally crazy here. I will not have a follow-up u/s until a week from today - Thursday, Feb. 25th! That is a full ten days after my last one which was on Monday Feb. 15th. What an agonizing wait! I still do not have any bleeding or other cause symptoms associated with miscarriage (besides the unfavorable u/s). I wonder if I might be crazy to think that there is still hope despite what I saw?? Sorry this is such a book, guys... I would be most appreciative of ANY insight that ANYONE can offer! Thanks for allowing me to voice my fears... Worried and confused, ~stacey in CA
(To Robbi who posted on 2/8 - I would REALLY love to read an update to see how things are going for you. Please post back or personally email me, OK? I also posted a message similar to this one under your 2/8 post, but feared that it would not be read since it was so far down.... Thanks..)


Dear Stacey in CA:
Tests are not perfect. Thus, whenever there is uncertainty to the meaning of a test, physicians err on the side of caution. Caution, for a lady who desires to be pregnant, is to give opportunity for the pregnancy outcome to declare itself. If two ultrasound images 10 days apart do not show fetal development, the diagnosis is sure. Waiting and not knowing are two of the hardest things we ask of patients. If we had a faster, better way, we would offer it and I am sure you know that. You are experiencing many, many emotions and I am glad that this forum exisits for you to express your feelings and know that someone is listening.
You have been hurt with your last miscarriage. Worry is part of being a mom. Confusion is natural when there are no clear answers. You cannot let yourself hope and be disappointed. You cannot give up hope because you know the black void that attends that disappointment.
Is there a RESOLVE chapter in your community? This organization has resources for patients who are struggling with all aspects of fertility disappointment. Does your physician know of counselling services for patients with infertility in your community? does your physician/hospital know of counselling services for grief or AMEND (assoc of mothers experiiencing neonatal death). Do you have a pastor/priest/rabbi who has counselling skills or is aware of someone in your faith community?
Transvaginal ultrasonography is more sensitive than tranabdominal scanning during early pregnancy. Acoustic shadowing is a real entity. It is true that ultrasound laboratories have machines with greater image clarity than office machines; equally, one uses the technology available and accepts its limitations.

Keywords: early pregnancy ultrasound, blighted ovum, empty sac

This information is provided as an educational resource and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please speak with your physician.


 

[The Maternal and Child Health Forum]      [The Maternal and Child Health Forum Archives]