10 week scan but no heartbeat!

Hi,
I went for a 'dating' scan for my pregnancy. I took digital test 6 weeks ago that told me I was posative and 2-3weeks from conception which would make me now 8 weeks pregnant. (Dr's and scan people date it from last period which is 10 weeks).  Anyway I went for the scan and the nurse could only find the gestation sac with the normal external type of scan so had to do a transvaginal scan.  Then she found a small blob but was very unsure whether or not it was the baby. She said that size wise, whatever it was, could not be more than 6 weeks and had no heartbeat. She did not seem very positive and told me that it looked like a 'missed miscarriage'.  I did have some light spotting around the time my period was due but was told this was normal.  I also had some mild nausea and was a bit tired for a few weeks but 2 weeks ago it dissapeared (although all the women in my family have had very easy pregnancies and I thought I may be lucky too!) I have to now wait for 10 days for another transvaginal scan which will confirm everything! My boyfriend is convinced that the baby is still there but growing slowly. I am reasonably sure that the baby has died but that is totally based upson how I feel and that is it.  Is it possible for a baby to grow that slowly or mistake be made at the scan?  The waiting is really agonosing and I am finding it soooo hard! Overall what do you think as I am going out of mind waiting!
Thanks
Donna

[J.M. Keyes, MD]

Hi,
I am so sorry to hear you are going through this.  It is unlikely that the fetus is just growing slowly, or that there was a mistake on the scan... there is a possibility that you had your dates wrong, and that the pregnancy is earlier on than you had thought.
If your dates are accurate, it is likely that the pregnany has stopped progressing.  If that is the case, I am sorry about that.  With a missed miscarriage, you will likely be given the option to wait until your body passes the products of conception on its own, or to have a D&C.  
Miscarriage is very common, and many women have a miscarriage before they even realized they were pregnant, so don't let it discourage you from trying again.  Most women who miscarry go on to have normal pregnancies, although I know that does little at this time to make the pain of this possible loss better.

Best of luck,
JMK MD

[Stephanie575]

Hey Donna - I am in the same boat. I'm just wondering what ended up happening for you? I went in on 10 weeks for my dating ultrasound and they told me there was no baby, only a sac that measured 6 weeks and 5 days. The next day I went for blood work and my hcg levels came back to be at 24,000. The next day I went for another ultrasound and this one showed the baby which measured in at 7 weeks, but there was no heartbeat. Today I went for more bloodwork which I will get back in the morning. Monday I go for another ultrasound. Both Ultrasounds were done transvaginally with an empty bladder. The one on Monday will also be transvaginal but they are asking me to have a full bladder. I normally have a 30-34 day cycle and my lmp was on March 24 and my boyfriend and I had sex on April 13, and I ovulated on April 14. Does anyone know if it is at all possible for this pregnancy to still be viable? Or am I holding on to false hopes? please help!!!