Beta and Ultrasound are a week behind, but we did IVF

Hi, I need some help and hopefully someone will have experienced the same thing DH and I are going through right now.

We did IVF in Feb.  Our ER was 2.8.10 and they transfered 2 embryos on 2.11.10.  First beta was 2.24.10 and it was a 94, which we knew was low but we went back 2 days later (2.26.10) and the number had gone down to 85.  Our RE basically said we weren't going to keep it but wanted us to wait through the weekend and come back monday for one more test.  Monday, 3.1.10, we went back and our beta was 168, so it had doubled from Friday?!  We were cautiously excited and DH told us to come back Thursday for another beta.  So, 3.4.10, our beta was 548!  I was 5 weeks then and we did an ultrasound but didn't see anything.  Our RE had to look up the normal range for betas to see if we were even in it.  We were, but it was still really low.  So, we were told to wait a week and come back.

Yesterday (3.11.10), we went back for bloodwork and ultrasound.  I was 6 weeks yesterday and so something should have showed up on the u/s.  Unfortunately, all we saw was a sac and nothing in it.  RE was not optimistic and we discussed what we would do as far as a miscarriage goes.  

Yesterday afternoon, we got the call back about my beta numbers...and they are now 3,621!!!!  

Once again, we have completely confused our RE.  Our nurse says my numbers are now right in line with a 5 weeks preggo person but since we did IVF, we know the exact date of conception.  There is a chance I had delayed implantation, but she said that's usually just by a few days, not a whole week.  

So, because we don't want to give up too early, we are now waiting ANOTHER week and going back next thursday for BT and u/s again.  By then, if we don't see anything in the sac then we will know that something is wrong.

Have ANYONE ever had this happen before and it resulted in a normal pregnancy?!?  I am exhausted, not sleeping, and worried to death about how this is going to turn out.  The longer it goes on the harder it will be to accept, and I"m even more angry that I can't even enjoy my first pregnancy b/c we are so worried that it won't stick.  
On the other had, I want to be positive b/c they say that has an effect on the baby but I don't want to get my hopes up either.  My RE is just not optimistic, but there is a chance, so he won't do anything until it's completely over.  I just wish it could be a yes and we could celebrate, or a no, and we could grieve and move on and work towards doing IVF again.

Please let me know if you've ever heard of someone going through this before.  I need just one person to give me some hope that this will have a happy ending.

[Mariana101]

Maybe this miracle baby is somewhere else in your uterus?
I am CLUELESS but how a beta could be that high with an empty sac? Im am going to research it now and let you know.

I am praying for you and hoping for the best. The whole thing is very confussing but hope is the last thing to loose and you still have it.... as well as most of us!!!!

[Mariana101]

On the positive side: 2 people from this forum had similar situations like you and say the baby in future ultrasounds. They are: Kjenny84 in September 09 and mommom2 in May 07

On the negative side, this is some research for you:

What is a Blighted Ovum (Empty Gestational Sac)?

A blighted ovum (empty gestational sac) occurs when a fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall, however, the fetus does not continue to develop past the sixth to eighth week of gestation. There is continued development of the placenta and amniotic sac which produces hCG (giving the positive pregnancy test). Most women either do not know they are pregnant or find out within the first trimester that they have a blighted ovum (empty gestational sac). This leaves them with the devastating news that they are now coping with a miscarriage.



Signs and Symptoms of Blighted Ovum (Empty Gestational Sac)

Due to the fact that in a blighted ovum (empty gestational sac) the fertilized egg implants into the uterus and produces hCG, some women may experience signs and symptoms of pregnancy (ie., missed menstrual cycle, tender breast, nausea, and / or fatigue) and even have a positive pregnancy test with a blighted ovum (empty gestational sac). Then there are other women who do not even know that they are pregnant and begin their menstrual cycle on time or several days late. With a blighted ovum (empty gestational sac) menstrual cycle is usually heavier then usual and they may even pass small fragments of the embryonic sac.

With a blighted ovum (empty gestational sac) many pregnant women believe that their pregnancy is going along just fine due to the rising hCG levels from the placenta. Majority of these women find out that they have a blighted ovum (empty gestational sac) when their doctor can not find a fetal heart beat and performs an ultrasound. The ultrasound will show either an empty uterine cavity or a blighted ovum (empty gestational sac). To learn more Go to Sign and Symptom of Miscarriage."
Source(s):
http://www.pregnancy-info.net/QA/answers…

[Ready_2_be]

In my opinion you could have had late implantation, it seems 100% possible to me since you did a 3 day transfer (my blasts which are 5 day seem to have implanted 2 days later), so think about that.
This weekend and all week you need to watch or go out to movies that are comedies and ready and listen to happy things. And I would definitely send a message to the two ladies on this forum that had a similar circumstance. Maybe you could cut and paste your question to them. They could probably shed some light.
I am praying for you. Stay as positive as you can.
xoxo Renee

[Kricket212]

I find it amazing how much you know about this site & the people on it.  HOw were you able to track something like that?

allgood- Your #'s sound wonderful to me & I will be praying for you!!  Try to stay positive & keep busy (I know easier said then done)
<>>>>

[Mariana101]

No... Im NO EXPERT, just VERY CURIOUS!!!! hahahahah!!! I googled: "empty sac and high hcg" and it took me to the forum!!!! That is how I discovered the forum for the first time... I GOOGLE EVERYTHING!!!! hahahhahaha  Most of my cut and paste are google research!!! I love it and learn a lot.

[marietta2020]

I think this can be a miracle baby!!!!! Hoping for the best allgood!!!

[mlb1234]

One thing  you should look out for especially with not having totally normal betas is an ectopic pregnancy.  It is possible one implanted there and you are not seeing it on u/s.

[mlb1234]

oh and that can happen even with IVF.

[allgood427]

Thanks Mariana,

I am worried that it's a blighted ovum but hoping that it will turn out not to be.  I have read many situations where heartbeats weren't found until 7, 8 or even 12 weeks and the docs thought it was a blighted ovum.  To be honest, the thought of having to wait that long to find out is unbearable.  I just want to know so I can either celebrate or grieve and move on to the next round.  I can't believe I will be 7 weeks tomorrow and still don't even know if I'm really pregnant!!!!

If tomorrow brings another "we don't know" I might go crazy!!!  But, I will keep y'all posted!

[babywanted556]

I had an ectopic on 2/2009.  The second beta is not double, but they are all double after that.  Nothing is found in the uterus at 5 week, a empty sac is found in uterus at 6 week.  However, it's what they call is "pseudo" sac instead of empty sac, beta is still doulbe.  At 7 week, my right tube is ruptured, and the fetus is found in that tube and my beta is around 6000 as I remember.  I hope this is not your case.  I wish you got a miracle and every thing should be turn out beautiful.  Good luck.

[babywanted556]

5w6d, HCG 2031.  U/S-there is no sac found in uterus.
6w2d, HCG >4700.  U/S-no sac found in uterus, but "pseudo" sac, suggest to terminate of pregnancy because of etopic
6w4d , HCG >6700
6w5d, HCG>8700....right tube got remove a day after and the fetus is found in it.

[allgood427]

WE SAW A HEARTBEAT!!!!!

Oh my gosh, I am in shock...this is what heaven feels like!  We were all crying, even the nurse!  

The baby is measuring 6 weeks, 6 days at this point and I am 8 weeks so it's still a week behind, but we've been a week behind since the very beginning.  We finally saw our doctor smile and actually say, "this is great!"  I think he's still thoroughly confused and says we're now part of his next case study, hah!  The heart beat was only 87, which RE wanted it to be 110 but it was steady which he said was really good.  We go back in another week and we really want to see a good week's worth of growth and a stronger heartbeat.  I told the baby that it can't give up on me now b/c it's a real little human to me now!!!  I don't think I could stand to lose it after the amount of much emotional drama we've had so far!!

I feel so blessed and know it's because of each and everyone of your prayers.  Thank you so much for the continued support.  I can't wait to hear each of your stories as we all achieve our goal of being parents.

God Bless,
Sara

[Ready_2_be]

I am so happy for you!!!! This is really great news!!!

Renee

[babywanted556]

congrats.......it's a very very good news.  Enjoy your pg.

[marietta2020]

I am soo happy for you!!!! Congrats!!!!

[Praying4Babies]

Congratulations!  That is wonderful news!!

[Kricket212]

awesome......positive thinking helped !!!!!