5 wks 3 days....no heartbeat no fetal pole

I had an ultrasound at 5 wks 3 days and there was no heartbeat or fetal pole detected.  I suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as well.  My doctor said that he would like to do another ultrasound in 7 days and if no heartbeat is detected I should schedule a D&C.  I think it is too soon.  This is my first pregnancy and I am so nervous!

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I'm sorry to hear that there was no heartbeat. I must agree, that it is a bit soon to call it a miscarriage.  I hope you haven't been trying forever and ever!  Is your doctor doing any hormone levels?  I will often do hormone levels too, and if they are dropping AND the ultrasound is not showing a heartbeat, then we at least have some confirmation and are not just relying on one test.

Also, there is no reason to jump into a D&C, especially as early as you are.  Even if the news isn't good, it would be safer and cheaper for you to miscarry on your own.  Or to speed up the process, there is something called cytotech that can prompt a miscarriage to begin.  At 5-6 weeks the bleeding a cramping are usually bearable, and there is no risk of perforation or scarring of your uterus.

Sometimes emotionally it is better to get things over and done with, that's the flip side--you'll have to decide that for yourself.

I still hold out some hope that your 6 week scan will show something positive!
and if not, I always try to look at the bright side of a miscarriage--at least you know that everything is in place and worked at least once!  

Good luck!

Dr B