Discrepency between fetal pole size and gestation sac size

[Dat]

I have had two 1st trimester miscarriages: The first was at 8 weeks but the gestation sac was a 6w4d size and no fetal pole was detected on ultrasound and the second was at 10 weeks, while the gestation sac was a 7 week size and the fetal pole 6w4d size. No heartbeat was detected then.

I am now pregnant a thrid time and am taking progesterone suplements as well as Cartia (Small-dose aspirine). My last menstual period was on the 6th of November, so according to one internet calculator, i am 7w6d today. Yesterday I had my first ultrasound, which showed a gestation sac at a 7w4d size and a fetal pole at 6w4d size. this time we did see a heartbeat on the ultrasound(transvaginal).

My HCG in the past week has gone from a doubling rate of ever 68 hours to doubling every 181 hours.
I am worried about the chances of this pregnancy remaining healthy. Does the small size of the fetus and the drop in HCG doubling rate give a bad prognosis? Is there anything I can do to help this pregnancy work out?

Dat

[kck]

What was the heartrate?  And does your doctor seem concerned?  Usually if the heartrate is between 120 and 160, then the chances of miscarriage are significantly reduced.

[mveebuff]

I too had 2 first trimester M/Cs before this pregnancy,  currently I am at 30wks, this was the first pregnancy I asked to be put on progesterone, and it seemed to make a difference!  If the measurements are looking about right for the fetuses age, and you are seeing a heartbeat...thats a HUGE difference! They say that once you see a heartbeat the chances of M/C are reduced to 1%, so try and relax and enjoy!  I completely understand where you are coming from though, I held my breath for 9 weeks until I saw my little boy's heartbeat! Good luck to you!! :)

[momttc]

Bless your heart, that gave me chills reading your message about your previous miscarriages.  I am sorry you have to go through this!!! but I am with kck, call them and ask what the heart rate was?  I have never been a believer in early ultrasounds.  In the first months, just DAYS make a huge differnce in a prognosis.

You know there are signs everywhere in life that point out the fact that in order to reap great reward one has to endure great pain.  So just about when you think that you can't take it anymore, you'll find your great reward.  hang in there.  God never gives us more than what we can handle!  10:35am 12-31 momttc

[kck]

And I forgot to mention earlier that I saw on www.obfocus.com (I think) that at 6-7 weeks, your doubling time is longer.  My levels did not double in 3 days at 6 weeks and my doctor thought that was fine.  They went from 12,000ish to 21,601.  So don't worry yet!

[Dat]

Thanks for your answers. They helped me calm down a bit. Of course, I will feel a lot better if at my next US this coming thursday i get to see good fetal development...