Empty gestational sac at 5wks?

[peX2]

Hi. I'm new here. I am hoping someone could help me.

Brief summary:
LMP is May 19th
June 16th HCG is 11 (inconclusive)
June 23 HCG is 990
June 26 HCG is 3800
U/S on June 27 shows "EMPTY GESTATIONAL SAC".

The perinatologist said that it could be too early. However, the technician said that is most likely an "unviable" pregnancy.

My questions are:
At this point, what should they be seeing?
At this point, do my HCGs look about right?
We go back on July 18th for a followup U/S, what should they see then?

I have two healthy children and this one was unplanned, but still wanted and loved . . . thanks in advance.

[bwengel]

The same thing happened to me and a week later.....little pole and heartbeat, so you never know...unfortunately, mine ended in m/c but not for that reason. Hopefully everything will be fine for you....a couple of days can make a big difference with what shows up on the u/s. Good luck and hugs to you ;-)

[AnnieBrooke]

It could very well be too early, especially if you ovulated a little later in your cycle and/or the embryo implanted a little late.  There is a ton of variability at this early of a date.  Good luck!

[greenpixie]

I had a U/S at 5 weeks b/c of some bleeding.  They saw a gestational sac and yolk sac, which they said was about all you could expect to see that early.  I would not stress over it yet.  It's way to early to tell anything.

[ima1]

The tech does not know what they are talking about.  At 5w1d all we saw was a yolk sac, and then at 7w5d I went back and there was the fetus with heart beat.  I am 9w now.  I wouldnt worry about it.  You have no ay of knowing when the egg implanted, so you have no way of knowing exactly how far along you are.  At this early stage,  two days makes a BIG difference.  When you go back in two weeks and everything is fine, you should complain about the tech.  They arent supposed to say ANYTHING re the pg, for hte exact reason that they do not have the necessary knowledge.  If you would go in a ten weeks and there would be nothing, that would be worth mentioning, maybe.  At five weeks, no way.  Good luck, Sticky Babay Dust your way, and I wish you a great 8 months ahead!!

[pearl451]

I was told by my Dr that 5 weeks is early to see anything. There are a lot of factors that could effect what the tech saw, and she should not have said anything to you. Hope all works out for you!

[stormy1373]

I have read about the very same thing and in a few weeks another u/s was completely normal...I think it is too early to tell, and remember, techs are not Dr's!.....Good luck to you!!! I hope to hear good news in another few weeks!

[AnnieBrooke]

Women on this forum complain that the ultrasound technician didn't tell them anything.  This is why they don't let the techs tell you anything. :)

[mommie2]

Hi I am 10 weeks preg. and I had my first visit with my OB when I was just 4 1/2 weeks. She wanted to do an US because I had a mc in Macrh 06 and I am high risk being that I had my dd at 23 weeks. She told me that we needed to wait until 6 weeks for the US because you can not see much before that and she did not want me to worry for nothing. I went in at 6 weeks 3 days and I saw a baby and a HB. The tech told me that at 5 weeks you can not see much just a sac. Please don't jump to conclusions, 5 weeks is early. Keep positive and wait to see what happens in 2 weeks.

[jackiemoo]

It happened to me too. I measured small and there was a gest sac and yolk, but no baby. 6 weeks later, there was my baby, strong, moving and 11 weeks along. It is way too early.. wait another three weeks. GOOD LUCK!!!

[sameerah73]

Yep I'm in the same boat. I went in for an U/S on the 27th and was told that i was measuring far too small for 6wks and that i had to be reffered to a specialist (STRESS!). I went to the specialist and he said that i was measuring 5 weeks and that it was too early to see anything (RELIEF!). So now i have another u/s scheduled for the 4th of July when i should be 6 weeks and they hope to see the yolk sac and a fetal pole and if they dont see a fetal pole, i go in 2 weeks later providing everything is fine - to see a heartbeat. Moral of the story - listen to these women, I would have had permanently curled hair if their words of encouragement, experience and support didn't come my way. Good luck!

[uri'smom]

I have the same exact story...I went for my u/s on June 28th and only a gestational sac and a yolk sac were seen by transvaginal, I thought I was 6 weeks according to LMP,but could be that I ovulated later I don't know ???
My hcg levels are as follows:
June 16th: 70
June 21st: 672
June 26th: 4093
June 28th: 7909
Numbers are rising but my doc doesn't think it's necessary to do any more hcg levels and just wants me to have an u/s again in a week,I still don't have the date but I'm scared to have it done too early again and not see anything,but then again I want desperately to see a HB soon next time I go. Let's just pray that we are too early on and next time we get our u/s we see a strong HB and deliver a healthy baby in 8 months!!!

[Brookesru]

Hi there,

I have a very similar problem to you all.  I'm 6 and a half weeks pregnant and I had an ultrasound yesterday to monitor an existing medical condition.  The technician found no sign of a baby, but a sac that she estimated was only about 4 weeks and 2 days.  I have to go back in two weeks for another ultrasound to see if they can find the baby.  I'm so scared!  I have had no bleeding or spotting and the only pregnancy symptoms I have are breast tenderness (not severe) and needing to urinate frequently.  I know my LMP was May 14 (and I'm very regular), and I had been taking ovulation tests to predict when I was ovulating.  I'm pretty sure I was ovulating around May 28.  I really don't want to lose this baby! Any advice?

[Brookesru]

I forgot to ask this in my last post, but how do you all know what your HcG levels are?  I thought the only way to determine that was a blood test at the drs. office.  If there is a way, please tell me.  I want to do whatever I can!

[Val70]

I had the same things told to me at 6 weeks- almost 7, and I was depressed for a week. They really shouldn't say anything. Two weeks later, there he/she was. The sac, the pole and a heartbeat.

[greenpixie]

Yes, the hCG test is a blood test.  It is most often done in early pregnancy to confirm the pregnancy.  A lot of women have the levels checked if they are at risk of a m/c.  Not all DRs check the levels routinely, but some will.  Again, this is most useful in early pregnacny b/c as you get closer to your 2nd trimester they level off andwill not increase as quickly.

[Brookesru]

Thanks for the info.  I called my doctor requesting that she monitor my HcG levels.  She said that they know that something is there, hopefully a baby, but they don't trust the HcG levels.  She said I just have to wait until the u/s in two weeks.  I'm just praying that the technician that performed my first u/s made a huge mistake.  Torture!!

[uri'smom]

I too only have breast soreness and some urinary frequency and no m/s, I haven't had any spotting, bleeding or cramping... maybe just a tiny twinge here and there...The most common cause of abnormal u/s is wrong dates, meaning that most likely we are too early, also imaging studies are very operator dependant, meaning that someone with less experience or not so perfect technique may not be able to findan embryo this early, plus ovulation could have ocurred later or maybe implantation took a litle longer... I'm praying for all of us. My u/s is July 5th...I'm so afraid to not see anything again although it still could be too early, I'm thinking about cancelling that appt. and rescheduling it for at least Friday the 7th or the next week, what doyou think? Should I do it on the 5th and deal with not seeing anything and go back to the waiting game or should I wait another week?

[Brookesru]

Thanks to everyone who has provided me with advice over the past few days.  Unfortunately I lost the baby on Saturday, depsite all my hopes and prayers for a healthy pregnancy.    Something like this m/c really makes you appreciate the things in life that you sometimes take for granted.  I already have one perfect little boy who I see in a whole new light now-he really is my little miracle!  Hopefully it won't be too long before I can give him a healthy little brother or sister, so they can teach him how to share!!  Good luck to all of you in your pregnancies-your in my thoughts and prayers!

[uri'smom]

I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriage...((Hugs))I wish you prompt recovery and as you said, enjoy your little one and I'm sure you will be able to give him a little brother or sister soon. Did you spontaneously m/c or did you get a D&C? I'm in the same situation still, I took yet a fourth hcg level which showed 11964 less than 2 whole days later...which sounds ok, but it's true hcg levels are not reliable,best is an u/s showing a good heartbeat, I get another u/s tomorrow...but I'm concerned because my boobs don't hurt as much anymore...my other question is...if no HB is seen but the sac grew and has normal shape...can I still think it's too early or should I just accept the worse...
You'll be in my thoughts and prayers as well as all you ladies out there in similar situations.

[Brookesru]

My advice is:  Never give up hope!

[VERYAFRAID]

Well I'm having the same problem, I'm 8 wks pregnant, and this morning I had 2 u/s done to me (vaginal and tummy) the thing is this is my 5th u/s and all the doctor sees is an empty sack. So he set me up an appointment this morning for the vaginal and tummy u/s but the technician didn't tell me anything she said she was going to send the results out to my doctors office and for me to go in tomorrow for the results I am so scared because if these u/s say there's an empty sack once again, the doctor wil  terminate my pregnancy...has any one had this problem?

[uri'smom]

I went back for my second u/s and thank you G*d! We saw a fetal pole and a heartbeat, I feel so much better...I'm 35 and it took me so long to get pregnant I was worried out of my mind. "Never give up hope" are very wise words! I wish all of you ladies out there the best of luck!!

[mom2mahala]

I just had an ultra sound today,9w3d. It showed an empty gestational sac. i guess by now there should be something. my doctor told me a technical name but i dont remember it. i feel for all u ladies with the same problem. it's hard to cope with.

[hannahmom1]

I just wanted to say what a relief all of you are. I recently went through a partial molar pregnancy and had to have 2 D&C to remove everything. I am now pregnant again and am very sceptical of course. I do no want to loose this baby. My doctor sent me for an ultrasound yesturday and only found a sac. He wasn't sure if he could see an embryo or not. I was pretty upset because I didn't know what this meant. I was hoping it was just because it was too early to tell. I go again in 3 weeks. After reading all of the comments posted in this forum I feel so much better and that its normal to not see as much at 5 weeks. So thank you very much!!

[untied2006]

I also just had an u/s at five weeks and all we found was an empty sak. What makes me even more scared is the fact that my tubes were tied five years ago after my third child was born. I was afraid of being pregnant again but now that i am i was afraid something was wrong but the posts i have read make me feel better. i go back in two weeks please keep me in your prayers that everything will be ok. God Bless.

[lbeans]

hello everyone,
i am going through the same thing. i went to get an ultrasound yesterday, and the tech told me i measured 6 1/2 weeks- which i believe to be wrong...i calculated 4 weeks, has anyone ever heard of measuring farther along then u are?
the tech told me there was a ges and yolk sac but no fetal pole and no heartbeat...im am very sad, but after reading these posts i feel a little bit better. i had one hcg drawn so far just the other day it was 16,000. i would like to have lots of hope but what the tech told me (which she was older and pretty sure of- and it was a new machine) keeps ringing in my head. =( she said come back in one week for us and hcg.

[jazz8285]

I underwent IVF so they know exactly the date of conception for me.  I had my first ultrasound today (6 1/2 weeks) and all they found was an empty gestational sac.  They said there's a "chance" that it could have been slow implanting so they said to re-do the u/s next week.  My mother just had a heart attack and underwent bypass surgery so I've had a ton of stress this past week.  I bled a little Monday but it stopped in a few hours.  I am terrified that I've lost my pregnancy.  They said they should be able to see yolk sac at 5 1/2 weeks so I'm a week further than that.  Anyone have similar timeframe and had good outcome with u/s a week later?

[kris_cs]

I had an ultrasound today and I thought that I was 8 weeks preg. according to my LMP.  My OB/GYN said that it looks like there is an empty gestational sac,  but it may be too early to tell.  Is there a chance that I might just have miscalculated?  I am frantic here, I don't know what is going on.  She is doing Hcg levels this week and I should find out something then, but the wait is killing me.  I have a normal very healthy daughter of 5 years old with NO complications at all during that pregnancy.  I would think that there would at least be a heart beat or something for me to view at this point... Does anyone have any words of advice or encouragement?  Could it be possible that I have miscalculated THAT much????

[Penny3]

Hi, I also went for a u/s today thought I was about 5 weeks, all that was found was an empty sac and was told to go back in 10 days the lady who scanned me was not very forthcoming with any info. I have had 2 healthy pregnancies before can anyone offer any advice?

[anniepants]

I really like this forum; here is my dilemma.  I went at 7 1/2 weeks to my first appt, and the u/s showed one sac with a fetus and heartbeat and a second sac which appeared empty.  My doc recommended i go to the hospital to confirm, but... confirm what?  That it is empty?  That there is a second baby?  That there was a second baby but it didnt make it?  I can't stop thinking about it....

[sammmac]

Hi, I am having the same situation you had.  I had an u/s two days ago and was told there were 2 gestational sacs but only one had a yolk sac.  The other was empty.  I was told I was 5 1/2 weeks and needed to come back in one week for another u/s.  What does the empty gestational sac mean?  If I am only 5 and 1/2 weeks could it be too early for the other yolk sac to appear?  Did I loose a baby and not know it?  What did you get told?  

[kai00051]

My wife and I are in a similar situation.  We just got back from our 8 week apt. where we thought we'd hear the heartbeat, however the Dr. couldn't hear it.  He took the u/s machine and was able to find two (what appeared to be) empty sacs.  He said they appeared to be 4 weeks, which mathematically doesn't add up to what we believe is 8 weeks.  We're scheduled back for another u/s in 10 days.

Thankfully I found this thread, it's giving us a bit of peace.  Thanks.

[kai00051]

Just wanted to let you all know that we went in today for another ultra-sound and it still showed 2 empty sacs - no yolk sac, no stem pole.  My wife will be getting a D&C tomorrow.

I hope everything goes well for you all.

Thanks.

[Lauren124]

Hi guys, reading this info is really easing my mind a little...I believed that I was 8 weeks pregnant....and I started to spot after my fiance and I had sexual intercourse. The spotting went to a little bit more, to where I passed a clot. I called my midwife and she ordered me to come in the following morning. We went in and she took blood, to check my HcG levels, and then she ordered an u/s. I went to the u/s and it appeared to be an empty sac. She said she heard no heart beat. She said she was going to call my midwife, and she wouldn't let me leave without talking to her first. So finally 1/2 an hour went by, and I was talking to my midwife. She told me that it could be one of two things.   It could be that I miscalculated and that I am only 5 weeks pregnant (which could be true) and it's too early to tell anything or see anything....or my baby could have just stopped growing at 5 weeks. I don't know yet...It's now saturday night and I go on Monday to get more blood work done to see if my HCG levels are rising...if they are, than she said that'll be GREAT but if they aren't, it's not a good sign!!!!!! I'm a little scared...but wish us good luck!

[danib2]

Hi everyone,

I am also going through the same thing i have had 3 ultrasounds to date and in all 3 they have seen 2 sacs very clearly.  The second U/S we could see the yolk sac in only 1 and i was told to come back in a week, this U/S we could pick up the heart beat of one but the other sac looks empty, however it is growing to the same size as the one with the baby and heart beat in it? its very confusing and upsetting, i have been told to have another U/S in a weeks time, i had no hope thismorning and was upset, after reading all of your posts, maybe there is still hope?...

[danib2]

I forgot to mention i am 6 weeks 1 day

[Nicobir]

I just vistied the Dr. today assuming I was 6 weeks along.  Whiledoing the ultrasound they noticed the sac was empty.  There was also no yolk.  Should I be worried or do you think it's just to early to see anything??? I am really worried.  I have to go back Thursday for another ultrasound but I am going to make myself sick by then.  Can someone tell me they have been in these shoes before.

[Fabulous5]

I just had my 2ND ultrasound the on Thursday (4.24) & we clearly saw 2 sacs,but no baby. I was completely & totally amazed at the site of them. ( I haven't been pregnant in 10yrs, I have a 13,11 & 10yr old) However, we didn't see anything inside them & one was slightly larger than the other. I'm not really worried because according to my doctors based on my last m/s I should be about 7 wks, but I told my doctor that that's not possible, I believe that I am only 4 wks along. I had taken the plan B pill before becoming pregnant & between cycles so I believe it made me ovulate a little later & therefore my last m/s doesn't count anymore I'm also one of those rare cases in which I knew I was pregnant really really early. Anyways in saying all this I believe that some of us just ovulated a little later than we thought and it's just too early to see anything. I told my doctor that I feel just fine which is true and to give my 2 little blessings a few more weeks & I'm sure they'll be there alive & well. Don't worry ladies we should all just keep praying & everything will be ok. I am going in to have my HCG levels checked on Monday and I believe all is well so I will keep you all posted. BTW, this site has also eased some of the little worries that I did have thanks to you all.



Bless You All and Good Luck:)

[pkrom]

I just went to my second u/s in a week the third for the pregnancy...I know I should be 9 or 10 weeks and Im only measuring 5 and Im a nervous wreck. My HcG levels are going down but I have no signs of a m/c I go to the drs tomorrow to put all this together and I don't want to let him take it out even if there is no baby and just a sac....I know its sick but I can't help but wonder if there is a mistake...does anyone know the name of this yolkless sac so I can research it before I go crazy?

[hdwilliams87]

I had this happen to me last year. The doc. saw a sac but no yolk sac / baby NOTHING. He called it a blighted ovum. I didnt want to have a D&C, just incase there was life there. But in the end i ended up m/c at 14 weeks. there was no baby in the sac. I hope that this helps you out.

[AFSFS_Wife]

I just had my ultrasound where there was an empty gestational sac with a sac of yolk.  I have already told everyone we lost the baby and then I read this.  This gives me hope, although my hope and faith lie in the Lord I now know there are other people who went through what I went through.  I will have to post again when we find out more.

[catnluis]

Hello!

My last cycle was April 14. By my calculations I should be 6wk+4d. I had my first appt last week 5/21, (apx 5wk+2d) but we did not see anything, not even a sac. I went back yesterday and there was a sac but it was empty. I have had light cramping on and off throughout the pregnancy but no bleeding. I did b/w to check HcG yesterday and have to go back tomorrow for more b/w. I will not find out anything until Monday. I am going crazy. Is it possible that it is too early to see a yolk sac or baby or should I prepare for the worst?

[AFSFS_Wife]

After my second ultrasound 7W5D we saw a heartbeat and the baby.  So far so good.  Catnluis I had my ultrasound at 5W2D but the sac wasnt empty.  If your HCG levels are increasing then the pregnancy is viable. . .thats what my nurse told me.  My levels didnt double in 2 days but they did increase significantly.  I pray all goes well for you.

[gazlez]

Hi,

I've been searching online for info and found this site.

Myself and my wife were married just over a week ago. She had abdominal pains in the last week and they got really bad on Sunday morning, plus she started bleeding more.

We went to the hospital and they told us she was possibly pregnant. We were shocked as we had no idea, even though she has been off contraception for about 12 months and we have been trying for a baby.

We went back this morning for a scan, they needed to do both types as the first didn't show anything conclusive up.

The second scan showed a gestation sack but they can't see anything else for sure so we have to return in 10 days for a further scan. They estimate that my wife is about 5 weeks gone.

After reading these comments on this site, it has made us feel slightly better, although the next 10 days will be difficult to get through.

[jackcloe]

I wish I had read this information before I spent all evening crying. The date of my last period was July 16. I was using the clear blue easy fertility monitor which indicated that that I ovulated on or near Aug. 2. I was also traching my basal body temp which indicated that I ovulated on Aug. 5. It worried me that the two methods gave different dates. My husband and I had very well time sex. I did a preg test on Aug. 14 and it was positive. I am 6w6d today (or so I thought). My ultra sound showed a gestation sac but nothing yet. I was devistated. I was putting so much hope in hearing the heart beat. I purposely schedules the u.s. to be at 7 weeks because that this when my OB said I should be able to see the heart beat.  I am an RN but I' afraid to say that I do not know much of anything about gestational sacs, fetal poles or the amount of time and egg and sperm can live in the body. The US tech called my OB and gave him a very detailed run down of the US results. I know my OB personaly so that was helpful in our talk. He said that it is very possible that I ovualated closer to Aug 5 when the BBT indicated I did. He also said that sperm can live in your body for 72 hours.  He said that if you take those things into consideration I could be only 5w6d which then would make seeing only the sac more appropriate. When I was calm enough to think rationaly I remember this happening to my sister. She had had mult. mc and blitted ovums so the OB had her do weekly US for the first 10 weeks. I remember that she told me that her US were showing another blitted ovun and she was devistated only time find out on week 9 that there was a fetus and HB. Some of my preg symtoms have decreaed over the weeks but some are much more noticable. I will go back to the OB for an US in one week. I truely wish that I had not scheduled this US based on what I thought was  weeks. We'll see what happens.   Sorry this is so long.

[jess72387]

i'm 21 w/ my first pregnancy... i had my first u/s done today and all they could see was the sac.  When i was younger i was told that i wouldn't be able to have children b/c of cyst..apparently they went away.i am very nervous. i have the choice of another u/s next week or the following. which one do i chose? i cant stand not know if my baby is ok. they calculated me as 5 weeks from the whole method process, but nothing came up on the u/s..told from being so early..what is going on?

[Neecie_123]

I'm 22 yrs. according to my dates i should be about 9wks I went to a u/s last friday and there was no visible heartbeat or fetus in the yolk sac, they then told me I prob not even 6wks yet. I know that I can't be less than 8wks I'm going in again on wednesday for another u/s my doctor sounds very concerned.. I've read up on tubal pregnancies and it describes what I've been going thru.. If anyone else has experimented this situation please w/b..thanks

[daisypot]

Hi, I was so shocked by news at my first ultrasound visit I could not think clearly enough to ask OB a lot of questions. Reading stories on this website is comforting while I agonize over the very slow wait until my next week f/u u/s. First u/s showed an empty sac (black hole area), and nothing else. The Ob said either it is too soon or baby is not developing properly. She estimated 6.3 wks. along from LMP. I calculated fetus growth at 4.3 wks. from conception. I'm so worried because suddenly I don't feel so pregnant anymore. My breasts had been very sore and swollen now less sore and not swollen. My increased appetite has now decreased and frequent urination also decreased. I wish I knew either way so I can accept outcome and move on. It's so hard because I keep thinking maybe the baby is alive, so I keep imagining what it will be like and then I tell myself I shouldn't think about it really being a baby because maybe it's not really there. It's an awful feeling. From reading these stories it seems I have a 50/50 chance of it appearing and everything being fine or not having a happy ending. I will post an update soon.