Miss Diagnosis of Missed Abortion?

[Melissa O]

I went in for my prenatal appointment on August 11th and was told I had probably had a missed abortion.  I wasn't for sure of my last menstural date, but I told the Dr. that I thought it was July 8th.  By that date, they assumed I was 9 weeks and 2 days.  When they did the ultrasound, they said my fetus was the size of a 6 week fetus and that I was more than likely going to miscarry.  I have had no bleeding, spotting, or cramping.  My breasts are still VERY sore and I am still extremely tired.  Could it be possible that my dates are completely wrong and that I am not as far along as the doctors thing?  What is everyone's experience with being missed diagnosed as a missed abortion?  PLEASE HELP!!! I have a D&C scheduled for Tuesday after my second sonogram on Monday.  If there is any hope at all, please let me know.  I have pretty much already come to terms that I have miscarried, but any reassurance would help.  Thank you.

[chevyjewel]

If you don't feel comfortable going through with the procedure then don't do it. Unless there's some health reason you have to have this done, then put it on hold. I wouldn't go through with it until I was convinced I wasn't going to wonder for the rest of my life, what might have been. Have you voiced your concerns to your doctor? What does he/she say? Listen to your heart, it'll tell you what to do. Please keep us updated, you're in my prayers!

[nickpooh2319]

I completly agree.  If you think there is a possibility that the dates are messed up or anything talk it over with your doctor.  As long as your not having any problems I don't see the need to rush into it.  Best wishes.

Nikki

[Melissa O]

My doctor doesn't sound very convinced that this may be a mistake.  She said there is a VERY small possiblity that I haven't miscarried, but I can tell by her tone and her voice that she isn't optimistic.  I asked her about testing my hcg levels, and she said that test can not really tell you anything because the ranges of normal are so vast.  She seems very technical and not much of a people person.  I don't like how she doesn't even assume the possibility that I might have my dates off.  I just would like to hear from anyone who has had this happen to them where the doctors said they were having a miscarriage and then turned out not to.  It would really help me decide whether to give in or still have some hope.

[nickpooh2319]

I have never had anything like that happen but when my mother was pregnant she went in and by the date she gave the doctor of her lmp they thought they would beable to hear the heart beat they couldn't find it and told her she needed to have an u/s (this is how she lost her previous pregnancy) anyways she had an ultra sound and it turns out she was wrong on the dates so by her next appt. they did hear a heart beat and everything was fine.  This is just what happened to my mother but if I were you I would probably get another opinion from a diffrent doctor since you don't sound to thrilled with the one you have.  Your doctor should make you feel comfortable with the decision your making.  I hope everything goes well for you :)

[jane24]

My sister in law had something like that..
Her doctor told her she was going to miscarry.
That she had a choice to take something that would help her abort it and go have a d&c.She went to a specialist to have a d&c and they checked her out first and she was told that the baby was fine...
She now has a healthy baby girl...

She calls her miracle baby...she had many problems...

[TanteMilly]

I think this advice so far is good advice. If there is no reason to have the D&C for a little bit, then wait. When I was pregnant with my first it was around the time that I was getting married. My last period was February 9th and when my wedding rolled around (March8th) I still hadn't had it. I found out three weeks later that I was pregnent (surprise) and he was definetely a honeymoon baby. The doctor didn't want to believe me when I said I know I'm not as far along as my dates say (he was also small for what they thought he should have been) but the reason I know this is that we refrained from any sex for two months prior to the wedding. Stress, and many other factors can affect your body. Wait, make sure, then you won't have to second guess yourself. I wish you all the best!!! Hang in there okay?!

[chevyjewel]

It never hurts, expecially in a situation like this, to get a second opinion. Maybe you'll come across a doctor that can explain what's going on better. If you feel uncomfortable telling your doc your concerns or that you want to wait, in my opinion, that's a sign you need a new one. I've never had a missed abortion but I certainly know the importance of an understanding doctor for when things get complicated. It doesn't hurt to check around :)

[HopeinAl]

i am so sorry you are going thru this, i was in your shoes 2 weeks ago and it's hell i know. I don' know if this wil help much but jsut let me tell you what i know. I have a friend that is Pregnant and had a transvaginal u/s every week starting at 5 weeks and they didn't see a heartbeat until she was 9 weeks.her baby is fine she's aound 20 weeks now I think. I know that they can see it at 5 or 6 weeks, but according to her story that's not written in stone!  In my situation i had an ultrasound at 6weeks 2days adn there was no fetal heartbeat(i was SURE about my lmp though!) and i told my doc to give it another week and when i wnet back in there still was no heartbeat. I still had all my symptoms and no signs of miscarriage.  so then i accepted it and scheduled my D&C for two days later. it's good that your having another u/s to make sure, because it's like the people on this forum told me- it could change in amatter of hours. your baby's heart could start beating and you could be off on your days adn that would make a huge difference. I'll be praying for you and your baby.HOPe

[momof2princesses]

I agree with the rest of the ladies, I had a m/c in August and I was bleeding and all but they still tested my blood a couple of times and did a u/s to make sure that it was indeed a m/c. I would rather be sure than wonder for the rest of my life. I'd get a second opinion too. Don't give up yet, YOu could be starting off slow or off on your dates, wait until you have your ultrasound and get more blood work done to see what your levels are doing. Good luck and try to rest!! Kendra

[msklar]

Its very possible your dates are off. I have heard of women who get extremly close to getting a d&c and find out the baby is fine just in time. They cannot force you to have the procedure, And if you have the slightest bit of doubt dont go through with it....Doctors are human too, and they make mistakes..I hope everything turns out well for you..

[Berny]

Don't have a d/c. Let it happen naturally. I just had a d/c at 8 weeks and can't get over the fact that I should of waited at least one more week. The girls here all seem to think that just maybe the little guy was slow or maybe your just off on your dates...or the Dr is off on his dates. Just wait...I wish with all my heart that I did....just like everyone else said "at least you would have no regrets". Good luck! And heres some of that baby dust everyone keeps talking about.

[suzyq82]

Hi,

I had a missed miscarriage in July 2001 at 9 weeks. I had my first ultrasound at 6 and  a half weeks and saw the babies heartbeat, the little prongs for arms and legs, my little jellybean. A week later I had some bleeding, it wasn't normal bleeding though, it was like old blood. ( sorry for the gory details) I didn't have any cramping or anything. I rnag my dr and he said that some bleeding can be normal but scheduled me in for another ultrasound a week later. During the week I waited I had some more bleeding but then it stopped. I felt fine and was sure the baby was fine too. My hopes were up high.

When I went in for the next ultrasound sure that my baby was fine they said to me that it hadn't grown. I was still the size of a six and a half week old baby. My heart was destroyed. I couldn't believe it, everyone told me it was going to be fine and to listen to myself, I thought I knew my own body, but it lied to me. I felt like I had a graveyard womb. I had to carry this dead baby inside me for another 2 weeks before they could schedule me in for a D&C. Those 2 weeks sent me mad.

I am not saying this to scare you or try to mean in any way, but if you do put it off not only can it be harmful for yourself the longer it stays in you but it can destroy you emotionally too knowing what is inside and what was. Trust me! I know have a healthy baby boy 5 months and although I still morn the loss of my baby, I know that now it was a blessing in disguise for all of us. This happens for a reason, your baby could have been born with a life threating illness like dowynse syndrome and you have to ask yourself if you are ready for not only a healthy baby but possibly a sick baby too?

My prayers are with you through this hard time, but please do not give up hope of a healthy baby when you and your body are ready.

Kind Regards,

suzyq82

[HopeinAl]

Listen, i just want to be real with you. I do think you should wait and get that other u/s to make sure. IF you don't see the hb then ask them about the growth. that's what idid and the news wasn't good for me, but anyway once you are sure, i recommed highly a D&C , i have done this both ways, and doing at home on the toilet is hell. having the d&C is much better on you emotionally and physically too. Also, don't put it off if your sure, idid that too and it was sO bad on me. Just make sure before you do anything, but go the easiest route on this.

[msklar]

I had to reiterate that I believe it is better to know for sure that there is not a viable baby, rather than only a maybe. Losing a baby is hard no matter what the circumstances. I carried a baby for 2 weeks without knowing it had died. I ended up with a d&c but I was 14 weeks along and sure that the baby had died. You are so early in the pregnancy that a mistake could  have been made. It is better than rushing into something and always wondering if you have done the right thing. At least if your positive the baby is no longer viable you can go ahead with the d&c.

[Melissa O]

Just want to thank everyone for their comments and prayers.  It has helped a lot!!! Unfortunately, I began spotting on Thursday night and went to the emergency room.  They gave me an u/s there and said the baby had not grown since week 5/6.  It is now Sunday and I am passing clots and some blood.  I guess that is a good sign that my body has finally acknowledged the miscarriage. Maybe now I will not have to have a D&C on Tuesday.  I have my appointment tomorrow with my OB.  I am hoping that I will just continue miscarrying naturally and not require any surgery.  I have had very little cramping which I guess is a blessing considering everything I have gone through.  I will try again in a couple months and pray everything goes well.

[JustME9]

I am SO sorry to hear what you are going through.  I've been right where you are and I know how painful it is to wait and wonder, etc.  I will think of you tonight and pray that everything goes smoothly for you .  ((((HUGS))) 4 you and let us know how you are doing.

[jaymzzjc]

Hi I am new here,I came here looking for answers because I am in a situation sort of like yours. Monday I went for my regular appt. we were suppose to hear the baby's heartbeat and the dr. couldn't find it but didn't seem too worried so she wheeled in a small u/s machine and still couldn't find it but she kept a positive attitude.(which I felt awful cause not only was my hubby there but my 4 yr. old daughter) so my doc sent me down the the hospitals u/s lab.then i was to go back to her office thats when she told me that the results. I should have been 11 1/2 weeks along.The u/s showed that there was no heartbeat and that growth stopped at about 9wks. Now much like you my body has not expelled or acknowledged this.I have had a tiny bit of mucusy brownish discharge but very little.My ob/gyn called me on tues, to see if anything was happening yet and when I said no she mentioned a d/c. I am cringing at the thought of having that kind of opeation but if the u/s are right then it has been 2weeks or so and still my body is not taking care of it.The worry of this is driving me crazy.My dr. has not been quit as pushy and is erring on the side of error,she sent me to the lab for blood test on the level of pg hormones and then again on thurs. I am to go to her office for more blood test to see if the hormone levels have dropped. I pray that I don't have to have a d/c. Maybe my body is waiting for the last minute much like yours did. sorry to carry on but I couldn't get post of my own today and found yours after hours of reading.I am so glad for you that your body did the natural thing,and best of luck TTC again. I'm sure you will be able to. On an end note I can't believe the lack of imformation on miscarrages,I know that they don't want to worry ppl when they come into the office pregnante
but I think they need to get the information out there. From what I have read here lots of women go through this- I really felt alone until i found this site.thanks people and I am sorry for any losses. signed,hoping to get through this soon.Jami

[momofangels]

I am soo sorry for everyone's loss, but I am soo glad that I found you all!  I am in such a state of panic.  I have a healthy 3 year old and then I was pregnant again, due this month, but somehow developed an infection of my amniotic fluid and delivered Abigail at 23 weeks, and she only lived about 4 hours.  Well, once we got the OK we started TTC again, and I found out I was pregnant at the end of August.  My first prenatal went ok, but then yesterday I noticed a dime size spot of old blood on my underwear, so I called the Dr. and they saw me, they said I wasn't dilated, which is good, and not to worry.  I talked them into an u/s (my u/s was scheduled for today) just so I could see the baby's heartbeat and make myself feel better.  They agreed and then the tech turned the screen and went to get the dr (it was a transvag u/s).  The Dr. came in and said they couldn't find the heartbeat, the baby was measuring 7 weeks (I should have been 8), but the sac was measuring 5 weeks, which she said likely means that the baby died and the sac is shrinking.  They are giving me a week to see what my body does (haven't had any more spotting) and will do another u/s on Monday, and then we will decide what to do (assuming she is talking d&c).  I just can't believe this nightmare, especially after losing Abigail.  My 3 year old was with me, and she knows the baby doesnt' have a heartbeat, she keeps making drumming sounds because she thinks it will make the babies heart work.  I feel like I am shattered in a million pieces.  Thanks for listening.

[jaymzzjc]

I'm so sorry for you.I think my four yr. old girl is taking it a little hard too now she is starting to worry about anything bad that could happen to our family. She has always been precious to me but now she seem so much more so.I find myself hanging on to her tighter than ever now.She really wanted to be a big sister.
I keep telling her that it just wasn't the right time for us and that Daddy and I can try again. All the while it seems hard to get through all this now.I go to my dr. today for more blood test
and shes gonna check my cervix but it's been about 3wks now, it is starting to look like I'll have a d/c. That scares me.
momofangles- I'm curious to know a few things so i'm going to ask,if you don't want to answer that's ok.Is your 3yr.old your first child,and did your pg go fine?Also how old are you? My 4yr.old was my first and everything went fine I am 31. I think that I may have passed a conception back in april and again in may because generaly my periods are light and in those two months it was very thick and goopy then in june it was normal again.I'd really like to get this over with but now am worried about things not going right the next time.I was wondering if age might be a factor.?I hope that things start looking up for you. :)

[Loez]

I AM NEW TO THIS SITE SO HELLO EVERYONE. I HAD A MISSSED ABORTION IN APRIL THIS YEAR, I ATTENTED MY 12 WEEK SCAN WITH MY PARTNER REALLY EXITED ABOUT SEEING OUR BABY HOWEVER WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR BABIES HEART BEAT COULD NOT BE DETECTED. ANOTHER LADY WAS AS ASKED TO CONFIRM THIS. I WAS ABSOLUTLEY SHATTERED BY THIS, I HAD NEVER HEARD OF OF A MISSCARRAGE HAPPENING THIS WAY. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE BABY DIED AT 9W. IT WAS ALL A RUSH FROM THEIR. IWAS SENT TO THE HOSTPITAL WERE I WAS GIVEN THE OPTION OF A D/C A COURSE OF TABLETS OR I COULD JUST LET NATURE TAKE IT'S COURSE. I OPPTED FOR THE TABLETS (A DECISION I WHISHED I HADN'T MADE). ALL I WANTED WAS TO GET HOME AND GIVE MY 5YR OLD DAUGHJTER A REALLY BIG HUG. I HAD 1 TABLET THAT DAY THEN I HAD TO RETURN TO THE HOSTPITAL 2 DAYS LATER WHERE I HAD TO TAKE 1 TABLET EVERY 2 HRS 3 TIMES. IT WAS AWFUL, I GOT STOMACH CRAMPS BACKACHE THEN I STARTED LOSEING. I HAD PROBLEMS FOR A FEW WEEKS AFTER THAT WITH TISSUES THAT HAD STILL BEEN LEFT BEHIND. LOOKING BACK I WHISHED I HAD GONE FOR THE D/C IT WOULD ALL HAVE BEEN OVER THAT MUCH QUICKER. I NEVER NEW HOW MANY PEOPLE THIS MUST HAPPEN TO UNTIL I READ THIS PAGE. IT IS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS I'VE EVER HAD TO COPE WITH. I AM NOW 15W PREGNANT AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY MIDWIFE IN JUST OVER AN HOUR AND THE FEAR OF WHAT HAPPEND IS STILL VERY MUCH WITH ME. I JUST KEEP THINKING ABOUT WHAT MY DOCTOR SAID TO ME "NO PREGNANCY IS THE SAME". TO ANYONE WHO HAS OR IS GOING THROUGH THIS I REALLY DO FEEL FOR YOU, THIER ISN'T A DAY GOES BY WHEN I DON'T THINK OF THE BABY OR HOW HE/SHE WOULD HAVE LOOKED. IN MY GARDEN I NOW HAVE A BUSH THAT I PLANTED IN MOEMORY OF THE BABY. SOMETHING THAT WILL GROW AND BLOOM FOR YEARS TO COME. I JUST REALLLY REALLY PRAY THAT THIS PREGNANCY RUNS SMOOTHLEY.     THAX FOR LISTENING LOEZ.

[cooksie956]

hey everybody. it is really great to know that I am not alone with a dead baby inside of me. I went to 5 doctors to be completely sure that the baby is dead and now I have no doubts:( I went to the hospital to have a d/c this Tuesday but in the end I run away. I hope everything will go naturally but my husby is very much afraid. He does not want to push me but I feel that he does not really want to touch me when he knows that I carry a dead baby inside.
I do not know what to do so I am just crying all nights and then in the morning I go to work and act as everything is perfect. Then when the working hours are over I do not want to go back home, where everything remins me of how much I wished to have my baby, where the bed for it shoul stand etc.