Too small?

[Gracesmom216]

I am "about" 7 weeks pregnant. If you go by the chart, I am 7 weeks 3 days.  However, the chart does not know anything except how to be a chart.  I, on the other hand, know WHEN I ovulated (it is always associated with ovulation pain) and therefore know I am not as pregnant as the chart thinks I am!  I think I am about 7.1 or 7.2 weeks.  Anyway...2 days ago I went to my Doctor and he basically told me that I was going to miscarry, expect loss, your baby is defected, if there is no blood before Monday, we will do another ultrasound and if the growth is not up to par, we will schedule a D&C!  Please, bear in mind, the heartbeat was 148 and the sac was actually big!  My CRL was 4.4mm and I am freaking out!  PLEASE, help me either renew my hope or prepare my for the worst!  If I lose this one it will be my third.  I am BLESSED to have my 6 year old daughter and would be happy with only her, but to keep getting pregnant and keep getting my hopes up only to keep losing them is tearing me apart!  HELP!
Connie
New Orleans

[Gracesmom216]

Yes, I am very angry and still have an appointment in the morning. (You know the one where we are supposed to discuss my D&C!!)  I am debating if I am going to go or not.  I want to just to rub it in his face, but as you know, "God don't like ugly!" so I am not sure what I am going to do.  I think I might go just to let him know the way he handled me was horrible and that if he did detect something he should have just set another appointment to follow up given there could be (and were) issues with the dates!

[adgal]

I am so incredibly confused by your first Dr.'s comments.  I can honestly say that I have never heard a Dr. talk about a high chance of loss after a healthy heartbeat.  Not saying I am any expert, but I have been through this myself and have known many women here who have been through this, and this is a first.  

Yes, its true that until we are past that first trimester, the risk of loss is higher. However, I know for certain that it is also true that once a healthy heartbeat is detected, the risk of loss decreases dramatically.  If I were you, I would be very angry that I was put through such unnecessary fear. I am so sorry you were put through this.

It sounds like you made a good decision in switching Dr.'s.  Congrats on your pregnancy and I wish you well!!

[darfry40]

Wow... sounds like your first dr. needs to go back to school! Glad you had a second opinion. Best wishes for you and I hope you continue with a stong healthy pregnancy!

[Gracesmom216]

Well, as the SECOND (female this time) doctor told me, "Well, we are not out of the woods yet because we are not out of that 3-month safety zone, but from what I can see, you have a strong healthy baby!"  Monday when I went to "Dr. Gloom" he told me that I was small at 4.4mm (puttin me at about 6.4 weeks pregnant and by HIS calculations, I was 7.3 weeks). NOW, on Friday, with the new Dr. (and HER doing the ultrasound) I am measuring 8.1 weeks and the heartbeat is in the 170's!!!  So, I don't know what to think!  Bad test? Bad dates? Senile Dr? ( I mean, his nurse did have to grab his arm in the hallway the other day to keep him from going into the storage closet when he actually was trying to talk to a patient in an examination room!)  Anyway, FOR NOW I have restored faith and hope.  For those out there dealing with the same issues...DR'S CAN BE WRONG!!!!

[AnnieBrooke]

A doctor can't force you to have a D&C.  You can even walk out if you change your mind in the pre-op room.  I'm sorry your doc was such a jerk, but you are the court of last resort and have the power here, the doc can't "make" you do anything.  Good luck with the new doctor.

[prevatt77]

I totally have to agree with you on that comment.  I don't understand why he would say that after seeing a good strong heartbeat.  If you still have a heartbeat I'de be damn if I would do a D&C.  I would be off getting myself a second opinion.

[msacha]

I'm going to be blunt here: your doctor is an insensitive jerk.  I am so so sorry.  I have never heard of a doctor saying that you must expect a m/c when the baby's heartbeat is strong.  Miscalculation of day of ovulation is common!  What in the world?

I am happy to hear that you are going to get a second opinion.  My advice to you is: keep praying that you are able to accept whatever comes your way.  I will be praying for you too. What you said about continually miscarrying sounds exactly the way I feel.  I've raised two children who are now 15 and 17 and would feel very fulfilled with just them.  So, when I do get pregnant, I always feel like: Oh gosh, please don't let me suffer again!  I know how hard this is.  I'll be thinking of you lots!    

[nola0805]

Hi Connie,

You have all of my prayers and thoughts.  Think and stay positive - you simply have to trust your instincts.  I certainly hope that doctor is wrong.  You also might want to think about looking for another doctor that listens to you better.

p.s. - I live in New York now but am from New Orleans. Hopefully the Saints in the superbowl can offer you some distraction this weekend.  Let us know how it went at the doctors today.

best of luck!

[Gracesmom216]

Again, he just looked at some chart and flat out told me (and wrote in my file with large letters) "Expect Loss".  I KNOW he did not have the correct date of my LMP because I could not remember exactly the first time I saw him for this (I told him I thought it was 12-10 but it was really 2-12) and the "chart" read I conceived on December 26th, however I have pain associated with ovulation and know I did not OVULATE until late on December 27th probably conceiving on 12-28!  ( I ovulate on day 15 NOT day 14) He said I should have a measurment of 7mm and I was only 4.4, but as you can tell he was off at least by three days and that would account for the 3 mm shortage!  Anyway, I am going to another Dr. this morning.  PLEASE pray for me!!!  My 45th birthday is next Thursday and I DON'T want to spend it in the hospital recovering from a D&C!!!

[Kricket212]

I am so sorry that this is happenig to you.  The size for a week 7 baby according to chart *****************.org shows this listed below.

If your doctor is concerned about miscarriage, blighted ovum, or ectopic pregnancy, the gestational sac and fetal pole (if visible) will be measured to determine what type of development should be seen. The guideline is that if the gestational sac measures >16-18mm with no fetal pole or the fetal pole measures 5mm with no heartbeat (by vaginal ultrasound), then a diagnosis of miscarriage or blighted ovum is made. If the fetal pole is too small to take an accurate measurement, then a repeat scan should be done in 3-5 days. If there is absence of a fetal pole, then further testing should be done to rule out the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy.


*** I just recently had a m/c & had a D&C on Jan 6.  I pray more then anything that your baby is just a late implantation.  Please keep us posted.

[Victoria01]

I am also confused as to why the doctor would tell you this with a good heartbeat. Your dates being off by 1 or 2 days really doesn't mean much. I really don't know what to say except maybe get a second opinion and flat out ask your doctor why he/she is saying that you are going to miscarry.

[prevatt77]

I don't understand why the doctor said that?  What did he see to make him think that after seeing the heartbeat.  I'm confused.

I know it's very hard when you keep miscarring; it's never easy.  I had 5 miscarriages before I had Gavin stick and go full term.  Hang in there and don't give up on your dream; it will happen.

Good Luck
Debbie