Fetal Pole

[GreenCupp]

Hi, I will be 38 in August. I had a MC in April (10 wks) the Doc told me this just happens to some ppl. That i didnt have to wait for anything to try again. So not using protection I found out I was pregnant again but started cramping Monday dark blood when i wiped myself after using the bathroom. Went to ER, did an Ultrasound said the saw a sac but no Fetal Pole. They drew blood told me to see my doc in 48hrs for another blood test. went to Doc office asked him what that meant NO FETAL POLE and he said he would have to send me to Med school to explain that.  went back y'day to take another blood test to check and see if my lvls were going up or staying the same. I dont know exactly how far along i am because i never had a peroid in between the two preg. suppose to go see the Doc Monday for the out come of all the blood tests. I guess i'd better get all my questions together for this visit? I just become dumb founded when i get to the Office. I'm going to write down all the questions i want to know before i go this time!  Just dont really know what to ask?  
I've had a MC in 91' but that wasnt concerning to me cause I was like I have time. Now I'm scared I dont have that much time any more. should i be asking for some kinda test to see why I keep threatening MCs?
PLEASE HELP WHAT SHOULD I BE ASKING MY DOCTOR ON MONDAY?

[Heather5]

First of all, I'm so sorry to hear of your recent miscarriage. I'm not sure why your doctor thought it was so difficult to explain the fetal pole, though. Basically, what happens is, first the sac appears in the uterus, then the yolk sac, followed by the fetal pole, which is the beginning of the developing fetus. You can usually see the sac and possibly yolk sac at around 5 weeks, and the fetal pole and even a heartbeat by the end of the 6th week. Since you don't know how far along you are, it's hard to know what to expect to see at this point

I think the main thing for you right now is to make sure your HCG levels double every 2-3 days. If they do, that's definitely a good sign! However, if they are just barely rising or start to decline, then that's usually a sign that something is wrong.

So I guess you might want to ask your dr, about your HCG levels. Also, check to see if he has done a progesterone test. And if not, you might want to ask for one (unless your HCG is not rising appropriately). A low progesterone can sometimes be an issue in early pregnancy, but is easily corrected with a supplement. Although, there is a lot of divided opinions about that, as some say low progesterone levels in early pregnancy is actually CAUSED by a nonviable pregnancy, and that the levels would have been normal if was a normal, healthy pregnancy. But it's worth asking him about it, since a supplement certainly wouldn't hurt and could possibly help (again, as long as your HCG levels are rising).

As for testing for recurrent miscarriages, I would wait and see first how things go first. Hopefully everything will turn out OK and you won't need to to any of those tests.

Best of luck to you!

[GreenCupp]

I guess I will just have to wait and see what the my HCG lvls are on Monday. Thanks
Im just really nervous about the out come of all of this, thinking i should have waited, so soon after my MC maybe my uterus wasnt ready. now looking on the internet some Docs say wait at least 2-3 cycles before trying again. This has been such a roller coaster ride for me and my family, I havent even told anyone of this pregnancy. I thank you again Heather5.

[adgal]

I also am pregnant again right after a miscarriage.  I didn't have a period in between either.  One of the first things you should know is that many women will bleed in first trimester.  Alot of times it is brown or pink, but I know many who had bright red.  I have had spotting off and on for about two weeks now.  When you get your second set of HCG levels, one of the things I have learned is not to try to interpret them yourself.  I have driven myself to insanity doing this.  Also, because you don't know your dates, your Dr. should be able to tell you how far along the ultrasound say's you are.  He can tell this by the sac measurment.  The fact that their is no fetal pole at this point is not a big deal, it very well may just be too early.  I would request another ultrasound about a week after the first one. That will show if the growth is on target for the time in between.  As for your uterus not being ready, that is somewhat of a myth according to more then one OB I have talked to.  In first trimester it's just not necessary.  Second and third trimester are a bit of a different story.    I know how hard this is, I have been there. But right now you don't know if there is even a problem, so try really hard not to worry to much.  As I mentioned, I have had on and off bleeding, and last monday I got to see my babies heartbeat for the first time.  I was measuring 6 weeks, 1 day.  Please let us know how things go.  I will be saying an extra prayer for you!!  Amanda