No fetal heartbeat detectable at 5 weeks 6 days ultrasound

[littlewadsworth]

I had my first ultrasound (with the vaginal wand) and they estimated me to be at 5 weeks 6 days. I did in vitro. They confirmed the presence of a gestational sac, yolk sac and fetal dipole, but could not detect a heartbeat. Is 6 weeks or less too soon to see this? They counted 6 weeks back from the first day of my lmp, but they thought I might be running a little small.  I am worried that something is wrong! I have my second ultrasound next Thursday, and have read that sometimes it takes up to 10 weeks to detect a heartbeat. Also, my acupuncturist recommended that I use a heating pad (on low heat) on my abdomen as a sort of "incubator". Now I am worried about the electromagnetic waves being harmful. Please advise! This is my first pregnancy, and after what we went through with IVF (a blessing, but very draining), I am about exhausted with worry! I don't want to be a basket case by the time my next ultrasound comes around!  Any advice you can give would be great! THANK YOU!

[cinnamonheart]

I think they usually like you a little further along to get a detectable heart beat. I know the waiting game is hard.
I hope all goes well for you.

[Debra_Maine]

5 wks, 6 days can be too early. And you'd be amazed the difference a week can make. Don't give up hope yet. Seeing the fetal pole is a good sign.

[Jaelyn's Mama]

I got pregnant in July 2003. I also had a miscarriage in Sept. 2003. When I went to have my pap appointment a month later, to make sure all of the baby was out. It went well, and I felt so strange being there with all those pregnant women. I was ready to beat hell out of there. Before I left they wanted me to take a pregnancy test. I thought it was the craziest thing I ever heard! Whatever got me out of there and fast, I would do! Well imagine my amazement when it came up positive. (I took one  in the hospital right after my miscarriage, and it came up negative) I had lots of blood work done, and ultrasounds done with the wand. I had all of that but no heartbeat too. Talk about being STRESSED OUT TO THE MAX!!! I had to go back the next week and I prayed every 2 minutes until I went back. After the 6th week, the heartbeat is able to be heard. So just keep positive, and try not to stress too much, and pray everything will be alright. By the way, I have a gorgeous, healthy 9 mo old daughter.

[Christie2004]

I'm sorry you are going through this.

I don't think the heating pad is necessary at all--your body will keep the embryo at exactly the right temperature.  

It's impossible not to worry, but try to keep some peaceful thoughts and emotions.  Good luck to you.

[littlewadsworth]

Thank you all so much for replying! That really helps me a lot. I had been scrolling through the forums, and recognize some of your screen names. You all spend a lot of time helping others, and that is great!  It is truly a blessing to have other voices heard (instead of the doctor/nurse telling you casually not to worry about it). I have girlfriends who have had children, but it is nice to get advice from women who have had the same worries and concerns as I have. My mom died when I was 15, so I don't have her to turn to. Luckily, my mother-in-law is a great person, and I feel like she is my mom. However, she has a lot of health problems, so I only tell her the good news,and not the nervouse questions! I am going to be as patient as I can be, and concentrate on the rest of my family (i.e. husband, 2 dogs and 2 cats). :)

[shubunkin]

I am sure everything will be fine. Probably just to early to see. You are right, these women on here are a blessing to have around and if you ever need to come ask questions or just talk about it, feel free, we are always checking in. You are blessed to have a good relationship with your mother in law. I lost my mom 3 years ago to cancer but I was a bit older, 28. But it all hurts the same. Unfortunately, I do not have a great relationship with my mother in law. We get along but not to the point I really want to confide anything in her. So I hope all works out for you and keep in touch! Danielle

[carolyn55806]

My sister had two pregnancies where they couldn't detect a heartbeat (and she was 9 weeks both times!) but she now has 2 healthy kids. Don't worry until you know for sure.

[lovinmom]

You are way to early to detect a heartbeat.  Even though sometimes it is detected, at 6 weeks your baby is only 0.3 cm.  Take a ruler out and see how tiny that it.  It is so easy to miss the heartbeat.  Hang in there.  Time will tell what is going on.  I don't know why doctors tell women this so early in their pregnancies and scare them half to death. I personally wouldn't believe any diagnosis until later weeks.  Visit this web-site for some encouraging stories while you wait this out.

http://www.misdiagnosedmiscarriage.com/forums/

Carolyn,

I was wondering about your sister. The two children that she has now did not show their heartbeats until 9 weeks?  I have a friend who had this happen to her.  I get so many questions about this and refer my friends case.  I'm glad to hear more stories like this.  Especially in light of so many doctors telling patients that a heartbeat should be seen by 5 weeks.  It just isn't the norm.

[littlewadsworth]

Just wanted to check in. I had my second ultrasound today (7 weeks 2 days along), and the sac looked the same as it did when I first posted my message. The doctor said it was a blighted ovum, and would miscarry. He was very gentle about it. I am very upset, needless to say. We can try IVF again in another 2 months, which we will definitely do. I am heartbroken about losing this one, but I know deep in my heart it was God's will. I prayed every day for this baby to be healthy, and am still having a hard time believing this is for the best. I can't lose my faith, since that is what is keeping me moving every day of this whole journey. Please pray for me to have the strength to get through this, and that our next round is successful. In a way, I can't believe I even got pregnant after the first IVF, so I guess I don't realistically know how I was expecting to feel. Just wanted to update you all, since you have been so good about sharing your stories with me.

[littlewadsworth]

I really feel for you. I hope your diagnosis is better than mine. I know sometimes the doctors and ultrasonographers are wrong, but they seemed pretty sure in my case. Everything I have read indicates that it is very rare for this to happen twice. Please tell me you and DH are going to try again. We can all go through the second try together, and then it will work and we can fight over baby names! :)

[so unsure...]

I am in the exact same boat as you. I read your original post on the same day I had my U/s and was given the same diagnosis. We were the same week & day.  My deepest sympathy to you for your loss.  I still have to wait and additional week before my second u/s. It seems so far away and I have no symptoms of miscarraige yet. Like you I try and hold hope for this pregnancy, but it seems unlikely it will work in my favor.  I wish you and your spouse the best of luck in your next IVF:)

[so unsure...]

Sounds great! It was rather spooky to read your post as it was like reading my on bio!  I will keep you posted on the results, not until next Thursday. I feel in my heart I know the outcome, and would probably die of cardiac arrest myself if it is different (LOL). Trying to keep my spirits up...but this is my second pregnancy in a year. last year had a tubal that went on for weeks undiagnosed. ended in a methotrexate shot. and this pregnancy was a bit of a suprise, a souvenior(?) from our vacation to Hawaii. SO it was really exciting. I am not giving up yet, will try again.

[so unsure...]

one more thing, do you know where your hcg levels were with 1st u/s and with 2nd?
mine were at 22,000 plus and thats why the dr feels there should have been fetal pulse. let me know if you had results. thanks

[1st timer]

I'm am so stressed out.  I am a first time mother and have been told that I was pregnant with twins.  I went to the doctor yesterday and according to the doctor she saw nothing in one sac and did see an embryo in the other.  I am about 7 weeks according to them but according to my last menstrual period I am 10 weeks.  Yesterday, she freaked me out because she said that she did not see a heartbeat and that she was afraid that I had miscarried.  I am going again to get an ultrasound.   I have no cramping nor spotting...should I be worried.  I cried almost all day yesterday just thinking about it.

[so unsure...]

I am sorry you are going through this. First of all, is your cycle every 28 days? IF not then it's normal to be off on your dates.  My cycle varies 35-40 days so I ovulate a week to 10 days later.  I know your confusion on dating your pregnancy.  If you have read this thread you will see I went through similar scare. when I went back @7w 6d I did have a heart beat of 151. now I have to go for a level 2 u/s in 2 weeks due to "globular" looking fetal pole instead of linear... have no idea what this brings with it. pregnancy is SCARY! this is my 2nd time. 1st ended with ectopic last year and now this:(

[1st timer]

Well, I went for my ultrasound yesterday and no change whatsoever.  I was very sad.   They didn't see a heartbeat and the ultrasound tech said that usually they would see at least a flicker of the heart at this stage.  I was very upset.  My other sac was empty so I am thinking that it never develope.  They have scheduled me for a D & C for tomorrow (which is quick).  I am kind of scared but I have read some stories where at this point they usually see the heartbeat.

[1st timer]

Do you think that I should hold off on the D & C?  There was no difference in my uterus size (from my previous visit last week)when I went for my ultrasound yesterday.  I guess I just don't want to believe it and holding on to hope.

[so unsure...]

I am so sorry for you again, Only you and your Dr can decide on that.  I did not have to make that decision and don't honeslty know what I would have chose. I have read enough about both that some are able to wait it out and others have d/c for emotional as well as physical reasons. it can take a very long time on its own, in some women weeks. if there was no change then healing will probably be easier if you are not waiting around. my thoughts are with you.

[AlexMach]

I just had a trans vag ultra sound today i an 5 weeks 5 days and the doctors are not seeing a heartbeat just a yolk sac they said that everything is measuring up to the correct time and my levels are good however they are telling me to have another ultrasound tom and if there is no heartbeat they hace me schduled for a d&c at 1pm.  Im scared to death that im doiong the wrong thing..  Should i wait or should i go ahead with the surgery

[Jenny100]

Do NOT---- I repeat NOT have a D&C!!!!
At 5 weeks 6 days all I had was an EMPTY gestational sac---nothing else. I am now 35 weeks with a heathy normal boy. YOU will be 5 weeks 6 days tomorrow and they want you to have the D& C????????? DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!
Everything could be completely normal---just a little slow growing. Ultrasounds shouldn't even be given until you are at least 7 weeks along---there can be so many variables in a very early pregnancy.

PLEASE refuse----in fact don't even go back to the Dr. until you are 7 weeks. I am betting then you will see your little baby and the heartbeat.
Keep us updated.

[melqtpie2003]

I AM 5 WEEKS AND 4 DAYS ALONG IN MY PREGNANCY.  AT FIRST MY BREASTS WERE VERY SORE AND TENDER BUT NOW THEY DO NOT HURT AT ALL AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING PAINFUL CRAMPS (FEEL LIKE HEAVY MENSTRUAL CRAMPS) & I DO NOT EXPERIENCE MORNING SICKNESS.  THE WOMEN IN MY FAMILY HAVE A PAST OF MISCARRIAGES AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME EMOTIONALLY.   I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH IS NORMAL OR IF I MIGHT BE EXPERIENCES ANOTHER MISCARRIAGE.

[sonby]

I went for my first IVF appointment yesterday were they did an untrasound and i found out i am pregnant, however i am not sure how may weeks gone i am but and trying to work it out as being 3-4 weeks.  The have told me that they cannot detect a heart beat but the is a sack.  However a week ago i botted some blood for 5 mins, nothing since.  Does this mean that i have lost my baby and am experiencing a miscarriage.  I have been asked to come back on monday for another ultra sound and they will take it from there.

[quashawn77]

i just found out i was pregnant on 8-1-07 i was told i that by now i showed be 5 weeks and 4 days.  i went to a doctor at a local hospital that did an u/s and said that they didnt see anything and stated it m,ight be etopic but they did see a possible sack full of jelly. they suggested on doing a d/c to remove the sac and send it to pathology to determine if it was a baby just not growing.  the most confusing part is i decided today to go see my previous ob and he suggested that it might just be to early, or i might miscarry but hes not sure.  he suggested we wait another week and do and u/s then.  he clearly stated its not in the tube and that i should be fine.  the crazy part is when i left my ob doc the hospital called me several times insisting they do they remove it cause i can die if its in my tubes.  i'm so confused can someone help.  i've never been through anythinbg like this before.

[Turtleday13]

I am 9 weeks pregnant. We have been trying for 10 years after going THOUGH surgery to remove scar tissues from my ovaries and 6 months of clomid (fertility drugs) we stop. It has been 5 years since we stop trying and as faith would have it, we got pregnant in June 2007. I had my first u/s on 8/8 which if calculated correctly 6 - 7 weeks and down hearten to say, "NO HEART BEAT", and sack same to be empty. The doctor told me I had a chance of miscarriage a week later. She recommended I go back a week by this time nature will take it's place and miscarriage by bleeding. Nothing happened I went back on 8/16 and to my surprise, the sack grew another centimeter and the fetal grew also but still no heartbeat. I was advice to go back in another week.. WOW, talking about emotions "High/Low". I believe there is a GOD and he will handle.