No fetal heartbeat at 16 weeks

[SAMomOf3]

This is my 5th pregnancy.  2 pregnancies with no complications.  1 miscarriage at 6-8 weeks.  1 pregnancy with no complications.  

I've been seeing my OBGYN since week 8.  Fetal heartbeat was found w/doppler at 12 weeks.  Had an ultrasound done at 13 weeks - no abnomalities detected, good heartbeat and baby was moving around.  

I just went for my 16 week checkup & no heartbeat was found w/the doppler.  My OB sent me for an ultrasound.  There was no heartbeat and the baby measured between 13w & 1d to 13w & 6d.  I have not had any cramping, spotting or bleeding.  

My OB suggested a D&C and said they would have the "contents" tested to see if there is a reason why this happened.  

I've been reading some other posts/blogs and see that some women had a second ultrasound done (after the 1st failed to show a heartbeat) only to find that their fetus was just fine.  Should I request the same?  I don't want to hold on to false hope, but I don't want to get the D&C done if there is still a chance.  

[AnnieBrooke]

If you are at 16 weeks and the baby only measures 13 weeks plus, along with no heartbeat, I am sorry, but it seems most likely that the doctor is correct as to the fate of the pregnancy.  However, there is not one darn thing in the world wrong with asking for another ultrasound.  Just explain to the doctor that you will torture yourself with later doubts if you do not have them look one more time.  No doctor would be so insensitive as to ignore this reasonable request.  When I had a miscarriage (a vanished twin), I made the doctor let me look onscreen at the embryo that had faded for a good long time so I could be sure, in my heart, that it was really true.  You can tell at this point, because the poor little thing is totally still looking.  You also do not have to agree to a D&C if you do not want to:  an embryo that has ceased will be reabsorbed by your body, or it will possibly pass on its own.  I hope you look again and have a miracle, but please do prepare for the worst.  If it is true, please remember that miscarriage happens in 2 out of 5 pregnancies, from something about the connections of the cells that was missing since Day 1, not from something you did or didn't do along the way.  Good luck, and (((hugs))).

[Jenny100]

Oh sweetie I had the same EXACT thing happen!! My pregnancy seemed perfect at 12 weeks---we saw our little baby kicking, swimming, squirming.....and at 16 weeks he/she was still. Worst day of my life when I saw that little body lying still in there.

Like AnnieBrooke said, you will know when you see. It looks like it is just lying at the bottom of your uterus, completely still.

I had a D&C a few days later. The baby had been gone for 2 weeks or so, and had deteriorated too much to birth. I didn't even want to know if it was a boy or girl because I felt like it would hurt even more.

I am so sorry this happened to you. But i agree that for your own peace of mind, ask your Dr to just see one more time. You want to be totally sure.
*hugs* also!!!!!

[SAMomOf3]

Thanks for your responses.  (Jenny100, thank you for sharing your experience with me.  It's comforting.)
I spoke with my doctor today and requested a 2nd ultrasound...just for my own piece of mind.  It's scheduled for tomorrow morning.  If there is still no heartbeat, I will proceed with the d&c next week.  
I think what makes this so hard is that I heard the heartbeat and saw the heartbeat twice via ultrasound at 8 and 13 weeks.  How could the heartbeat just stop?  In my head I know that there is a probably a medical reason for it, but in my heart I don't know that any answer would make it ok.  
At least with my 1st miscarriage I was cramping and spotting, so I was kinda prepared for it.  But this time there were no warning signs.
I know I'm not the first (or last) woman that will suffer a miscarriage.  I know I am very blessed to have 3 beautiful, healthy kids.  But it hurts, nonetheless.  
Thank you for allowing me to vent...I'm hoping for a miracle but prepared for the worst.

[Jenny100]

I have been thinking about you and wondering what happened.I have been out of town so maybe I missed something, but what did you find out......?

[SAMomOf3]

Sorry it took so long to post an update...As you might have figured, things did not go well.  The 2nd ultrasound confirmed there was no heartbeat or movement.  They estimated the baby was around 13 or 14 weeks.  
I had the d&c done yesterday.  So far, so good...doesn't seem to be any complications, but I guess that remains to be seen.  The doctor is having the baby, placenta and uterine lining tested to see if there is a "medical reason" why the baby stopped thriving.

[Jenny100]

I am so sorry hon. This is a difficult thing to go through. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.