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10 weeks, fetus 10 weeks but no heartbeat

I went for my first u/s when I was 10 weeks & 5 days. The midwife verified the size & development of fetus also 10 weeks & 5 days, however we could not trace a heartbeat. Also had a transvaginal u/s with the same result. This means that the fetus died that day or night previously. This is all too much for me to comprehend. The gyno confirmed diagnosis. Since 3 days I no longer feel pregnant & am now waiting to miscarry. I am overwhelmed with emotions & tried to continue working, however could not so therefore I am at home with my daugther (2 y/o) How long will it take to Miscarry? I want to let nature take its course, however I have an appt at the gyno on Thurs (2 weeks after no hb traced) to discuss D&C etc. Has anyone been in the same situation????
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Avatar universal
I have not been in exactly the same situation, but I was 12 weeks when I miscarried last week.  I know how heartbreaking it is not to see a heartbeat, so I can sympathize with you there.  I ended up miscarrying, very suddenly, and naturally.  It went really quickly.  But, if you're not miscarrying naturally and your baby has died, it will be important to get the D&C.  It was explained to me that it's much more dangerous not to have the D&C because you risk getting an infection that may put your fertility in danger.  Good luck.  I wish there was more I could say to ease your pain, but I know there isn't.
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Avatar universal
I was technically 13 weeks pregnant and went in for a routine
Ultrasound only to find baby stopped developing in the 8th week. Doctors say the statistic of this happening is 1%, but I'll tell yah- there are alot of women on this board with similar circumstances. I ended up having a D&C, but it was primarily because I couldn't take it emotionally any longer.

In your shoes- I would ask for a followup ultrasound before I had a D&C- just to make sure.

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Avatar universal
I'm so sorry for you loss.  I too went through the same diagnosis at 10 weeks, except I was told it was a blighted ovum.  I was given the option to miscarry naturally or D&C.  I wish I had gone the natural route.  That way there would be no wondering if there was a misdiagnosis.  I have read cases of that up to 12 weeks.  I had heard horror stories of miscarrying naturally and that is why I had the D&C.  Looking back, I would have rather had that than the wondering if the doctor could have been wrong.  I had a friend who was told at 9 weeks that her baby had no heartbeat.  Since she was bleeding like a period, the doctor told her to go home and miscarry naturally without a D&C.  Well, that baby is now 3 yrs. old.  Is there a chance that you could have ovulated late?  I know that on midwife dopplers, the heartbeat can take up to 13 weeks to be heard.  Ultrasounds the heartbeat can be detected much earlier like 7 wks, but they also can be wrong too.  It has been almost a year and a half and I haven't gotten pregnant yet.  I just hope that I don't have scarring from the D&c which can happen in 40% of cases (see ashermans.org).  I also did the D&C because I was told like you that a natural miscarriage could cause more scarring and infertility.  After much research, I am finding that is not true.  If you miscarry naturally, just make sure that the doctor does a vaginal ultrasound afterwards to make sure there is no tissue left.  If there is tissue left and not taken out, then that is when it can cause scarring.  Most times everything comes out.  In some cases, a D&C might need to be done to get out remaining tissue.  Even though this can be very hard, it is better than wondering for the rest of your life if the doctor could have been wrong in his diagnosis.  I wish you the best.  Let us know how it goes.  We are a team of loving supportive women.
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Avatar universal
So sorry for your loss.  I know in my situation, I opted to have a d&c.  I had gone for an ultrasound that showed fetal demise on the Monday, and by the time I had the d&c on Saturday, the fetal tissue had completely discinigrated - so I have no lingering doubts about whether the baby had passed or not.  Take care of yourself.
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Avatar universal
I had this happen to me too. I was supposed to be about 12 weeks, but my baby only developed to 7 weeks, 1 day. I scheduled a D & C for a week after I found out. I ended up having a complete miscarriage 5 days later, so the D & C was not needed. By scheduling the D & C, I was able to give my body a chance to miscarry on it's own, but I knew that I would not have to wait longer than a week for it to happen. I think the waiting and not knowing is the worst part. I'm sorry for you loss. Take care!
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Avatar universal
Thank you all for your comments. It is a great help to read about others in similar situations. I  went to work last week, but only lasted 2 1/2 days as the emotions are so strong & confronting. It will be 2 weeks since the fetus has died tomorrow & have no signs of miscarrying yet.I have an appt with the gyno tomorrow & am afraid, as I have to make a decision, or be clear in what I want. I feel that my body has let me down by not miscarrying naturally.
I am intrigued to see how the gyno reacts tomorrow.
Thank you all for your support
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Avatar universal
I have just returned from the Gyno. I have made an appt for a D&C next Friday, so have a week time for my body to miscarry naturally which I hope will happen. This was the most difficult decision of my life. I am anxious to know how the D&C is.  I have an appointment with the Anaesthestist tomorrow to talk about the anaesthetic.
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Avatar universal
DOCTORS SAY it is best to have a d&c if your pregnancy is over 6 weeks... (d&c makes sure there is no tissue left behind that could cause infections ect...)
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Avatar universal
Hi i am 10 weeks pregnant and on Thursday i started bleeding (it lookedmlike old blood brown coloured) then on friday afternoon the bleeding became red and heavier. i had a U/S which showed nothing at first and ten an hour of trying found a small beep like effect flashing dot but no sign of a baby. the midwife at our very rural hospital could comment as their U/S machine was not as up to date as a city hospitals. She thinks the baby has died but doesn't know i have to wait on an appointment fom a city hospital.

When i move about the bleeding increases slightly and if i move around slowly or just sit about the bleeding almost ceases completely. i have had no serious cramping no sign of tissue just blood sometimes browny sometimes red.

The midwife commented that i may have a uterus that folds over on itself and we just can see the baby but she thinks that there may be a yolk sac at the botton of the dark area on ultrasound but if so i can not be 10weeks pregnant as the size is to small. but we were trying to get pregnant used clear blue ovulation kit so i am definitely 10 weeks.

i do not know what to think what to say to my husband. i have absolutely no idea at all to what is happening if any one can bring any light to our situation it would be much appreciated.

thank you
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Avatar universal
Well I am one relieved person today. It all happened naturally last night & I have not experienced any excrutiating pains at all. Since Friday night I've had light cramping, but just like you receive when you expect your period. The fetus was perfect, a boy (it was very clear to see, too small for the U/S I think) I'm now just bleeding, but feel like I have my period. It feels like a massive weight has been lifted. I was shocked at first, but we have had 2+ weeks to realize what was going to happen if nature took its course. I feel for all you ladies out there who were overcome with a spontaneous m/c. That would be a shock.
I will now try to get my rest & recouperate physically which will be a lot quicker than emotionally. I can't wait to call the gyno to cancel the D&C. I was fearing that. I'll now just wait for my control at the gyno in a fortnight & hope that I don't end up with a D&C afterall
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Avatar universal
I miscarried on MOnday evening & didn't experience any discomfort, however did retrieve the fetus & passed the sac etc... Tuesday night & Wednesday night have been disturbed by toilet visits every hour as  I have heavy bleeding. Wednesday night was also accompanied by heavy cramping. Is my uterus shrinking causing these pains, as I have already expelled the fetus, a lot of tissue & clots. I have an appt with the gyno today & am anxious if the U/S is clear to see if all has been expelled.
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Avatar universal
Sorry for your loss. I too had a miscarriage after my 12th week. The doctor told me that the fetus did not progress past the 8th week and encouraged me to have the D&C procedure immediately. However, my husband would not agree to a procedure that he had never heard of. My husband then fully research the enitre procedure and talked to several physicians, who gave mixed reviews of the necessity of a D&C. Some doctors went as far as to state that the D&C may have a negative effect on future pregnancy's if not performed correctly.
Nevertheless, we decided to forgo the D&C and let nature take its coarse. I am now 10 weeks pregnant again and very affraid of the upcoming ultra Sound.
The moral of my story is to seek advice from many different sources and do your homework before taking the doctor's advise. Remeber, not too long ago, Doctor's used to percribe cigarettes to relieve the affects of the common cold and the flu. Look how wrong they turned out to be....
"If you fail to plan---you plan to fail"
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Avatar universal
Vonz, I'm sorry for your loss.  I commend you for waiting things out naturally.  I really think it is healthier for the body.  I wish I had waited things out naturally.  It helps us other women to hear how it goes naturally and encourages us if we ever have to go through that ( I pray non of us do).  It has been almost 1 1/2 yrs. since my D&C and no new pregnancies yet.  I really think it is not good for the body.  I wish you all the best and future happy pregnancies!
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Avatar universal
We had an appt with the gyno & transvaginal U/S & she could only see 2 spots, close to the cervix, so she hoped they were blood. I have stopped bleeding, only have spotting, so hopefully its all over. I have a follow up appt at the end of Aug.
We did not leave the fetus at the hospital as they send it to the lab for tests which 99% of the cases do not result in any outcome. We already have one healthy child (2yrs 4mths) so I do not doubt my body in being able to have a healthy pregnancy. We have buried the fetus, actually our little boy in the garden & bought a beautiful plant. Its very confronting however its a lot better than leaving in to the unknown in the hospital labs.
This week I returned to work now & am happy to be back, to get my mind off everything. It was very difficult as none of my collegues knew the reason why I was out, so I did tell them & they were then able to understand & sympathize. Its a great comfort to have so many caring people around you. Ones who've been through the same/similar experience, however there are plenty of angels out their guiding us through life. Thank you everybody for your support.
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Avatar universal
I just have to say thank you for posting your situation.  I'm in about that place now.  I went in Monday for a regular visit w/ my midwife and she couldn't find a heartbeat w/ the doppler--this was a complete shock as we'd heard the heartbeat easily at 9.5 weeks.  She did an ultrasound and couldnt' find it, either.  So she sent me to the Hospital for a better ultrasound and there was no heartbeat and the baby measured 12 weeks instead of the 13.5 it should have.  Seeing the baby not moving was one of the hardest moments of my life.  Luckily I have three beautiful children, and they and my amazing husband have been wonderful to help me get through this week.  

But now I'm really nervous and anxious about the miscarriage process.  I don't want to have the d&c.  And I don't want to take the baby in for a bunch of tests, either.  I'm as anxious about seeing the baby as the pain and cramping.  I've been having very vivid dreams about it.  I've looked all over for help in how I'm feeling and your story is the first thing that's really given me comfort in this area.

I'm still stressed and anxious, but it's so helpful to read about someone else feeling like I do.
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Avatar universal
HELLO LADIES,
I FOUND THIS WEBSITE BY TRYING TO GET INFORMATION ON MY SITUATION WHICH IS MUCH LIKE MOST YOU. I ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED A M/S IN JUNE AFTER A DERANGED DRUNK DRIVER HIT ME. THE GENTLEMAN WAS ARRESTED, HOWEVER AFTER 2 HOURS OF WAITING FOR A STATE TROOPER AND HIM DRINKING GATORADE AT THE SCENE, AS WELL AS, AN OFFICER ALLOWING HIM TO LEAVE AND GO HOME, THEN COME BACK, HE WAS NOT CHARGED WITH A DUI BECAUSE, GET THIS, HE WAS 0.3 UNDER THE LEGAL LIMIT. I SUFFERED TREMENDOUSLY BEHIND THAT. THEN IN JULY I FOUND OUT THAT I WAS PREGNANT AGAIN, ONLY TO GET FIRED FROM MY JOB RIGHT AFTER THAT. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER, I ENDED UP FINDING OUT THAT I WAS 5 WEEKS AND 6 DAYS WHEN I ACTUALLY THOUGHT I WAS ONLY 3 WEEKS. THE U/S THAT WAS DONE SHOWED A HEARTBEAT AND A GOOD HEART RATE. TO DATE, I AM 7 WEEKS AND WILL BE 8 ON SATURDAY. ON TUESDAY I HAD ANOTHER ULTRASOUND  DONE AND TO MY DEVASTATION THEY COULD NOT FIND A HEARTBEAT. I WAS DEVASTED. I FELT LIKE I WAS LIVING A TRUE NIGHTMARE. AS IF I HAVEN'T HAD ENOUGH OF LIFE'S TRIALS. THE DOCTOR TOLD ME I HAD TWO OPTIONS, TO MISCARRY NATURALLY OR HAVE A D&C. I ASKED HIM WHICH WOULD HE SUGGEST, AND HE TOLD ME TO LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE. I FELT REALLY GOOD ABOUT HIS SUGGESTION. SO I AM NOW WAITING TO SEE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT THIS WEDNESDAY ON 8/25. IT IS PURE TORTURE KNOWING THAT I HAVE A LIFE INSIDE ME THAT COULD VERY WELL BE DEAD. BUT I KNOW THAT ULTRASOUNDS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BE WRONG AND SO HAVE PEOPLE. BUT GOD IS ALWAYS RIGHT. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT MANY OF YOU, BUT I CAN CERTAINLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF WHEN I SAY THAT I DO BELIEVE THERE IS A GOD AND I DO BELIEVE IN MIRACLES. I AM PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE, SO ARE MY FAMILY AND CLOSE FRIENDS. I'VE WITNESSED MIRACLES IN MY LIFE BEFORE, AND I AM A LIVING TESTIMONY THAT THEY DO HAPPEN. TO ALL OF YOU THAT MAY BE EXPERIENCING SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING AND ARE WAITING, AND TO ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH IT (WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IN GOD OR NOT), I AM PRAYING FOR YOU AND I ASK THAT YOU PRAY FOR ME. I ALSO ASK THAT GOD SOOTH YOUR PAIN AND SUFFERING AND ALLOW YOUR DREAMS OF HAVING A SUCCESSFUL PREGNANCY AND A HEALTHY BABY TO COME TRUE! GOD BLESS.
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Avatar universal
HELLO LADIES,
I FOUND THIS WEBSITE BY TRYING TO GET INFORMATION ON MY SITUATION WHICH IS MUCH LIKE MOST YOU. I ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED A M/S IN JUNE AFTER A DERANGED DRUNK DRIVER HIT ME. THE GENTLEMAN WAS ARRESTED, HOWEVER AFTER 2 HOURS OF WAITING FOR A STATE TROOPER AND HIM DRINKING GATORADE AT THE SCENE, AS WELL AS, AN OFFICER ALLOWING HIM TO LEAVE AND GO HOME, THEN COME BACK, HE WAS NOT CHARGED WITH A DUI BECAUSE, GET THIS, HE WAS 0.3 UNDER THE LEGAL LIMIT. I SUFFERED TREMENDOUSLY BEHIND THAT. THEN IN JULY I FOUND OUT THAT I WAS PREGNANT AGAIN, ONLY TO GET FIRED FROM MY JOB RIGHT AFTER THAT. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER, I ENDED UP FINDING OUT THAT I WAS 5 WEEKS AND 6 DAYS WHEN I ACTUALLY THOUGHT I WAS ONLY 3 WEEKS. THE U/S THAT WAS DONE SHOWED A HEARTBEAT AND A GOOD HEART RATE. TO DATE, I AM 7 WEEKS AND WILL BE 8 ON SATURDAY. ON TUESDAY I HAD ANOTHER ULTRASOUND  DONE AND TO MY DEVASTATION THEY COULD NOT FIND A HEARTBEAT. I WAS DEVASTED. I FELT LIKE I WAS LIVING A TRUE NIGHTMARE. AS IF I HAVEN'T HAD ENOUGH OF LIFE'S TRIALS. THE DOCTOR TOLD ME I HAD TWO OPTIONS, TO MISCARRY NATURALLY OR HAVE A D&C. I ASKED HIM WHICH WOULD HE SUGGEST, AND HE TOLD ME TO LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE. I FELT REALLY GOOD ABOUT HIS SUGGESTION. SO I AM NOW WAITING TO SEE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT THIS WEDNESDAY ON 8/25. IT IS PURE TORTURE KNOWING THAT I HAVE A LIFE INSIDE ME THAT COULD VERY WELL BE DEAD. BUT I KNOW THAT ULTRASOUNDS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BE WRONG AND SO HAVE PEOPLE. BUT GOD IS ALWAYS RIGHT. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT MANY OF YOU, BUT I CAN CERTAINLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF WHEN I SAY THAT I DO BELIEVE THERE IS A GOD AND I DO BELIEVE IN MIRACLES. I AM PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE, SO ARE MY FAMILY AND CLOSE FRIENDS. I'VE WITNESSED MIRACLES IN MY LIFE BEFORE, AND I AM A LIVING TESTIMONY THAT THEY DO HAPPEN. TO ALL OF YOU THAT MAY BE EXPERIENCING SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING AND ARE WAITING, AND TO ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH IT (WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IN GOD OR NOT), I AM PRAYING FOR YOU AND I ASK THAT YOU PRAY FOR ME. I ALSO ASK THAT GOD SOOTH YOUR PAIN AND SUFFERING AND ALLOW YOUR DREAMS OF HAVING A SUCCESSFUL PREGNANCY AND A HEALTHY BABY TO COME TRUE! GOD BLESS.
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Avatar universal
I am suffering through my second miscarriage and it's killing me.
I do have two healthy children and that is such a blessing.  Both of the miscarriages have ended with an empty sac.  The first time I had a D&C with Drs advice and I regreted it because of all the stories I've read of children that were born when Drs passed them off as misscarriage.  I am 91/2 weeks along but the sac only measures 61/2 weeks and there is nothing in the sac at all just like the US I had three weeks before today.  I have been bleeding and spotting for two weeks. THe last couple of days its gotten heavier but not cramps or clots. How long can I expect to wait this out naturally. I hate to have to go back in and have a D&C but spotting and bleeding for three weeks is just not ending and the sac is still there.  SHould I have the D&C or wait it out longer???  I don't even have a fetus to expel just a sac. Does anyone know if it will hurt to expel the sac naturally??  Has anyone had two misscarriages in a row and gotten tested for possible problems? I am worried that something is wrong with me but the Dr says this is common and no need for testing as I have two healthy children already. THis is so painful and I can't bear to deal with it a third time. My next preg I will be a nervous wreck. Jennifer
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Avatar universal
I am suffering through my second miscarriage and it's killing me.
I do have two healthy children and that is such a blessing.  Both of the miscarriages have ended with an empty sac.  The first time I had a D&C with Drs advice and I regreted it because of all the stories I've read of children that were born when Drs passed them off as misscarriage.  I am 91/2 weeks along but the sac only measures 61/2 weeks and there is nothing in the sac at all just like the US I had three weeks before today.  I have been bleeding and spotting for two weeks. THe last couple of days its gotten heavier but not cramps or clots. How long can I expect to wait this out naturally. I hate to have to go back in and have a D&C but spotting and bleeding for three weeks is just not ending and the sac is still there.  SHould I have the D&C or wait it out longer???  I don't even have a fetus to expel just a sac. Does anyone know if it will hurt to expel the sac naturally??  Has anyone had two misscarriages in a row and gotten tested for possible problems? I am worried that something is wrong with me but the Dr says this is common and no need for testing as I have two healthy children already. THis is so painful and I can't bear to deal with it a third time. My next preg I will be a nervous wreck. Jennifer
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Avatar universal
Jennifer,

I am sorry that you are going through this tormenting time.  I have been there and done that.  I would suggest waiting things out.  I know that it is the hardest thing to do.  It is so much better on your body to have a natural miscarriage rather than a D&C.  How many weeks are you?  Is there any chance of misdiagnosis.  That does happen in the diagnosis of a empty sac.  I have done extensive research on the subject for the last 1 1/2.  I have found so many cases of misdiagnosis.  There is even a case where the baby did not show up until 13 weeks!  How is your hormonal levels?  

I am one of those who didn't wait things out and it was hard to sleep at night for many months wondering if the doctor was wrong. After months and months of research, I found
out that I did not have a true blighted ovum as the doctor said because there was a yolk sac. I have found cases where the baby didn't even show up at all as the one above until 13 weeks.  I also found much info on the inaccuracy of u/s depending upon mhz of the machine. I have a friend who was told at 8 weeks that her baby had no heartbeat and she was miscarrying. She had bleeding so the doctor wouldn't do a D&C. Thank God she didn't! A
few weeks later, the baby showed up heartbeat and all! I would suggest going to this link:

http://home.earthlink.net/~misdiagnosed/

It has a collection of misdiagnosed miscarriage stories. They are success stories of women who actually ended up having their babies. The latest baby showing up via u/s at 13
weeks! There is a knowledgable mom there who will also answer any questions you may have by the name of Bonzobean. Also, for more interaction with knowledgable women, I
would highly suggest this web-site also:

http://home.earthlink.net/~misdiagnosed/

I wish you the best. We are here for you on all of these web-sites. Us women need support each other during this most sensitive and emotional time of our life! I wish I had these
resources when I was going through my diagnosis. It is such a blessing. I just have a burden to be there for those who are where I was. Prayers are sent for you!


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Avatar universal
This is the other web-site:

http://bbs.babycenter.com/board/pregnancy/prenatalhealth/1311584/thread/1423524

Has good interaction with knowledgable moms.
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Avatar universal
I have had 2 miscarriages. The first at 10 weeks naturally (lots of bleeding for 8 days and then lots of pain) and the second my doctor saw no heartbeat at 9 weeks even though there had been a heart beat at 7 weeks. I had a d&c second time.

I am 9 weeks pregnant again with no period between my d&c and the pregnancy and have been too scared to have an ultrasound. Ive had all the blood tests and they all were normal.

Firstly I'd take a d&c any day over a natural miscarriage. Far less traumatic and secondly the ultrasound lady told me that they are always on the side of the fetus and they make absolutely sure that they don't make a mistake. I saw her check for over 40min for the heart beat with various different techniques.

I think that multiple miscarriages occur much more often than the statistics say. You only have to look on the internet to see that.

Goodluck girls and I've heard that vitamin E is a great natural way to help prevent miscarriage. I'm taking it so will let you know if it works for me.

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Avatar universal
I am going on 10 weeks pregnant.  At approximately 6 weeks I had some bleeding.  Bright red and more than spotting, however, not heavy.  No clots or tissue.  I had an ultra-sound and was told that I had a complete miscarriage.  However, I still felt very pregnant, all the symptoms, no cramping etc.  A week later I had an ultra-sound and was told there were two sacs, one empty and one with a yolk and fetal pole.  At 9 weeks and 3 days I went for another ultra sound and was told it had not changed.  Still an empty sac and one with yokd and fetal pole. My OB said there should be signs of a fetus and heartbeat and said I should have a D&C.  I am scheduled for one on October 12th, however, I am a little leary as I have read so many stories of fetus and heartbeat not showing up until a few weeks later.  If anyone has had this similar situation, please advise.
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Avatar universal
Misdiagnosis does happen.  I would wait it out a few weeks just to make sure.  Waiting things out is worth it anyhow.  It is so much better on the body than the D&C for next time around and who knows?  Maybe you will get a surprise.  I hope so.  If not, I wish you the best.  Sorry you are having to go through this.
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