6 week ultrasound

[summergirl769]

Went to the dr. for the 1st time last week. I had an ultrasound. They seen the baby, but not the  heart rate.
Is it ok not to see it at that stage? Just too early? Cause for concern? The dr. said maybe I  'ovulated later than he thought', & that he didn't see any other 'cause for concern'. Still I am VERY worried. I am almost 43, have an existing
thyroid condition(on levoxyl for several yrs) & this is my 5th baby.(the other 4 are all grown)
I am scheduled for another u/s in 1 week. Hoping someone has had a similar experience??
Thanks

[LisaRG]

I am so very sorry.  I know how you must be feeling.  I had a miscarriage 4 weeks ago.  I was hoping and praying you would see a heartbeat.
Miscarriage is a very real and devastating loss, and not everyone can understand how much compassion you need right now.  Please reach out to us here on the forum since most of us have had 1 or more miscarriages and can give you the comfort you may need in addition to your friends and family.
Your pain is our pain.
Take good care of your self.
Lisa

[summergirl769]

Went back for the u/s yesterday. Still no hb, the measurement went from
4cm last week to 3cm yesterday. They also said blood clots were visible
under the baby. (still haven't had any bleeding -just mild cramps off & on
since before I went the 1st time) Dr. says miscarriage will happen - just a
matter of when. VERY, VERY devastating. Anyone else had such an
experience??

[SoCalTricia]

I'm late to respond...but I agree with the others. Six weeks is early, and anything can happen. There are so many variable - machine quality, tech experience, etc. My OB didn't even want to *see me until I was eight weeks, because he said so much can happen prior to that, and a heartbeat is sometimes difficult to locate prior to that, depending on where the embryo attached in your uterus, how much belly fat you have (wouldn't apply to a vaginal US, though), when in your cycle you ovulated, and when the egg implanted, etc. So...keep us updated!

Tricia

[summergirl769]

Hi,
Thanks to everyone who responded!! ( uplifting story indeed Miranda9!! -
thanks for sharing) Still a bit anxious - but I feel much better now -having read all your replies.I go back tomorrow(Wed.) & hope I get to see it!

[Miranda9]

I also agree with the others! And not all u/s machines are created equal; some measure in 3D and provide a much more accurate picture.

I want to share a story with you to help alleviate your fears.  When my colleague became pregnant, her Dr. wanted to confirm the pregnancy and scheduled bloodwork and an u/s at 5 weeks.  Why such an early u/s?  Well, the Dr. really doubted my colleague's ability to conceive because she was diagnosed with PCOS and had irregular periods.  The u/s only showed an empty sac at 5 weeks....2 weeks later - at 7 weeks - another u/s revealed a heartbeat!  My colleauge is now 5 months along;)

[adgal]

Ditto what the others said.  The hb usually starts anywhere from 51/2 to 6 1/2 weeks.  Things happen so quickly at this stage that just a few days can make a difference.  THere is no way to predict the exact day of conception, even if you just had intercourse once.  Also, implantation can take anywhere from a few days to a week, so that can impact things as well.  At 6 weeks I wouldn't worry to much, especially if they saw the fetal pole.  That's a great sign that your little bean is growing.  Next week I bet you see that heartbeat!!  Good luck!!!!

[Heather5]

I agree with the others. The heartbeat is usually detected at some point during the 6th week, so if you were 6 weeks exactly, it was probably just too early. You'll see it next week :-)

[LisaRG]

Dont worry.   You already went from seeing nothing to seeing a baby just by changing the machine.  
Next week you should see the Heartbeat!
Good luck.
Lisa

[summergirl769]

Thanks! Never had one done so early & not sure the difference in the 2 ways you mention.
It was vaginal - I think. She inserted a long wand type thing.
1st time to a new ob dr. - he did the u/s on a small machine - nothing.
Then a u/s tech did it on a MUCH larger machine - getting a pic, but no hb.  

[usuk]

Agree with Lisa and if he saw the sac and maybe a fetal pole then HB might be next week.

[LisaRG]

Hello,
2 questions, did your own Dr perform the ultrasound and was it pelvic ultrasound or vaginal ultrasound?.
How and who performs the u/s can matter very much at your early date.
Please try not to worry, early pregnancy is a wait and see game for everyone.  One week they do not see anything and the next week there can be a fetus with a strong heartbeat!
I wish you good luck on your next u/s!
Lisa