96 BPM fetal heart rate at 5-6 weeks

[artists daughter]

I will be 39 next week and just returned from an early pregnancy ultrasound to date the pregnancy. The ultrasound measured the pregnancy at 5 weeks 6 days +/- 2 (my guess was 6 weeks 1 day so it seems within range). The nurse saw a yolk sac and fetal pole with a heartbeat of 96 beats per minute. She said they like to see 120. She also pointed out an area of bleeding in the uterus below the gestational sac and said it may or may not be an issue. I have no spotting. This is my second pregnancy - the first one, 7 years ago with another partner ended in fetal demise around 10 weeks that wasn't discovered until after 4 1/2 months. Cause of that one was an extra set of chromasomes (thought to be from the father). I am scheduled to go for another ultrasound next monday, but am extremely nervous that today's results indicate abnormal development and another threatened miscarriage. Any reassurances particularly with sound medical info would be much appreciated. There is so much junk on the web that i am making myself crazy.

[chiromom]

I am sorry for your news.  You have to tell yourself that what will be will be - you have absolutely no control over what is going to happen over the next few days.  If you were trying to get pregnant, at least you know you can conceive, that is the first step!  I am sorry about it falling over your birthday.  My thoughts go out to you.

[artists daughter]

More bad news. The heartbeat was even slower today, though growth is fine and whatever bleeding they thought might be there is gone.  The doctor says she is pessimistic, but doesnt want to schedule a d+c until the heartbeat stops. So, another week of waiting. (just what i wanted for my 39th birthday this saturday). I go back again next Monday morning.  good luck to the rest of you.

[chiromom]

I hope all goes well - I'm a fellow NYer.  I will be thinking happy thoughts.

[artists daughter]

Thanks - I have to confess its just good to be able to vent to others who are my age.  This is the first time I have had the phrase "advanced age" applied to me - not to mention scary statistics about my health thrown at me. . . I've always been healthy,  I look younger than I am and its just strange to be in this position! I am happy to hear you are both having good experiences, and hope to be able to share good news after my appointment next week.  Until then I'll amuse myself by reading about everyone's funny pregnancy symptoms on this board!

[mlb1234]

I am 37y and will be 38y at delivery with our first child.  I am 21 weeks today and so far so good.  Do not worry too much about the age thing.  We did the first trimester screen and our test results came out as if I were 20 years old again.  The ultrasound is much better than the HCG test.  I just thought if they tested the hcg and it was doubling that would give you more confidence that everything is OK in the meantime.  I am not sure when you got that 100 reading but it seems pretty good to me assuming it was pretty early on.   It's hard to wait.  But so far it seems to me that is all one does in pregnancy - wait for test results, wait for ultrasounds, wait in waiting rooms, wait to pass the first trimester, wait to feel the first movements, etc!!!  And the worrying just takes different forms - from am I pregnant, to will I miscarry, to is it healthy, etc...Anyways I am hoping that Monday gets here faster than ever for you!!!  Best of luck!!!!

[azqtpies]

Please try and not worry I just turned 39 last monday.... no big deal. is it how you feel inside not the number and 39 is not too old at all! I am 7w1d and all is going good, you will be fine. The hormone rollercoaster is probaly starting to kick in. I go Friday to see a heartbeat, so I now your fears.. all will be ok. Keep us posted!

Kelly

[artists daughter]

Thanks for your notes - they have only done blood work the very first time I went in to confirm the home pregnancy test.  At that point I wasn't really sure that i had even missed my first period (i wasn't expecting to get pregnant - just got married 2 months ago and we decided to let nature take its course, so i wasn't paying attention to what was happenning when). My HCG was 100 and my progesterone was 49. Since the progesterone is so high (they expect around 20-45 during first trimester) and the first US last week showed normal development of a gestational sac, the doctor said there was no reason to do a second blood analysis unless i was very worried (i wasn't then, but am now. . . ). She told me just to come back to check for a heartbeat.  Today the nurse said that once they see a heartbeat, the HCG numbers aren't as useful as a follow up sonogram, so I have no idea what is going on there.  With one thing to focus on to make me nervous all of the wories about being 39 that i was able to suppress til now are just flooding in.

[mlb1234]

The good thing is that they saw a heartbeat - that is the best sign that everything is going well.  Although my reproductive endocrinologist also said 120-160 is normal when I had my ultrasound at 6 weeks 1 day.  It can vary a lot though so I would just cross my fingers and try to keep busy until next Monday.  Have they tested your hcg level and found it to be doubling??  That is also a very good sign to look for.  Best of luck!!

[azqtpies]

Please try not to google too much! it can make you worry yourself sick! I have always heard that the heart rate starts out very low it is so early sounds normal to me for what I have read! about the bleeding not sure on that! keep positive!!!!!! I am sure you will be ok, try not to worry , as that wont help your lil bean and you! =) God bless
Happy & healthy nine months to you