Aa
No Yolk Sac...
My last cycle started on 10/26. I was using a fertility monitor and got a peak LH surge on cycle days 19 & 20. My home pregnancy test was positive on 11/30. on 12/2 my hch was 609 and on 12/4 it was 1580. I went for an ultrasound on 12/15, but all they could see was the gestational sac (the machine would not estimate a due date because it was too small). I went back on 12/22 and they could see 2 gestational sacs that had grown and the machine estimated the gestational age at 5w4d, but still no yolk sac or fetal pole. They checked my hcg on 12/22 and it is 10810. I am stressed out and an emotional wreck. My doctor asked me to come in for another ultrasound in a week, but I asked for two weeks. I know this will drive me crazy, but so will having another scan and not seeing anything. My questions are these: Is it possible that it is still too early to see anything? When does the yolk sac develop? Would you be advising your patient to be guarded with regards to viability at this point? Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions...
Wow- our stories are so similar! I can totally empathize with what you're going through.
My LMP was 11/5, likely ovulated on 11/21 (per BBT monitoring). I had positive HPT on Dec 3.
Dec 7 and 9 HCG levels were great- 406 increased to 1523. Then a vaginal US on 12/18 showed a 9mm sac with no yolk sac. I thought I should have been 5w6d then, and I've read you should see a yolk sac by 5.5 weeks. My HCG on 12/18 was 12000 and it only went up to 17000 by 12/21. MD won't do or say anything (positive or negative) until my next US on 1/2.
I'm sure every MD has different ways of advising patients when things are early along. I am approx 98% certain that I've had a blighted ovum because the numbers just don't add up and an empty gestational sac at almost 6 weeks is not a good sign (when my HCG was high enough to suggest that it should be visible). It's killing me to wait for 2 more weeks especially over the holidays. So depressing.
I find this link to be helpful as it matches some of the common milestones with the levels: http://babymed.com/FAQ/Content.aspx?14374
I wish you the best and hope things turn out well for you. Is this your first pregnancy?
My LMP was 11/5, likely ovulated on 11/21 (per BBT monitoring). I had positive HPT on Dec 3.
Dec 7 and 9 HCG levels were great- 406 increased to 1523. Then a vaginal US on 12/18 showed a 9mm sac with no yolk sac. I thought I should have been 5w6d then, and I've read you should see a yolk sac by 5.5 weeks. My HCG on 12/18 was 12000 and it only went up to 17000 by 12/21. MD won't do or say anything (positive or negative) until my next US on 1/2.
I'm sure every MD has different ways of advising patients when things are early along. I am approx 98% certain that I've had a blighted ovum because the numbers just don't add up and an empty gestational sac at almost 6 weeks is not a good sign (when my HCG was high enough to suggest that it should be visible). It's killing me to wait for 2 more weeks especially over the holidays. So depressing.
I find this link to be helpful as it matches some of the common milestones with the levels: http://babymed.com/FAQ/Content.aspx?14374
I wish you the best and hope things turn out well for you. Is this your first pregnancy?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
I'm sorry to follow along with the posts and see that both of you have blighted ova.
I'm glad however that you two met, and can discuss it with each other.
It is very common, and I think that often women waste a lot of time blaming themselves for something that was entirely out of their control.
Once a blighted ovum is diagnosed, there are three main options:
1)wait for nature to take its course ( not longer than 4 weeks on this one )
2)take a medication called cytotech to help nature along and speed up the natural process
3) D&C
there are pros and cons to each. The cytotech method is the one that I think is optimal if it works, because there is no surgical risk involved, and less waiting time.
Most women with a blighted ovum want to get it over and done with and move on.
We don't know what causes blighted ovum. We do know that it is unlikely to happen more than once to an individual. However if it does happen twice, the risk is increased for the next pregnancy.
I hope some of this information is useful for each of you. Sorry we are not discussing a happier subject.
Dr B
I'm sorry to follow along with the posts and see that both of you have blighted ova.
I'm glad however that you two met, and can discuss it with each other.
It is very common, and I think that often women waste a lot of time blaming themselves for something that was entirely out of their control.
Once a blighted ovum is diagnosed, there are three main options:
1)wait for nature to take its course ( not longer than 4 weeks on this one )
2)take a medication called cytotech to help nature along and speed up the natural process
3) D&C
there are pros and cons to each. The cytotech method is the one that I think is optimal if it works, because there is no surgical risk involved, and less waiting time.
Most women with a blighted ovum want to get it over and done with and move on.
We don't know what causes blighted ovum. We do know that it is unlikely to happen more than once to an individual. However if it does happen twice, the risk is increased for the next pregnancy.
I hope some of this information is useful for each of you. Sorry we are not discussing a happier subject.
Dr B
Well, I'm only 29, and my MD attributed it to 'really suck-y luck'. :( I think we're going to do some of the fertility checking this time, because there's a chance I had a third miscarriage (1.5 years ago- we weren't trying, so I never took a test to confirm). My fiancee is in his late 40s, so I don't want to keep delaying things for him either.
That's interesting to hear such a different take on the D&C... I'm waiting a week as my fiancee is out of town right now, and she said that was about as long as she'd recommend waiting. Maybe it's my history of a missed miscarriage hanging on for over a month- she may just not want to have it take so long? I didn't ask about the medical miscarriage, and I'm kind of kicking myself. Oh well, the D&C is scheduled and pre-approved by insurance. I do admit, the risks of cervical damage and uterine scarring do freak me out, but I'm also scheduled to be out of the country in 2 weeks and I can't afford to start bleeding/miscarrying then. So confusing and frustrating.
That's interesting to hear such a different take on the D&C... I'm waiting a week as my fiancee is out of town right now, and she said that was about as long as she'd recommend waiting. Maybe it's my history of a missed miscarriage hanging on for over a month- she may just not want to have it take so long? I didn't ask about the medical miscarriage, and I'm kind of kicking myself. Oh well, the D&C is scheduled and pre-approved by insurance. I do admit, the risks of cervical damage and uterine scarring do freak me out, but I'm also scheduled to be out of the country in 2 weeks and I can't afford to start bleeding/miscarrying then. So confusing and frustrating.
I am sorry to hear your news. This really *****. My doc attributed the blighted ovum to my age and said that this is more prevalent with age. (I am 37)
I went in for the u/s and they saw the sac which was measuring at 2.5cm and still nothing inside. There were still two sacs, but they were starting to collapse into each other and were not nearly as well defined. Also, my hcg did not double in 4 days. I had a feeling when my levels went from 1500 to 10000 in 18 days. It should have been much higher. I think my doc knew too, but wasn't ready to make that call so early.
You know, I asked about a D&C because honestly, I would like for things to start moving along. Her response to me was that the American College (?) does not recommend a D&C unless it won't progress on its own because of the possible damage to the cervix. I had a D&C in March this year. I am going in next week to have my levels checked again to make sure they are coming down. If it doesn't progress on its own then we will have no choice. The waiting is killing me, but not nearly as bad as waiting for the embryo to develop. I have these medications to take to make my uterus contract once I start spotting. There is a chance that I will have to have a D&C anyway. I am torn.
Good luck to you. We will try again in a few months. Fingers crossed for both of us.
I went in for the u/s and they saw the sac which was measuring at 2.5cm and still nothing inside. There were still two sacs, but they were starting to collapse into each other and were not nearly as well defined. Also, my hcg did not double in 4 days. I had a feeling when my levels went from 1500 to 10000 in 18 days. It should have been much higher. I think my doc knew too, but wasn't ready to make that call so early.
You know, I asked about a D&C because honestly, I would like for things to start moving along. Her response to me was that the American College (?) does not recommend a D&C unless it won't progress on its own because of the possible damage to the cervix. I had a D&C in March this year. I am going in next week to have my levels checked again to make sure they are coming down. If it doesn't progress on its own then we will have no choice. The waiting is killing me, but not nearly as bad as waiting for the embryo to develop. I have these medications to take to make my uterus contract once I start spotting. There is a chance that I will have to have a D&C anyway. I am torn.
Good luck to you. We will try again in a few months. Fingers crossed for both of us.
Make that 2 on the blighted ovum diagnosis. My MD was pretty firmly against me waiting for things to happen naturally so I'm going to have my second D&C next week. I was hoping for better news to start the new year. :(
As a side note, sorry the MD didn't ever respond to this- I hope you didn't have to pay the 22 bucks.
Keep in touch with how things are going- I hope things progress quickly for us both so we can TTC soon again!
As a side note, sorry the MD didn't ever respond to this- I hope you didn't have to pay the 22 bucks.
Keep in touch with how things are going- I hope things progress quickly for us both so we can TTC soon again!
-nicole
This is my 2nd pregnancy. First one was a healthy pregnancy all the way thru and my daughter will turn 1 on friday(new years baby:)) anyways. Thru my calculations I should be around 8 weeks, been spotting for the past 3 days, so doctor wanted me to come in for a sonagram today.. My doctor won't be in until monday but the sonagram tech said all there was,was a sac but said it could be too early to tell and possibly have my dates off.. But I don't believe that.. I really think that its a blighted ovum.. They also did blood test but again, won't hear anything til' monday(UGH). Hate playing the waiting game....:( really realllly hope they'll do another sonagram and poof! There will be a baby w a beating heart healthy as can be.. But I having a feeling that's not gonna be the case:-/ Best of luck to everyone, -n
So sorry to hear :( How did they 'confirm' things? I mean, your HCG still went up some... did they still see 2 sacs?
I'm also glad to hear you're going to wait for things naturally- I've read up on too many women (misdiagnosedmiscarriages.com) that have been diagnosed with blighted ovums and things turn out ok with their babies. I don't mean to offer any false hope, just that I'm glad you wouldn't do a D&C right away just in case.
I'm still waiting for my US on Sat. I don't really even feel pregnant anymore, so I can't imagine that I have good news coming. I will keep you updated.
I'm also glad to hear you're going to wait for things naturally- I've read up on too many women (misdiagnosedmiscarriages.com) that have been diagnosed with blighted ovums and things turn out ok with their babies. I don't mean to offer any false hope, just that I'm glad you wouldn't do a D&C right away just in case.
I'm still waiting for my US on Sat. I don't really even feel pregnant anymore, so I can't imagine that I have good news coming. I will keep you updated.
Well, I found out today that I have a blighted ovum. We are just waiting for it to pass naturally...I hope it doesn't take too long. My hcg level came back at 14000 on 12/26, so I went ahead and moved up my ultrasound to today. I grieved yesterday after getting the numbers, so today I am alright. Keep me posted on your progress, will you?
Thank you so much for your post. It helps a little to hear of someone else going through the same thing. This is not my first pregnancy. I have a son, 7, and a daughter, 4. We have had a long year of ttc. A m/c and D&C in 3/09 and a weird thing in 7/09...positive pregnancy test, followed by cycle 4 days later (I guess it was a chemical preg.).
My hcg on 12/22 was 10810 (that is when the us dated us at 5w4d, but by my calculations we were around 5w1d) and I am going on Friday to test again. I am also certain that this pregnancy is not viable. I am especially heartbroken since we have two sacs! My next ultrasound is on 1/7.
The next two weeks will be long and terrible. I did not want to get out of bed today and I am close to tears every minute. Also, today I have no more pregnancy feelings. Will you let me know how your us goes? I will do the same.
Again, I appreciate you reaching out to me.
Stacy
My hcg on 12/22 was 10810 (that is when the us dated us at 5w4d, but by my calculations we were around 5w1d) and I am going on Friday to test again. I am also certain that this pregnancy is not viable. I am especially heartbroken since we have two sacs! My next ultrasound is on 1/7.
The next two weeks will be long and terrible. I did not want to get out of bed today and I am close to tears every minute. Also, today I have no more pregnancy feelings. Will you let me know how your us goes? I will do the same.
Again, I appreciate you reaching out to me.
Stacy
You are reading content posted in the Pregnancy Forum
Get information and tips on how to help you choose the right place to deliver your baby.
Get the facts on how twins and multiples are formed and your chance of carrying more than one baby at a time.
Learn about the risks and benefits of circumcision.
What to expect during the first hours after delivery.
Learn about early screening and test options for your pregnancy.
Learn about testing and treatment for GBS bacterium.
