trying to remain hopeful -- pls share your stories

[MrsHin2002]

Hi All,

Just looking for some reassurance. I had an ultrasound today at 7w4d and the fetus measured at only 6w?d and the dr was not hopeful about the viability, though he said there's still a chance. He said that it wasn't probable (that everything would be ok) and he asked me several times if I was sure of my dates (which I am, 100%). We couldn't see a heartbeat. My hcg level on Friday (at 7 weeks) was 15000, I won't have a repeat level done until Monday (I'm away the rest of this week) and have another u/s booked for next Thurs. He said that by then things should be more clear.

And my husband also wasn't with me, so I had to tell him over the phone (a good friend of mine was able to come with me).

Anyone have any good news stories to share about scenarios like this that turned out to be ok? I just don't know how to feel at this point. I'm back at work this afternoon (going away tomorrow at lunch so there's lots to do) but partly want to go home and cry. But then it's not over yet... no physical symptoms, no spotting or cramping or anything.

My last loss was discovered in an u/s at 11.5 weeks, with a sac measuring at 8 weeks and no fetus in sight. At least this time it was early enough to see something still there, though not at all distinct.

Anyhow -- just wanted to share and to know if anyone else has had a scare like this that turned out ok? thanks in advance.

Karen

[calebsmommy25]

I don't have any experience or stories to share, but had to write something. Sending good vibes your way.

[starbyfar7]

with this pregnancy, i was 1000% certain of our conception date.. but at our first ultrasound baby measured small. i thought i was 9 weeks, but baby measured 7 weeks 6 days. baby had a very strong heartbeat so i wasn't too worried, eventhough we had the worst ultrasound tech in the world ("omg i cant believe how small your baby is... my goodness, its hard to get a clear picture.. hmm.. you had your hcg levels checked and the doctor said everything is okay??") ugh.. i wanted to slap her..

although the dates are all screwed up.. today i'm 17 (or 18) weeks and my little booger is thriving!

but still, there is no way possible this child is due on the 29th of March. My last LMP was 14 June. I got my BFP on 11 July. If i'm due on the 29th of March (which is possible because we have sex just about every day) it would mean we conceived on 8 July. How the hell could i get a positive pregnancy test 3 days after conception. I don't even think thats scientifically possible! So who knows.. dates and measurements aren't everything. Even doctors will admit that they're still a "guess" and not 100% accurate. And also, sometimes 6 weeks is too early to see a heartbeat on the u/s so i wouldn't worry about that either. All you can do is play the waiting game.. although I know its hard.
Hope I helped you feel alittle better.

[justduckyangie]

With this pregnancy we had an US at 6w. It showed NOTHING but the sac, nothing. We had to wait another 1.5 weeks for a follow up US. This was a pregnancy after a MC, so I was pretty sure it was going to be another. I mean I didn't see how it could go any other way. At about 8.5 w or so we got the follow up and there was a baby measuring right on for dates. I'm 27weeks now and I'm still amazed...it was so odd. So don't lose hope, remain positive!!!

[wholebreath]

With this baby I had a dating ultrasound at 8 weeks, and they could only see a sac, no fetus, no heartbeat. I wasn't completely sure about my dates, but I knew within a 7 day window. The doc didn't hold out much hope. I did an HCG test that day and one 3 days later. They were both high and rising, which was a good sign. I went back for the second ultrasound 8 days later and everything was fine, the baby measured perfect, strong heartbeat, no problems. No explanation for why the little one seemed to do 3.5 weeks of growth in 8 days. The OB did say he was implanted way up in my uterus, which could have affected the quality of the image.

It can turn out well! Good luck and I wish you a happy healthy 9 months

[heatherr30]

Even if you're charting your dates could be off. Sometimes charts are hard to read, or the temp readings are inaccurate, etc. If you have a chart, take another look and see if there's another possible O date. If you are just going by your last AF your dates could be REALLY off more than you think.

I'm crossing my fingers for you, I really hope everything goes well!

[coyotemist]

My dates and ultrasound were off last time, too. He's almost 2 now, and his name is Charlie.

Measurements and dates are often off. Just relax, drink lots of water, eat good food, and things are probably just fine.

[sewingsparklz]

Yeah, I've read on MDC a bazillion times that an ultrasound that early isn't good for finding a heartbeat....

Not that this is the same situation, but for this pregnancy, I had a transvaginal ultrasound at 9w5d to "date" the baby. I've charted for 2 years now and I know my dates! Well, the baby measured at 10w5d. So my OB moved my due date. WHATEVER! That means I ovulated a week after my period started? And my thermal shift was CLEARLY on day 15. Anyway, this led me to go home and Google the accuracy of early ultrasounds, and EVERY site said they can be off as much as 5 to 7 days. I didn't find anywhere that they were accurate enough to trust explicitly like the OB did.

So here's hopin'! I don't think the ultrasounds are the "gods" OB's make them out to be. Plus, there are already several good stories on this thread where the baby was actually fine. So thpbpththptb to that!

[MrsHin2002]

Thanks for all of the great replies! Receiving each new update to this thread has been a boost to my mood and outlook.

I thought of a few things to add to the story...
1. I wasn't charting for the summer (trying to reduce ttc stress) so when I say I'm sure of my dates it's only the date of my lmp that I'm sure of. The dr never asked about any other dates and at the time I didn't think of #2 to say.

2. I'm sure that I ovulated later than day 14, if I can be sure because of cm patterns. I had been worried for a few months that I didn't seem to have any noticeable cm in pre-o time (usual had been cd12-14 or so. This time was the first month I mentioned to dh that I was worried as I thought the lack of cm might be indicating ovulation issues and I'd had marginal fsh levels already, so I was feeling a bit old. And then on cd14 I had plenty of cm and we bd Cd14, 15, 16 all with cm. So this makes me think that my lmp date might be even less useful than normal. We had been a bit off and these 3 days were our only bd dates that month.


Plus wondering if delayed O date is likely related to increased fsh levels and maybe it's normal to have dates off a bit when getting a bit older? I had one month since Jan with a re day cycle with no pg and just wonder if some irregularity just comes with the territory at this point?

3. I saw an OB I'd never met before for the us. My family dr delivers babies, and I'd been referred to the fetal assessment unit at the hospital for this us for an early check. So he wasn't just a tech but wasn't someone I had any relationship with at all, though he was very nice.

4. What he measured on the us wasn't clearly identifiable, though there was def something these to measure. This was a reg us and not a vaginal one. He said there was no fetal pole - not sure if this means much more than no heartbeat.

I'm not sure if any of this additional info helps to fill in the details of my story or not. I want to thank everyone sincerely for your stories and memories. I've read them off to dh several times. It's great to feel connected to others who have played this waiting game while we're in this limbo stage. And for now I'm staying quite positive (no tears today) thanks to all of you and realizing that for today I'm still pg and there will be plenty of time to be upset once things are confirmed, if that's the way it's heading and there's nothing to be gained by freaking out now. Plus I'm away with ds for a few days and wouldn't want him to see me upset anyhow.

I'll be sure to update as more info is rec'd I must've known that I'd need to stay connected online - so glad I got a blackberry on Friday!

[finnegansmom]

I think since you don't know when you ovulated, you really shouldn't be worrying right now.
I don't see a direct link between late ovulation and age or FSH levels. I'm your age.
I ovulate later when I'm nursing, or in random times when i've been under a lot of stress (mentally or physically).

I wasn't charting when I got pregnant with my first, we weren't TTC and I had suffered and really bad back injury that month - ovulated a week later than normally and somehow managed to get pregnant (thanks to the pain meds apparently) and my early USs were 1 week off obviously from LMP.

If you are unsure of ovulation, which you are, i wouldn't put much stock in one early US. When you go back, you'll want to see growth, that's all that matters really.
Also, having an abdominal US at 6/7 weeks seems really early to me. I have a vaginal us at 7w1d and it still took a minute to find the baby in there. It's really tiny.

[GolfAddict]

I had my u/s yesterday at 7w6d. The baby only measured 7w0d. But one thing my husband and I noticed was how hard it was for the tech to find a definitive edge on the "blob" to put the crossmarks. And it did seem hard for him to find it and keep everything still long enough to mark it and snap a pic.

My MW had no worries about the difference in days and didn't change my due date. Even though, oddly, when I asked her how accurate the u/s is she said "extremely accurate".

Also, I have read that women with retroverted uteruses often have issues with accurate early u/s.

I would try not to worry too much. I have read and heard countless stories about nothing showing up on early u/s and a couple weeks later the baby just appears perfect and healthy.

[Peppermint Leaf]

My first ultrasound they couldnt find the heartbeat -- I was devastated.

Long story short -- that non heartbeat is now 19 years old size 13 shoe and 6'4! LOL . he was there -- just hiding I guess .....

[MrsHin2002]

Back for a quick update. My second ultrasound is this afternoon (4.5 hrs away -- come on 3:00!). I'm nervous and freaking out a bit this morning. Cried a little bit, just nerves I think. I expect to know something definite this afternoon, but realize that it could still be a bit unclear (i.e. there's a heartbeat but is too small, getting larger but still no visible heartbeat, etc.). I've tried to go through all of the possibilities to prepare myself.

I have my 2nd hcg level drawn on Tues -- it was 18849 (8w4d). It was 15000 on 7weeks even. I know this is inconclusive on its own, but was glad to see that at least it hadn't dropped yet.

If anyone has any advice on how to survive the wait until the ultrasound -- I'm all ears!

[sewingsparklz]

I can't help you on that one - I'm terrible about being excited and impatient! But let us know how it goes!

[JFTB1177]

Just wanted to send ((((HUGS)))). I've been through losses before too and know how it is. I am crossing all fingers and toes you come back with some great news!!

<sigh> The only way I survived waiting for my u/s's (with my 4 losses AND my 3 living - one is still gestating - babies) was convincing myself to expect the worst. It didn't make the pain any less, but when I got bad news it made the blow just a tad bit easier to take. With DS2 I had gushes of red blood around 5-6 weeks, no symptoms, etc and was convinced he was loss #5, so was very very shocked to find out all was okay. I had one loss where I didn't bleed at all. You just never know.

Sending lots of good vibes and sticky baby dust your way!!!!

[MrsHin2002]

Thanks again for all of your responses. Unfortunately, ours is not a good outcome. Our 2nd ultrasound confirmed the worst -- no visible fetus. What we saw could only be good news if I was 5 weeks along and not 9.

It turns out that what I saw last week during the us was the yolk sac -- not a fetus. I should get a call in the morning about an appt with the early losses clinic and am hoping to be able to get in for a d&c.

[JFTB1177]

Originally Posted by MrsHin2002

Thanks again for all of your responses. Unfortunately, ours is not a good outcome. Our 2nd ultrasound confirmed the worst -- no visible fetus. What we saw could only be good news if I was 5 weeks along and not 9.

It turns out that what I saw last week during the us was the yolk sac -- not a fetus. I should get a call in the morning about an appt with the early losses clinic and am hoping to be able to get in for a d&c.

I'm so sorry BIG BIG hugs. I had the same thing happen with one of my losses.

Please don't give up hope... I had 2 losses, then DS1, then 2 more losses. At that point I had all the m/c testing done possible and everything came back normal. The docs concluded that they were all chromosomally abnormal. The next time I got PG he stuck (DS2), and the very next PG stuck too (the baby I am currently PG with). I totally expected to have another 1-2 losses before another one stuck, just seems to be what my body does. We plan on having at least one more child, and I do expect to have another loss... some of us just m/c more. But it does NOT mean you won't have another child, remember that!! My mom's nextdoor neighbor had 3 girls without any problems, but they wanted to try again for a boy. It took 4 losses in a row before one stuck- and he was their boy! I know another lady who had 5 boys in a row, never having a loss. She wanted a 6th child but had five straight losses. In her case, she went to the doc and found out after her 5th child her thyroid went haywire and it was causing these very early losses. She got on medication, got PG, and had her 6th child, a little girl. I know soooo many of these stories (I used to post on a multiple miscarriage board). Hang in there... I know how devastating it is, believe me, but never lose hope!
(((((HUGS)))))

[DanielleT]

I am so sorry for your loss...

[GolfAddict]

I'm so sorry, Karen.

[myk]

i'm sorry.