8 weeks with weak heartbeat

[hopeforababy]

My last period was 4 August, I'm supposed to be 8 weeks pregnant. Went to the OB yesterday and doctor couldn't find the HB via the ultrasound so he did an internal scan and finally found the flicker. However, he told me from the scan it looks like I'm only 6 weeks and baby HB is weak. He said it's either my date is wrong or I ovulated late or baby is slow in development. But I know my date is correct. He asked me to return in two weeks time and see if baby grows. I'm so worried now. I've read a lot in the forum here and elsewhere but most mommies didn't update what happened later. I seriously meed some people with the same experience to tell me this is normal. I had a miscarriage last year at 6 weeks. So I'm paranoid with almost anything.

 

[Starry Night]

This exact same thing happened with my last two pregnancies and sadly both ended in m/c. If you really are sure of your dates then it doesn't look good. I'm so, so sorry your scan didn't go the way you wanted.

 

[justhoping]

your egg and sperm could have met up a bit later and implanted late as well..so dates dont mean much when it comes to that really..
my dates where so off and changed all the time with my kids..
what did he say the heart beat was exactly?

 

[Starry Night]

It's the 'weak' heart beat that has me the most concerned. If the doctor said it was strong then I would just think your dates were off.

 

[justhoping]

just like some docs say ur m/c because numbers are in the hundreds...some docs put there foot in there mouth....talk before they really know what is going on..

i would ask for another sono before i would worry to much,. i know easier said then done...but if it is a good pregnancy you want the baby to feel good vibes from you...

((hugs)) thinking about ya

 

[hopeforababy]

The doc didn't count the HB. He just said it's weak and asked me to go in on 12th Oct. I don't know what to feel now.

 

[slg76]

Hi. I've been reading obsessively about this for four days now because I'm in a similar situation. My 6.5 week scan looked like a 5 week pregnancy (no baby yet). I was also pretty certain about my dates. From what I have read your dates can be off by a week because of variations in fertilization/implantation time. Also, early development doesn't seem as cut and dry as the doctors make it out to be. If you are really 7 weeks that is within normal timeframe to just start seeing a heartbeat. I have read so many women's stories and I think in both our situations it really could go either way. I'm having the longest week ever waiting for my next scan and I'm sure you are too. I'm sending good thoughts your way. I'm trying to stay optimistic because it's really all I can do and it's a better way to spend my week than crying. Sending a hug your way!

 

[hopeforababy]

Thank you so much! Ya. I can only hope for the best. Hugs back.

 

[Starry Night]

slg - my son measured a week behind until the end of the first trimester when he caught up. You're still very early yet. I thought I was 6 1/2 weeks when my first scan showed only a gestational sac. But the following week a scan showed a 6 week baby with a very strong heart beat. My cycles were messed up after a m/c so I wasn't sure of my ovulation date so I had been going off of when I got a bfp. I guess I must have gotten a really, really early bfp.

hopeforababy - as long as your baby is still alive there is always a chance. I didn't mean to say to give up. I've done a lot of research on the topic because of my own experiences so the odds are stacked against you (just being honest) but there is ALWAYS a chance you're the lucky one who gets to keep her baby. I wish you all the best at your next scan.

 

[klsltsp]

I am in the same situation, I had an ultrasound last week, I thought I was 7.5 weeks, the baby measured 6.5 weeks, they saw the flicker of the heart but couldn't measure the heart rate. From what I've been able to figure with a slow heart rate at 6.5 - 7 weeks, there is a high risk of miscarriage, but I'm focusing on the fact that some have to make it and that hopefully all of ours are in that percentage!!!

I have a follow up u/s on Wednesday... it's been a long week, but I've been keeping myself busy!

I promise to update Wednesday so that you know what happened with me, I'm still very nauseous so I'm hoping that's a good sign.

Fingers crossed for all of us

Kim

 

[pinkpolkadot]

Hi, you must be worried sick, do you know for sure when you O'd or are you only basing it on your LMP?

 

[chistiana]

Both ds and dd always measured 1-2 weeks behind and they are both wonderfully healthy. I hope you both get positive news!

 

[slg76]

Thanks for sharing your story, starry night. My gut tells me that my baby is fine but it's hard to trust that now. I can't be totally certain of my ovulation dates because my body is wackado. But, I do know that I only had intercourse twice in August and they were only two days apart. If I got pregnant on the second time I would have been 6wk+4 at the scan. But I suppose it's possible that I didn't conceive until 4ish days after intercourse. I thought that made my BFP too early but I've had a couple friends tell me they had bfp at 6dpo and my hcg is running high. The literature and the doctors make it seem like early development is so text book and that they know what the baby should look like each day. I'm starting to think this isn't true. What you do think about my dates? I'd appreciate your opinion, sounds like you are too familiar with this situation.

Kim, I'm happy to hear that you saw a heartbeat. You could also be a week off due to implantation time and such. In cases like ours if the baby did stop developing our hcg levels still rise. This is what causes all your pregnancy symptoms like nausea. Hopefully next week your little heartbeat will be stronger/faster. My scan is also Wed.

Hopeforababy-my fingers are still crossed for you. Hope you are coping with the wait for your next scan ok.

 

[hopeforababy]

Thank you people for the encouraging words. I still need to wait for another 2 weeks for the next US. Ahhh... long wait man. At this time I just need to keep my hopes high and make sure I eat well so that baby grows. I hope baby could catch up.

Do update your status here all mommies.

 

[pinkpolkadot]

It does sound like it could just be a matter of dates, best of luck and do keep us updated

 

[klsltsp]

Hey Ladies

Thought I'd update my status... it's not good news... I had my follow up u/s today, and there was no growth from last week and the heart has stopped...now just waiting to miscarry so that we can start again for our rainbow baby. This will be my second ms back to back.... sigh..

My fingers are crossed for the rest of you ladies!! good luck.

Kim

 

[pinkpolkadot]

so sorry kim

 

[slg76]

so sorry to hear your news, kim.

I had a followup today. Since last week the yolk sac became more defined and there is now a fetal pole with no heartbeat yet. But, my gestational sac only grew from 8 to 10 mm. So, I think I'm 7 weeks, baby measures 6, sac measures 5. My HCG went from 11000 last week to 20000 this week. Rising but not as fast as it should. My doctor doesn't think this is a viable pregnancy but I can't give up my glimmer of hope yet. I feel like I would be giving up on my baby.

 

[klsltsp]

Slg well it looks like you are moving in the right direction!!! Good news! My fingers are crossed for you!! The waiting is the worst part. when do you go back for your next scan?

 

[slg76]

thanks for your positivity, Kim. Some days I feel like I'm just being silly by holding out hope. I know the odds are stacked against me but I've read plenty of similar stories where the baby was born just fine. My doctor only sees patients on Wed. so next Wed is my scan. I think she is expecting me to miscarry before then but no cramps or spotting yet.