Measuring small and low heart beat

laurenc517 · October 2015

Ok so I have had some random (red) spotting but nothing major. Just a few drops when I pee first thing in the morning. The first time it happened my Beta levels doubled so I thought I was in the clear. After the second time it happened, I went in for an ultrasound and they were able to find a heartbeat and measured the sac! Again, I thought this was great but the doctor seemed worried the the heart rate was only 117 and the Sac was measuring 6 weeks 1 day when I should be 6 weeks 5 days.

I have done a lot of research and 117 seems to be perfectly normal?! And as far as the date being off 4 days -- what if I just ovulated a little later??

Anyone else experiencing this? Should I be worried?

VikingGirl12 · October 2015

Im actually pretty shocked. DS measured 5 days off at 7 weeks and both the tech and dr said it was no big deal. Also, that heartrate is exactly where it should be according to this:
https://www.countdownmypregnancy.com/pregnancy/heartbeat.php

Eta: DS measured 5 days small and ended up a humongous baby.

jerseybroadwaybaby · October 2015

This happened with my 2nd and No heartbeat was detected at 10 weeks. She continuously measured behind and was almost 2 weeks late. She was fine!!! Fx everything is ok

likeabel · October 2015

DS measured small by a few days at my 8 week and 20 week US... 10 pound baby. The tech said even if you know when you ovulated the egg could have taken its sweet time implanting.

laurenc517 · October 2015

Maybe the doctor is just worried because I am having minor red spotting?? I have a friend that had bleeding her entire pregnancy for no reason! I just want to be excited but all these little bumps in the road are making it so hard!

Did they change your due date when the baby measured small? @likeabel @jerseybroadwaybaby

VikingGirl12 · October 2015

I've had red bleeding with this pregnancy too.. Baby is fine.

My OB only changes due date if it's 7+ days off.

MEP923 · October 2015

With my second we couldn't find a heartbeat. Doctor said to give it a week and a nice strong heartbeat was there. I think I ovulated later than I thought. He was a nice, healthy 9 lb 5 oz baby.

itsbronte · October 2015

With my first, I had some minor spotting and she measured at least a week behind the entire pregnancy. Also the doctor couldn't find a heartbeat until 9 weeks. She arrived on time and perfectly healthy though! It can be scary, but if the doctors don't seem worried, try not to worry about it either.

sorarose · October 2015

laurenc517 said:

Ok so I have had some random (red) spotting but nothing major. Just a few drops when I pee first thing in the morning. The first time it happened my Beta levels doubled so I thought I was in the clear. After the second time it happened, I went in for an ultrasound and they were able to find a heartbeat and measured the sac! Again, I thought this was great but the doctor seemed worried the the heart rate was only 117 and the Sac was measuring 6 weeks 1 day when I should be 6 weeks 5 days. I have done a lot of research and 117 seems to be perfectly normal?! And as far as the date being off 4 days -- what if I just ovulated a little later?? Anyone else experiencing this? Should I be worried?

You probably did just ovulate a little later. If you're already questioning your OB, I suggest shopping for a new one ASAP. Most of us aren't trained medical professionals, but that seems like common sense. I know that if my doctor is shocked that my baby is 3 days behind (I know exactly when I O'ed), I'm going to have words with him.

hellomommas · October 2015

I'm not a doctor but I am surprised he/she said he/she was worried. My cycles are 32 days so I go through this every pregnancy--- I go in for first ultrasound and they seem surprised that the babe is not bigger and by now I have learned to explain my cycles are a week longer so, I probably ovulate a week later than expected, making the baby a week "younger". (Both of my babies were late- first one was 10 days late.

likeabel · October 2015

laurenc517 said:

Maybe the doctor is just worried because I am having minor red spotting?? I have a friend that had bleeding her entire pregnancy for no reason! I just want to be excited but all these little bumps in the road are making it so hard! Did they change your due date when the baby measured small? @likeabel @jerseybroadwaybaby

The ultrasound tech dated me about 3 days behind but my doctor said he didn't feel it was enough to move my due date and my uterus size was probably measuring right on track. This time around I know I'm at least a week behind and my doctor agreed when I went in for a confirmation appointment last week (he felt my uterus and said I was only 6, not 7 weeks). I have my ultrasound a week from today and he said he'll go off what the tech says.

emucoleman · October 2015

I agree that it's pretty weird your doctor is worried over just a few days of difference. Spotting isn't usually a big problem either. If you have a strong heartbeat then I don't see what there is to worry about! I agree with PP that you might want to look for a new OB. You definitely don't want a doctor who is making you more anxious over small things rather than easing your mind.

BLM10 · October 2015

I am a (cardiac) ultrasound tech and I cannot express enough how much depends on THE TECH. They generally say any gestational age/EDD is +/- 3-4 days. And yes, some people will have a longer or shorter cycle OR a bigger or smaller baby. But all the tech has to do is mismeasure by a fraction of centimeter and you have a different answer. It's easy to do when we are talking about black and white 2D images of something the size of a seed. If I am off by a hair when measuring hearts, my patient's diagnosis can go from normal to diseased or vice versa.

tahitiansun · October 2015

I wouldn't be overly concerned, but I would definitely follow up with your OB. I previously had a pregnancy where I went in for the initial ultrasound and the baby was measuring 5 days behind and the heart rate was 115. The rate was slightly lower than the 120-180 range, so coupled with the smaller measurements, the doctor had me come back in two weeks. At that time, we found out the baby had stopped growing and the heart had stopped. I am not sharing this to scare you, and hopefully (likely!) your situation is completely different but following up with your OB is important and could give you some relief that everything is progressing normally!!! Wishing you a healthy pregnancy!

laurenc517 · October 2015

I have gone back to the doctor since and found out I am having twins!

cattlebride · October 2015

Ultrasounds can be off by a week either way. Going off a lmp is not an accurate indicator of babies age. Hang in there. Your next one will tell you more. Fx you ovulation date is off.