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Great News After Not Seeing the Heartbeat at 6 Weeks

Expecting Great ThingsExpecting Great Things member
in 1st Trimester

I am writing this post for those that need some reassurance during what might be an anxious time.

Like many others on this site, I went to my first OB appointment at 6 weeks, 2 days since my LMP.   The doctor did a transvaginal ultrasound and saw a sac but nothing else...no fetal pole or heartbeat.  This was very disappointing, especially since one of my close friends had just been to see her OB as well, at about the same stage of pregnancy, and saw the heartbeat.

My doctor told me not to worry, that she would be concerned if I were 8 or 9 weeks but that the dates could be off or the fetus was just too small to detect.  She told me that I should come back in 2 more weeks for another ultrasound.  While this was not the news for which I was hoping, I have to say that I am very thankful that my doctor remained calm and optimistic for my sake.

I went back to the doctor's office 2.5 weeks later, and everything was fine.  I got to see the baby and the heartbeat.  I even heard the little heart beating!  It was wonderful!  The technician doing the ultrasound thought I was closer to 8 weeks 2 days, not the 9 weeks I had estimated.  I was pretty sure about the dates, but it didn't matter; my baby looked healthy, and everything looked great.  I could tell, in the end, that my doctor was just as relieved as me.

I think it's important to note that, while most websites say that the fetal heartbeat should be detected at around 6 weeks, many people to whom I've spoken didn't have their first ultrasound until 7-9 weeks.  In hindsight, I think waiting until 7 weeks would have eased a lot of anxiety for me.

In any case, everything turned out great, and I can only hope this story provides encouragement and hope to others who are searching for answers online the same as I did a few weeks ago.

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Re: Great News After Not Seeing the Heartbeat at 6 Weeks

  • eisenberg0814eisenberg0814

    i am glad it worked out so well. and i agree with you, waiting would have given me less anxiety. I had many US:

    4w5d - nothing! he could not confirm that I am pregnant

    5w1d (adjusted) - sac but nothing else

    6w - large sac and something but nothing definite

    7w1d - little something, and a tiny heartbeat

    8w4d - baby with heartbeat - right on track, everything looks good.

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  • peps815peps815 member
    When I went for my first doctor's appointment at 6 weeks they did not do an ultrasound or try to hear the heartbeat.  They told me we would do all of that at my 12 week appointment. So this week, I am finally 12 weeks!!! It has been a long time coming. Anyone else have to wait 12 weeks to hear heartbeat and get an ultrasound?
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  • calm_angel_2003calm_angel_2003 member
    Im glad u got to see and hear the heartbeat. I got to see the babys heartbeat last week and they measured the baby and I was 9 weeks and 4 days at that time. everything is going good so far just darn m/s
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  • ToBeMrsC6907ToBeMrsC6907

    I have an apt this week with the NP, and am not having an u/s.

    I have an apt with the OB at 10 weeks and assume we will try to listen to the HB on the doppler.

    I will only have 1 u/s (unless there are any concerns/issues) at 20 weeks.

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  • ToBeMrsC6907ToBeMrsC6907

    I have an apt this week at 8 weeks with the NP, and am not having an u/s.

    I have an apt with the OB at 10 weeks and assume we will try to listen to the HB on the doppler.

    I will only have 1 u/s (unless there are any concerns/issues) at 20 weeks.

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  • canuckabroad10canuckabroad10

    Thank you for posting this - it is giving me some hope. 

     I went in last week and was measuring behind the dates I thought I was.  I thought I was closing in on 7 weeks but I was measuring 5w3d (and no heartbeat).  I am due to come back this Friday to see if anything has changed.

    Part of me thinks I have my dates wrong.  Part of me is hoping I have my dates wrong.  

    3 more days of worrying.... 

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  • talullahstalullahs

    I am so happy for you!  I am in a similar boat.  I went in for my 1st appt./ultrasound last Monday at 6 weeks, 4 days.  The doctor said I was only measuring 5 weeks, but that we could see the sac and fetal pole (but no heartbeat).  I have an appointment for a follow up ultrasound next Monday, but this wait is killing me. 

    I am trying to be calm, but today my breasts stopped being as tender as they have been the past few weeks, and I am driving myself crazy over-analyzing every symptom.

    But congratulations to you and I hope to have equally good news next week!

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  • PinkBackPackPinkBackPack

    imagePeppers815:
    When I went for my first doctor's appointment at 6 weeks they did not do an ultrasound or try to hear the heartbeat.  They told me we would do all of that at my 12 week appointment. So this week, I am finally 12 weeks!!! It has been a long time coming. Anyone else have to wait 12 weeks to hear heartbeat and get an ultrasound?

    I will be a few days short of 12 weeks when I go in.  It is hard waiting, but I'm still experiencing m/s so I'm not too concerned.

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  • andreajdownsandreajdowns
    Congrats! I am sure it was killer to wait 2 weeks- I know the waiting is the hardest part.  Also rememberr dates can be skewed a lot of early ultrasounds for lots of reasons! 
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  • petergene14petergene14

    imagePeppers815:
    When I went for my first doctor's appointment at 6 weeks they did not do an ultrasound or try to hear the heartbeat.  They told me we would do all of that at my 12 week appointment. So this week, I am finally 12 weeks!!! It has been a long time coming. Anyone else have to wait 12 weeks to hear heartbeat and get an ultrasound?

    I don't get to have my ultra sound until I'm almost 11 weeks and I'm going crazy! I asked my midwife's office if at my 8 week physical if we could try to at least just hear the heart beat so I can stop freaking out and they told me "they might try" Might try... what does that mean?! Oh well I guess this whole journey is a test of patience right Huh?

     

    Our TTC Journey: TTC#1 since April 2010, BFP#1 9/23/10, M/C 11/5/10, D&C 11/16/10 BFP# 2 3/06/11, M/C 3/15/11, BFP#3 4/11/11 Beta#1(15DPO)-217 Beta#2(17DPO)-538 Beta#3(24DPO)-6,345 Stick little one stick!! BabyFruit Ticker
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  • Expecting Great ThingsExpecting Great Things member

    I know what you mean about stressing over symptoms coming or going.  I was the same way!  I kept feeling my breast (sounds crazy) to see if they were tender.  When they didn't hurt as much, I started to worry.  The best thing I did was try to remain optimistic and look at how many healthy babies are born every day have been been for a looong time without the medical intervention resources we have today.

    I hope everything works out for you!

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  • Expecting Great ThingsExpecting Great Things member
    I wish you all the best.  Please keep us updated.  Hope is the best thing.
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  • AKB8208AKB8208 member
    imagetalullahs:

    I am so happy for you!  I am in a similar boat.  I went in for my 1st appt./ultrasound last Monday at 6 weeks, 4 days.  The doctor said I was only measuring 5 weeks, but that we could see the sac and fetal pole (but no heartbeat).  I have an appointment for a follow up ultrasound next Monday, but this wait is killing me. 

    I am trying to be calm, but today my breasts stopped being as tender as they have been the past few weeks, and I am driving myself crazy over-analyzing every symptom.

     

    This is me today...makes me so nervous!!!  I went in last week really unsure of how far along I was.  I could have been up to 7w4d from LMP, but i've never had a regular period.  I was dissapointed when they said I was 5w3d and really nervous and things going in the right direction.  I go back Wednesday for another ultrasound to check things out..and i'm so nervous!  Today, i've noticed my breasts aren't as sensitive as they were.  I've had a lot of cramping but no bleeding.  Sometimes I have food aversions...or don't feel like myself...but i can't stop analyzing everything!  I'm driving myself crazy!  Wednesday appt can't get here soon enough to ease my worries...

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