Slow Growth + Strong Hearbeat = FREAKING OUT (long, sorry)

mareba2011 · August 2011

Hi ladies. I haven't had the gumption to post over here yet, so allow me to introduce myself. And congrats to all of you! I know what a nasty business this IF stuff is.

So, we TTCd for 2.5 years before finally getting a BFP on our 3rd round of IVF on August 2nd (yay!). I had a major bleed on August 3rd and we were in beta hell for the next week. The bleeding ultimately stopped and my HCG levels doubled approriately. We had our first ultrasound last week at 6w1d. The baby was measuring 5w5d with a heartbeat of 98. Our doctor said not to worry about the measurements as they were within the margin of error. The hearbeat was right on the cusp of being normal (my doc likes to see 100) Tried not to worry (easier said than done). We had our second ultrasound today at 7w2d. The baby is measuring 6w5d and the hearbeat is at 150. So the nugget is basically measuring 4 days behind, the growth betwen ultrasounds was 7 days' worth over an 8 day span, and our doctor described the heartbeat as "robust".

I asked the doc whether she was concerned about the measurements. She said the discrepancy was within the 3-4 mm error rate, but that she could understand my concern. She said clinically there is no real reason for concern, but if she were in my position she would feel the same way. I go back next Friday for another ultrasound. More limbo...ick. I'm trying to relax about it, but finding it pretty impossible. Anyone have any similar experiences they could share? I appreciate honesty, so any outcome is welcome. Thanks!

MyHusbandMyHero · August 2011

Ugh! I'm so sorry you're in beta hell! I went through a similar experience. My first u/s at 6w1d I wasn't even measuring the baby was so small but we had a hb of 108. They didn't hold out much hope for me and I went back at 7w2d and baby measured 6w exactly.. Over a week behind. I went back every week and baby was behind but consistently behind ( if that makes sense). It took until week 10 for me to catch up in measurements. The biggest concern they had was something genetically might be wrong, but everything looked fine at my n/t scan. I really hope it works out for you! I know it's hell

halo_tx · August 2011

I'm sorry you're in this position. I don't really have a similar experience, but my RE said that that early on, as long as you're measuring within 7 days, you're fine. I think it can be hard to measure accurately when they're so small. Plus, you had great growth and a strong heartbeat!

mareba2011 · August 2011

Thanks ladies! Fingers crossed for next week.

KaliChick · August 2011

I'll give you my rundown (although it's in my sig for the most part):

2nd IVF ... beta's were doubling but not within 48 .. more in the 60+ hour range.

First scan was at 5 weeks 4 days. All we saw was a small sac. Smaller than normal. He told me it was 50/50.

Next scan was at 6 weeks 5 days. All we saw was an empty, but larger gestational sac.

Scan #3 was at 7 weeks 1 day ... we now see a yolk sac but measuring 6 weeks 2 days (almost a full week behind) and possibly a heartbeat but it was too faint to measure.

Scan #4 was at 7 weeks 5 days ... discuss D&C and then we do one more scan and baby came into view. Measuring 6 weeks 4 days and still no measurable heartbeat yet we could see it flickering. Said to prepare that there wouldn't be a heartbeat in a week.

Scan #5 at 8 weeks 4 days... baby catches up, measures 8 weeks 2 days and heartrate is 168.

Scan #6 (today) at 9 weeks 4 days ... babe measures 9 weeks 2 days and heart rate is 171.

So don't lose hope!! You're doing fine!!!

mckenya · August 2011

I had something similar happen to me. Betas were good and showed I was 5 or 6 weeks. I knew I was 5w5d because I triggered and beta was high enough that they should have been able to see something on the ultrasound but all they saw was an empty gestational sac. I was devastated but told to return in a week (in the meantime I traveled home from Kenya where I was living during the IF).

I had an ultrasound at 7w2d and they immediately saw a baby and a strong heartbeat. Turns out I have an anteverted uterus which makes measurements very difficult early in pregnancy. They kept dating me several days behind (and couldn't even see the baby at first). I'm now almost 20 weeks and baby is actually measuring several days ahead which my OB says is probably more accurate. My anatomy just made the TV ultrasound measurements very difficult.

I was annoyed that they didn't tell me that there was possibly a totally reasonable explanation that they baby was measuring small. I think your LOs strong HB is a great sign and you should try (as much as possible) to stay strong!!!

ondjima · August 2011

Our baby measured 6 days behind at our 6 week and 9 week scan, but caught up at the 12 week one. Take heart, your baby is growing and their little heart is beating away!

Congrats!

Sunshine05 · August 2011

I wouldn't be worried at all. Your measurements are all within normal error ranges. It can be off up to a week that early, depending on angle and the tech doing the measurements. You're only measuring 4 days off AND you have a good strong heartbeat. I don't think you have anything to worry about there! Congratulations & Good luck!

mareba2011 · August 2011

Thanks so much to everyone for your support and your stories! Sorry for the delayed TY...weekend travel and the hurricane made for an interesting few days. I hope all of you east coasters are safe and well!

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Slow Growth + Strong Hearbeat = FREAKING OUT (long, sorry)

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