Possible miscarriage at 7 weeks?

Errrcad88 · October 2014

My husband and I found out we're expecting our first child at the end of September. Because I told my doctor I was cramping, she sent me for an ultrasound and blood work. The ultrasound was too soon to see much but did show that it wasn't an ectopic. My hcg levels were rising but not exactly doubling. At the second ultrasound appointment a week later, everything looked good. Then last weekend I started very light spotting. My doctor advised us to go to the ER where they said everything looked okay but that they wanted more blood work and a follow up with an OB. The OB appointment was yesterday and they did an ultrasound. The doctor said with me being 7 weeks we should definitely have detected a heartbeat, which they did not. And that my hormone level only went from 9052 to 10600, so with the spotting, lack of heartbeat and slow rising hcg levels she suspects we've have a miscarriage. We have another ultrasound this coming Tuesday to try again for a heartbeat. Has anyone else experienced a situation like this....has anyone experienced this and the baby turned out to be fine? The doctor said hope's not lost but that her heart says this is a miscarriage. I'm heartbroken and confused. I personally don't understand how she can be so sure of this based on this info alone, but then again I'm all new to this. I'm also confused because i thought the heartbeat was detectable around 8-9 weeks and she's concerned that at 7 she can't see it yet. Does anyone have any reassurance for me.... have been through something similar... have any info that could settle some confusion? We're going nuts having to wait until Tuesday for answers

Thank you!

kimmarie1105 · October 2014

I'm so sorry. Suffering through a loss is devastating but much more common than you'd think. All you can do is put your feet up and try to relax. You have no control over it. I hope everything works out.

finchfeeder80 · October 2014

Wishing you the best.*hugs*

alygator11687 · October 2014

Sorry that you're in limbo. Do you know when you ovulated? You would only know for sure if you temped. It is possible that you ovulated late and that it was too early for the heartbeat. You can see the heartbeat as early as 6 weeks with a transvaginal ultrasound. Edited to fix spelling.

gaylew5 · October 2014

yes, sorry to hear. and yes 6 weeks for transvag, esp if dates are correct... hope you get some good news.

Errrcad88 · October 2014

alygator11687 said:
Sorry that you're in limbo. Do you know when you ovulated? You would only know for sure if you temped. It is possible that you ovulated late and that it was too early for the heartbeat. You can see the heartbeat as early as 6 weeks with a transvaginal ultrasound.

Edited to fix spelling.

My lmp was Aug. 18 which was a week later than normal (it's usually around the 11th) so I wonder if that could have anything to do with this? I know at the end of the day, God's in control and no amount of worry will change the outcome, but I can't help but worry... I just hate being in limbo like this an not knowing. But I've come to realize how common this seems to be! The thing that concerns me is how quickly the doctors seem to be to throw in the towel and make assumptions. I know they're professionals, but I'm just not comfortable with them rushing me so early to the conclusion that there's such little hope for this to be a viable pregnancy just based off of lack of heartbeat at 7 weeks and slow rising hcg levels. But this is my first pregnancy so I guess that's why it's so shocking to me, because I just don't understand the ropes yet...idk. But thank you all for your kind words and advice

jbartsy · October 2014

Really hoping everything works out for you!

ftm0413 · October 2014

I had a similar experience between weeks 5 and 6. At my week 5 transvaginal they saw a nice yolk sac which is appropriate. I started spotting (which is expected after the ultrasound) but a few days later passed a large (like the size of my palm - large) blood clot and had period-like cramping. I called my reproductive endocrinologist (RE) and went for an ultrasound at 6 weeks and still only saw a yolk sac. I was told that my hcg levels "went up" but "not enough." We've had two prior miscarriages (one right at 5 weeks, one blighted ovum), so I didn't ask for specific numbers, just said. "okay." I thought it was the end, but because of the bleeding/cramping and lack of progression I was prescribed Crinone (vaginal progesterone). A few days later I had a fetal pole and visible heartbeat (flicker on screen, couldn't hear it yet).

One thing that my RE says often is that fertility specialists are really the experts in first trimester. An OB is the expert in third trimester and delivery. He doesn't answer my questions about second and third trimester issues, and said he has OB's consult him often on first trimester issues (like the situation you're in).

I'm at 7 weeks, and my RE doesn't check hcg level anymore. He said that an OB generally would, but that they are pretty useless once you have an image. I wouldn't worry too much about the hcg levels themselves, but have you had your progesterone checked? Also, were your ultrasounds transvaginal? Or did they try to pick up a heartbeat using a doppler? At 7 weeks your baby's heart probably isn't strong enough to pickup yet on doppler yet. I can hear mine but only transvaginally.

There's no contraindication to adding progesterone, so you can always request it. There's also nothing wrong with asking for a referral/second opinion from a specialist.

leelo9 · October 2014

Im goin thru something similar roght now too. I've been spotting since mon. Thought i was 8 weeks yesterday but went for a ultrasound and it shows im actually only 6weeks 5 das. Have a doc appt on mon. My thoughta r with u

btm013 · October 2014

Wishing you all the best! I understand how worrisome this all is. No matter what happens, you will be fine.

NaomiM87 · October 2014

Sending out positive vibes for you!

sammipaige22 · October 2014

You should try asking your doctor if you might not be as far as they think. Because if you are not then you would hear a heartbeat. Good luck though

lawrexc · October 2014

@Errrcad88 I understand what you are going through. I'm 5weeks 6days today. On Saturday I had bleeding and cramps and at the er they said my hcg levels are low. Repeat blood work today and hopefully all goes well. Like some of the ladies said miscarriage does happen but the best you can do is stay positive regardless of what happens.Yes the anticipation could make a person feel helpless but trust that all things work out at the right time. God bless you!

EricaD777 · October 2014

I had something similar happen in March of this year. I had a bit of spotting and the doctor suggested I get bloodwork and an u/s done. My HCG levels were appropriate, but my u/s only showed a 5.5 sac when I was supposed to be 7 weeks. She suggested that I may have ovulated later, but I knew when I ovulated. We got another u/s 5 days later, and saw a heartbeat and it was measuring 6.5 weeks. However, when we went to get another u/s the following week, we saw a baby, and no heartbeat.

I understand the pain of the emotional roller coaster and being in limbo. I am so deeply sorry you have to go through this. We waited a week to have a follow-up u/s; in my mind I needed the time to accept what was happening and I wanted to wait just in case. On the day of my scheduled D&C, I started to pass brown clots and I knew it was time. A point in all of this, my numbers looked great but I ended up miscarrying. It's such a mystery, and it plain sucks. I hope it all works out for you! Keep us updated and feel free to PM me if you need to chat.

tinybride717 · October 2014

So sorry you are going through this. I hope you find peace, whatever the outcome. Lots of thoughts and prayers your way.

Errrcad88 · October 2014

Thank you everyone for your support, advice, and sharing your own stories with me. I will keep you all in my prayers that are experiencing or have experienced this. Unfortunately our second opinion ultrasound yesterday only confirmed, without any doubt this time, that this is the end of the road for this pregnancy. I was up all night with terrible cramping and nature ran its course this morning. My OB said it looks like my body took care of everything for me, but they'll continue to check blood work and such to be sure everything has passed. We are devastated, but hopefully the next time around we'll be blessed with a baby. Thank you again everyone for the support and advice!

jbartsy · October 2014

*hugs* I'm so sorry for your loss. Be gentle with yourself. I went through the same thing and know it's not easy.

housewifebecomesher · October 2014

I'm sorry to hear this! The best strategy is just to be patient. I know people who have had something similar happen and it ended in a healthy pregnancy, and some who have had it end in a loss. Try to keep your mind on other things (I realize that is impossible). Sending good vibes your way...

EricaD777 · October 2014

I'm so sorry to hear this. Take care of yourself.

beemaya83 · October 2014

I am oh so sorry for your loss. Take all of the time that you need to grieve. Unfortunately, as pp have said, miscarriage is very common. It sucks that it had to happen to us. Sending you big hugs!