6 week ultrasound today, only a gestational sac :'(

jennitoure · December 2014

I went to a non-medical company for a dating ultrasound today because my doctor won't see me until 8 weeks regardless of 2 ectopic pregnancies, one which resulted in losing my left tube. So far I have been drawing HCG's and results have been okay I think?

12/15: 177
12/17: 372
12/19: 696 (not quite double)
12/22: 1972
12/24: 4041

Ultrasound today was transabdominal and she said the sac measured at 5 weeks 3 days but there was no yolk sac, or fetal pole. They want me to come back in a week, they say it is probably just to early. I am terrified.. I don't know how we'll handle a third loss this year

Anyone have any input or success stories after no yolk sac or fetal pole at 6 week abdominal ultrasound?

Marissa6609 · December 2014

I went through an ectopic earlier this year. My Dr scheduled my ultrasound at 5w3d to confirm it was in my uterus this time. I think I would be finding a new dr if he wasn't willing to see me sooner than 8 weeks, with your history.
That being said, my ultrasound had a sac with the very beginning of the fetal pole at 5w3d - transvaginal. You may just be early like the tech said, can you get a transvaginal ultrasound? I am hoping for great news for you next week! Good luck!!

GR8TDANEMOM · December 2014

I don't think an abdominal ultrasound will show as much this early. You really need a vaginal ultrasound this early. Hopefully next time you go it's a much clearer picture.

tlc35 · December 2014

Based on a starting beta on 12/5 indicating a very early pregnancy, 5w3d sounds reasonable for dates especially if you don't know when you ovulated. Plus with a transabdominal scan that early it is really hard to get a clear picture. At this point you know it is in your ute and I know it sucks but you will just have to wait and see. PGAL sucks and I wish you good luck.

yennie0810 · December 2014

It's too early exact same thing happened to me a few weeks ago I am now 8 weeks 3 days with a baby and a heartbeat of 133

divinemsbee · December 2014

My doc won't do a t/v ultrasound until almost 6 weeks, let alone an abdominal one, so I think it's pretty normal not to see much.

I had a transvaginal on the 23rd at approx. 5w3d (although I'm closer to 5 weeks because I ovulate a little late than average). Just a few days can make a gigantic difference between what they can see and what they can't. We saw a sac that looked healthy with the start of a fetal pole. My doc was pretty pleased with that. I go back this week to try to see more.

I also recommend that if you've been dealing with recurrent ectopics, you need to find a doctor that takes you seriously about those fears.

blackw15 · December 2014

Try not to worry yourself too much, although I know that's easier said than done. I had a dating u/s at what I thought was 7 weeks (turned out it was about 5 weeks) and they could only see a gestational sac and yolk sac. I was terrified and thought the worst, but had a repeat a week later and we saw a baby with a heartbeat of 110! This is such a critical time for your baby's development. Give it a week or two and you should get a more definitive ultrasound.

ancp27 · December 2014

I went in when I thought I was 6w5d along and had a transvaginal ultrasound and there was no heartbeat. I was devastated because I was certain of the time we conceived. It turned out I was wrong. I went back the next week and baby was measuring 6w6d with a hb of 140 and a week later I was measuring 8w1d with a hb of 165. It's a lot more common than you think and my doctor wasn't even concerned there was no heartbeat and was positive I ovulated late, while I was terrified. An abdominal ultrasound this early won't really show you anything.

jgesi · December 2014

I agree with all of the above.
1. Find a new doctor.
2. Only seeing the sac is normal for around 5 weeks.
3. Abdominal ultrasounds around 5 weeks are absolutely useless.

I wouldn't worry.

kjasc21 · December 2014

All the best

lcwed · December 2014

Everyone has given you great advice. So I'm going to send T&Ps that it was just too early and you get more encouraging news and better care in the next few weeks.

LuluRM · December 2014

This JUST happened to me! I had my first u/s at what would've been 7.5 weeks based on LMP (which I knew would be slightly off b/c we were doing a monitored Clomid cycle, and I ovulated CD 19).

There was a gestational sac that measured 6 wks, but no yolk sac or fetal pole. They told me the same thing you were told, and had me come back 2 weeks later (it was 11 days, actually). My follow up u/s was Friday... nice big embryo, measuring 7 weeks, 6 days, and a strong heartbeat! (My first u/s was just too early, and our bean was a bit of a slow starter!).

I will be praying for you, and crossing my fingers that you have a great outcome as well!! XO

LnR70707 · December 2014

elizabethnevadaP said:

This is why doctors don't order ultrasounds so early. No amount of hoping, wishing, or expensive ultrasounds are going to show what isn't there yet. Hang in there. Building a human takes time! Try to enjoy your pregnancy!

But they will confirm the pregnancy isn't in her tube again, potentially causing a life-threatening situation while waiting around for a later u/s. Good doctors most definitely DO order early u/s when the situation calls for it.

OP, best of luck.

kcebeling · December 2014

jgesi said:

I agree with all of the above. 1. Find a new doctor. 2. Only seeing the sac is normal for around 5 weeks. 3. Abdominal ultrasounds around 5 weeks are absolutely useless. I wouldn't worry.

This.

BethKate2 · December 2014

LnR70707 said:

elizabethnevadaP said:

This is why doctors don't order ultrasounds so early. No amount of hoping, wishing, or expensive ultrasounds are going to show what isn't there yet.
Hang in there. Building a human takes time! Try to enjoy your pregnancy!

But they will confirm the pregnancy isn't in her tube again, potentially causing a life-threatening situation while waiting around for a later u/s. Good doctors most definitely DO order early u/s when the situation calls for it.

OP, best of luck.

This. @elizabethnevadaP‌, the OP has had two ectopics. Early ultrasounds are essential.

kmbeyl · December 2014

Thoughts and prayers for you. Hang in there! Hopefully the ultrasound was just done too soon.

jennitoure · December 2014

Thank all of you for your kind words and stories of success, this will help me get through the next LONG 8 days until my ultrasound. And yes I realize there is a reason doctors don't do ultrasounds this early but if I could avoid having to go to emergency surgery, and receive two units of blood because I was bleeding internally and lose the only tube I have left.. The hoping, wishing and expensive ultrasounds will be MORE than worth it. At least I know now that it is not in my tube, I hope to receive good news next Monday!! Will keep everyone posted, thanks again everyone

ellieandres · December 2014

No idea why they did a transabdominal ultrasound that early. Always do a transvaginal that early. Avoid non- medical ultrasound companies. My OB won't even look at ultrasounds from non-medical facilities for this reason. They make many wrong calls. Certainly easier said than done to not worry, but try to stay positive!

kmsundermann · December 2014

We had an ultrasound at what should have been five weeks. Dr saw blood and MAYBE a sac. He told me there was 80% I would miscarry and had to go back for another u/s less than a week later. At the second one the blood in my uterus was gone and there was a sac with a fetal pole. Two weeks later we saw a heartbeat. I think the first one was just too early. This is my first pregnancy. I will not be going to the dr so soon next time. I had the worst thanksgiving ever since he told us we would miscarry the day before. Stay strong!! I'll be praying for you!

Tsiebeneck · December 2014

I was in similar situation and still am...LMP was Oct 30 but when I went in at my "7 weeks" they didn't see anything so went a week later had sac, went week later saw fetal pole, next week I go to see if there is heart beat...fingers crossed...I'm only measuring 6 weeks but according to LMP I'm 8 or 9...but conception was late and so was ovulation so don't get too worried...I've learned worrying doesn't help...it's in Gods hands, everything happens for a reason, keep faith and try not to worry give it time

carrieharry79 · December 2014

I went in at 5w6d and all they could see was a gestational sac and I was really upset. They had me come in a week later and had the "removal" doctor in the room to discuss options. It was awful. Then they started the ultrasound and at 7w exactly there was a fetal pole, heartbeat and everything looked perfect. Don't lose hope!

bvekez244 · December 2014

I had this happen to me. Because I am classified as a high risk pregnancy right off the bat my doctor had me come in for blood work and an ultrasound right away. There was nothing visable their until my 4th ultrasound at 7weeks. I'm 9 weeks pregnant now. Don't forget baby grow when their ready :-) plus if their are twins, there's even less too see at 6 weeks. Give it time :-)

Jo Smith · December 2014

That is very encouraging to hear. I had one done yesterday at 5 wks 4days and they were only able to see the amniotic sac. I had it done transvaginal too. My HCG level yesterday came back at 48,665 so my numbers are good but the nurse was concerned that no fetal pole or yolk sac was visible. I'm scheduled for another ultrasound next week. Thank you for sharing a success story.

Blairbear28 · December 2014

Had a 6 week scan today and only had a sac and a yolk, no pole. I'm also panicking, but trying to keep it cool until next week when I get another scan.

teacher0430 · December 2014

I had what I thought was a seven week scan. No sign of a fetal pole or yolk sac. Hoping my dates are off. I am scheduled to go back on 1/14 in hopes of a heartbeat and healthy baby! Good luck to you. Stay positive!

sjra1028 · December 2014

I'm in the same situation! I thought I was 9 weeks today, but apparently I ovulated late. Husband and I held our breath until they said they saw the heartbeat. I'm only measuring at 6 weeks & 5 days. 3rd time my due date has changed! So relieved though because we've already lost 2.

sjra1028 · December 2014

I also meant to add that they only saw the heartbeat with the transvaginal ultrasound!

Ann612 · December 2014

Even if you know that exact date of ovulation, there is no way of knowing when implantation occured. I measured almost a full week behind at my 5 week ultrasound. when I went back a week later I had "caught up" 5 days but still no heartbeat. My doctor said this is normal and she is not worried.

Your HCG levels look good. It's supposed to double roughly every 2 to 3 days. I totally get it's impossible not to worry, but so far there doesn't seem to be any indication that something is really wrong.

jennitoure · December 2014

Convinced a doctor I work for to write me an order to go to an imaging place for an ultrasound since I couldn't get into my OB until next week and I couldn't bear the thought of waiting. So Monday I was supposed to be 6 weeks 2 days based on LMP. Transvaginal ultrasound showed gestational sac, yolk sac, and a tiny fetal pole with a little flicker of a heart beat. She said it was slow but that it was normal because she measured my gestational sac at 5 weeks 5 days. Got the doctors report and all looks pretty normal except a corpus luteum cyst on my right and another cyst on the left which I guess will reabsorb? I would love for everything to have been completely normal, a strong heartbeat.. But I feel a little better. Now the wait until I see my OB next Thursday. Thanks everyone for your words of hope!

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6 week ultrasound today, only a gestational sac :'(

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