When should I see the fetal pole?

TrendyTina · February 2015

I had an ultrasound on Tuesday and measured 5w6d. All they could see was the gestational sac and yolk sac. I'm very worried about a blighted ovum or missed miscarriage. My MW has me scheduled for a follow-up ultrasound on March 10, but I'm going completely out of my mind and cannot wait that long. I'm going to take myself to the hospital on Sunday morning for an ultrasound. According to my US measurements, I will be 6w4d. A fetal pole (at the least) should be visible by that point, right? If I see any fetal development (even if it's just the pole, I can relax).

We scheduled the US so early bc I thought I was further along. I don't know if I just ovulated really REALLY late or if there isn't a baby in there.

I did my first hCG blood draw this morning and will repeat on Tuesday.

Chippercjm · February 2015

BO and MMCs are very rare. I think you have nothing to worry about. Most offices don't schedule an u/s until 8 weeks plus unless your pregnancy is high risk. I wouldn't give yourself any more worry by trying to rush it more at the ER. I would just wait until you see your doctor again... I'm learning that this is the beginning of practicing to be a patient mother with no control over any of it! Just enjoy the moment and take a deep breath! No cramps or bleeding then you should be fine.

krrandryan · February 2015

Try not to worry! My first ultrasound all I saw was the gestational sac and nothing else… By the time I went back the next week there was just the gestational sac and yolk sac… By the time I went back three days later the fetal pole and heartbeat was there, try not to worry I know it's hard but everything should be okay!! You are still very early

Emma2601 · February 2015

Honestly, 5w6d could be to early to see ANYTHING. I had a TV ultrasound at 5w5d and we saw something on the screen which resembled just the sac, but the nurse said it could have been a cyst instead. She warned me there was a chance we wouldn't see anything at all because it was too early. You're lucky you even got to see the sac! If it makes you feel better to get another ultrasound, then do it for your own piece of mind. By now you should definitely be able to see more. Don't freak out if you don't see the heartbeat this time around, either. It could still be too early for that, as well.

katie0919 · February 2015

Breathe, relax. If it was a blighted ovum, then you would not have seen a yolk sac. WHY are you going to go to the hospital? To make sure everyone's premiums become even MORE inflated than they already are? You do not have an emergency, please don't use resources that are meant for people with real emergencies.

Ultrasound or not, you cannot control what may or may not happen with your pregnancy. As my OB always tells me, the early embryo will either stick or it won't and unfortunately there is nothing that you (or your OB, or the ER) can do to change that. It is perfectly normal to not see a fetal pole or heartbeat at that stage. I would hold out and wait for your next ultrasound and try not to worry. Worrying isn't going to change the outcome (that's what I have to tell myself as I have had 2 miscarriages in the last year), so there is no reason to make yourself sick over it.

katie0919 · February 2015

You say you were measuring 5w 6d, how far along did you think you were based off your last menstrual period? My DS was 6 days behind my last menstrual period and he is a normal, healthy kid. My doc never thought a thing of it...I just ovulated later than the "typical" (I use that term loosely) day 14.

ancp27 · February 2015

@katie0919 is right, there would be no yolk sac if it was a blighted ovum. It's still very early to see something, besides you could have ovulated later than you thought. Try not to worry, I'm sure everything is fine.

hashtagblessed · February 2015

I think you're likely worrying over nothing. Most doctors won't see you so early because of the likelihood of not seeing anything at all. How far along did you think you were?

It's also at least somewhat likely that you wouldn't see anything at 6 and a half weeks either, which would cause you even more worry and anxiety when it's possible that everything is fine.

As well, I don't know anything about where you live, your background, etc., but I'm not sure a hospital will do an ultrasound on demand simply because you want one. It's also unethical to claim an issue or problem you aren't having just so you're more likely to get one. There are a lot of pregnant women going through very serious and very traumatic issues, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to take time and resources away from them.

March 10 is 11 days away. It might feel like an eternity, but it isn't. Again, I don't know your background -- if you've had a previous loss or health issue that is making you feel this way, absolutely talk to your doctor or MW. If it's just because it's your first and you're worried -- I hate to tell you, but this is just the beginning of the anxiety. It might be best to take an opportunity to learn some coping and relaxation techniques that will help you throughout what I hope is a long and healthy pregnancy.

hashtagblessed · February 2015

I just looked again and saw that you're on baby #3. Is there any particular reason you're so worried? Did you feel this way with the last two? If you have legitimate health concerns, you should, of course, be talking to your midwife. Otherwise, I'm curious about the reason you're experiencing such anxiety when you seem to be a seasoned professional!

TrendyTina · February 2015

I never felt this way with the previous two because we were trying and I was charting (this baby was a SHOCK and were NOT trying). We scheduled the ultrasounds further along so there was always something to see. This time I THOUGHT I was 7.5 weeks based on my LMP, but I didn't measure as far along. It is only my 2nd PP period and both cycles were very wonky. I'm also still breastfeeding which makes things more unpredictable.

I just spoke to my husband and he agrees with most of you about NOT going to the hospital. I'm going to wait until March 10 and try my best to stay sane in the meantime! I had my blood drawn today and will repeat on Tuesday so hopefully the levels look good and give me some peace of mind.

LansL · February 2015

Good luck TrendyTina xx

hashtagblessed · February 2015

Thanks for clarifying. I think you guys are making the right decision, and I hope the wait will go by quickly and won't be too stressful for you.

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