Help me plan viability US?

Babymakes5! · June 2016

As you ladies may have read, I had bleeding and passed clots on June 13th. Spotting June 14th.
June 14th beta-136, June 16th- 451, June 18th-1170
My Dr was initially pushing for an US right away, to rule out ectopic. I didn't want to do that and the second opinion agreed with me. My betas look good, but Dr still wants to get a peek in there and see what's up.
After discussing it with him, however, he is leaving it up to me to decide when I do this. I told him I don't want to go this week (5 weeks) and hear there's no heartbeat, it could be normal, could not be. I want to wait until the US results will be definitive and not leave me feeling like I'm in limbo still. He has left an US requisition for me and says to book it any time in the next few weeks for when I feel comfortable and if I have anymore bleeding he will get me in immediately.
When would you book it? I should be 5 weeks tomorrow. I O'd on may 31st. I know a heartbeat is expected at 6 weeks. Would you go in at 6 weeks? Or wait until 7 to give a cushion time so if it implanted a day late you wouldn't be worrying for no reason? This decision feels very stressful to me and I'm really anxious over it.

Jlk2016 · June 2016

Personally, after going through an "it's too early to see anything" ultrasound today, and having the feelings I do afterwards, I would wait. Waiting SUCKS!!! Ugh it's horrible, but I do know that I personally wish I could've/would've waited until at least 7 weeks!

Jlk2016 · June 2016

P.S. I'm sorry you're having this stress, I get it, I really do.

kerris713 · June 2016

I know it's tough but I would wait until 7. I had an early us and there was only the g sac and yoke sac so I have to get another one next week. I would rather not have so many so early but I was really unsure of my O. According to my LMP I was 7 w 3 d, clearly not what was seen on the u/s. Now I'm super anxious for next week. Fingers crossed for you- hope this helps.

fourPsinapod · June 2016

This is tough! At 6 weeks even, I was able to see a baby and heartbeat so maybe somewhere in between 6 and 7? Last full term pregnancy, I saw DD and a little heartbeat flicker a few days after 5 weeks. If it makes you less stressed to wait, then wait. If they don't see what they need to, you can always go back in a few days but I know that might cause you even more anxiety. I guess my advice is go with your gut. You know your body and your heart more than anyone. Hugs! I have been thinking of you very often!

blush64 · June 2016

I would wait until 7 weeks. When I had bleeding and a SCH with my daughter I had one every week from about 5 weeks aND the first couple were awful because there wasn't much to see and so nothing could be confirmed. (And nothing could make me completely relax)

Waiting is hard but at least at 7 weeks you would have an answer when you went in. I really hope everything goes well and everything is doing exactly what it should he.

catiecatp · June 2016

If your arms feel up for it, I might ask for another HCG or two to watch that go up - and use that as some reassurance as you try to wait a bit longer. With spotting and clots like you've had - that would make it harder to wait - but I would try for at least 6 weeks, if not 7. Maybe compromise and go at 6.5? I'm sorry - I'm not much help - but I want you to know I'm thinking of you and hoping for the best.

Babymakes5! · June 2016

Thanks ladies. I think maybe to be on the safe side I will request 7 weeks or a couple days after. my fear iS going in and still feeling like I'm in limbo

PerraSucia · June 2016

Between 6-7 is my vote too. Would you go in at 8 normally?

Babymakes5! · June 2016

@PerraSucia under normal circumstances, my first ultrasound would be the NT testing which is offered around 12 weeks.

cinderin · June 2016

my OB does the 7/ 8 week dating u/s. I'd ask for that if it were me.

PerraSucia · June 2016

Then I change my vote to 7-8 so it looks like a gummy bear and not a blob

Gingersnap · June 2016

I'm going at 6+4, so right in between.
If you can wait it out until 7 it will be more definitive, but if you are like me and just can't wait then maybe try for later in the 6th week?

caribbeanmama-2 · June 2016

Between 7 and 8 should be good.

WinchesterGirl · June 2016

Since you are sure of your O date, +1 for between 6 - 7. That heartbeat is going to be more reassuring than anything else.

MrsDramaK · June 2016

I like what PP said about continuing to do blood draws, but wait closer to 7. The blood draws will, hopefully, reassure you, while you wait it out. I don't know about your doctor, but as long as I'm willing to fork over the ten bucks, my doctor will draw blood as often as I like.

catiecatp · June 2016

MrsDramaK said:

I like what PP said about continuing to do blood draws, but wait closer to 7. The blood draws will, hopefully, reassure you, while you wait it out. I don't know about your doctor, but as long as I'm willing to fork over the ten bucks, my doctor will draw blood as often as I like.

Well that is a positive about the US system - since I don't pay I feel like I'm asking for so much when asking for another HCG. Knowing that it isn't an expensive test will help me here too.

EDIT - I'm sorry - I think my tone comes off as snarky and noticed it as soon as I hit post - what I intend is that here in Canada we here more of the drawbacks to the US system and not the positives. I'm sure there are positives, beyond the one I praise.

paigeed · June 2016

My RE left the same decision up to me, just said within the 6th week. I chose 6+4. Most of what I see and read says that by then it should be pretty definitive. They originally suggested 6+1 (today) but I declined and wanted to wait the week out. Better safer than causing so much worry. Provided your bleeding stops and mind is at ease.

cantalopes24 · June 2016

I had an ectopic that I needed surgery for the first week of May but the levels didn't go up consistently like that. I had an ultrasound while waiting for my bloodwork results at 5.5 weeks this time because we thought that they hadn't cleared the previous pregnancy out but it ended up being a new pregnancy and we were able to see the heartbeat. If they're just looking for ectopic or not I personally would go in. We were told the general rule is once you hit about 1500 you can see something in the ultrasound. With your numbers going up the way they are not seeing a heartbeat wouldn't indicate anything wrong IMO.

SPurp13 · June 2016

fourPsinapod said:

This is tough! At 6 weeks even, I was able to see a baby and heartbeat so maybe somewhere in between 6 and 7? Last full term pregnancy, I saw DD and a little heartbeat flicker a few days after 5 weeks. If it makes you less stressed to wait, then wait. If they don't see what they need to, you can always go back in a few days but I know that might cause you even more anxiety. I guess my advice is go with your gut. You know your body and your heart more than anyone. Hugs! I have been thinking of you very often!

This. I thought I was farther along than I am, I guess. I thought I was 7, but today they put me at 6 exactly, and the tech was able to show us the baby, fetal pole, and heartbeat. However, when she started, she did warn she might have to do an internal (I never had one with my last pregnancy), but she didn't have to. So, that makes me think that this early on, it's hit or miss on whether or not you'll be able to see what you need to see. For your anxiety, I'd wait until 7 weeks.

fourPsinapod · June 2016

SPurp13 said:

fourPsinapod said:

This is tough! At 6 weeks even, I was able to see a baby and heartbeat so maybe somewhere in between 6 and 7? Last full term pregnancy, I saw DD and a little heartbeat flicker a few days after 5 weeks. If it makes you less stressed to wait, then wait. If they don't see what they need to, you can always go back in a few days but I know that might cause you even more anxiety. I guess my advice is go with your gut. You know your body and your heart more than anyone. Hugs! I have been thinking of you very often!

This. I thought I was farther along than I am, I guess. I thought I was 7, but today they put me at 6 exactly, and the tech was able to show us the baby, fetal pole, and heartbeat. However, when she started, she did warn she might have to do an internal (I never had one with my last pregnancy), but she didn't have to. So, that makes me think that this early on, it's hit or miss on whether or not you'll be able to see what you need to see. For your anxiety, I'd wait until 7 weeks.

My OB does internal until the 20 week scan, I believe. Most of my USs ended up being internal for DD.

Vastra · June 2016

I ended up having a TVUS after some spotting when I was just shy of 7 weeks, and I was TERRIFIED of not seeing a heartbeat. Especially because my (a bit on the crazy and unprofessional side) doctor promised I would. Everything I've read says that might have been too early, so I didn't want to get in there, not see it, know that it was too early, and still have my doc tell me it was a lost cause.
Luckily, I DID see it, and I immediately felt better. But I think this whole process is going to cause a lot of anxiety for all of us for different reasons. I knew it was medically necessary to have the US, so I tried to go in with an attitude of "we're looking for something bad, not necessarily something good. No news may be good news." Luckily it was only good news.
Hang in there, lady. None of this is fun. Yet.

Edited: spelling, words, life.

Munchie2.0 · June 2016

My RE's office is doing it at 7 weeks just to avoid any stress for me. (i did see a heart beat with DD at 6 weeks though)

hispenguin · June 2016

My RE does the first u/s between 6-7 weeks. I have mine booked for 6wks 6days. My RE only does internal u/s for that appointment also.
If you can wait till between 8-9 the baby will definitely look more gummy bearish instead of just a blob.

SPurp13 · June 2016

fourPsinapod said:

SPurp13 said:

fourPsinapod said:

This is tough! At 6 weeks even, I was able to see a baby and heartbeat so maybe somewhere in between 6 and 7? Last full term pregnancy, I saw DD and a little heartbeat flicker a few days after 5 weeks. If it makes you less stressed to wait, then wait. If they don't see what they need to, you can always go back in a few days but I know that might cause you even more anxiety. I guess my advice is go with your gut. You know your body and your heart more than anyone. Hugs! I have been thinking of you very often!

This. I thought I was farther along than I am, I guess. I thought I was 7, but today they put me at 6 exactly, and the tech was able to show us the baby, fetal pole, and heartbeat. However, when she started, she did warn she might have to do an internal (I never had one with my last pregnancy), but she didn't have to. So, that makes me think that this early on, it's hit or miss on whether or not you'll be able to see what you need to see. For your anxiety, I'd wait until 7 weeks.

My OB does internal until the 20 week scan, I believe. Most of my USs ended up being internal for DD.

Seems like I dodged the bullet on that one. My bladder was REALLY full, so I know that helps them see what they need to.

scottipino · June 2016

SPurp13 said:

fourPsinapod said:

SPurp13 said:

fourPsinapod said:

This is tough! At 6 weeks even, I was able to see a baby and heartbeat so maybe somewhere in between 6 and 7? Last full term pregnancy, I saw DD and a little heartbeat flicker a few days after 5 weeks. If it makes you less stressed to wait, then wait. If they don't see what they need to, you can always go back in a few days but I know that might cause you even more anxiety. I guess my advice is go with your gut. You know your body and your heart more than anyone. Hugs! I have been thinking of you very often!

This. I thought I was farther along than I am, I guess. I thought I was 7, but today they put me at 6 exactly, and the tech was able to show us the baby, fetal pole, and heartbeat. However, when she started, she did warn she might have to do an internal (I never had one with my last pregnancy), but she didn't have to. So, that makes me think that this early on, it's hit or miss on whether or not you'll be able to see what you need to see. For your anxiety, I'd wait until 7 weeks.

My OB does internal until the 20 week scan, I believe. Most of my USs ended up being internal for DD.

Seems like I dodged the bullet on that one. My bladder was REALLY full, so I know that helps them see what they need to.

Vaginal versus external really depends ones body habitus. With my previous ones I have only had to do transvaginal prior to 8 weeks or if they wanted to measure cervical lengths. Otherwise viability scan at 8 weeks and NT scan were both abdominal. My 6 week scan this time was transvaginal.

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