IS IT POSSIBLE? 7 weeks pregnant but ultrasound shows 51/2.?

Question

Yesterday I woke up and I had some brownish spotting (no cramps or pain). So I called my doctor and she scheduled an ultrasound for this morning. I went there thinking that I was 7 weeks pregnant but the doctor told me that according to the ultrasound I was only 51/2 weeks. There couldn't hear any heart beats yet. They asked me to get a second ultrasound in 10 days to make sure that the baby is growing. Is this possible even when I have regular period cycles of 28 days? Has anyone else experienced this before? Can the baby just stop growing at week 5 1/2 and stay in my uterus? Thanks much!!

Thank you all for the answers, it makes me feel better to know that there have been similar cases, even when some of the endings were happy and some of them were not. In the end, I guess I'll just have to wait until I get my second u/s in 10 days. Did any of you with a similar experience felt nauseous the whole day after the first ultrasound?

Answer 1

Well to begin with, it's possible even with 28 day cycles that you don't ovulate on day 14. If you ovulated late, and implantation was on the late side, I'd say your calculations could be off by about a week. Add to that the fact that ultrasounds, even early ones, are not infallible for purposes of dating the pregnancy, and realize that all could be absolutely fine. For what it's worth, even when dating my IVF prgnancies -- when there was clearly no question whatsoever about when ovulation/fertilization occurred -- in the early weeks the dating wasn't always accurate. In fact, my OB revised my EDD a few times before he and I just basically settled on something. (According to his measurements, they were a little small, which is perhaps what's happening with you.)

THAT said, unfortunately it is also possible that the embryo stopped developing. That happens often, particularly at such an early stage of pregnancy. In that case, it could be either a "missed miscarriage" or a blighted ovum (I've experienced both). With the first, your body doesn't recognize that a miscarriage has occured, and may require...help. Typically, you would be able to choose to wait a bit and see if your body will take care of things on its own, and, if not, you would have a D&C (dilation and curetage). With a blighted ovum, your doctor will see a sac, but nothing inside; the problem with that is that your body will usually continue to think it's pregnant....will continue to produce hcg and progesterone...and believe it or not this could go on a while...so again, a D&C would be the suggested way to go.

I am NOT saying you necessarily have either one of those things! I just want to explain what it could be in the worst-case scenario, and what the likely course of action would be. Hopefully, you're simply wrong about your dates, or your slow starter will catch up by your next ultrasound! If it does turn out to be bad news and you want to talk to other women with similar experiences, a great website for those who are TTC is at http://www.tcoyf.com -- you'll find lots of information and support there, not just if you have bad news next week but also if you're looking for support over the next 8 or so months! I wish you all the best.

Answer 2

This very thing happened to me 2 months ago. My first ultra sound showed 5 weeks and 2 days, when by all calculations I was 7 weeks. That was a Thursday. I went down for blood work that very day and my results for pregnancy hormone came back low (4900). The next day I had spotting, no cramps or pain, so they sent me in for more blood tests. Results went up to (8000). On monday even more tests, results went up even more (14900). From there one week later it was 49000. So its probably nothing. The spotting was due to implantation.

To answer your last question, yes, unfortunately the baby can stay in your uterus after growth has stopped. In april 2006, I went to the dr for my first appointment, which should have put me at 12 weeks. the nurse congratulated me on my way to my room, but when the dr went to listen for a heartbeat, there wasnt one. So we went in to the ultrasound room and the ultrasound confirm that the baby had just stopped growing at about 5-6 weeks.

I would suggest you get your HGC levels checked and go from there.

Good Luck and God Bless

Answer 3

7 Week Ultrasound

Answer 4

Hi! i am going through the same thing currently, according to my period i should be around 9 weeks pregnant, well 2 weeks ago i went in for an u/s and they saw the sac but no embryo, so my dr. had sent me for blood work and my levels were at 65,000 and he also rx medicine for me to strengthen my uterus, and he asked me to come back in 2 weeks, which i did yesterday, and same thing but he did see somthing so small they cant really give me an answer, so he sent me last night for an better ultra sound and more blood work the ultra sound tech said she doesnt see much either but she and dr. both said i could just be really early like 6 weeks instead of 9 ( you cant always go by your period) and my blood work came back at 114,000 and i asked him if that was a good number and he said yes and my progesterone was also good, he said this is all very good news and not to worry, which i am still worried because why is it soooo small, im trying to think positive but prepare myself for bad news, i also had very lite bleeding right before my period was due thinking it was my period and it stopped thats how i knew i was pregnant, thats just implantaion bleeding. I hope to hear an update from you and i will also let you know how my second u/s went i go back in 2 weeks again to make sure the baby is growing.

Answer 5

Don't be too worried. Every Person grows different. It might just be a slower growing baby. I Hope. Just relax, everything will work out the way it is supposed to!!!
Good Luck with your Ultrasound in 10 days. Wish u could give me an update. Happy Holidays!!!

Answer 6

It can happen! But u/s usually dont lie! I went to the hospital for some problems and they did an u/s. I thought i was like 4 or 5 weeks but i ended up being 8 1/2 weeks!

Answer 7

Brownish blood is usually implantation bleeding. I had an u/s at 9 weeks and they found no heartbeat or anything inside thesac. I had what is called a blighted ovum. I had a d&c to clear it out instead of waiting for it to miscarry in its own. MY second pregnancy I had a u/s at 5-1/2 weeks and could see a little blip which was the heartbeat. Remember when you are first pregnant they say 4 weeks...but in reality its only 2. So give or take 2 weeks is fine.

Answer 8

Do a little more research, You could have calculated wrong. Go to http://www.babycenter.com/help/howto/timing , and check out their site for more information. The doctor's are usually correct when it comes to dating your pregnancy using ultrasound, I wouldn't worry because it is only 1 1/2 weeks of difference. Remember the baby feels what you feel so try not to be too nervous, Just keep going to the check ups, and keep yourself informed.

Answer 9

this same thing just happened to me....i'm twelve weeks along but my baby stopped growing at six....my hormone levels are now dropping and expect a miscarriage any day...hopefully though this is not your case...it is strange that you were off almost two weeks when your cycles are regular. But 51/2 weeks is early to see a heart beat....just hope for the best but prepare for the worst...that's what i did...and good luck...i wish you and you baby all the best

Answer 10

My second son stopped growing in utero. They induced labor, and he is fine. That was at abou 30 weeks, though.

Not sure what they would be able to do at 7 weeks, though. I would imagine that the baby would not be able to stay in your uterus if it has stopped growing. I am not a doctor, though.